Digital Cameras Ratings

First, something that shouldn’t matter: it’s a darn attractive camera.Yes, it’s plastic, but it really does set itself apart from the 8mp A630 in beauty.Like that camera, it is too big to be a shirt-pocket camera, and while better than most compact cameras, the 4x zoom can be beat in length.

Using the camera, it has a good weight and feel for average sized hands. The use of AA batteries helps keep the cost down, and has it’s own advantages, although some may prefer the longer life charges of Lithium-Ion batteries (I do). General, controls are well thought out and easy to use. The zoom is nice and smooth.

For those that prefer an optical viewfinder, Canon is probably the strongest supporter, and this is a better than average viewfinder, although it does not have a diopter adjustment. But you’ll probably never use it with the tremendous 2.5″ rotary screen. Yes, there are 3″ screens on the market, but this dwarfs anything on a hinge! It is a great aid in composing photos at low, high, or other odd angles (photos you simply didn’t take before).

Another feature that gets high praise is the flex-focus system. Today’s AF cameras do a decent job, but occassionally, they just don’t hit on the right focus point. With the flex system, you can determine which point to use. This is simply great for crowded rooms or nature photos where the subject may not be the closest item within the focusing areas.

Control for this price point is very good indeed. Multiple “scene” modes make it easy for the novice (ok, or sometimes lazy pro), while the semi-auto and manual modes give even experienced users all they need.

Like the A630, this camera could have easily been priced $50 to $100 more. The only real competition is the A630, $100 less, 8 meg, and a bit less attractive, more plastic looking silver.

Product Description
Canon’s popular A Series cameras have always stood out from the competition, but PowerShot A640 takes that concept to a whole new level. Experience breathtaking 10.0 megapixel resolution-a first for an A-Series camera – and the power of a 4x optical zoom lens. You’ll have more fun shooting, and make your finished images even more rewarding, with the camera’s exciting array of easy-to-use, high-performance features including 21 shooting modes and ISO800/High ISO Auto settings for much greater ability to shoot in low light. Light Metering Method -Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot Metering Exposure Control -Program Auto Exposure (AE), Shutter Speed-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Manual Shutter Speed Range -15 seconds to 1/2500 second (settable in Tv and M) Automatic, multi-mode electronic-flashStorage Media -SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard (MMC) – We recommend purchasing an Optional 1GB SD or MMC memory card. It will allow you to store a lot more Video and images, as well as take advantage of the camera’s high Resolution abilities Shooting Modes -Auto; Creative -P, Av, Tv, M, C; Image -Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Color Accent, Color Swap), Stitch Assist, Movie Print/Share Button for direct connection to PictBridge-compatible printers via camera’s USB 2.0 Hi-Speed cable Unit Dimensions (WxHxD) – 4.31 x 2.60 x 1.93 inch (109.4 x 66.0 x 49.0mm); Weight -8.64 oz. / 245g

Click Here to see more reviews about: Canon PowerShot A640 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom

This camera is a great value! Many features and options for the price! It takes awesome pictures, great video, and is easy to use. I did extensive research on many different cameras before I finally bought this one, and I am VERY impressed with the amount of features available and the quality of pictures and video for the price I paid. I was a little worried when I first received it because the casing looks like a flimsy plastic, bit so far it’s held up very well. I am extremely happy with this camera and highly recommend it.

Product Description
Have fun taking pictures with incredible color and clarity!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Canon PowerShot A590 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera

If you need a solid, reliable, and stylish point-and-shoot ultracompact digital camera that produces high-quality images, then the new Canon PowerShot SD1100IS may be right for you.

I am an advanced amateur photographer and own 2 Canon digital cameras (G2 and 20D).Both have served me well over the years but recently I have found myself needing a decent ultracompact camera that I can easily carry with me at all times for unexpected photo-ops.

Other current Canon models that I also researched before my purchase of the “bohemian brown” SD1100IS included the SD950IS and the SD1000.

Here is my take on the SD1100IS:

Strengths:
- 8MP CCD sensor with DigicIII processor (excellent resolution images with good dynamic range)
- Solid construction (most of body made of anodized aluminum)
- Feels sturdy and well-balanced in the hands
- Easy to use (logical user-interface) with minimal need to consult owner’s manual for basic operation
- Multiple shooting modes to fit variety of situations (action/sports mode is a glaring omission but read section below to see possibly why)
- Advanced metering system with accurately exposed pics in even “tricky” situations (great balance of highlights and shadows)
- Tack-sharp images (much more so with sufficient lighting and use of built-in flash)
- Macro mode can result in stunning close-ups with outstanding level of detail
- Optical IS feature helpful when shooting in either low-light conditions with flash off or at telephoto lengths
- Fast start-up with acceptable shutter-lag (when not using flash)
- Bright 2.5″ LCD monitor (100% coverage, 230k pixels) made of polycrystalline silicon; fairly scratch-resistant (can’t vouch if this applies to keys and coins)
- Optical viewfinder (though only a tiny peephole, it is essential when LCD glare and washout become an issue shooting in bright sunlight or when LCD cannot be used as battery power is nearly depleted)
- Camera made in Japan (at least those from the 1st shipment; this easily may be subject to change)

Limitations:
- Lack of manual control over aperture, shutter speed, and focusing (for the obssessive control-freaks)
- Noise is noticeable beginning at ISO 400 (ISO 800 still useable but probably for only 4×6 images; ISO 1600 mostly unuseable)
- Fastest shutter speed is 1/1500 sec (not fast enough to stop action for some sporting activities)
- Auto-focus speed inadequate to follow fast-moving subjects
- Shutter-lag accentuated with flash on (precious Canon moments lost while waiting for flash to recharge)
- Cannot adjust focus or optical zoom while shooting in movie mode (focus is fixed for distance selected at first frame, and digital zoom is permitted instead, resulting in significant image quality deterioration)
- Battery/memory card cover and hinge made of plastic (no safety latch that needs to be de-activated first before sliding cover out, in order to prevent accidental opening)
- Minor vignetting and chromatic aberration (albeit, difficult not to expect from compact p&s)
- Pincushion and barrel distortion at the extremes of the focal lengths
- No RAW shooting mode

Battery power in camera mode with LCD monitor on is mostly as advertised, allowing for approximately 240 images.If your budget permits, I recommend investing in a few spare batteries as backups and replacing the supplied 32MB memory card with a pair of 4GB SDHC memory cards–vital purchases if you plan to use the movie mode frequently.

Overall Impression:
Even with some serious limitations inherent to virtually all digital cameras in this class, I am recommending the Canon PowerShot SD1100IS.It does what it’s supposed to do.This camera allows one to take beautiful photographs in an ultracompact, reliable, and elegant device that is both easy and fun to use.

[UPDATE: Since this review, Canon has recently announced 3 new ELPH models that will be released soon....in time for Grad & Dad's Day: the PowerShot SD770IS, SD790IS, and SD890IS.All are redesigned 10MP digital cameras with Optical Image Stabilizer.The saga of the MP race continues.If the same sensor is found in these units as their predecessors and without improving the noise reduction technology, then adding a few more MP can potentially result in noisier images.We'll have to wait and see.The most intriguing of the bunch appears to be the SD790IS, which replaces the SD750 by adding the very useful Optical IS feature and showcasing flat control buttons.Hopefully, the QC has been remedied on this unit as many consumers experienced the dreaded "lens error" nightmare.The SD890IS replaces the SD850IS and may appeal to vacationers and wildlifers needing more reach at the telephoto end.The SD770IS seems a bit curious as it may be in direct competition with the new SD1100IS (which is the natural successor to the wildly popular SD1000); it has 2 additional MP but the feature set appears at first glance to be nearly identical to the less expensive SD1100IS.I would've preferred to have seen upgrades to the SD870IS and the SD950IS, but those will be rolled out undoubtedly later this year....conveniently before the Holidays.

SD770IS: 10MP, 3X Optical zoom (35-105mm), 2.5" LCD monitor, Optical viewfinder, ISO 1600, MSRP $299.99.
SD790IS: 10MP, 3X Optical zoom (35-105mm), 3" LCD monitor, no Optical viewfinder, ISO 1600, MSRP $349.99.
SD890IS: 10MP, 5X Optical zoom (37-185mm), 2.5" LCD monitor, Optical viewfinder, ISO 1600, MSRP $399.99.]

Product Description
The Canon SD1100 IS Digital ELPH includes an 8-Megapixel 1/2.5″ CCD imager and a 3x optical zoom lens with image stabilization, which covers a range of 38-114mm equivalent. Exposure is fully automatic with 2.0EV of manual exposure compensation and four metering modes to handle difficult lighting along with a ties metering to the camera’s Face Detection system. 13 scene modes keep the camera approachable for beginners. A long-exposure mode in the Canon SD1100 IS ELPH lets you set exposure times as long as 15 seconds manually, and a 2.5″ LCD display for framing images. The Canon ELPH SD1100 IS sports a fairly wide ISO sensitivity range, from 80 to 1600.Shutter Speed -15-1/1500 seconds, Long Shutter operates with noise reduction when manually set at 1.3-15 seconds ISO Sensitivity -Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 equivalent Exposure Compensation -2 stops in 1/3-stop increments White Balance Control -Auto, Preset (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H), and Custom Built-in Flash -Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, and Slow Synchro Flash Range -12-11 feet/30cm-3.5m (W), 12-6.6 feet/30cm-2.0m (T) Shooting Modes -Auto, Camera M, Portrait, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater, Indoor, Kids & Pets) Night Snapshot, Color Accent, Color Swap, Digital Macro, Stitch Assist, and Movie Self-Timer -2-seconds, 10-seconds delay, and Custom Dimensions -3.42 x 2.16 x 0.87 (86.8×54.8×22.0mm) Weight -4.41 ounces (125 grams)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Gold)

I own three digital cameras and a pricy SLR and the Canon SD110 has made all the others obsolete.This camera changed my photo-taking behavior and excitement, and now I always carry it in my bag or pocket.First, you should know Canon and Nikon make the best digital cameras – primarily because they were smart in outsourcing electronics to the best Chinese component manufacturers (Flextronics, Celestica) and used their own industry-leading optical lenses.I prefer Canon because of ease of use (both camera and downloading to PC), braoder range of sophisticated features, rock solid reliability, accessories (you must get the cute leather case… all your friends will ask!), and the cameras just *look* and *feel* infinitely cooler.

The SD110 is a small, powerful, high performer even among its Canon peers.Though I provide a balanced view below, as a connoisseur of every new technology out there for cameras, I can attest this little machine boasts a ton of horsepower.

The Pros include:

1. Great pictures (up to 8″x10″)
- balanced color resolution (thanks to the Digic processor)
- outside pictures are brilliant, inside pictures come out fine, though the flash is a bit strong to compensate
- nice redeye reduction, but this does delay the picture by a half second or so
- photo zoom mode, so you can zoom into part of a picture (or “move around” the picture) to check clarity, color, etc. immediately after taking the shot

2. Customizable features on par with top-line cameras
- all the same features of my Canon Rebel 2000 SLR and 3x more expensive Powershot G5. Landscape, portrait, moving images,
- color schemes are better and broader than Nikon, Sony, and Olympus: black & white, sepia, neutral, vivid, etc.

3. Ease of use
- simple menu structure, no complicated buttons
- delete bad pictures with ease, effectively increasing your total photo capacity
- photo inventory mode (advancement from earlier Canon models) that lets you look at 8-12 pictures simultaneously and flip quickly through memory by screen shots rather than one picture at a time (critical for memory cards over 64MB)
- “smart” download to Canon Zoombrowser (software that comes with the camera) – just plug in and it automatically downloads
- Zoombrowser software (new version) is clearly superior to earlier generations, and I did not need to buy Photoshop (other camera brands come with a poor software interface so you need to spend an add’l $80-100 on photo editing software)

4. Physical attributes
- compact and lighter than even the S300/400/500 series, fits in your pocket or purse easily
- SD card is wafer thin and cheaper than compactflash (which most other cameras use)
- nice silver/chrome metal finish that catches the eye
- solid rechargable battery (can take 80-100 pictures using the LCD screen) before next recharge
- recharger is small and very cool: battery slips into the bay, and the unit goes right into the wall socket
- one touch on-off (does NOT turn on-off by accident as some other cameras do)

The Cons (none of these are deal-breakers):
1. optical zoom (2x) could be more powerful but digital zoom does a decent job compensating (G5 and SLRs are superior here)
2. shutter speed can be improved: 1.0 second to take pictures (vs. 0.2sec for SLR, 0.5sec for G5), and then you can adjust how long the camera holds the LCD image for you to see
3. Included memory card (16MB) is useless.Think of this as a “practice starter”; you will want at least a 128MB SD (120 pix) or 256MB SD (245 pix) memory cards – both cheap and under $30 extra.Picture counts are estimated and at high resolution

You will not regret buying this camera.Simply amazing how much this has changed my picture taking behavior.

Product Description
Canon SD110 Powershot Digital Camera -Multi-mode auto electronic-flash10-second self-timer modeIncludes -Battery Charger CB-2LU, Wrist Strap WS-300, SD Memory Card SD-16M, Battery Pack NB-3L. ArcSoft Camera Suite CD-ROM, Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, Interface Cable IFC-400PCU, I.AV Cable AVC-DC300Computer Interface -USB (mini-B jack)Video Out -NTSC or PALDirect connection to Canon Card Photo Printers and BJ Photo Printers (no computer required), using camera’s USB cableDimensions (W x H x D) 3.35 x 2.20 x 0.94 inchesFully Charged Battery can shoot about 200 images with LCD on and about 500 with LCD off; up to 180 minutes play128MB SD Storage card recommended minimum storage (optional)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Canon PowerShot SD110 3MP Digital Elph with 2x Optical Zoom

I use a pro model digital SLR for my important work and purchased the G5 for a handy travel camera and for candids at parties,etc. I had previously used the Canon G2 for this purpose,but wanted more resolution in case I got a shot that I wanted to enlarge to 11X14. The Canon G5 fits the bill.It does everything I ask it to do and does it well. I agree that the noise produced above ISO rating 100 is unacceptable,but the ISO setting of 50 for the G5 is equal to 100 on other cameras and the 100 setting is equal to 200. I find that with the availability of f.2 to f.3 speedy aperture I find little need to shoot at any higher ISO. As far as the complaints I’ve read regarding soft images and poor focus,I have not found this to be the case.After taking around 800 shots with the G5 I can say that the images are very sharp with no focus problems.Perhaps the complaints stem from the users technique. Yes,the shutter lag is a pain,but shutter lag is a problem with all compact digital cameras.If you don’t need enlargements beyond 8X10 then go with the less expensive G3,but if you want enlargements up to 16X20 and don’t want to invest in a digital SLR I think you’ll be more than happy with the G5. Shoot at ISO 50 when possible. Keep in mind that a vast number of the best published 35mm images are shot on Fujifilm Velvia (ISO rating 50).

Product Description
With a stunning combination of resolution, speed and control, all housed in a rugged, elegant new black enclosure, the PowerShot G5 takes the lead as Canon’s flagship PowerShot. The PowerShot G5 features an all-new 1/1.8″ 5 megapixel CCD sensor, capturing a huge 2592 x 1944 pixel image with exceptional detail and color fidelity. It has a fast, high-resolution 4x optical zoom lens with iris-type aperture and user-operated, multi-stop control for spectacular depth of field, or elegant blur. Perfect focus, exposure, and color are achieved quickly with the combination of Canon’s exclusive imaging processor with iSAPS Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space technology, an Intelligent Orientation Sensor, and the use of primary color filters. All these features, plus a host of manual and automatic functions ensure that the PowerShot G5 will get the perfect shot every time.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Canon PowerShot G5 5MP Digital Camera w/ 4x Optical Zoom