Features and functionality: very good, large zoom range (usable even without a tripod thanks to loose brake), Wide, many Einstellmöglichkkeiten and automatics, quite usable video modes. The normal battery I consider an advantage, even if the camera should be thus become slightly larger and heavier.
Handling: good with small drawbacks: the loose lens cap and the lack of first pressure point when trigger disturb something. One simply does not feel when you press the shutter button halfway. At the position of various setting keys has some getting used to. The menus and the electronic viewfinder are fine. The swiveling in all directions display is very convenient. The automatic white balance is unfortunately completely wrong in artificial light. I think that's not so bad. One must engage himself up.
Image quality: good - if you're not too demanding. In low light (at ISO 400) is not to overlook an excessive noise. In good light show in the wide-angle off-center fringing (with extreme contrast: snow on thin branches). The focus will also be on the outside visible. All but one notices only on the screen when you take the 12 MP really literally. In normal view, and on paper it comes out even at moderate enlarged to nothing. The colors are quite natural that Verzeichung adheres mE also the Wide limited. By post (and probably also with the "right" special automatic) can still gain a lot. There may be other cameras are more aggressive from the outset. The high JPEG compression in the finer mode has not spoiled me a picture. For very detailed images, the file size is significantly upwards. Another mode ("superfine" or even "Raw") could still be useful.
Conclusions: thoroughly recommended for moderately demanding amateur photographers. The firmware might Canon (or the hacker community) still easily rectify mE. For better image quality, especially for not so good light, I would have taken a downgrading of megapixels and the zoom range in purchasing.
