I'm still happy with my s400 but I know it's going to break soon because it's been taken apart twice (by me) and sometimes it freezes up, doesn't focus at all, etc. But, it still works 98% of the time and I can replace it with a used one for about $80, but I still have a backup plan!
COMPARISONS:
Since I'd be moving from 4 MP on a 1/1.8" CCD (appx 300 pixels/mm) up to either the SD800 or SD900 with 500+ pixels/mm, and since I'm not going to want the camera to kick into "soften-the-image-to-hide-noise mode," I think I'm going to want IS.
My s400 can take shots in dim light with the flash off that the SD500, SD700, SD900, etc, just will not be able to take at the lowest ISO (they need more light for the tiny pixels). So, if I had one of these cameras, I'd have to bump up the ISO--therefore either having noise or having the noise-smoothing mode turned on.
But, the IS, on the other hand, might be more able to take these same pictures at low ISO, handheld, with the IS turned on. I LOVE taking shots with the flash off and nowadays with 500 pixels/mm on the chip, it's pretty necessary. These cameras need slow shutter speeds to work.
The safety zoom feature is pretty interesting to me. Since I take smaller image sizes (3 MP often) I could use the safety zoom as way to save hard drive space and RAM while editing. I don't like large file sizes! But, both cameras have this cool feature though.
Another complaint about both cameras is the button layout: at least the SD800 has both of the buttons in the same place, but they're so hard to push way down there! Doing that one-handed is just asking for the thing to be dropped!--unless if you're able to push them with the joint area of your thumb. The SD900 gives you one button at the top, but it's way off to the edge, again helping a one-handed user drop his new purchase. And, the other button on the SD900 is way at the bottom, a good inch away from the display button! The only button in a useful position is the "screw-you-Kodak" transfer button, which they could put on the bottom of the camera for all I care! Finally, though, the back of the SD900 looks like the back of the SD200: cheap; with round, hard to push buttons that hurt your fingers. The cheaper SD800 looks a bit nicer and flatter. This is all speculation just from the pictures though so we'll wait and see.
QUESTION: I do like the titanium, and I'm interested in if it's harder to scratch than the steel. Anyone know this? I'm not worried about strength (Why would I be? I won't be standing on it!) but I don't like the camera scratched, at all! If so, this is a plus for the SD900. ALSO, is the SD800 coated with the ceramic stuff that is meant not to scratch but actually wears off and leaves you with sa cratched up looking camera anyway? I don't like this coating, as evidence by the looks of my S400. I like the plain steel of my sd20, though. You can't wear the steel down because there is nothing under it, just more steel. If the SD800 had this Cele-whatever they call it coating, that'd be reason for me right there not to get it. It'd be worn off after taking it in and out of the case a few 1000 times.
A plus for the SD800 is weight. It's a bit lighter and I know 15 grams isn't much, I was able to feel it from going from 118 gram cell phone to a 135 gram one.
Finally, it looks like the main differences come from things that I don't have already, and these features are all on the SD800, not the SD900:
28 mm wide lens: I can REALLY notice the difference between the 36 mm on my SD400 and the 39 mm on my SD20. 28 mm would be so cool and I woudn't be losing much because I'd have the longer zoom accompanied by IS to keep it from blurring.
IS: I have never had it, but would love to take sneak pictures in dark places that turn out decent, and full zoom pictures in anything less than daylight without blurring.
Size: My SD400 is about 40 grams heavier than the SD800, the SD900 is right in between them. The SD800 does seems considerably smaller
3 mm Macro: I love the closeups. I get 3 mm on my SD20, but that camera isn't my day trip camera.
So, my questions are these:
What's the teleconverter on the SD900? Does the SD800 have the ceramic coating?
Is titanium harder to scratch than steel?
