I had the award-winning HDV (tape-based) HV20 prior to this, and the HF10 is almost indistinguishable in terms of image quality. Given the dramatic difference in image data between an HDV image and an AVC image, that means this is one heck of a camcorder. I have tried out other AVC camcorders and have been really disappointed. Not so here, and I purchased this one. It has 24p and 30p recording, in addition to 60i.(Don't be confused by Canon's nomenclature, it is true 24p, just recorded in interlaced 60i.)The cinema mode has a bit of a wash-out effect on colors.
The camcorder is surprisingly small .Power save mode is great, and is virtually instantaneously on when the LCD screen is opened. One warning about AVC in general, if you don't have a fast computer, it will grind it to a halt. I have a quad-core with 4 gig RAM and editing is fine, but I wouldn't want to use an old computer. Sony Vegas works great with the files. Wish the camcorder automatically saved to the SDHC card when the internal storage was full. Otherwise, this is the best thought out camcorder since my DVX-100. Nice to occasionally see consumer products worth their expense.
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Canon VIXIA HF10 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 07:03 | Camcorder, Canon, Canon VIXIA HF10, Flash Memory, Optical Zoom | 0 comments »Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 10:13 | Canon, Canon EF, Canon SLR Cameras, Macro USM Lens | 0 comments »Prospective buyers of a macro lens for a Canon EOS system can't make a better first choice than this 100mm Macro. The extra length over a 50mm macro gives much better working distance (space between lens and subject) in the field, and EOS-compatible lenses by other manufacturers match poorly with accessories and are nowhere near as sharp.
Compared with the earlier Micro motor 100mm Macro that Canon made (which I also own), the USM lens focuses *very* fast. The USM lens also can accept a tripod collar (by use of a small plastic adapter)--I recommend you buy the collar with the lens, as adjusting to a vertical composition with a tripod means repositioning everything. The front element is not recessed in the USM model, which makes lens cleaning easier. And build quality is improved--the earlier model was prone to its switches breaking (could fix it yourself with the ordered part, but really annoying) and eventually the Micro motor gearing gave out (no trouble so far with the USM ring motor). The USM model will work with Canon's 2x teleconverter by interposing a 12mm extension tube, allowing 2x magnification with lots of working distance.
I will quibble with another reviewer--Canon does make sharper lenses (notably their 90mm tilt-shift lens, which is a better choice for studio product photography), and sharpness compared with the earlier model is virtually the same.But this is still one of the sharpest lenses you can buy, and ergonomically a huge improvement over its predecessor.
If you are building up a set of lenses for outdoor/nature photography and you do occasional macrophotography, this might be the first or second lens to buy. If you work significantly at magnifications greater than 1:1, consider the Canon 65mm 1x-5x Macro zoom (which I can push to a decent 10x with the teleconverter).
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Canon BG-E5 Battery Grip for Canon XSi Digital SLR Cameras Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 09:09 | Battery Grip, Canon, Canon BG-E5, Canon XSi, Digital SLR Cameras | 0 comments »Ostensibly, the goal of a battery grip is to extend the amount of power you have for your camera. This grip does that, but simply buying an additional battery pack (which you'll have to do anyway if you want to use the grip that way) would do the same job, wouldn't it? It would - but the grip does a whole lot more:
This battery grip transforms an already excellent camera (the Canon 450D -- or Rebel XSi as it is called in the US) into a great one. First of all, the grip is excellently designed, and people with medium to large hands like me can get a much better handle on the camera which, although nicely shaped, was a bit to small for my liking. Now, with the grip, this is transformed into a natural fit (it now feels similar to the Nikon D70, which I thought to be more comfortable to hold than the 450D). The advantages of using this grip are many:
First of all, you have double the amount of battery power available (provided, of course, you purchase an additional battery pack. The package does not contain any batteries). The grip is designed to hold one or two of the 450D's battery packs at the same time. You do not have to use two packs. If you do, the packs do not have to carry the same amount of charge, and both packs are drained simultaneously. Even better, Canon has designed the grip to house a sled-like device they call 'magazine'. This magazine holds one or two battery packs. The nice thing, however, is that it comes with a second magazine designed to hold 6 AA batteries. In a pinch, this can bridge the gap until you can re-charge the packs. Also, you can replace the magazine with an adapter to connect your camera to a normal power outlet (this is not included in the package). The magazine slides in from the left side (as seen from the camera's back), making exchanging the magazines slightly awkward for right-handed people.
The grip is designed to slide into your camera from below, replacing the battery pack (you'll have to remove the battery cover for this), and is secured in place with a screw. If there is room for improvement, then it would be here: I'd have liked a rubber environmental seal to better protect the camera's now permanently open battery housing.
The grip almost doubles the weight of the camera, making it much better balanced with many of the larger lenses (e.g. the EF 100 Macro lens). Even better, when shooting in portrait orientaton, the grip provides its own shutter, aperture, AF lock and AF select buttons as well as another selector dial. To prevent accidental use of these buttons, the grip is also equipped with an ON/OFF switch (this switch will not operate the battery power). This is in addition to the large, separately molded grip now provided for this orientation. The bottom also houses a replicated tripod socket, and a mount for the handstrap. The latter is very useful, as I have found myself shooting more in portrait orientation, and have now set up the camera to use this as the default orientation.
The few small flaws I've found are this: I would have liked the ability of the grip to be able to also provide power to my (external) flash. Even more than that I would have welcomed a charger for the whole grip. Currently, you have to remove the battery packs from the magazine, charge them separately, and then re-insert them into the magazine, then insert the magazine into the grip. Also, you have to remove the camera's battery cover from the camera -- this forces you to carry the cover with you seperately should you want to use the camera without the grip. Finally, I would have preferred a slightly better environmental sealing than the rudimentary one that is provided. All things considered, though, these are small annoyances compared to the much better handling and feel the grip brings to the camera.
To sum up:
This grip truly incrases the 450D's already great features. I like the fact that I can choose to use one or two packs, and even swap them for AA batteries in a pinch. The whole assembly feels much improved, and shooting in portrait orientation has been immensely enhanced (both in feel and simplicity). I recommend this grip for anyone who wants to get more out of this camera, and especially for those who find themselves shooting often in portrait orientation.
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Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Digital SLR Lens Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 22:57 | Canon, Canon EF-S, Digital SLR Lens, EOS Digital SLR Cameras, Macro USM | 0 comments »This was one of the first lenses that I purchased with my Rebel XT. Now after taking several thousand pictures with it I can honestly say it was well worth the cost.I very rarely have any unsharp pictures with this lens unless it is my own fault by trying to use too slow of a shutter speed without a tripod.
I also have the 180mm f/3.5L Macro Lens, which costs about 3 times more than this lens, and although it is very clear and the extra reach is nice at times especially since it can be used with both the 1.4X and 2X TC's, it is very difficult to use inside without a tripod.The 60mm can be handheld if needed with very good results even if you have to bump your ISO up a little to do so.
I have also used this lens for both inside and outside portrait work with very nice results.
All-in-all, given it's small size and light weight I very rarely leave this lens behind when I go out because you never know when you might see a great macro shot.
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Canon Professional Gadget Bag 1EG Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 19:46 | Canon, Canon Cameras, Canon Professional Gadget Bag 1EG, Gadget Bag | 0 comments »This is a solid bag, well designed and assembled. Very flexible interior comparment components. Easy to access external pockets with solid zipper action. Quick release clips for main flap are secure but easy to open and close with one hand. Strap is comfortable and configured in a way that keeps the bag upright when open, even while you wear it. The bottom is rugged - I'm always confident that my gear is well protected. Details like zipper pulls, contoured shoulder pad, and handle grip are not overlooked.
However, I'm not sure what lenses they had in mind when they rated the capacity. I carry a single body, three zoom lenses (with hoods reversed), a flash, a doubler, and a few accessories on the inside. Granted, one of them is a fairly large 70-200 2.8 with tripod ring on. I can't imagine putting much more in unless I was going to pack it for long-term storage.
The outside pockets are very useful and make extra batteries, memory cards (film), filters, and other accessories easy to access without compromising security. There are also two handy removeable zipper pouches that attach to the inside top with velcro.
Plenty of bag for me. For situations where you want to carry a similar set of gear, it could be a great bag for you.
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Canon Powershot SD990IS 14.7MP Digital Camera (Silver) Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 11:17 | Canon, Canon Powershot SD990IS, Digital Camera, Optical Zoom, SD990 | 0 comments »I realize there IS no "perfect point and shoot camera". I suppose there can not be a PERFECT small camera due to the small size.
In recent months I have owned TOO many small point and shoot cameras including..the older Canon SD950, a Fuji F100FD, a Panasonic TZ5, Even an Olympus 1010 model..and lastly bought a new discontinued Fuji F30 off e-bay for indoor low light shooting. I am sort of running my own private consumer reports situation it seems. :)
This SD 990IS is maybe the best OVERALL point and Shoot I ever had. But, instead of all the usual glowing remarks Canon Elphs seem to get..I want to point out a few negatives or inconsistencies with this camera. I mostly bought this camera because of the new function..FACE SELF TIMER seemed like a GREAT and useful idea as I take more pics with my g/f, or friends, dog, whatever..on timer than anything else. Long story short Face Detection works THE best on this 990 of ANY other camera I have ever used. It's nearly flawless INDOORS. However I tend to use this Canon more OUTDOORS. Problem is is in rather bright sunshine like MANY cameras, Face detection has trouble. Simply, often it doe NOT detect a face..and won't detect the second face either. This is only in rather strong sunshine..otherwise Face detection and Face Self timer DOES work and works rather well. The lens is OK, but on such an expensive elph I feel there should be less purple fringing THOUGH it's not BAD..but it IS there...and also indoors ISO set above 250 or so tends to get a bit grainy. So much so, I set the megapixels to 10..thereby why did I need a 14.7 meg camera??
I have also noted to my eyes this camera is not producing the almost too vivid colors of most canons...DEEP greens...Deep blues. But I actually feel the colors produced by this camera are perhaps more natural than almost any point and shoot I have had so that's a good thing. Also a positive..this camera handles blown highlights (Too BRIGHT) and dark shadows better than most. To sum up..this IS a really good camera with REALLY useful features WHEN they work, ala face detection in bright sun.
I feel Canon and just about all the point and shoot cams presently out there are WAY too concerned about who's got the most meagapixels. I'd much MUCH prefer a camera closer to myOLDER Fuji F30 which BLOWS the doors of this Canon in low light no flash) WITH JUST 6 MEGAPIXELS..then a nearly 15 meagpixel camera with too much noise. The Fuji's lens sadly has THE most purple fringing outdoors of any cam I have tried, hence my search has continued. To sum up..in today's market..perhaps this 990is may be about the best OVERALL small cam out there..but as I pointed out..if you are rather picky..it has a few flaws and I feel it is a bit overpriced...BUT also a VERY good camera which will make most people quite happy. It has a nice metal body..and the battery lasts a LONG time..another plus!
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Canon LP-E5 Battery Pack Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 22:57 | Battery Pack, Canon, Canon Digital Rebel XS, Canon LP-E5, Digital SLR Camera | 0 comments »Probably the longest lasting battery pack I've used in any camera.Used in a Cannon EOS XSi, which puts a lot of demands on the battery. Bought a second as a back up for a european vacation and never had a reason to change, even after a week and a half in Italy. Lots of pictures and reviews of existing shots, the battery level indicator never moved from it's fully charged state. The only negative would be the price.
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Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera (Pink) Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 20:52 | Canon, Canon PowerShot SD1100IS, Digital Camera, Optical Zoom, Photo Printer, Selphy CP760 | 0 comments »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 4x6 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.]
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Canon Powershot A1000IS 10MP Digital Camera (Blue) Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 09:11 | A1000, Canon, Canon Powershot A1000IS, Digital Camera, Optical Zoom | 0 comments »This camera takes excellent pictures. I particularly like the Optical Image Stabalization, Motion sensor, and face recognition. I only make 4 X 6 prints. So far no problems. The pet/children mode does a good job of stopping action.
I've used the optical viewfinder a couple of times. It doesn't show 100% of the picture, but it sure makes a difference in extreme sunlight.
Sometimes it is necessary indoors to increase the ISO in order to increase the flash distance (easily done with a button). I still get great pictures. I know some reviewers blow the pictures up and indicate the noise in the picture. It's just not evident in normal picture prints. I'm sure there would be obvious noise if I was using high ISOs. Battery life is great also. I use Lithium AAs. They last so long there is no need to use recharageable batteries.
The only thing I definately miss is a button to delete "ALL" pictures. There's a button for individual deleting, but you have to use the menu to detete all. I guess you could look at it as a safety feature, making it hard to accidentially delete all your pictures.
There is a lack of manaul controls, but I never used the manual controls in my prior cameras.
The camera size will fit into a pocket, even though I prefer using a case that fits on my belt. I would highly recommend this camera to others.
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Canon Deluxe Gadget Bag 100EG Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 09:11 | Canon, Canon Cameras, Deluxe Gadget Bag 100EG, Gadget Bag | 0 comments »I bought the 100EG for my Canon EOS-10D with a Canon 28-135mm IS lens and a Canon 420EX flash. My camera with the lens attached BARELY fits in the bag, and only after all the dividers are removed.A longer zoom wouldn't have fitted, period. Very dissapointed with the "1-2 camera bodies, 3-4 lensees, "AND" accessories" claim. Sure, if you own toy cameras. What's the point of removing the dividers? As far my setup, this bag is only good for 1 body and 1 small/medium lens, NOTHING else (as far as camera components), not even my Canon 420EX flash.Also, the waist strap is annoying since it pretty much useless and CAN'T be removed.I do, however, like the build quality and looks. I am going to gamble on the 10EG and HOPE to get ONE camera body, TWO lenses, and ONE flash in it.You'd think Canon would know how many of their OWN components could fit in their own bag!!! It's too bad Canon doesn't post more views of this bag with an example camera and lenses inside.
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Canon PowerShot A470 7.1 MP Digital Camera (Orange) Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 08:05 | Canon, Canon PowerShot A470, Digital Camera, Optical Zoom | 0 comments »For the list price ($129.00) I really couldn't find a better camera. I work in a photo processing lab, where I also deal with and sell cameras for most of the day, so before purchasing my own I did a lot of hands-on research playing with and reading about all the cameras that were within the price I wanted to spend.I'm still learning as far as all the fancy features, but if you're like me and just need a good camera for everyday type stuff, this one is perfect.With its 7.1 mega pixels, it takes really sharp pictures and what I really like is how fast the shutter is. There's virtually no delay between the time you focus the camera and go to snap the actual picture. That was my biggest problem with my old camera-- I'd go to focus in and then by the time I actually snapped the photo, the delay was so annoyingly long that the moment was lost.The LCD screen is a great size, not too large and not too small. At 2.5", you get a really good idea of what you're shooting, even without a viewfinder.The only complaint I have is that it's not as great outdoors in bright weather. The screen gets really washed out and makes it kind of difficult to get a good shot. This is fixable though, as they sell pop-up shade clips (about $10) you can attach to the camera so as to correct that. I haven't tried them personally, but heard they work really well.I also really like the size of the camera itself. A lot of people are attracted to the super slim tiny cameras you can fit in a pocket, but that didn't appeal to me.I wanted something I'd be comfortable holding, fit well in my hands, and didn't feel like I was going to drop it. Its like the perfect size for me, because it's still really compact but not so small that it gives me anxiety over dropping it/breaking something. Alternately, its not so big that I can't easily carry it around with me.
I would consider this camera a step up from a lot of others in the price range. Along with the scene modes (which is pretty standard on most point and shoots anyway) it has a manual setting, which is fun to play around with and really easy to navigate. For someone like me who is still learning all the technical stuff it's a good first camera. You can customize a fair amount but its not overwhelming and hard to learn. At my job we are trained on what are the best selling points, features, etc, and whereas I take that into mind I also know that everyone is picky in their own way and some people care about certain features more than others. Personally I just wanted something to use on vacations, to take pictures of friends and I, my cats, etc.If you want something for fast action scenarios, sporting events and the like, you might want to skip this camera. It's only got the standard 3.4 optical zoom, which really is not that far, and even though it zooms farther digitally...it will get more blurry the further in you go.That is one thing Canon needs to improve upon-- a lot of their lower end models like this one have poor image stabilizing.
Canon's face detection technology is pretty cool though.In Auto mode (and probably manual too, I'm not positive though) it actually locks onto a person's face and almost highlights it...like zooms just their face in so you can see if it's clearly focused before taking the pic. This is a feature you can turn on or off in the Menu settings.It throws you off a bit in relation to the rest of the photo, but once you get the hang of it it's really helpful (in group shots especially.)
Bottom line - great deal for the price!You see a lot of Nikon's (Coolpix series) in the $89-129 price range, but in my experience this newer Canon definitely surpasses them. I had a Nikon Coolpix 5600 (probably about 2 yrs old now), and whereas it took beautifully sharp photos, the lag time was incredibly slow and that's what made me like this Canon better. Faster shutter times make all the difference! Canon's photo software is easier to navigate as well, with more custom settings to play around with when you want to edit/share your pictures on your computer.Most people are surprised to learn what kind of camera I have after they've seen the photos it takes.I just think its really nice that you can get something of this quality for such a low price.
OH- And a note about the AA batteries for this Canon:Obviously if you use standard alkaline AA's your response time is going to be a lot slower. Investing in good quality rechargeables is more than worth the money, it makes all the difference.I myself prefer Energizer's Lithium batteries, the blue and silver ones, as oppose to the rechargeables...just because they are specially designed for high powered devices like digital cameras, and you don't have to mess around with a charger, or the whole rotating batteries in and out.I got a good couple months of use out of a set of two, while taking pictures frequently...on a trip, and even just in everyday daily use.It's about $5 for a two pack and $9 for 4.
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Canon Powershot E1 10MP Digital Camera (Blue) Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 20:49 | Canon, Canon Powershot E1, Digital Camera, E1, Optical Zoom | 0 comments »I just needed a camera for fun..and I have had a Canon before.I didn't like that my old one had a rechargeable battery that didn't last long so I am really happy to find one like my old one that is a million times better in quality and it takes real batteries that LAST!!I LOVE IT!!
Takes great pictures and it's super easy to use...comparing it to my old one (which was an Elph), it takes much faster pictures although you do have to hold the shutter button down to take a picture which is annoying to have to tell other people using it.
Overall I highly reccommend it..takes great pictures!!!
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Canon PowerShot SD880IS 10MP Digital Camera (Gold) Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 19:47 | Canon, Canon PowerShot SD880IS, Digital Camera, Optical Zoom, SD880, Wide Angle | 0 comments »Last year, Canon SD870IS camera was a winner in the SD series and the SD880IS manages to offer even more at a lower starting price (than that of SD870IS last year).
>>>What's NEW?
--New DIGIC 4 technology, up from DIGIC 3 which tries to improve the camera performance in low light and at higher ISO - is it successful? I noted a slight improvement in some shots.
- Updated face detection technology. It helps the camera create better contrast for faces and does not bleach out all color from the faces in a shot. The Face Detection Self Timer is new, so if you want to take a group shot including yourself all you have to do is focus the camera on the group and then walk into the group. The camera will detect a new face and click the shot.
- A BIGGER CCD - 1/2.3" up from the previous 1/2.5" in the SD870 which allows for increase in MPs to 10MP (up from 8MP of SD870)
- 4X Zoom (up from 3.8X on SD870) and a wide angle which really helps with shots at close quarters (in a car/bus, of a large group etc.)
- Motion Detection is also new. On this mode the camera allows you to focus on a moving object or person by pressing the shutter half-way and then click the shot even though the object/person continued to move across the frame. Earlier, you would have got a motion blur if you tried to take the same picture
- The huge 3 inch LCD screen is the same as the SD870 but slightly improved technology gives you brighter playback in low-light which makes it easier to see the shots in replay. It does not have a viewfinder but I have never missed the viewfinder on my SD870 since Canon made the screen anti-glare. I'd take a bigger screen any day over a 2.5 inch screen with a viewfinder, but if you like to use the viewfinder to compose your shots you might need to look at the SD990 IS and drop another 100 bucks.
- Updated Scene Modes. It gives you the standard Canon modes like before: Auto, Manual, Digital, Color Accent (you can pick a color to retain in the shot and the rest of the picture will be black and white), Color Swap (swap a color in the pic for another) and Stitch Assist (take a panoramic pic by stitching together many shots).
The SD880 IS makes some additions to the special scene modes like Sunset and ISO 3200. The rest remain the same: Portrait, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot. I really like the special scene modes and use them extensively. According to Canon they are based on their library of shots and I agree that they really work very well to give me great pictures.
>>>The other Canon features are the same as before on this camera. Some that I find useful are as follows:
-Image stabilization, this is particularly helpful at higher zoom
- Single Shot and Continuous mode
- Colors you can set in the manual mode -Vivid, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Custom color (RGB adjustment)
- Movie mode - regular and also slow synchro (allows you to create interesting videos by shooting at timed intervals)
- On camera editing and Pictbridge (print directly from camera)
- Red eye reduction - the face detection technology minimizes red eye more accurately than before. If you still get red eye, especially when you're shooting indoors, I've found that this camera can take care of it automatically. You can select "red eye correction" option in the menu while in replay mode, the camera automatically searches for faces in the pic and removes the red eye and also allows you to do it manually if you want.
- Connect to TV with included cord and run slideshow with transition effects of your choice to view pics. Very useful while on vacation or at a friend's place.
- Allows you to erase pics by number of pics, or by date taken, or even by people vs. scenery/objects, a very useful feature in this age of high capacity cards
- You can record sound bites on pics to remember locations etc.
If you can take the time to read the manual, you will discover more features which allow for more creativity with this camera.
>>> Limitations:
- No viewfinder, I prefer the bigger screen but it may be critical for you
- Some chromatic aberration, common to most point and shoot cameras not just this Canon model
- If you're shooting at night in low light with full zoom the wide angle causes the camera to sometimes focus on the dust particles in between resulting in white orbs in the picture. I've taken care of most issues by setting the focus correctly by half pressing the shutter and using night mode but some orbs still show up in some pics especially if there is moisture in the air and I am using the zoom.
UPDATE 11/21/2008: Downgrading rating to 4 stars, this camera does have more "noise" than my earlier Canons.
>>>Summary
This camera is very well priced for the features it offers. If you are looking for a reasonably priced compact P&S that is still pocketable but gives you superior shots and more flexibility in composing shots (read wide angle), look no further. If you're looking for a smaller camera than SD880 that gives you superior performance, I recommend the SD790 although it does not have wide angle.
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Canon Powershot A1000IS 10MP Digital Camera (Purple) Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 21:53 | Canon, Canon Powershot A1000IS, Digital Camera, Optical Zoom | 0 comments »This camera takes excellent pictures. I particularly like the Optical Image Stabalization, Motion sensor, and face recognition. I only make 4 X 6 prints. So far no problems. The pet/children mode does a good job of stopping action.
I've used the optical viewfinder a couple of times. It doesn't show 100% of the picture, but it sure makes a difference in extreme sunlight.
Sometimes it is necessary indoors to increase the ISO in order to increase the flash distance (easily done with a button). I still get great pictures. I know some reviewers blow the pictures up and indicate the noise in the picture. It's just not evident in normal picture prints. I'm sure there would be obvious noise if I was using high ISOs. Battery life is great also. I use Lithium AAs. They last so long there is no need to use recharageable batteries.
The only thing I definately miss is a button to delete "ALL" pictures. There's a button for individual deleting, but you have to use the menu to detete all. I guess you could look at it as a safety feature, making it hard to accidentially delete all your pictures.
There is a lack of manaul controls, but I never used the manual controls in my prior cameras.
The camera size will fit into a pocket, even though I prefer using a case that fits on my belt. I would highly recommend this camera to others.
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Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 15:33 | Camera Lens, Canon, Canon EF | 0 comments »Once upon a time the 50 mm lens was THE standard camera lens and was THE optical benchmark by which manufacturers were judged and compared. Although the basic lens focus has now shifted (at least at the low to mid amateur level) to zooms - you can still benefit from years of research and development that went into designing the 50 mm lens and this here lens may be the best lens, dollar for dollar, that you can ever buy. The question is can you afford not to own this lens?
Years of development have brought us a lens that has a fast aperture of 1.8 - far faster than any consumer zoom lens - and that is sharp as a filed tack.Be forewarned about the sharpness . . . if you are taking pictures of people, this lens is unyielding in its sharpness and may well surprise you and your subjects whose every blemish is captured.The lens has a fabulously shallow depth of field if you want to use the 1.8 aperture to blow out a background.This lens is also ridiculously inexpensive.It is not USM - so it is a little loud.It does not have a moving focus scale. For the money though - this is heaven.
As to the build quality - yes, it is plastic.No, it's not built like the Rock of Gibraltar. If you are going to give this lens extensive use as your everyday lens and you shoot a lot, it may not hold up all that well as one reviewer suggests. However, I've now had this lens and used it fairly regularly (although not as the primary lens) for about 8 years and it is still in great condition. In my mind, spend the $$ on this first before you go and drop $330 on the 50mm 1.4 USM lens and I think you'll find it gets the job done nicely and that the extra $250 on the 1.4 may not be worth the difference in build (major difference), speed (minor difference) and image quality (minor difference).
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Canon PowerShot A470 7.1 MP Digital Camera (Red) Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 14:29 | Canon, Canon PowerShot A470, Digital Camera, Optical Zoom | 0 comments »For the list price ($129.00) I really couldn't find a better camera. I work in a photo processing lab, where I also deal with and sell cameras for most of the day, so before purchasing my own I did a lot of hands-on research playing with and reading about all the cameras that were within the price I wanted to spend.I'm still learning as far as all the fancy features, but if you're like me and just need a good camera for everyday type stuff, this one is perfect.With its 7.1 mega pixels, it takes really sharp pictures and what I really like is how fast the shutter is. There's virtually no delay between the time you focus the camera and go to snap the actual picture. That was my biggest problem with my old camera-- I'd go to focus in and then by the time I actually snapped the photo, the delay was so annoyingly long that the moment was lost.The LCD screen is a great size, not too large and not too small. At 2.5", you get a really good idea of what you're shooting, even without a viewfinder.The only complaint I have is that it's not as great outdoors in bright weather. The screen gets really washed out and makes it kind of difficult to get a good shot. This is fixable though, as they sell pop-up shade clips (about $10) you can attach to the camera so as to correct that. I haven't tried them personally, but heard they work really well.I also really like the size of the camera itself. A lot of people are attracted to the super slim tiny cameras you can fit in a pocket, but that didn't appeal to me.I wanted something I'd be comfortable holding, fit well in my hands, and didn't feel like I was going to drop it. Its like the perfect size for me, because it's still really compact but not so small that it gives me anxiety over dropping it/breaking something. Alternately, its not so big that I can't easily carry it around with me.
I would consider this camera a step up from a lot of others in the price range. Along with the scene modes (which is pretty standard on most point and shoots anyway) it has a manual setting, which is fun to play around with and really easy to navigate. For someone like me who is still learning all the technical stuff it's a good first camera. You can customize a fair amount but its not overwhelming and hard to learn. At my job we are trained on what are the best selling points, features, etc, and whereas I take that into mind I also know that everyone is picky in their own way and some people care about certain features more than others. Personally I just wanted something to use on vacations, to take pictures of friends and I, my cats, etc.If you want something for fast action scenarios, sporting events and the like, you might want to skip this camera. It's only got the standard 3.4 optical zoom, which really is not that far, and even though it zooms farther digitally...it will get more blurry the further in you go.That is one thing Canon needs to improve upon-- a lot of their lower end models like this one have poor image stabilizing.
Canon's face detection technology is pretty cool though.In Auto mode (and probably manual too, I'm not positive though) it actually locks onto a person's face and almost highlights it...like zooms just their face in so you can see if it's clearly focused before taking the pic. This is a feature you can turn on or off in the Menu settings.It throws you off a bit in relation to the rest of the photo, but once you get the hang of it it's really helpful (in group shots especially.)
Bottom line - great deal for the price!You see a lot of Nikon's (Coolpix series) in the $89-129 price range, but in my experience this newer Canon definitely surpasses them. I had a Nikon Coolpix 5600 (probably about 2 yrs old now), and whereas it took beautifully sharp photos, the lag time was incredibly slow and that's what made me like this Canon better. Faster shutter times make all the difference! Canon's photo software is easier to navigate as well, with more custom settings to play around with when you want to edit/share your pictures on your computer.Most people are surprised to learn what kind of camera I have after they've seen the photos it takes.I just think its really nice that you can get something of this quality for such a low price.
OH- And a note about the AA batteries for this Canon:Obviously if you use standard alkaline AA's your response time is going to be a lot slower. Investing in good quality rechargeables is more than worth the money, it makes all the difference.I myself prefer Energizer's Lithium batteries, the blue and silver ones, as oppose to the rechargeables...just because they are specially designed for high powered devices like digital cameras, and you don't have to mess around with a charger, or the whole rotating batteries in and out.I got a good couple months of use out of a set of two, while taking pictures frequently...on a trip, and even just in everyday daily use.It's about $5 for a two pack and $9 for 4.
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Canon PSC-1000 Deluxe Pink Leather Case Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 12:20 | Canon, Canon PSC-1000, Canon SD1000, Leather Case, SD770IS Digital Cameras | 0 comments »Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 14:28 | Canon, Canon PowerShot Pro, Digital Camera, Optical Zoom | 0 comments »I had been eyeing this camera since it was first announced. I was looking for a decent camera, a step above the compact point-and-shoots, and a step below the DSLRs. This camera seemed to fit the bill, and it was at my price point also. I bought the camera with the idea that this would be the be-all-end-all of non-DSLR digital cameras for the next couple years, and I bought it before the review sites had their reviews up.
Anyway, I've used the camera for a couple days now and taken about 400 shots with it. It is pretty good, although I want to share my thoughts on a couple things that other reviews have brought up.
PROS
Very quick.
This camera focuses extremely quick (and beeps to let you know it's in focus), and when it can't focus it lets you know.I use it in the 'P' setting mostly, and if it can't focus (due to low light or no contrast) it just doesn't beep.It is very quick to turn on and extend it's lens.
Feature-packed.
The amount of features on this thing are truly spectacular, even the creature comforts are nice (such as the histogram and over-exposure detect).The rotating LCD screen is awesome.It enables shots that otherwise wouldn't be possible.You won't find another ultra-zoom on the market at this price range that offers more in this area.
Feel
This camera feels nice.It feels solid (as long as the lens cap is off). The rotating LCD doesn't feel loose or cheap.The on/off button is nicely located.It makes it fun to use. The zoom is silent too.
There have been a lot of complaints about the battery door being too flimsy.I think this is a little overblown.It's not as nice as some other cameras, but it's not that bad really.As for the batteries being in the same slot as the memory card, I can see why for some people that would be an issue, but for 90% of the users I don't really see it as that much of a problem.I think of it as only having a battery door since I rarely take the memory card out of my cameras anyway ( I just use the supplied cable to transfer the images and a very large memory card).
CONS
Noise present.
There is an unpleasant amount of noise at the 8 MP setting, especially in ISO 200 or above.This seems to be the trend, cram as many pixels as we can into this thing because the market dictates this.Noise is comparable to the FZ8 in my opinion, however, the noise reduction is not so aggressive.
This being said, I prefer some noise way more than an aggressive noise-reduction system's effects.However, if I wanted a camera that delivers the quality of a 5 megapixel camera I would've bought one.They are much cheaper.
Lens cap flimsy.
The lens cap is somewhat flimsy, falling off easily if you bump it, or even set it on a table too hard.This is obviously so you don't jam the motor by turning it on without removing the cap (which you're bound to do eventually).I'm used to the self-contained lens caps which retract automatically, but I understand this is tough on a camera with a lens this long.I had a camera once that when powered up would detect that the cap was still on and beep, letting you know to take the cap off.That's probably too much to ask these days.
Red-Eye.
The redeye reduction is not great on this camera (it doesn't pre-fire the flash, it just illuminates an LED on the front), so I find myself using the red-eye removal tool that is in the camera.The results of this were only so-so for me.I've had mixed results.Sometimes it works wonders, others it did indeed detect and remove the red-eye, only to replace the red with an unnatural looking black (it's hard to explain, but think of what the photo touchup machine at Target would do).If you wanna see this, e-mail me.This is OK if you're just creating small prints, although if you look at it on your computer display at full-res you clearly see this effect.If your subject is looking directly at the camera, the detection can remove the red-eye from both eyes.However, if your subject is not directly at the camera, sometimes the red-eye removal only catches one of the eyes.This is somewhat of a minor issue due to the amount of aftermarket red-eye reduction software available (CS3 anyone?).
Chromatic Abberation/Blurry Corners
This seems to be a bit of a problem with this camera.Not more so than some other cameras in this range, but it is annoying.I don't know what exactly causes it, but I have taken shots in my backyard during daylight, and whenever light is reflecting off of something with anything dark in the background, I see this red/magenta outlines.Some cameras remove this in processing the JPEG image(e.g. Lumix), which is something that would be nice to have.I'm probably making a bigger deal out of it than it really is.I've seen much worse in some of the competition.Blurry corners seem to be a problem as well.If you take an outdoor scene shot, you'll notice that the four corners are a little blurry and distorted.Some people wouldn't see this being that much of a problem, but I love taking outdoor scenic shots where details like that are important.
Zoom Control.
This aspect is really annoying.The zoom control is somewhat cheap feeling and over-sensitive. It is one of those that changes zoom speed based on how hard you press the lever. It has a slow speed and a fast speed.However, the slow speed doesn't have enough hysteresis.It is difficult to get the zoom speed just right. I have a feeling the slow speed will wear out and only the fast will remain.I actually used a S3 with this worn out zoom controller and it was quite annoying, as you could only zoom fast.
If I weren't so picky I would LOVE this camera, however the less-than-outstanding image quality make it 4 stars instead of 5.As it is, it's not perfect for indoor nor outdoor shots.If anyone wants to see any examples of stuff I've talked about, please e-mail me and i'll get yousome examples.
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Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Black) Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 12:21 | Canon, Canon Digital Rebel XTi, Digital SLR Camera, Lens, XTI Kit | 0 comments »[This is the same review I posted for the kit.If you're getting the body because you don't like the 18-55 lens, keep in mind that some dealers offer this camera in a kit with the much nicer 17-85 USM IS (image stabalization) zoom.]
The new Digital Rebel XTi camera should appeal to a wide variety of users: those wishing to upgrade from a point & shoot digital, or those wishing to improve upon their first generation digital SLRs.Features and value make this a 5-star camera, but it won't be everyone's cup of tea.
Compared to the previous Digital Rebel XT, important improvements are:
1) 10.1 megapixels.In digital camera circles, this is like saying a car has more horsepower than an older car.While this alone doesn't mean "better" pictures, in reality, combined with other improvements in hardware & software, the results typically are better.;
2) 2.5" LCD panel.This alone has more than one advantage.The obvious first one is that our pictures look larger in review.The second, and for someone approaching 50 (like myself), is that the LCD is now used for all the camera's data (shutter speed, aperture, shots left, etc.).It's much easier to read than the small LCD typically located on the top of the cameras.It might use up the batteries quicker, but, heck, if you can see the info this much easier, then so be it.One complaint, it does not appear that the data rotates when you do verticals (like the Sony Alpha 100).;
3) 9-point AF.The number of points are improved from 7, but the real key here is that it's the system from the 30D, which had a much higher degree of accuracy than the previous Rebels.;
4) Picture Styles.I didn't really appreciate them at first, but simply put, this is like the days of film, when we could use a "portrait" film or "landscape" film.For those that don't like to do a lot of computer work, these can be VERY handy in getting the right look in the camera.;
5) Dust cleaning system.OK, I think the dust problem will probably be a little overblown, now that Canon offers a solution, but it is a real, if not great, threat.Additionally, the way Canon has implemented it is second to none.The first is through hardware.An ultrasonic filter can simply shake the dust off.Second is through software.If you spot a nasty piece that won't shake off, you can do a reference shot, and have the dust removed by software on your computer.;
6)The grip has been improved a little.The rubber on the grip is improved, and an anti-slip strip has been placed on the back where the right thumb goes.
Most all other things Canon is know for still exists.The camera focus fast and quietly.Camera operations are quick and easy to locate and use.Pictures look great.
Now for the other side.This is an unusual time in that all the big players are comming out with a 10 megapixel camera at the same time, so the Canon has some stiff competition.Here goes a simple comparison.
1) Compared to the other two cameras already available, the Sony A100 and Nikon D80 (both also 5-star cameras), the XTi is considerably smaller, and somewhat lighter.Some will like this, even some with medium to medium-large hands.But most people with larger, and some with somewhat smaller hands may prefer the other two choices.;
2) The battery is somewhat smaller than its rival's, and may drain a bit faster due to the LCD being used for info all the time.;
3) Functionally, the rear LCD is not as nice as the Sony's.The Sony's rotates, can be set to enlarged type (50+ user again), and the system that turns it off as your eye approaches also starts the AF on the Sony.[Although many like the top LCD, the Nikon way of needing to push a button on the back, then peak over the top to see what you're setting is not as nice].;
4) No in camera stabalization.The A100 can shift the sensor to help eliminate camera shake.Nikon and Canon require you to purchase rather expensive lenses to get the anti-shake.;
Also, soon to be added to the competion will be the Pentax K10D.Specs are sketchy right now, but it appears to be enter the competition as a 10 megapixel camera with built-in anti-shake (much like their K100D).
Of these 3 currently on the market, the Canon is the least expensive; therefore, it's up to the other 2 to show they are worth more, a very difficult task, indeed.
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Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera (Gold) Review
Posted by Canon Reviews | 12:20 | Canon, Canon PowerShot SD1100IS, Digital Camera, Optical Zoom | 0 comments »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 4x6 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.]
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