Canon PowerShot SD500 Digital ELPH (Digital IXUS 700/IXY DIGITAL 600) Review

Announced just before PMA in February 2005, the SD500 (which goes by the names of Digital Ixus 700 in Europe and IXY DIGITAL 600 in Japan) is the latest in a long line of ultra-compact 'ELPH' or 'IXUS' cameras stretching back to early 2000 (and a lot farther back than that in the film camera world). The 7 megapixel SD500 is curvier and slightly wider than previous models, and replaces the S500 (IXUS 500) as the flagship of the range (it's around 8% lighter than that model). Other changes (many also seen in the new SD400) include a new mode dial, faster USB 2.0 connectivity, improved performance thanks to the DIGIC II processor and upgraded movie capabilities. Like its predecessors, the SD500 lacks much in the way of manual controls, but it does manage to cram a lot of high end features into its diminutive all-metal casing;
- 7.4 megapixel CCD
- 2.0-inch color TFT monitor
- 37-111mm (equiv.) F2.8 - 4.9, 3x optical zoom
- 640 x 480 movies at 30fps
- Fast frame rate movies (320x240 pixels @ 60fps)
- Print/Share button
- New 'hold' feature
- Custom white balance
- Spot, center-weighted and evaluative metering
- DIGIC II and iSAPS
- 9-point AiAF
- Nine scene modes
Canon PowerShot SD500 Key specifications
Street price |
US: $480
UK: £300 |
Body Material |
Metal |
Also known as |
European name: Canon IXUS 700
Japanese name: Canon IXY Digital 600 |
Sensor |
1/1.8" CCD, 7.4 million total pixels
7.1 million effective pixels |
Image sizes |
• 3072 x 2304
• 2592 x 1944
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200
• 640 x 480
|
Movie clips |
• 640 x 480 @ 30 / 15 fps
• 320 x 240 @ 60 / 30 / 15 fps
• 160 x 120 @ 15 fps
• Up to 1GB (640x480, 320x240, 30/15fps) (depending on memory card speed and capacity)
• Up to 3 mins (160x120) (depending on memory card speed and capacity)
• Up to 1 min (320x240, 60fps) (depending on memory card speed and capacity) |
Lens |
• 37 - 111 mm (35 mm equiv) 3x optical zoom
• F 2.8 - 4.9 |
Shutter speeds |
15 - 1/2000 sec |
Focus |
TTL autofocus
9 point AiAF
1-point AF (fixed to center)
5cm macro mode (Wide), 30cm (Tele) |
Shooting mode |
• Auto
• Manual
• Digital Macro
• Portrait
• Foliage
• Snow
• Beach
• Fireworks
• Underwater
• Indoor
• Kids and pets
• Night snapshot
• Stitch assist
AE compensation -2.0EV to +2.0 EV in 1/3EV steps
|
Sensitivity |
Auto
ISO50,100,200,400 |
White Balance |
• Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Tungsten
• Fluorescent
• Fluorescent H
• Custom (manual) |
Image parameters |
• Vivid
• Neutral
• Low sharpening
• Black and white
• My colors (9 settings)
|
Continuous |
2 fps until memory card is full
|
Flash |
• Built in
• Modes: Auto, on, off, red-eye reduction, slow sync, flash exposure lock
• Range: Wideangle: 0.5 - 4.8 m (1.6 - 16.4 ft), Tele: 0.5 - 2.8m (1.6 - 9.8 ft) |
Storage |
SD Memory Card
32MB SD supplied* |
Viewfinder |
Real Image Optical |
LCD monitor |
2.0" TFT LCD
118,000 pixels |
Connectivity |
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
A/V out |
Power |
• Rechargeable lithium ion NB-3L battery
• Charger included
(Optional AC adapter KIT ACK900) |
In the box* |
Canon PowerShot SD500 Digital ELPH (IXUS 700, IXY DIGITAL 600)
Wrist strap
Lithium Ion battery
AV cable
USB cable
32MB SD card
Software CD ROM (Canon Digital Camera Solutions & ArcSoft PhotoStudio)
|
Other features |
Spot (center), Center-weighted & Evaluative metering
PictBridge, Exif Print and DPOF compatible
Playback Histogram
Orientation Sensor
Autofocus Illuminator
Optional High Power Flash HF-DC1 (slave)
Optional Waterproof Case |
Weight (inc batt) |
192 g (6.8 oz) |
Dimensions |
89.5 x 57 x 26.5 mm (3.52 x 2.24 x 1.04in) Excluding protrusions |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
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Apr 15, 2005
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