Canon Sureshot Classic 120 Zoom 35mm Camera

The Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 is an easy-to-use point-and-shoot camera with advanced features for the discerning amateur. It includes a powerful 38-120mm built-in zoom lens with aspherical optics and a 7-mode dial for convenient and automatic camera settings. Easy-to-see green and orange LED indicators in the viewfinder inform users of shooting and warning conditions.

The rapid-zoom, real-time shutter release and 1.5 frames per second allow for great pictures of action and fast-moving subjects. A built-in retractable lens and flash protect the camera from damage. This durable, compact camera is perfect for travel and recreational photography.

1 Major malfunction issues!
I would give this camera five stars if not for the fact that I've had to send it in for repairs three times in the 2.5 year that I've owned it. When it works, the Canon Sureshot takes incredible pictures. The zoom and flash are great, and I am especially fond of the red-eye feature. However, my camera kept having this weird problem where it would rewind film when I was in the middle of the roll, and then I'd try to put a new roll in and it would rewind the film again. Each time that happened, I had to take it in for repairs. I was lucky that I lived close to a Canon repair facility at the time, otherwise I would have been really ticked about having to pay to ship my camera to them so many times. The repair people were really nice about everything and my camera has been working well for almost ten months now (knock on wood! I'm sure that will change as soon as I post this review). My next camera will NOT be a Canon, however. I've learned my lesson.

2 Crisp, clear photos
I've had this camera for over a year and continue to love it. When I bought it, I was looking for a small, automatic camera, with a good zoom. I have an SLR which I love, but wanted a camera I wouldn't mind throwing into my bag 'just in case.'

The photo quality is excellent, particularly for portraits (this camera takes especially nice photos of the 'I've got my arm around my friend and am holding the camera to take a picture of the two of us' variety). Although the zoom is long, there is very little distortion, and photos are always crisp.

Unlike one of the other reviewers, I have found quity a bit of red-eye when I use the flash, and it sometimes take the camera a second to 'auto-focus.' But those are my only complaints.

3 My new best Friend
This camera took incredible pictures of my doberman in the snow, tho he was running literally as fast as he could when the pictures were shot. There was absolutely NO blur. And the pictures display images exactly as i saw them through my own eyes- perfect color and sharpness. It must be the best camera in it's class.

Like other cameras, it has imperfections. Here's what I found:

*Although I had no trouble with red-eye WHATSOEVER, a few of the pictures I took indoors had glare over some peoples' eyes.

* Flash is only good for images up to about 7 feet away in the dark( i.e. darkest night time).

*what I saw was not always what i got: when i looked through the lens I saw a big, beautiful christmas tree. When I looked at the photograph, I daw the bottom of it. Maybe I need to read the manual some more to learn how to avoid this.

The good outweighs the bad by so much, the bad is insignificant unless compared to an SLR.

* no redeye
*In half-descent lighting, photos turned out with quality of perfect potraits- no kidding. The images appear literally as I saw them through my own eyes

* the camera adjusts to new lighting in an instant
*the camera has an all-metal shell- very durable
* the battery has almost full life although I have shot 5 rolls of film and took my sweet time making each photo, leaving the camera on for a significant amount of time often
* it looks very cool and unique, and has caption and date-printing options and more altogether than I am familiar with, not to mention a nice display screen that reveals battery power, number of photos taken with the present roll of film and the mode it is in
* the zoom is FABULOUS ( not slow or noisy)
* This camera is uncomplicated to use and this is an extroardinary price. No doubt this is the best camera for this price.
* takes fantastic pictures of moving objects. WOW!
* for people who, like me, don't like manuals, you can switch it on automode and and use the camera without ever peeping at the manual( as i did the first few months i had the camera). All you have to do is zoom for desired view, press shutter button down halfway first to adjust the camera to the lighting. Then, CLICK! Beautiful..............

This is the best Christmas present I have ever gotten. NO matter how high your expectations from this camera are, I think it will at least meet them.

4 Best choice in this price range
I was shopping for point and shoot camera and after comparing zillions of cameras settled on this. The only other camera that compares with the Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 is the Olympus Stylus Zoom 115 and above. I have been using this for 6 months now and pictures are *very* sharp and have *very good* contrast. Here are the pros and cons of this camera

Pros>
1. Solid styling, feel and "retro" Look. Correct size for a point and shoot.
2. 7 Preset modes (macro, portrait, action, spot, night, auto and personal) with a big and easy dial to choose between them - No more fiddling with small buttons.
3. Small buttons for people who like to fiddle with small buttons - you can personalize your picture taking and make the camera "remember" it.
4. Active as well as passive autofocus (active autofocus doesnt work on subjects more than 20 feet away. Passive autofocus doesnt work well in low light and low contrast. Together they must make a difference). Timer so you too can be in the picture.
5. Portrait and macro modes are simply amazing! If you are thinking of a camera just for portraits and closeup shots, forget other cameras. Buy this.
6. Focussing is the fastest among the cameras I have handled. Its almost instant.

This beauty however has its cons too
Cons>
1. Night mode *NEEDS* a tripod. However with a tripod results are breathtaking.
2. The pop out flash needs some getting used to. I found myself obstructing it many times.
3. The battery cover is weird. you have to be careful with it.
4. The lens protection (though it has not caused problems for me) could have been a bit better.
5. The zoom buttons are okay - but can be better designed.

The reason working against Olympus were - Olympus has flaky zoom mechanism. Canon's zoom motor and mechanism are solid - the telescoping portion is made of metal. Olympus has slow focussing when compared to Canon. The Viewfinder in olympus is dim and tiny - though subsequent models have improved it.

The pros of Olympus are - better placed flash. Solid clamshell design that protects the lens as well as makes the camera splashproof. Canon's lens cover though adequate is not as good as the clamshell.

To sum up - if you need zoom, active as well as passive autofocus, preset modes for the beginner, good viewfinder, self timer, fast focusing, good feel, styling and size for *THIS* price - you cannot go wrong with this camera.