Canon PowerShot SD800 IS 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Image-Stabilized Optical Zoom by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon PowerShot SD800 IS 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Image-Stabilized Optical Zoom
Digital camera Review: Comparative Review - Canon SD800IS, Canon SD850IS and Panasonic Lumix TZ4
Summary: 5 Stars
Have had this camera for about 8 months now, and have taken over 1000 pictures. It is an excellent camera in all respects. While you read it over and over, the 28 mm wide angle lens really makes a difference.
Recently, there have been some promotions at a big box store with some other cameras, so I decided to do a little test comparing the SD 800 IS (28mm to 105 mm), SD 850 IS (35mm to 140 mm) and the Panasonic Lumix TZ4 (28mm to 280 mm). I just wanted to make sure that I had the camera that was right for me.
As part of the test, I took about 70 photos with each camera in various lighting conditions, indoor lighting behind, indoor lighting in front, outdoor, zoom, wide angle, etc. Because I usually use only 4x6 prints, I printed all the photos in 4x6 prints at a local photo lab. There was no post photo processing on any of the photos. I just wanted to see the results right out of the camera so to speak.
Thus, to me, the test was as real world as possible because that is how people use the camera, you don't shoot screens of color swatches, you shoot people, things, landscapes, grass, etc. Printing it out at a photo lab let me see the pictures as best as they could be. All cameras were set on full auto and no special modes were used for any of the shots.
The results were very intersting but hardly surprising. With the exception of a somewhat noticeable difference in the telephoto and zoom ranges, at a 4x6 size, there is essentially no discernable difference in the pictures generated by the Canon SD 850IS and the Canon SD 800IS. There was no difference indoors, outdoors, or anywhere else. This is not surprising, because the cameras are very very similar, use the same processor, and only differ in the lenses.
The Panasonic was another story. It regularly failed to perform, had zoom hunting, poor focus, fringing, etc. on the indoor shots. Outside, with plenty of light, it performed very well and produced excellent photos, but because I don't shoot exclusively outside, that was a deal killer for me. You basically cannot shoot anything moving indoors with this camera. Based on the reviews, I understood that this camera had limitations, but did not realize how much the processor hobbled this camera's indoor performance.
So, for the SD 800IS, which is the one I will keep, here's the review:
PROS:
FAST: Very very very fast. As fast a digital camera as you will find. Noticeably faster than the SD 850IS, but they are close.
PROCESSOR: Excellent photos in a wide variety of conditions.
LENS: Wide angle lens is a real treat in a point and shoot. I shot 22 kids all on one staircase and all of them fit in the picture, and I did not have to walk back any steps (or wedge myself into a corner, etc. to do it). Also, outside, and especially outside, it is amazing what you will fit into a picture. At 4 x 6 did not notice any distortion, but as another review noted, I don't really look at the corners of a picture, so this is not really an issue.
SIZE: very small, fits anywhere.
VIEWFINDER OPTIONS: Optical viewfinder, the screen is so good that you don't use this that often, but it is nice to know it is there for those really really sunny days (and they come up every so often).
BATTERY: Battery life is exceptional. Camera seems to go on for months with one battery (I think it is rated for 400+ shots, which is an astounding battery life for such a small camera).
NEUTRAL:
APPEARANCE: The looks of the camera. I prefer black cameras as I used to own a film SLR and black cameras remind me of that beloved camera. However, my wife seems to like the looks of this camera.
CONS:
LIMITED ZOOM: Would like a drop more zoom range, perhaps a 5x - 6x would be ideal, but it would be hard fitting a 28mm to 168mm in such a small package.
FLASH: Flash is a little weak (similar on the SD850IS), but this is par for the course on a point and shoot.
OPTICAL VIEWFINDER: Optical viewfinder is really small, is off center and not useful for every time composure on this camera, the camera is made to be used with the LCD on.
Can't go wrong with either this or the SD 850IS, as they are essentially the same camera with different lenses, it just depends on whether you want a wide angle lens or not. Good luck with your shopping.
Digital camera Review: It's a Great Unit
Summary: 5 Stars
The wide angle is nice, it's not too wide, but wide enough to make a nice difference. The 2 gig SD card holds many many photos. The battery lasts a long time, and it's a great size for a pocket. The photos are great, and the interface is intuitive. I like it!Digital camera Review: Canon has problems with telephoto shots
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought the Canon Powershot SD800 IS back over a year ago when it first showed up on the market. I bought it because it had image-stabilization which I knew would be a great way to stop camera shake in low light situations and when one takes telephoto shots. I am still amazed how much technology they can put into a small camera such as this Canon SD800 IS. This is my second point and shoot Canon camera and both cameras had to be sent back to Canon to have the lens taken out and replaced because of black smudges showing up on my telephoto pictures. You could see them easily in the light blue sky area which was ruining my pictures! Canon replaced the lens without costs but after using them awhile afterwards, those black smudges showed up again in only the telephoto shots! Long story short - I don't know if this occurs in other brands but I will not be buying anymore Canon cameras for now even though I know they are a great company. Otherwise, this camera was great in every other way. But if the pictures aren't clean, then all of that high tech doesn't matter.Digital camera Review: Great Point and Shoot camera
Summary: 4 Stars
After researching several brands and models, the SD800IS was the best pick for my needs. Key selling points for me were the wide angle zoom, face detection and a real viewfinder that works with the zoom. Also, the software that comes with the camera is adequate for basic print, web and movie mode photo editing. Only thing I wish it had was a battery meter; an icon appears when the battery is getting low and it doesn't tell you how much time you have before it quits. But overall, a great camera!Digital camera Review: Canon PowerShot SD800 IS 7.1MP - Digital Elph Camera
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using this camera for over a year. Excellent performance, quality, durability, design. Five stars!!!!!