Canon PowerShot A1000 IS

Opinion: I based my ratings on the money the camera cost the the segment that it is in.

It is a lovely little camera, easy to use, compact, small and with top quality build. I was surprised, pleasantly so.

Image Quality is perfect for what you use a compact for, a little noisy but perfectly acceptable for making nice pictures.

Opinion: This was purchased with Loyalty Reward points as a fit in pocket emargency camera and it fits the bill perfectly. I do miss being able to set Aperture and/or shutter speed but hey thats not what I bougth the camera for.
My normal Camera is a Canon 40D but a bit too much for some situations.
The A1000IS is great value for money

Opinion: After looking at virtually every camera in the $125-
$150 range, I bought this camera for my Photoshop
classes to use. The feature set is very impressive.
After reading reviews complaining of LCD problems I
went for an in-store extended warranty.

A major selling point for me was that I could easily
toggle between display modes, one of which shows
the histogram. I have learned to use the histogram to
check exposure under difficult conditions, and once
you learn to use it you don't want to be without it.

Upon taking the camera home and running it through
its paces the first thing I noticed was that the image
stabilization didn't appear to help at all. Even at 1/30
second I was getting soft images, and I can hand hold
my DSLRs at 1/30 without IS. I tried some shots with
and without IS and saw no difference.

The next thing I noticed was that the images were
WAY over sharpened. I looked for a setting to let me
decrease the sharpening level but couldn't find one.
The over-sharpening was so severe that I decided that
the camera would not serve my purpose.

I exchanged the camera for a Fuji J20, which doesn't
have as impressive a feature set, but the image quality
is better.

If there is a way to reduce the sharpening on the
A1000 IS, it is an impressive camera, particularly at that
price. The sharpening I experienced it is probably
perfectly fine for the average snapshooter, but the
details have that "crunchy" look.

Opinion: Very uncomfortable to hold. A590IS is much better choice and it is less expensive.
A1000IS badly needs better, larger grip.
This new body is a large step backward from previous excellent Axx models, in my opinion.

Opinion: Very poor resolution in the digital viewfinder.
Sears has these on clearance - is this camera going to be discontued?

Opinion: This is really a great little Camera, easy to fit in pocket or handbag. It has a lot of extra features that you don't usually get on a compact camera. I love the build quality, it has a solid feel and the soft grip makes it easy to hold with one hand. Other good features are that it uses AA batteries so you will never run low on power. Has a small but not completely usless viewfinder for those shots in bright sunlight. I found the LCD Screen bright and clear and of a reasonable size. I can recommend this camera to anyone who wants a compact all rounder that as I see it represents good value for money.

PS: Update 09/08/2009
Camera is still working perfectly, not experiencing some of the problems mentioned in later reviews, except for I do agree with the viewfinder being a little 'out of focus'. Image quality is great and battery life is very good.