Canon PowerShot SD800 IS 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Image-Stabilized Optical Zoom
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon PowerShot SD800 IS 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Image-Stabilized Optical Zoom
Customer Review: Great Little Camera
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great little camera. I own six cameras (Canon (2), Nikon, Olympus, Panasomic, & Sony - point and shoot to a $1500 SLR) and this little camera is my FAVORITE. Heres why--
PRO: Its manual mode features rival my pricey SLR (vivid, ISO, etc.). In auto mode it is the BEST P&S camera by far! I owned an SD700 which I gave to my daughter (I guess that makes 7) before I bought the SD800. What I really like about the 800 is the wide-angle (28mm vs.35mm)capability. However, you do give up slight zoom capability (3.8X zoom vs.4.0 on the 700). The camera is shirt-pocket small and for most travel photography the enhanced wide-angle is a real plus since you're often too close to large shots and the 3.8 tele is far better than other cameras its size. (For travel, I also carry my Panasonic TZ which although a bit larger has a 10X optical zoom for animal/people shots.) The stabilization and selectable focus aspects of this camera are far superior to anything in its class or price-range. In fact most point-and-shoot users will just use this camera in AUTO mode and never utilize its broad capabilities. Although missing on most new P&S cameras, the 800, like the 700, has a viewfinder in addition to the screen-- this is important in varying light conditions and if you're conserving battery time.
CON: I don't particularly like the small mode select button-- it's just kinda dorky. And compared to my expensive NIKON some shots are a bit soft around the edges (most people would never notice). The manual is very inclusive which means complex to many-- For some great and straightforward tips on using this camera more effectively I suggest you go to: www.kenrockwell.com/canon/sd800.html
Customer Review: Just what I was looking for in an ultra-compact camera...
Summary: 5 Stars
Although I had disappointing results after purchasing (and returning) the Canon SD700IS then the SD600, I knew I wanted to stick with the Canon line of cameras because of the distinct features Canon offers that many others do not - like its awesome Accent Color and B&W features. That's when I saw that Canon came out with two new models, the SD800IS and SD900. While the SD800 had image stabilization and a wide angle lens and the SD900 just has more pixels with no image stabilization, I decided to go with the better features found on the SD800. BOY was I glad I did!!
Putting each camera I purchased to the test, I'd take it home and make lots of "test shots"... To test the Image Stabilization, I would bounce the camera up and down and take a picture -- and most if not all pics would come out blur-free. The Macro Function is MOST EXCELLENT... And the Accent Color feature is SUPER COOL... For all intents and purposes, all three cameras (SD600/SD700IS/SD800IS) were just what I was looking for in a compact camera. That is, until I decided to take some indoor (average to low light) pictures without using the flash... For the Canon SD600 and SD700IS -- I have one word to describe it -- Whereas the Canon SD800IS passed muster! This was an important factor for me since I take a lot of indoor photos of my pets and they don't care too much for the flash.
So if you like to take a lot of indoor (average to low light) photos without the flash, look no further... And just think - if this camera can take photos in low light conditions really well, you DEFINITELY WON'T BE disappointed with any its other capabilities!!
Customer Review: Love the SD800 IS
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently purchased the SD800 IS as my wife's carry-around camera to take pictures of our child, etc. She had been using the "older" Canon SD550, which was a nice camera in its own right, but the pictures my wife was producing with it over the years were just not that great. So I thought it was time for another try, and that image stabilization might be an important feature for her.
Like many others I am sure, for me it came down to the SD800 IS, SD850 IS and the new SD870 IS. I knocked the SD850 out of the running due to the lack of the wide angle lens. So it was down to the 800 vs. 870. No easy answer here, but the new features on the 870 were not quite compelling for me, and I liked the feel of the SD800 better as far as a place for your thumb while shooting (the SD870 has a bigger LCD screen, so less real estate for your thumb when shooting), and I liked having the viewfinder for those times when it can come in handy (like bright sunlight which can wash out the LCD screen). Plus, the price on the SD800 at this point is very compelling (right here from Amazon), and almost felt like a steal for the camera I was getting.
The early results from the SD800 IS are excellent. I love the wide angle lens, and it really is a nice option to have. You can always zoom in, or move closer to your subject if necessary, but if you need a wide angle lens, then only a wide angle lens will do. The pictures look great, and certainly better than the SD550. IS works well, face detection works well. All in all, a fabulous camera, especially for its current price. Good work Canon.
Customer Review: newer does not always mean better
Summary: 5 Stars
Canon PowerShot SD800 IS 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Image-Stabilized Optical Zoom
After seeing the speed and fast response time of my son's SD800 IS, I decided my next camera would be a Canon SD type. To be sure I was buying the best model of the series, I carefully reviewed the 850 and 900 models which came out later. After getting through the confusing international vs USA mixed names (sometimes they list the USA 800 as the European 850), the USA 800 definitely had more important features to offer, like the superior wider angle lens (afterall with 7.1 MP you can always edit for a clear, close up view) & a must have "IS". Having purchased the SD800 IS a month ago, it is the most technically superior camera I have ever owned. It starts up instantly, refreshes so quickly you don't miss the next shot, is virtually "Blur- proof" and truly doubles as a camcorder with sound. I purchased a high speed, 4 gig memory chip from Walmart for $60 which provides over 2000 very high quality pictures and good motion pictuers with sound. As a side benefit, the very compact size allows me to carry it in a "belt clip on" case made for cell phones that provides both convenience and protection. Until the other camera manufacturers come up with the instant on and picture refresh speed technology of Canon's SD series, the Canon SD's are the only compact digitals I would recommend to buy,with preference towards the 800 IS, for complete satisfaction at any price.
Customer Review: Fantastic sub-compact camera!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was planning on upgrading from my 3yr old Canon Powershot A80 4MP camera. Initially, I was only wanting more zoom than the A80 provided (3X). But when I saw the SD800 IS, I had to have it. The main attractions for me were the image stabilization, the compact size, wide angle & the quality of the LCD (very bright & sharp). The face recognition focusing was an added bonus. After using the SD800 for about 2 months now, I am very pleased. I think the single most valuable feature is it's ability to take such great pictures in low light situations without having to use flash--all due to the image stabilization allowing slower shutter speeds. This results in VERY natural (not flash washed-out) indoor photos, and combine that with wide angle, extremely fast shot-2-shot times (due to the Digic 3 processor) and you have a class-leading sub-compact camera. There is a little corner softness noticeable in wide-angle, but you really have to look close to even see it. In prints up to 8X11 you won't see it.
Throw in a very nice movie mode (even though you cannot use the optical zoom during filming--digital zoom only), and you have yourself quite a camera in a very compact package.
Yes, the USB port door is quite flimsy as everyone says, but with just a little careful handling, it's not likely to break--definitely not a deal breaker.
I still wanted more zoom, so I also bought the Canon Powershot S3 IS 12X zoom in addition to the SD800. But the SD800 is the camera that I carry with me everywhere I go. Highly recommended!