Canon Digital Cameras

[jmw1137]

I'm looking at a few of their cameras, specifically SD800 IS, SD 700, SD 900 and a few of the Powershot cameras. Does anyone have one of these Canon cameras (or similar models)? If so, what do you think of them?

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Canon Digital Cameras

I don't have a Canon from the models you've listed, but I do have Powershot, specifically Powershot S3 IS. I actually just got it for Christmas, but I'm loving it so far. The zoom is great and the ability to record videos with sound is a nice extra feature. I'd definitely recommend it.

[The Chef]

Re: Canon Digital Cameras

The S3 IS is a great camera, only downside is the small screen on it, but I believe it has 12X optical zoom which is more then your gonna get in the models listed in the first post. Biggest difference on the surface is the SD800IS has image stabilization and the others dont, easiest way to tell is every Canon that has it will have that "IS" on the end of the model # and those that dont wont have it. The SD800 is an awesome camera also, the SD900 has a slightly better casing with a Titanium casing and I believe is a 10MP camera but unless you want to blow the images up to poster size you wont see a difference so in my opinion I would go with the 800.

EDIT- I personally like the SD600 or SD630, the 630 has a nice 3 inch screen and still has pretty quick shutter speeds, only downside being that there isnt any image stabilization but then again its all personal preferance anyways.

[jmw1137]

Re: Canon Digital Cameras

The S3 IS is a great camera, only downside is the small screen on it, but I believe it has 12X optical zoom which is more then your gonna get in the models listed in the first post. Biggest difference on the surface is the SD800IS has image stabilization and the others dont, easiest way to tell is every Canon that has it will have that "IS" on the end of the model # and those that dont wont have it. The SD800 is an awesome camera also, the SD900 has a slightly better casing with a Titanium casing and I believe is a 10MP camera but unless you want to blow the images up to poster size you wont see a difference so in my opinion I would go with the 800.

EDIT- I personally like the SD600 or SD630, the 630 has a nice 3 inch screen and still has pretty quick shutter speeds, only downside being that there isnt any image stabilization but then again its all personal preferance anyways.

The 700 does have IS...I just forgot to put it in the model #.

Thanks for the feedback. Right now I'm trying to decide between the 700 & 800. They're almost identical except the 800 is a little newer and has more MP. The 700 is still a respectable 6MP and has a bit more optical zoom than the 800. Since my current camera has 5x optical zoom, I'd like to have all the zoom I can get. So, it's a matter of zoom vs. MP. I'm gonna head to BB to see if they have both in person to see if that helps at all.

[The Chef]

Re: Canon Digital Cameras

Just keep in mind that MP only has to do with how big you want to print the pictures without having pixelation problems of course. If you are going to do normal size prints and by that I mean 8x10, 8.5x11, 4x6, 5x7 etc. then a 6MP camera will be fine. Having the stabilization is fine but a lot of people dont find themselves taking advantage of it, so like I said earlier its all a personal preference.

[jmw1137]

Re: Canon Digital Cameras

How much difference is there between 6MP & 7MP (other than the obvious 1 mil. pixels)? Like what size is the max for prints for 6MP & 7MP...any idea? I currently have 5MP so either way it's an increase but not sure if the 6MP will cover it or the extra 1MP would be worth it.

[The Chef]

Re: Canon Digital Cameras

Absolute max for a 6MP is 20x30 I believe, you will lose a little clarity but it wont be horrible. Normally if I want to print anything in that range, like 19x13 I would go with an SLR anyways. Are you just wanting to do like 8x10? If you are only doing 8x10 then you wont notice a difference when using cameras with 6-7MP, at that point it would come down to the lens among other things. If you are wanting a point and click camera then I would go with either Canon or Sony, I prefer Canon but Sony does have the Carl Zeiss lens which is a really nice lens also, but again without playing with them in a store its difficult to make a decision. If zoom is important to you then at the very least go with the Canon S3IS or the Sony DSC-H5, it is around 427 on sale at Best Buy, but the zoom on it is outstanding, it focuses really quickly and has a really nice 3.0" screen, even though its bulkier like the S3IS you are getting far more zoom, the Sony is 12x and its still a 7.2MP camera.

EDIT- A good website to check out for in depth reviews from consumers and professionals on cameras is dpreview.com, they will break everything down for you and tell you anything you need to know about a certain camera.

[jmw1137]

Re: Canon Digital Cameras

Thanks for the info...spent at least a few hours on dpreview before posting here...was just trying to get more opinions.

I ended up getting the SD800 IS....pretty good deal at $329 from BB. I would've liked more zoom as my current 5x optical zoom Pentax Optio 550 (that I've had at least 4 years) is about the same size as this camera. I couldn't believe there aren't more cameras this size 4 years later with 5x optical zoom. I wanted to stick with something that would fit in my pocket.

So, I guess I'll use the Canon for snapshots & casual stuff and will keep bringing my Pentax to sporting events until I get a DSLR.

[The Chef]

Re: Canon Digital Cameras

Thanks for the info...spent at least a few hours on dpreview before posting here...was just trying to get more opinions.

I ended up getting the SD800 IS....pretty good deal at $329 from BB. I would've liked more zoom as my current 5x optical zoom Pentax Optio 550 (that I've had at least 4 years) is about the same size as this camera. I couldn't believe there aren't more cameras this size 4 years later with 5x optical zoom. I wanted to stick with something that would fit in my pocket.

So, I guess I'll use the Canon for snapshots & casual stuff and will keep bringing my Pentax to sporting events until I get a DSLR.

Yeah for whatever reason there arent many cameras in a small profile that have decent zoom. The entry level Canon's like the A530 and A540 have 4x optical but they are bulkier and have slower shutter speeds. The Nikon L5 I believe it is has the 5x optical and the Panasonic TZ1 has 10x optical in a somewhat smaller package but thats the best your gonna get at BB these days it appears. Downside is the Panasonic has more zoom but takes an eternity to focus thus killing the camera altogether and unfortunatly I dont have much experience with the Nikon yet.