Canon PowerShot SD700 IS (Digital IXUS 800 IS / IXY Digital 800 IS)

Opinion: A real step forward for the Canon Elph/IXY line. The IS is most welcome as is the
usable higher ISO performance. Sharpness, colours and exposure all very good straight
out of the camera. Fantastic looking camera for those that consider such things. Build
quality is excellent and the camera feels great in the hand.

Opinion: Great Camera! IS works great. This camera just feels great in your hands.

Opinion: This is my eighth prosumer digital camera and I can't speak highly enough of the SD700. It is a delight to use!

I'm amazed at the image quality for such a small camera (not to mention the exceptional build quality) To me, Image Stabilization is a must when using an ultra compact model and it works well on the SD700. I really appreciate the 4X zoom. There is no lag time for anything. Focusing is fast and it focuses more accurately than any other digital camera I've owned.

While it doesn't have controls for the shutter and aperture, it has enough features to meet almost every picture taking need: Exposure Compensation, the ability to independently lock focus and exposure, very good macro mode (the depth of field is quite shallow. If I need more depth, I just move the camera back from the subject and crop later), etc.

For those who consider it an issue, images are a tad soft. Personally, this is not an issue for me as I edit all images by reducing them in size and applying a light sharpening and levels adjustment. Images sharpen up incredibly well.

ISO 400 is improved over earlier models and even some ISO 800 images respond rather well to noise reduction.

The menus are very intuitive and easily accessible for key features that photographers use most frequently.

For best performance, a high speed memory card is a must particularly if you take video and shoot in burst mode.

Sure I wish the SD700 cost less but I still think it's worth the price. I am so very pleased with this camera.

Note: this is my carry-at-all times, not my main camera. If true manual control is important and this will be your only camera, it is probably not the right one for you.

Opinion: Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS with IS technology and higher ISO 800 sensitivity is a
compact digital camera that meets well the requirements for generic point and shoot
photography. It provides fair quality image with all necessary features that best fit for
users getting tired of photography controls and imaging effect.

Check a review at: photos-of-the-year.com/articles/canon-ixus-800-is