Compared to... Panasonic FX01

Perhaps the most obvious direct competitor for the SD700 IS is the Panasonic DMC-FX01, though the FX01 offers a wider, but shorter zoom range. We have included samples for the lowest and highest standard ISO settings for the DMC-FX01 (80 and 400).

Studio scene comparison (@ ISO 80)  

  • Canon SD700 IS (Ixus 800 IS): Program mode, ISO 80, Default Image Parameters,
    Manual white balance, +0.66 EV compensation

  • Panasonic DMC-FX01: Program mode, ISO 80, Default Image Parameters,
    Manual white balance, +0.67 EV compensation
     
  • Lighting: Daylight simulation, >98% CRI
Canon SD700 IS (Ixus 800 IS)
Panasonic DMC-FX01
ISO 80, 1/60 sec, F4
ISO 80, 1/80 sec, F4.3
2,356 KB JPEG
1,643 KB JPEG

I must admit to being surprised when I first looked at this comparison as I'd presumed the Leica optics on the Panasonic would give it a clear advantage at lower ISO settings. Even taking into account the stronger sharpening used by Canon there is no doubt that the SD 700 IS is producing a better result, with better edge-to-edge detail. If you sharpen the FX01 result in post processing you can reduce the difference between the two pictures, but you can't put detail back in that wasn't there in the first place. The color is typical for a Canon compact (maybe a little too 'punchy' for some tastes, but perfect for the target user). Reds are a little hot, but the comprehensive in-camera controls mean you can tone things down a little if you prefer. Overall it is hard to find anything to complain about here, and I was very pleased to see that the strong corner softness seen on previous SD models has been all but eliminated with this new optic.