SD870 vs. SD800 I'm interested in any insights that people may have comparing this camera to the sd800is.I understand the major differences are in the lack of an optical viewfinder, a larger LCD screen and an extra megapixel or so.BUT DOES the SD 870is actually take better pictures than the SD 800is?The review site dpreview certainly seems to think so, but other reviews are less conclusive. Moreover, dpreview seems to think that the lens is somehow better or different, but the specs don't seem to bear this out.Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. SD870 vs. SD800 I'm interested in any insights that people may have comparing this camera to the sd800is.I understand the major differences are in the lack of an optical viewfinder,... » Read More SD870 vs. SD800 I'm interested in any insights that people may have comparing this camera to the sd800is.I understand the major differences are in the lack of an optical viewfinder, a larger LCD screen and an extra megapixel or so.BUT DOES the SD 870is actually take better pictures than the SD 800is?The review site dpreview certainly seems to think so, but other reviews are less conclusive. Moreover, dpreview seems to think that the lens is somehow better or different, but the specs don't seem to bear this out.Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. « Show Less
274306
I think the 870IS's shutter speed is also a bit faster and more responsive between shots than the 800IS. Also, the 870IS is about 1/8 inch slimmer than the 800IS and a few ounces lighter. Image quality would be about the same but the extra 1 megapixel difference is significant for large photo developers. Also, the black version of the 870IS offers MMC compatibility in addition to SD/SDHC which may be important for select few people who has a few MMC cards lying around.
274307
The Panasonic DMC-TZ3 has an amazing lens with not 6 but 10x zoom that starts at 28mm !However enlargements, especially at ISO over 100 have lower image quality on the Canon than the SD870 (I tried both cameras).For indoors/low light the Canon is better, however for outdoors with good light the Panasonic is your best choice if you have a need for the big zoom(to capture birds and such)
274308
Thanks for the reply. According to CNET, the shutter speeds are comparable. In addition, the cameras weigh about the same (I think one weights about 5.6 oz and the other 5.8 oz) so there is a few tenths of an ounce difference. Since I'm mostly a 4x6 or occasional 5x7 type of person, is there a difference to me at that print size between the two cameras? The price gap between the cameras is closing, so really the main feature difference for me is the optical viewfinder. And, I'm wondering if the "step ups" in the SD870 are worth it. Thanks again. Thanks for the reply. According to CNET, the shutter speeds are comparable. In addition, the cameras weigh about the same (I think one weights about 5.6 oz and the other 5.8 oz) so there is a few tenths of an ounce difference. Since I'm mostly a 4x6 or occasional 5x7 type of person, is there a difference to me at that print size between the two cameras? The price gap between the cameras is closing, so really the main feature difference for me is the optical viewfinder. And, I'm wondering if the "step ups" in the SD870 are worth it. Thanks again.
274309
Sorry T. Das, but that is not correct. The SD870 is the successor to the SD800, both with the 28mm wide angle lenses. The SD850 is the one without the wide angle lens. Blame Canon for their extremely confusing product identification.
274310
I have an SD 800is and really like it. It takes great pictures. I have taken over 1000 during the last year. The wide angle lens is a must have. The LCD display really works good too. One of the reasons I bought it was for the optical view finder. Because the display is so good even on bright days, I have never used it. Older digital cameras with less brightness required the optical view finder. I really don't see much of a reason to for it on the cameras.If I were going to buy another new camera this year I'd get the SD 870is. It is a newer design and has some improvements. I think you should by the best camera you can. If dpreview thinks it's a better camera, I'd bet that it really is. I have an SD 800is and really like it. It takes great pictures. I have taken over 1000 during the last year. The wide angle lens is a must have. The LCD display really works good too. One of the reasons I bought it was for the optical view finder. Because the display is so good even on bright days, I have never used it. Older digital cameras with less brightness required the optical view finder. I really don't see much of a reason to for it on the cameras.If I were going to buy another new camera this year I'd get the SD 870is. It is a newer design and has some improvements. I... » Read More I have an SD 800is and really like it. It takes great pictures. I have taken over 1000 during the last year. The wide angle lens is a must have. The LCD display really works good too. One of the reasons I bought it was for the optical view finder. Because the display is so good even on bright days, I have never used it. Older digital cameras with less brightness required the optical view finder. I really don't see much of a reason to for it on the cameras.If I were going to buy another new camera this year I'd get the SD 870is. It is a newer design and has some improvements. I think you should by the best camera you can. If dpreview thinks it's a better camera, I'd bet that it really is. « Show Less
1433669
Just got back from an 8 day vacation in Southern CA using my new SD880is. Pictures came out sharp and NOT grainy. You'll be happy with the SD880is. I certainly am :) !
105273
I think you may be right Pablo. I did receive my SD750 and to my huge disappointment, the screen is very blurry. I think it's defective but if it's not, this sucks. I'm going to exchange for the SD800. The SD800 has everything I need. The SD870 just has higher MP but I don't care about that.
105267
I'm also trying to decide between the SD850 and SD750...I prefer the S850 features, but this camera is so much thicker (1.04" vs 0.77"), and I was looking for a thin camera. The dimensions are on Canon's website...have you physically seen the two cameras and can you confirm the difference in thickness? I was curious that you did not mention...perhaps it's not as different as I think?
575135
* Based on specs from Canon's website, the main differences are: 1200is has 10 megapixels, the 780is has 12 megapixels (not that adding 12 MP to such a small camera will make that much of a difference anyway.) * The 1200 films its video clips in standard def in .AVI format, which is compatible with Windows Media Player. The 780 can film in HD, but clips are in .MOV format which you will need Apple's Quicktime to view, since .MOV won't play in Windows Media. * The 1200 has a zoom of 35mm equivalent of 35-105mm, while the 780 has a zoom of 33-100mm. (Not a big difference.) * The 1200 shoots 1.4 fps, while the 780 shoots 0.8 fps. (I think that means the 1200 might shoot slightly faster frames per second.) * The 780 does have some extra color features you can shoot with, such as accenting all the red, blue, or green in a photo, etc. Those are neat features, but you could do the same thing in Photoshop if you wanted to. I was trying to decide between these two myself, I think I'll get the 1200.
1817747
Sorry, this post was really old! But in case you tracked it, how do you like the S200exr? I have the HS10 but am wondering if the latter would have been a better choice for sharper pictures.
2014312
I have an SD1000 and just returned from Vegas where I took over 400 pics. Filled a 1G card and still had battery left. I find that the battery lasts longer with the image screen off. Don't know if the 1200 can do this. Cannot see the screen in daylight anyway. The 1200 has a nice viewfinder and the image is bigger than the viewfinder image, a good feature when cropping at home.
654906
Best way to understand the models is to check the Canon website. They don't go up numerically (i.e. the SD790 is 2008 while the SD790 is 2009). For your choices, they all feature the Digic 4 (faster speeds, better low light). Per Consumer Reports, they rank SD880, SD1200, and SD780. The SD880 is EXTREMELY hard to find while the other two are relatively easy. The SD780 does Hi Res movies while the SD1200 and SD880 do not. Price-wise, the SD1200 is $230+, the SD880 is $270+, and the SD780 is $280+. Each camera takes GREAT pictures. Check out flikr and you can do a camera sort to view the kind of images that come off these cameras. The biggest factor, personally, is the ability to take Hi Res movies and that's why I've leaned towards the SD780.
1638744
The main difference is the 870 uses a wide screen lens, whereas the 850 is the more standard lens. Also, the 870 has a 3" LCD, with no optical viewfinder, and the 850 has a 2.5" LCD, with an optical viewfinder. For me, I prefer the 850 mostly because the viewfinder can be essential in low light and very bright conditions (low light = can't seen subject on LCD, sunny = too much glare on LCD).
331381
I was deciding between these two myself last week. I ended up going with the 780is because of the high def video as well as the inclusion of the viewfinder - which is small, but useful when you're running low on battery and still need to take pics. I just got the camera on Friday and have been taking tons of photos and they are brilliantl! I love it!
2117139
I too am wondering the same question. Picked up the 1100IS the other day for $150 but now I see the 770IS for $160. I know MP's aren't too important on the little cameras (not DSLR's) but can't help to think the 770IS is better because of it. Anyone have a tech opinion of the two?
1673297
I just bought the A570IS a few days ago without seeing this alternative, so I hope I'm not wasting my money by not getting a better camera for pennies more! We shall see, I guess. Sometime next week I'll let u know if I was impressed with the A570IS.. (all of my friends have told me it's great, btw).
119783
M. Dean, can you elaborate a bit? I'm having the identical dilemma. Never owned a digital camera, and the SX110 looks neat, but am thrown by lack of viewfinder and bulkiness.
1672718
Hi Ram, I was also undecided between a Sony and a Canon. I went with a Canon and I am very happy. I used to have a Sony Cybershot and was generally happy. I am much more happy know with the quality and built of my Canon SD1000. I checked expert reviews before buying my camera. In this case, it seems that the SD1000 is better rated than the Sony DSC-W80. Here are some links to reviews and a summary of expert ratings: Canon SD1000: http://www.smartratings.com/review/photography/digital_cameras/1144 Sony DSC-W80: http://www.smartratings.com/review/photography/digital_cameras/1323
2094837
>> the SD800 also has a 3.8x Wide Zoom lens >> whereas the SD700 has 4x zoom lens.True, but those X figures not tell the whole story. The longest focal length of the SD800 is 105mm/equivalent. One the SD700 it's 140mm.I happen to prefer the longer zoom length and am very pleased with the SD700. The build exudes quality. The SD800 seems to have a tad better perfomance at higher ISO numbers. Many like the face recogniton technology, which the SD700 doesn't have (and doesn't really interest me personally). But if you're a pixel peeper, watch for fairly obvious corner softness at wide angle for the SD800.Both are great cameras, neither is perfect. Saying that, you can't go wrong with either. >> the SD800 also has a 3.8x Wide Zoom lens >> whereas the SD700 has 4x zoom lens.True, but those X figures not tell the whole story. The longest focal length of the SD800 is 105mm/equivalent. One the SD700 it's 140mm.I happen to prefer the longer zoom length and am very pleased with the SD700. The build exudes quality. The SD800 seems to have a tad better perfomance at higher ISO numbers. Many like the face recogniton technology, which the SD700 doesn't have (and doesn't really interest me personally). But if you're a pixel peeper, watch for fairly... » Read More >> the SD800 also has a 3.8x Wide Zoom lens >> whereas the SD700 has 4x zoom lens.True, but those X figures not tell the whole story. The longest focal length of the SD800 is 105mm/equivalent. One the SD700 it's 140mm.I happen to prefer the longer zoom length and am very pleased with the SD700. The build exudes quality. The SD800 seems to have a tad better perfomance at higher ISO numbers. Many like the face recogniton technology, which the SD700 doesn't have (and doesn't really interest me personally). But if you're a pixel peeper, watch for fairly obvious corner softness at wide angle for the SD800.Both are great cameras, neither is perfect. Saying that, you can't go wrong with either. « Show Less
1469930
Thanks for the comments guys, I do notice different brand camera have different color tone, as you mention, "Canon have a warmer-brighter color and a little smoother look", I think Nikon have a cooler but sharper look, I'm using SD870, S90, T2i and now SX40, my S90 takes really good pictures and just little noise at ISO800, not far vs T2i, I was hoping the SX40 up to S90 picture quality, so I don't have to bring it 2 cameras all the time.The SX40 1/2.3" CMOS sensor VS S90 1/1.7" CCD sensor, F2.0-F4.9 VS F2.7-F5.9, 28mm-105mm VS 24mm-840mm, these are 2 totally different camera, I shouldn't compare them at all, there is no camera like all in one :) Thanks for the comments guys, I do notice different brand camera have different color tone, as you mention, "Canon have a warmer-brighter color and a little smoother look", I think Nikon have a cooler but sharper look, I'm using SD870, S90, T2i and now SX40, my S90 takes really good pictures and just little noise at ISO800, not far vs T2i, I was hoping the SX40 up to S90 picture quality, so I don't have to bring it 2 cameras all the time.The SX40 1/2.3" CMOS sensor VS S90 1/1.7" CCD sensor, F2.0-F4.9 VS F2.7-F5.9, 28mm-105mm VS 24mm-840mm, these are 2 totally... » Read More Thanks for the comments guys, I do notice different brand camera have different color tone, as you mention, "Canon have a warmer-brighter color and a little smoother look", I think Nikon have a cooler but sharper look, I'm using SD870, S90, T2i and now SX40, my S90 takes really good pictures and just little noise at ISO800, not far vs T2i, I was hoping the SX40 up to S90 picture quality, so I don't have to bring it 2 cameras all the time.The SX40 1/2.3" CMOS sensor VS S90 1/1.7" CCD sensor, F2.0-F4.9 VS F2.7-F5.9, 28mm-105mm VS 24mm-840mm, these are 2 totally different camera, I shouldn't compare them at all, there is no camera like all in one :) « Show Less
1638742
I've also heard that the 870 has better picture stablization. I'm disappointed that the comparison chart on Canon.com does not identify the differences very well. I'm struggling with the same question between the 2 cameras.