After taking a look a the PowerShot SX30 IS super-zoom camera, which targets the high-end segment of Canon's PowerShot compact digital camera series, it's about time to tell you all about our live experience with yet another super-zoomer from Canon, but this time, a lot more compact, namely the SX130 IS model, officially launched in mid-August.

The device comes as the successor of the PowerShot SX120 IS model, and delivers plenty of interesting features, starting with the external design, which has sort of a retro look to it (as far as we're concerned, it looks just like some old film cameras we used to own in the mid-90's).

Anyway, beside the curiously attractive design, the SX130 IS packs plenty of cool things on the inside, such as the 12.1 Megapixel sensor for large, detailed prints, and DIGIC 4 image processing, plus the 12x optical zoom that ranges from wide angle (28mm) to telephoto (336mm).

Furthermore, Canon’s integrated optical Image Stabilizer offers a three-stop advantage, making it easier to take great shots in low light with long exposures, and reducing the blur associated with camera-shake when shooting distant subjects at the telephoto end of the zoom, a feature that we found to be extremely important.

The camera also sports a large, 7.5cm (3.0-inch) LCD screen, with a 230k dot resolution, while the optional on-screen Hints & Tips make it easy to navigate the enhanced menu system.

Moreover, the PowerShot SX130 IS supports 720p HD video with stereo sound, a quiet zoom motor allowing the full lens focal range to be exploited whilst recording while the continuous autofocus ensures that moving subjects are sharp.

This model supports the new SDXC memory cards, enabling up to 2TB of video and full-resolution stills to be stored without needing to change card.

It also comes equipped with a Smart Auto function with Scene Detection Technology that identifies up to 28 different shooting conditions, automatically adjusting the settings to produce the best possible result.

Smart Flash Exposure controls flash levels according to shooting conditions, providing the right amount of flash to ensure perfectly exposed shots in all situations, from dimly lit rooms to bright sunlight.

The PowerShot SX130 IS also features a range of creative modes to add a new dimension to photos without requiring additional post-production, such as Miniature Effect that is available in both movie and still image capture, mimicking the effects of a tilt-shift lens to give subjects a model-like profile.

Fish-eye Effect replicates the distortion of a fish-eye lens, adding a new angle to portrait and landscape shots, Super Vivid boosts colour saturation, while Poster Effect creates a more retro feel to images.

All in all, the PowerShot SX130 IS is a very good camera for beginners, but also for people who want to experiment a bit with their point-and-shooter, before moving on to a more advanced camera.