Canon PowerShot SD850 IS 8.0 MP Digital Elph Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Product Description

Canon PowerShot SD850 IS Digital ELPH camera has an impressive array of top-tier photo features including an advanced ultra-compact zoom lens and optical viewfinder to easily capture, record and share brilliant images under a full range of shooting conditions, all within a curvaceous, eye-catching compact design. It is a digital camera that will really get your creative juices flowing.
It starts with a high resolution 8.0 Megapixel CCD, a 4x Optical Zoom with Canon's exclusive UA Lens and an Optical Image Stabilizer for steady zooming. There's also a DIGIC III Image Processor with Face Detection and Red-eye correction, an ISO 1600 setting for sharper images in low light, 5 Movie Modes and a 2.5-inch PureColor LCD with scratch-resistant, anti-reflective coating for easy viewing.

Features:

• 8.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
• 4x Optical Image Stabilized zoom for steady, long zoom shooting- High-resolution 2.5-inch PureColor LCD with scratch-resistant, anti-reflection coating
• Sensitivity range to ISO 1600 for sharper photos in low light
• Print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloading

Additional Features:

• Still Resolution - Up to 3,264 x 2,448 (Large), 3,264 x 1,832 (Widescreen) - 16 - 9
• Movie modes - 640 x 480 / 320 x 240 (30 fps/15 fps) available up to 4GB or 60 minutes, 640 x 480 (2 hours at 0.5 fps/1 fps), 320 x 240 (1 min. at 60 fps), 160 x 120 (3 min. at 15 fps)
• On camera editing Windows and Macintosh capable
• Computer Interface - USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (mini-B jack);
• Video Out - NTSC/PAL (connect cables included);
• Audio Out - Monaural
• Power Source - 1. Battery Pack NB-5L; 2. AC Adapter Kit ACK-DC30 (both included)
• Unit Dimensions (W x H x D) - 3.56 x 2.22 x 1.04 in./90.4 x 56.5 x 26.4mm;
• Weight - Approx. 5.82 oz./165g (camera body only)

Product Pros and Cons:

• PROS:
  FAST: Very fast. Not quite as fast as the SD 800 IS, but faster than almost any other point and shoot digital camera you will find. Considerably faster than the Panasonic.
  PROCESSOR: Excellent super sharp photos in a wide variety of conditions.
  LENS: This is a very nice range lens with excellent edge to edge sharpness that performs very well in a variety of conditions.
  SIZE: very small, fits anywhere. Marginally smaller than the SD 800 IS, which itself is a small camera. The SD 800 IS and the SD 850 IS take different batteries because the SD 850 IS is marginally smaller. Extremely pocketable.
  VIEWFINDER OPTIONS: Optical viewfinder, the screen is so good that you don't use this that often, but it is nice to know it is there for those really really sunny days (and they come up every so often).
  BATTERY: Battery life is exceptional. Camera seems to go on for months with one battery (I think it is rated for 400+ shots, which is an astounding battery life for such a small camera).
  CONTROLS: I would say of the three cameras, this one had the best layout of controls. The half hidden wheel on the back is an excellent design touch and the on/off button, while not where you would expect it to be, prevents accidental on/off switching. A very well laid out camera from the ergonomic standpoint. Also, the four way control pad has an external touch sensitive ring which is pretty cool (when it works well) but Canon maintains its highly regarded and often imitated control layout on this little gem.
• NEUTRAL:
  APPEARANCE: The looks of the camera. I prefer black cameras as I used to own a film SLR and black cameras remind me of that beloved camera. However, my wife seems to like the looks of this camera.
• CONS:
  LIMITED ZOOM: Would like a drop more zoom range, perhaps a 5x - 6x would be preferable. The replacement model for this (890) has a 5x zoom, but from initial reviews, the 890's performance is not quite as good as that of this camera.
  FLASH: Flash is a little weak, but this is par for the course on a point and shoot.
  OPTICAL VIEWFINDER: Optical viewfinder is really small, is off center and not useful for every time composure on this camera, the camera is made to be used with the LCD on.
  Can't go wrong with either this or the SD 800IS, as they are essentially the same camera with different lenses, it just depends on whether you want a wide angle lens or not.
  Good luck with your shopping.