Recommended
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Recommended
Reviewed:
Jan 2007
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Announced just before Photokina in September 2006, the SD900 / IXUS 900Ti sat for a long time at the top of Canon's successful ELPH / IXUS range and was the first to reach the 10 megapixels mark (on a 1/1.8" CCD). It also features Canon's new DIGIC III processor and another first; a solid titanium body, which as well as adding a touch of class makes for a lighter, more durable camera. We were impressed by the low ISO output and fast, reliable focus, superb build quality and external ISO control, but found it suffered from the usual smearing problems at higher ISO settings.
| Quick links: | Announcement | Review | Sample gallery | Forum |
| Announced: | Sep 14, 2006 |
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Average rating:
4.19
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Opinion: Disregard the lower "sergei" downvoting this Camera.
Great upgrade for the flagship SD550 of last year. It has a refined menu control and Digic III, everything is a snap and people will find this camera a solid workthrough.
Actual useful megapixels and sharpness for ideal graphic designers.
Problems: Dial is a tad stiff, but you'll get used to it.
Opinion: The camera holds up the Canon name and Canon quality. It's my tenth compact and I
like the boost to 10 megapixels. THe higher resolution recordings are great.
Problems: Only drawback so far is that I'm not satisfied with the picture quality when
downloaded to a computer. I encounters some heavy chroma effect and roughness in
white areas. Zooming into picture generally indicate roughness, not experienced with
my previous 7.2MP Sony. I'm still happy and am sure that there is nothing a firmware
upgrade could'nt fix. I'm missing raw format.
Opinion: Manufacturing Defect with the Canon SD900??
Defect Image:
http://www.pbase.com/healthiest/image/68182622/original
Problems: I just bought the Canon SD900 from B&H Photo and noticed that right out of the
box the camera appears to have a manufacturing defect. the body frame does not
line up properly causing a small ridge, gap and the AV door cover to stick. The
camera is light but doesn't feel as durable as other canon body types I have had. I
am not 100% sold as of now that based on the price this camera is worth $500.
This is my 4th Canon I have owned so I'll update my review after I have had time to
test it out.
http://www.pbase.com/healthiest/image/68182622/original
Opinion: 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.
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 | 22.3 megapixels 3.2" screen Full frame sensor |
