The Best of Both Phone, and Tablet
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stars
"Perfect. This needs to be re-reviewed." on by ILoveAlliO
Pros: Large 3inch Screen, great user interface, no Viewfinder to take up space, easy mode switching on top of camera, zoom is in the perfect spot, amazing anti-shake.
Cons: To be honest, the only con would be that it doesnt have the 4x zoom that the Canon SD700 does.
Summary: Time to explain:
Large 3inch Screen
The large 3inch screen is incredible. It certainly gives the user the greatest way to view what your picture will look like before taking it. Aside from the fact that it is the largest screen possible on this sized camera, it also has fifteen brightness settings for the screen to be able to fit the user properly. The three inch screen has no delay to the movement of one's hand which is incredibly impressive.
Great user interface
This is the FIRST camera that I have ever had... that has such a great user interface. (I've owned three sony digital cameras, one konica minolta, one kodak, and one casio.. from 5megapixels to the max which is 8megapixels) Out of all of those, this is the only one that has seemed somewhat 'fun' to use and very interesting to watch. As one slightly presses over the five way dial on the right side of the back of the camera, that individual is also able to see a larger image of the dial on the screen, magnifying which option is being pressed. This reminded me very much of the Mac OS X platform's dock which has the option to have items magnify when you have your cursor above it. This was extremely impressive.
No Viewfinder to take up space
Nothing frustrates me more than to see many older individuals use the view finder on digital cameras. Having to see them press such an expensive and powerful camera to their face just to use the unnecessary view finder (which was probably placed there as an something that many would refer to as an 'after-thought' idea) It's 2006... and no offense to those individuals who like using the view finder, but... the three inch screen on this baby makes up for all of the problems that are caused by the lack of view finder.
Easy mode switching on top of camera
It's simple, three options. Camera, Video and Preview. All on the top of the camera, not taking space away from the screen. It's perfect.
Zoom controls are in the perfect spot
The reviewer of this camera said that the zoom controls were in an uncomfortable position. I feel that it's the opposite. The zoom controls are positioned where the THUMB is not needed to operate it, meaning, one wouldnt have to take away one the important support fingers that are needed to hold the camera still (the thumb) in order to use the zoom for the camera. This makes it AWESOME to use the camera with one hand (while the strap is on, of course).
Enough space the back of the camera to position thumb. (something that wouldnt fit in the Pro's and Con's list.)
I have HUGE hands. I am 6'2 and can palm a basketball properly. I LOVE the way this camera fits in my hands. Even if it is small, Canon makes sure to put grips for the thumb so that it will not slip. Nothing to worry about with this. It's perfect for big hands. Sure it's small... but it's perfect.
Amazing Anti-shake.
The reason why I got rid of my casio Ex-Z57 was because of the terrible anti-shake that it had. Any SLIGHT movement would result in a blurred picture. With this camera, I can take a picture of my girlfriend while she is driving in our car. After taking that picture, I am still able to view the things on the outside of our car, that are not moving with us, in great detail. Also, I made sure to test it out by letting my hands move or shake while taking a picture. Everything turns out great, the picture comes out clear, however, after moving, it might not be of what I had initially wanted to take a picture of! Haha. Either way, the anti-shake on this camera is incredible and makes up for the accurate and precise movements that the camera lens picks up.
Again, I feel that this camera is perfect. IT should be the SD700. Who needs a view finder that costs you a hundred bucks more? (with the added 1x zoom of course). Go with this one. It's perfect.
- 11 replies to this review
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Ever try taking pictures in very low light areas where the LCD just looks completely black before you take a shot? That's exactly why you need a view finder!
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Just ordered one for $230 at Dell Home Store! I have always loved Canon photo products, and I have been looking to get a point and shoot digital camera. This will be my first one, also. After reading your review, it sealed the deal. And I also agree with your view of people needing am optical view finder. Some people just live in the past, I guess.<br><br> Can't wait to get my paws on this little baby. Thanks for your 2 cents.....
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the CANON SD700 is the first generation of ELPHs with antishake. but all that aside my friend has the SD630 and it is a gorgeous camera.
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I just have to say, this is my dream camera and i have big hands also. When I saw Cnet's reveiw of it and that they had said its buttons where small i was dissapointed. but them i saw your reveiw! i was glad to see that! so after that i went to best buy to actually hold the holy grail of all cameras and you were right! cnet needs to reveiw this again just as you said.
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I must admit that I too never use the viewfinder (I'm neither old or young) because it simply doesn't compare to the detail and ease of seeing your subject on the LCD display (plus you get nose smudges all over the LCD when you use the viewfinder). I agree that using the viewfinder does save on battery consumption but that's what spare batteries are for. It's all about personal preference.
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If you have ever tried to accurately frame a shot in very bright sunlight you would know why people still want the viewfinder.<br>Not to mention the battery savings as another comment pointed out.<br>Old and wise beats young, misinformed and opinionated every time.
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Before I spend $400 on this camera, I read all the reveiws and yours struck me. I thought it was very good, and I, too, have large hands. Do you hold it with both hands clutching the corner, or one-handed with your thumb constantly on the directional keypad, because one of my best freinds has the SD540 with the 2.5 in. screen and when i use it i hold it the one-handed way, and it is comfortabl. Im not sure if the 3 in screen would be comfortable.<br>PLease respond, because i dont want to waste $400!
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I can tell you, as an engineer that designs portable electronics, that the LCD screen can consume at least as much power as the entire rest of the camera. For that reason I typically TURN OFF my LCD and only use the viewfinder. You will find that it provides the same quality picture and your battery will last MUCH longer. <br><br>I'm 32, which I think is not TERRIBLY old.<br><br>The only information that the LCD provides dueing the piture taking process is what the CCD sees. Why not just use the viewfinder and save the battery?
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I guess I must be old but I for one have always liked having a viewfinder! Holding a camera away from my body & "hoping" it frames the shot seems a lil too chancy!! Plus the response rates at least of LCD's from a year or two ago seemed slower than molasses!!!!! <img border="0" src="http://www.cnet.com/i/mb/emoticons/wink.gif" alt=";)">) I'll take yer word here cuz i do want to go 3" on my next cam! Canon does seem to have everybody raving about their picture quality so thass important but i wish their styling was cooler - it's always Boring! <img border="0" src="http://www.cnet.com/i/mb/emoticons/wink.gif" alt=";)">) & one thing i'm curious about they seem to be lagging - where other co's are 230K on pixels Canon is still back at 170K - whassup with that?????<br><br>Cheers! Billy <img border="0" src="http://www.cnet.com/i/mb/emoticons/wink.gif" alt=";)">)
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To those of you who are concerning about the anti shake feature in this camera, just let me remind you that there is a major different between what anti shake is and what IS (image Stabilizer) is. Anti shake is a function help reduce the shaking that occurred when you take the picture, but if for some reasons u are shaking dramatically then it cant be help. However, the Image Stabilizer is a feature where if you take a picture while shaking and the image HAPPEN to comes out blurry, then the IS automatically sharpen up the image and clear up the picture for you. THAT IS the IS function. So dont get confuse. The first camera with the Anti Shake is one of the Canon and Sony around the T9 and the SD550. The IS is first appear on the SD700 but sadly people doesnt know that the T30 sony also have an outstanding IS, it doesnt tell you but it has one. Go check it out for yourself, take slightly blurry image and go into review to see how much sharpness the camera use to fix your picture, you will be amaze. Sorry to say it but the SD700 is nothing more than just a new product and new model of sd630 trying to rip people off with 1 new function which is the IS. Beside that IS and that 1x extra xoom, im sure there is no other features that the sd700 can outclass this one. Sd630 totally left teh sd700 to the dust with the 3 inch screen, and the DIAL switch in teh SD630 is soooooo annoying, i got it and return it instantly after seeing the 2 color back screen with 2.5 in on a camera that cost 500 buck a piece. The image is no where near better than the sd630, i would say sd630 give better images. And some people dont believe it but sd630 does have MORE FUNCTIONS than 700, go read others reviews to find out more. thats all, im now currently about to get a Sony t30 because as u was buying the sd630 i was introduce to teh amazing little t30, it would so equal to teh sd700.
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I believe the SD700 is the first canon camera to have anti-shake tech. But eaither way, nice review.
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