Canon PowerShot SD800 IS
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"Image Stabilization fuels the hype of this one trick pony." on by zerohalcyon
Pros: Image Stabilization and the use of this in low light shooting.
Cons: The lack of quality shown everywhere esle. Poor image quality, noise, oversaturated yellow/red tones, corners that are so soft they look post-processed with a blur tool, and horrible CA.
Summary: Yesterday, I got home with my new sd800. And due to the scrutiny of the forums, I immediately had to test it. I compared exact duplicate shots from my SD550 to this “upgrade” sd800. I am very sad to say that in normal shooting conditions, this model just couldn’t keep up. The main things I saw the sd800 losing horribly to the sd550 in were: picture clarity, sharpness (edge to edge) and color accuracy (the sd800’s produces a very warm shot, too much yellow & red). This was a disappointment indeed when you compare the fact that my sd550 is almost a year old.
Now, on the flip-side, and should you ever find yourself in “overhead fan lighting,” this will be where the true benefits of the sd800 become VERY clear. If this is how you shoot, the IS will become a lifesaver for every single shot. But aside from a museum or other “no flash,” location, RARELY am I not using the flash on my camera. And I found the trick to not having over-saturation or too much flash contrast (whatever the model) is to just lower the brightness setting prior to shooting and use a bit of Photoshop shadow highlight love. (Although this can never fully prevent your shot from the flashlight effect left on objects from shooting, but it helps). This camera is only ideal for shooting in an IS situation. Period. Or at least IMHO, but it is my review right? lol
My solution was simple. I ended up taking a risk against better judgment, returned the sd800, and got the sd900. Let me just say that the quality from this camera will NEVER be achievable from an SD800. So make the call. If IS is your “make or break feature,” go for the 700is, or800is. However if its quality you want from your shots, and you aren’t found in low light situations often, the 550 or 900 are the way to go! Price per mega pixel being the only difference.
PS- Cnets review of both the sd900 and the sd800 showed such a fanboy lack of effort in thier lust for the sd800 they almost lost all credibility with me. Thier review of the sd900 was so minimal, I have to wonder if they even spent any time with it. And then to call the sd800 pics good? It just shows how little they do know about the things they speak. Sad. Go look at the pro reviews and it shows exactly why not to use cnet for digital camera reviews! -
"best point and shoot digital I've ever used" on by macfly76
Pros: quick focus, good color, sharp images, image stabilization, compact size, wide-angle lens, good display
Cons: noisy images when using 1600 ISO
Summary: Ok, so this is my 8th digital camera in the past 5 years. I'm a bit of a spoiled tech junkie. My past few have been very disappointing (the Sony DSC-N1 barely lasted 4 months I hated it so much). This camera wowed me the first day and continues to impress me. It takes gorgeous pictures straight out of the camera, no futzing with photoshop required. I've used it at drunken college parties and even the pictures at the end of the night were clear and in focus. Some of the most gorgeous landscape pictures I've ever taken have been produced from this camera. It's completely pocketable, is ready to snap pictures very quickly so it's great for using on walks or when hanging out with friends and family. The colors are fully saturated and very accurate. I have a film camera I use for macro with all the fancy lenses, but this camera has a reasonably good macro mode given that it's a point and shoot. I don't use manual settings with a point and shoot, it's like driving a chevy and asking it to perform like a ferrari... you can try, but you'll be disappointed so why not use it for what it's good at? Two irritations: low light pictures without flash are noisy.. ok, that's expected but disappointing given the image stabilization (which does do wonders for indoor pictures! Finally clear pictures of family gatherings inside!!), second, it doesn't scale down the flash for macro (so when you're shooting macro something that needs just a bit of filler flash it blows it out completely). I absolutely adore this camera and whole-heartedly recommend it for the everyday photographer who just wants a camera to take gorgeous pictures of friends, family, trips, vacations, pets, etc.
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"A perfect second camera" on by jhlien
Pros: compact with great quality of photos
Cons: Not for the moment
Summary: First of all, this is a sub-compact camera. Anyone with "high expectations" should look for something "bigger".
Second, for average users like my parents and wife, this is a convenient camera with practical features and excellent quality of photos and that is more than enough for them.
I usually carry two cameras when I travel or attend events. Each camera fits into different requirement of missions. For those who expect this camera to function like "Hubble Telescope", I think it is asking too much.
Overall, I think this camera is a great investment. -
"GREAT point and shoot camera" on by samofsiam
Pros: Easy to use, fast boot up time, quality pictures, very versatile
Cons: No advanced features such as shutter speed, aperture, etc.
Summary: I purchased this camera 2 weeks ago. This camera replaced my Nikon Coolpix 4300, a camera that is a little more advanced than the SD800. I purchased it because I wanted more of a point and shoot camera, and the Canon does it!
The thing I like about this camera is its size. About the size of a deck of cards, this camera can fit into almost any pocket.
The time it takes from pressing power and taking a shot is a LOT shorter than my Coolpix camera, turn the camera on, and by the time you point at a subject, the camera is ready to take pictures.
This camera is also very versatile, if you buy the proper accessories for it. I purchased the WP-DC9 underwater case. This lets me take pictures when I am jetskiing, swimming, at the beach, or just snowboarding. I have the ease of mind knowing that my camera will stay dry and operational.
Image stabilization is great with this camera. I was able to take pictures of a dimly lit romantic dinner with no blurs and now flash! This was impossible with my Coolpix camera. This was one of the top reasons why I considered this camera for purchase.
The downside to this camera is that it does not have any advanced features, but I believe Canon is marketing this camera as a point and shoot. I believe this camera is good for the family or an everyday camera.
Overall, if you are looking for a camera for going to Disneyland, family outings, New Years parties, etc.. something not needing a photo shoot, then this camera is for you -
"Point and Shoot ... Really Well" on by JustinJN
Pros: Speed and quality at what it is designed to do plus a little more
Cons: Canon has created the missing link in digital photo ... it packs everything you want in a point and shoot, short of the nice to have option of manual adjustment.
Summary: Alright, by now you've probably already read the "Editor's Take" from CNet. So you're wondering, are you going to miss the manual controls? Are you going to be disappointed by the noise at higher ISOs?
Let's get jiggy with it! The SD800 rocks my world. "I see things" ... that most people don't think are there (not dead people). I was however hard pressed to see the noise that CNet's editors identified. In a wide variety of shooting environments, I have yet to be disappointed by the quality. Yes, if you ramp up the ISO, whether on the SD800 or any camera, digital or film, you're gonna see 'noise' or 'graininess'. Have we forgotten?
The SD800 packs all the speed and quality that we have come to expect from Canon in this very tiny unit. A little too tiny? Maybe.
The wide angle 28mm, you can't beat that. It really makes this investment worthwhile.
Alright, now for the missing features ... we don't have raw image formats, but really, how many have turned that on? And, we don't have aperture and shutter priority modes. I do miss them, but as far as this story goes, I can live with it and not think twice or be saddened! I wanted a point and shoot; I wanted it small; I wanted amazing quality; I wanted it packed with as much as I can get (I'm not sure why). I got pretty well all I can ask for.
Bottom line: if you're looking for a point and shoot that you can take anywhere, and rely on it to give you good shots (you compose), then this is the unit to go with! Nikon and Panasonic don't offer anything quite the same size or close to any of the features or performance.
Keep it up Canon! Don't slip like Nikon did.
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