No, not a baby. Bite your tongue.
I’ve been playing around with my new toy for the past few days and thought I would share it with you. Here’s my new, pretty-blue, baby. The Canon PowerShot SD1200IS
Why do I tell you this? So you know that you don’t have to have a super-fancy (aka expensive) camera to take pictures that you love. I am by no means a photography expert. I’m just a spray painting clown with a camera, but I’ve found that a point and shoot camera can take great pictures.
My old camera is a Kodak Easyshare Z740
Do I dream of a beautiful, new DSLR camera like the Nikon D3000
So I did some research and I discovered the Canon PowerShot SD1200IS
The best part is that I used my Swagbucks and got it for almost nothing! What are Swagbucks? Swagbucks is a search engine like Google or Yahoo. As you use it to search the web, you’ll periodically be awarded Swagbucks. Once you have enough, you can trade them in for prizes…I always go for the $5.00 Amazon gift card.
It’s easy to use, especially if you add the Swagbucks toolbar to your browser.
Endless Summer hydrangea shot in macro-mode
Anyway, back to the camera…Did you know that most point and shoot cameras have something called Macro mode? It’s usually symbolized with a little flower on the camera. You can use it to get great close-up shots. Y’all probably know all about it and are macro-experts. Or maybe every last one of you has a fancy DSLR camera. But humor me here. I just discovered the awesomeness that is the macro-mode.
Annabelle Hydrangea
Tell me…Are you a point and shoot kinda gal?
Here are a couple of great articles about using your point and shoot camera:
How to take macro photos with a p&s @ Blissfully Domestic
How to take really crisp photos @ Blissfully Domestic
How to control shutter speed and aperture on a p&s @ Digital Photography School
{ 45 comments }
I have yet to delve into the wide world of SLR photography (although I aspire to one of these days!), but I am absolutely tickled pink with the Canon P&S I bought last October. (The SX200IS.) I couldn’t be happier with it! And I couldn’t agree more: macro mode rocks!
Amy @ Positively Splendid´s last blog ..Make your own mosquito repellent spray
DSLR user here…. But, we do have a point & shoot that I like, too. My Canon was an ultimate splurge.
Off subject, but can I just say that I’m so jealous of your endless hydrangeas? SO pretty!
I would LOVE a really expensive camera like the Nikon you mentioned. I can’t afford one either. I have a point and shoot camera that I use for all of my photos. It’s a Kodak EasyShare C913. I had it for over a year before I figured out the macro mode. Ahhhh DUHHHHH! haha It takes a few tries but I normally can get pretty good photos. I previously used the Canon PowerShot A520 but it’s over 5 years old now and like you said about 20 years in camera years. My younger kids use it now to snap pics.
Carmen´s last blog ..Veggie Garden & Flowers
Congrats on your new camera! I recently got a Nikon D3000…my point and shoot was really frustrating me. That being said, my old camera wasn’t nearly as nice as yours seems to be!
Thanks for explaining swagbucks to me! I have noticed on my sitemeter/analytics that some of my hits are from swagbucks and I could not figure out what it was – “why a search engine had the word “bucks” in it”!
Trish @TheOldPostRoad´s last blog ..I’m Torn
I lov eyour hydrangeas! And that blue canon is dreamy. I love the color. I do have a DSLR and have had it for almost a year but only in the last 3months have i started getting into photography. I wish I had learned more when I had my point and shoot prior because I know it had more capability than I knew what to do with. But it died. I’m looking for a point and shoot for my daughter that she can grow into a little. She has a great eye for photography and her current camera isn’t very good.
I have a Sony Cybershot with a touch screen that I love for goofing around with friends.
But I WORK for a pro photographer and use several very nice Nikons for work (and lets be honest, I take them home and play with them too!)
And I have to share my secret: it’s not always the camera, but the person behind the camera that makes the shot! However, the nice pro Nikons DO make my heart go pitter patter.
I have the Canon SD600 {I think}. It is about 3-4 years old. It works for me and as a shaky person, I’m never going to take the best pictures anyway. Now wait, macro? What? I have a flower thingy. Now I have to play with it this weekend. I don’t know what half the features or menu items are on my camera. I’m lucky I figured out portrait, wide, beach, night and whatever else it has.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions´s last blog ..What Do You See?
Your timing on this one was perfect! I’m going out this afternoon to look at cameras….I’d love a dslr, but I can’t justify it right now. Thanks for not being the only one!
I agree!! Someone once left a comment on my facebook that said, “…and she tried to tell me she was a professional photographer–and she had a camera from BEST BUY!!!” Let me just say–the CAMERA doesn’t make the photographer; the pictures do. I’ve taken some of my best shots EVER with a point and shoot–no photoshop, no alterations–just point and shoot with Walmart processing.
Yay for your new toy! It’s pretty!!
I have our old point and shoot and a new Nikon D5000. I have to be honest and say that I love them BOTH. There are some situations where lugging my Nikon is just not convenient so my point and shoot comes to the rescue. I do LOVE my Nikon though and it does have the point and shoot presets for convenience too, but working on Manual makes it so gratifying when I get a great shot.
You made a good choice by going with Canon! Don’t laugh — our “fancy” camera is a Canon PowerShot G2… that we bought almost 10 years ago! We paid $1K for it at the time (foolishly, on credit… grr…), hence the term “fancy”. LOL. It’s still going strong, and I can’t justify going the DSLR route until this one dies. And I discover a money tree in my backyard…
That said, I will ALWAYS have room for little, pink Polaroid P&S. Why, you might ask? BECAUSE IT’S SO SMALL THAT IT LIVES IN MY PURSE, UNNOTICED! I am now NEVER without a camera. That’s really important with children; you invariably want capture the perfect shot while you’re at the grocery store or some other place that you wouldn’t ordinarily drag your big camera.
Anyhow, congratulations on the newest member of the family!
I got a DSLR for Christmas a few years ago and it. changed.my.life. I am so not kidding. I loved my point and shoot, but the SLR can do so much more. I have my photos hanging in my home and it makes me feel like a real photographer. I am no where near as good as others, but if I can take awesome pictures, so can anyone! Here are some of my favorites http://elzabelz.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
I love what you’ve done with the point and shoot. I also love the color!
elz´s last blog ..Love Thursday-Love the Moment
I just got a new camera, too! My old one was a Canon and, like your old one, the picture quality has been deteriorating — and it’ll barely focus at all. I’m happy with my little point and shoot. So fun to play around with a new gadget.
Oh, I need a new camera so badly. I love taking pictures so I really wanted to get a fancy shamancy camera, but I think I may end up getting a new point and shoot first. I actually have the powershot, only its like a thousand years old, and finally died on me. I am using a temporary camera right now from my dad.
I’m still “old-fashioned” with a point and shoot. I would love a DSLR one day but can’t justify it now. I’m hoping the hubs get a bug for one so I can use his. *grin* I recently replaced my last Canon P&S (smashed view screen
) and got one in a fantastic metallic red! I’m in love with it! I’m loving your baby blue!
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Our little point & shoot just died and I have been researching a new camera – thanks for the info. I will have to add this one to my wish list!
I have pretty much the same camera, (except I have brown not blue) andI think mine is the SD 1100. I’ve always been happy with the pictures it takes, I like that it is super compact and I keep it in my purse all the time.
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Pretty blue camera–pretty blue hydrangia! New toys are so much fun! I have a Nikon D60 that I love. More expensive (and more heavy) than your cute blue camera, but I’ve enjoyed learning to use it.
I’m loving your hydrangea photos. And I’m jonesing for that D3000, too. I’m toting around a 5 year old D70, and it is a DINOSAUR. And my point and shoot is almost as bad. Maybe someday I’ll get around to replacing them.
Audra Lynn´s last blog ..Splashing Around
Oh my yes, I am all about the point and shoot! My husband has a Canon D90 and love it…I have a Canon S90 and love it even more because it fits in my pocket and it doesn’t ask me to do anything
Beautiful hydrangeas!
I have this same camera, I’ve had it for almost a year…and I LOVE it!!! My favorite camera yet. But guess what? I did not know about the macro shot button. Now I’m going to have some real fun. This camera takes amazing pics. All my pics on my blog are from this camera…and I don’t have photo shop or use any of those fancies out there. Thanks for the tips. I just found your blog today via A Beach Cottage.
I also have a canon point and shoot camera (have had it for a couple years) and have NEVER used the macro setting!!! I am tickled to learn about it–apparently I should have read the manual when I bought it!! I can’t wait to try it as I have had frustrations with getting good close up shots!!! THANK YOU!!
This camera looks so cool, Kimba – I love the flower pictures you took. I have seen the little flower icon on my camera and never knew what it was for – ha! Thanks for the tip.
Also, I had never thought about using the $5 Amazon cards on Swagbucks. I was saving up for a $20 Target card and it’s taking forever! But I guess the little $5 cards add up, huh?
Great post!
Thanks for the great links. I have a Canon Powershot SX110IS. It’s a great camera and I still have to learn about all the great things it does. Thanks for these great links. Your camera is too cute. Love that color. I will be looking into those swag bucks.
Ruth
Ruth´s last blog ..A Walk on the Beach
thanks for the tip on macro shots – i knew the little flower was there, but i didn’t know exactly how to use it.
Heather´s last blog ..Cocktail Napkin Swap
Point and shoot Girl here, with big dreams of a Nikon DSLR.
I have found that I CAN get some awesome shots with my Sony point and shoot camera…but it’s still hard to not be envious of the fancy stuff. 
I am joining you in dreaming of a DSLR camera like the Nikon D3000.
It’s on my list.
I also have a canon powershot SD something and I love it. While a DSLR is on our want list, the point and shoot gets the job done. I use the macro mode alot. I also love that is is small and fits in my purse and can go anywhere with me. You have to lug around a bag with a DSLR.
Mary @ Life on 19th´s last blog ..My First Tutorial: Sippy Cup Leash
After a lot of research on P&S cameras, I bought the same one you did about 6 months ago. I takes fantastic photos and is small enough to fit in your pocket – I take it everywhere with me. The macro mode if great and the delay time between shots is very speedy. Also love the re-chargable battery. I too dream of having the Nikon D3000 some day – but until then, this is a great little camera.
I have the exact same Canon SD 1200 ELPH in the green! What inspired me to get it seeing the great pictures my cousins were taking with their 1100 model. So, I went to the next model up. The only thing I was disappointed in, is that the 1200 doesn’t have feature that I really wanted which the 1100 model has. But, the macro mode is fun!
hi i love your new camera, i play with my canon g10 like its a toy aswell.
sarah x
abeachcottage´s last blog ..A Beach Cottage & A Vintage Milk Bottle
Love that blue camera!
I would love to get an SLR one day, but for now I’ve got the exact same camera as yours and I LOVE IT! I’ve taken some of the most wonderful pictures and it has so many different modes it’s almost like a much more expensive camera.
Enjoy!
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Until my sophomore year of college (about 6 years ago), I shot with my old school manual Canon. It got me through high school photography just fine. Then I bought a p.a.s. Nikon CoolPix. It served me well and would still be fine (my dad’s is almost 10 years old and you’d never know besides the speed at which it takes a picture), except it met an unfortunate end in a bowl of strawberry shortcake. I got a newer CoolPix and killed it within 2 months. So, I used my graduation money for a Nikon D40 and haven’t looked back since. I have loved every single one of my Nikon products and would gladly recommend them to anyone looking at entry level DSLRs.
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I love my little Canon point and shoot…it’s perfect for what I use it for and I love that I can throw it in my purse and go.
I don’t love that my battery cover is taped on because my husband dropped it on the boardwalk at California Adventure 6 weeks after I got it. Nice.
The scary thing is that we have the EXACT same two cameras!? My Kodak easyshare is still going and the Canon is great to have in my handbag for the impromtu moments that come up when out! With 4 little boys there are quite a few of those moments!
I love my Powershot! I use it all the time, sometimes more than my big ol’ DSLR camera!
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Thank you! This is very timely for me, too; I’m in the market for a camera. Consumer Reports ShopSmart magazine recommends this camera, and the SD780 IS Elph and the Samsung SL720.
Well, I just got my new DSLR camera, but I have the exact point and shoot as you. I love it! I use it if I go golfing or to the beach if I don’t want ot lug around the bigger camera. I purchased it at Wal Mart for a great deal, as well. I know you’ll enjoy it!
I am definately a point and shoot and hope for the best girl.. I would love a camera that actually tell you what too do. I am totally hopeless with it.. I can’t even tell you what make it is ha ha ha ha ha ha.. Camera’s tend to jump out of my hands and on to the floor… I think it’s simply they are trying to get away from me. LOL.. I do think the smaller camera is better though. Easier to handle xx
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Congrats on the new camera. I need a p&s just for my purse. I have a Nikon D40 and I love it:) I want a D90 though. Enjoy your new baby!
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Thanks for this post. I have a Canon PowerShot that I’m really struggling with for some reason — can’t seem to get any decent photos, but then again, I’m no photography expert. I used to have a higher-end Canon that made every picture look like a professional shot (despite the clueless operator) and this new more affordable model I have just doesn’t seem to live up to it. I don’t know enough about messing with the settings to make it work, but I guess it’s time to break out the user manual. Anyway, your photos look great, and it’s good to know that not everyone in blog-land has high-end equipment and professional photographer’s credentials!
I have a Fuji point-and-shoot, and I just found the “flower” setting a couple of months ago! I’d like something a little more compact than the one I have, maybe I need to work on my Swagbucks a little more!
Charlene @ A Virtous Woman´s last blog ..New Thrift Shop Finds
I have both of those cameras and love them both dearly. The P&S Canon is my newest addition, and it’s amazing the detail you can get from a P&S. It even has a Digital Macro setting, which is HUGE.
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