SD850IS vs SD700IS

As luck would have it a new SD700IS was delivered to my house 5/7/2007
the same day that the SD850IS was announced.

I really like the SD700IS, but I'm thinking about sending it back to wait
for the SD850IS.

The features in the SD850 that I would prefer are the new LCD (better
visibility in bright light, protective coating) and the fact that shutter
speed and aperature are always displayed.

My worry is that the increase in the number of pixels and the Digic III
processor will decrease the image quality compared to the SD700.

Any opinions you would care to share?

Thank you,

Jay

It's hard to say whether Digic III is an improvement. The only clear advantage seems to be increased movie length (the ISO 1600 is emergency only).

I would bet that the difference between the two cameras will be so minimal that if there's a significant price difference, I would just go with the SD700.
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermal/

I have my eyes on the SD850 as well waiting for the reviews to come out. You gotta love the much better LCD on the SD850 at least we know that is an improvement over the SD700. I am hoping they are about to release an updated SD900 with IS this time. I think that is the one I would jump on.

I'd hold onto that SD700, but then again I love mine. I fear your worry regarding Digic III and more pixels will result in lower image quality. For what it's worth, I find the SD700's lcd to be perfectly usable outdoors. A friend has the SD1000 which supposedly has the newer screen and frankly I can't tell the difference outdoors. I get why Canon felt the marketing need to go to 8 mp as this is where the competition has gone, but in reality 6 mp is just plenty and the SD700 takes really nice pictures.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/clovermead_beechsplitter/

Any clue as to what the price may be?

$399 according to dcresource.com

Re the protective coating on the screen of the new model. I have covered my 700IS with the Invisi shield kit. It is almost impossible to see it on the camera or the screen and it makes the thing just about bullet proof. (although I wouldn't drop it into water). I would bet it does a better job than the new screen cover.

It cost an extra $25,00 to get the stuff sent to Australia, and I still think it is worth it.
--
Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia

Moonman52 said:

You gotta love the much better LCD on the SD850 at least we
know that is an improvement over the SD700.

Click to expand...

But how much better? No matter how "good" it is, you'll probably want to get a screen protector anyway.

The SD700 has an excellent screen; it's bright and easy to see. The new one will have Digic III instead of Digic II and MORE megapixels. You decide whether you think these "improvements" will give better image quality. Some of few other improvements such as face detection, longer movie mode may be worth the huge price difference; only you can decide this too.

I've been very pleased with the image quality (and the outstanding design and build) of the SD700. If you care to take a peek, you can view some of my test images. All have very minor post processing:

http://www.pbase.com/gailb/sd700is

--
gail ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb
My digital camera BLOGs: Panasonic TZ3, Canon SD700 & S2
http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-blogs/index.htm

So it'd probably be around $350 to start at many online retailers I'd assume...

Anybody taking bets on better or worse image quality than SD700?

Member said:

Moonman52 said:

You gotta love the much better LCD on the SD850 at least we
know that is an improvement over the SD700.

Click to expand...

But how much better? No matter how "good" it is, you'll probably
want to get a screen protector anyway.

The SD700 has an excellent screen; it's bright and easy to see.

Click to expand...

I would say tremendously better!!! As you know Gail I went through 2 brand new SD700's with bad LCD screens. I'm still looking for one with out a yellow color cast to it but I can't just keep buying SD700's and sending them back just because the LCD screen's are defective. At least one other person I talked to had this problem on 3 SD700's he bought and finally gave up and learned just to live with it. I tried to live with it but when I look at the screens on the SD600, SD800 and G7 and then compare to the yellow one on my SD700 it is sickening. I am hoping the SD850 image quality is at least equal to the SD700 and if it is somehow better that is icing on the cake. As far as screen protection I just bought the product from Shield Zone and was not happy with the way it looked on my camera so returned it also. I think if you take care of your camera and put it in its case when it is not in use you can do without the screen protector. All my screens on all my cameras are flawless after much use. I bought the nice leather Canon case and it is best case I could have possibly gotten for this camera. I just put it on my belt and just by unsnapping one magnetic button on the case I can pull the camera out very easily and quickly. Before that I had a case with a zipper on it and it was slow to remove the camera and I missed some shots. I am just going to wait for the SD850 to come out and see how the reviews go. If the word is it is as good as or better than the SD700 I'll get me one. If not I'll just keep my fingers crosssed that they come out with a SD900 with IS or perhaps maybe someone can tell me where I can pick up an SD700 without a yellow colorcast screen?

Can you provide a link to that Canon leather case? I love magnetic clasps...very quick and easy to grab the camera. But does the leather case protect adequately against LCD crush?

thanks

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/425689-REG/Canon_1588B001_PSC_55_Case.html

I'm not sure which camera you're speaking of, but this one is for the SD700IS. I got it as part of a kit from B&H and have been quite pleased with it. Magnetic clasp, very sleek and stealthy, and it fits beautifully on one's belt. Plus, it looks darn good. It works perfectly with this camera.

The only drawback is the lack of pockets, but its compactness makes up for it in my opinion. I don't need a lot of accessories for a camera like this (part of the point of having it). The 2GB SD card that came with the kit holds 720 shots at the highest resolution. I don't need to carry extra cards.

theranman said:

Can you provide a link to that Canon leather case? I love magnetic
clasps...very quick and easy to grab the camera. But does the
leather case protect adequately against LCD crush?

thanks

Click to expand...

The case I am referring to is the Canon PSC -55 Deluxe leather compact case. I like it so much I am getting another for my SD800.

Is it a STIFF leather case...so as to provide some LCD breakage protection?

thanks

theranman said:

Is it a STIFF leather case...so as to provide some LCD breakage
protection?

thanks

Click to expand...

The leather is rather stiff. The only way you would break it is if you stepped on the case with camera inside and even then the LCD has a good chance of surviving. This case offers excellent protection.

Many thanks again.

Moonman52 said:

I would say tremendously better!!! As you know Gail I went through
2 brand new SD700's with bad LCD screens. I'm still looking for one
with out a yellow color cast to it but I can't just keep buying
SD700's and sending them back just because the LCD screen's are
defective.

Click to expand...

Yes, now that you mention it, I recall you having problems with the screen. If you bought it from and exchanged it at the same place, the only thing I can figure is that they had a bad lot. That is a bummer for you.

I know that many people use the SD700 and have no problem with the LCD including myself. For example, there are over 200 members of the SD700 group at Flickr and I don't recall anyone mentioning that problem.

There are bad lots with almost every camera that comes to market. You only have to drop by the Sony forum and read about the new H9 to realize that.

--
gail ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb
My digital camera BLOGs: Panasonic TZ3, Canon SD700 & S2
http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-blogs/index.htm

Moonman52,

I was just looking at that Canon case and noticed the large slot at the top. I was thinking that rain could easily drop right thru that slot, yes?

theranman said:

Moonman52,

I was just looking at that Canon case and noticed the large slot at
the top. I was thinking that rain could easily drop right thru that
slot, yes?

Click to expand...

If it is raining I'm not out taking pictures. I live in Phoenix (what rain?) I pull my shirt out over the camera which is on my belt anyway so no one even sees it. If it rains a lot where you are maybe you want a water proof case anyway.