Canon PowerShot SD850 IS (Digital IXUS 950 IS / IXY Digital 810 IS)

Opinion: i got the sd850 for 100$. the sd850 is soo simple to use a it has many cool fetures but the problem is that the video is pretty bad ,the wite balance is bad, there are no manual controls, and the flash is under powered. it will do amazing in easy situations but struggles in the tougher ones.

Opinion: Simply the best point and shoot compact size camera of the last years... I've tested against several models similar to this one and always is the winner... today I made research and I couldn't find any new model with better specs

Opinion: I'm one of these psycho camera dads. I take about 400 shots/movies a month. I love the myriad of options. The pushbotton on/off is small, but there's NO accidental turning on in my pocket, that's for sure. Had a return due to optical assembly failure, still in warranty, clean return with fast service. Then my daughter pushed in the fully-extended lens, and broke it. Ehhhh ... oops.

Overall, it's a great camera. Good shots, I typically stick at iso800 due to the speed of my standard 3yo target, and I'm happy with the shots. Blowing them up to 8x11 isn't as clear as an SLR, but it's good enough for screen viewing, or smaller prints. I like the continuous shot option, although the scene modes are a bit weak. I haven't gotten the acquarium mode to work for me ... very disappointed in that, as that was the only reason I upgraded from my previous canon.

Opinion: Owned several of these. Same, class leading features adn great images.

Anyone that wants to complain about the features needs to step back and consider how small this is, then look at the images and realize how great they really are. Thsi camera is packed with features and cost me $150 less in 2008 than the 4MP version did years ago. And this one has IS.

Great piece of equipment and fully supports Canon's class leading status.

Opinion: Owned several of these. Same, class leading features and great images.

Anyone that wants to complain about the features needs to step back and consider how small this is, then look at the images and realize how great they really are. This camera is packed with features and cost me $150 less in 2008 than the 4MP version did 4 years ago. And this one has IS.

If you want or need more features and control, then this class of cameras is probably not what you're looking for in the first place. Aperture control on these small lenses is nearly a moot point, and the shutters typically don't offer a very robust range. This is typical of the class, not just of Canons.

Great piece of equipment and fully supports Canon's class leading status.

what's the best camera, in this range or any other? The one you have. This is a serious camera for someone just getting to the point where they want higher quality images, while at the same time a very capable camera for an experienced photographer to always have along. I carry mine everywhere. Bicycle, computer bag, vacation, school events. Why nothave it along always?

Opinion: Amazing quality of pictures despites limited manual controls.

Better image quality than the Canon SD870 (blurrier) and also better than A720 (grainier) even if they are not that far from each other. I'd say the SD850 comes first, then the A720 and last of the 3 is the DS870. I own the 3 cams, so I can really tell that.

Opinion: Bought this as a second camera I can put in my pocket for times when I don't feel like taking my 30D. It's small size is great. The image quality is very good for a P&S. It lacks manual exposure settings like AV which are nice but not often found on cameras in this price range. ISO settings over 200 tend to get a little noisy even though it goes up to 1600, anything over 400 is not too usable. I get spoiled with the 30D's impressive results at high ISO settings. For a small P&S camera it does a nice job
Camera feels sturdy, good solid construction, Nice layout for menus

Opinion: It is a good camera. Nice pix, easy to use. If the wheel can be avoided then it is really good but the wheel has become trademark of canon.

Opinion: For what it is, it's a nice little camera. I'm weary of cameras that provide no manual control. Settings like 'Kids & Pets' would meet my needs perfectly if I could select ISO, but the entire SD line is so dumbed down that isn't even an option. It's disturbing that as technology has evolved, we've lost all creative freedom with any camera smaller than a brick.