SD 800 IS or SD 900?

Question

I am planning to buy a digital camera and I am between the Canon SD 800 IS and the Canon SD 900. What is your opinion? Which is the best? What are the pros and the cons? Thanks!

Answer 1

After answering questions here for about 8 months, I finally decided to get a Canon Powershot SD900. I was going to go for the SD700-IS, but they were out of stock everywhere and it gave me time to re-think my purchase. This is going to be a pocket camera to use when I don't want to carry one of my SLR's with me, but I still want really great image quality from the camera. Anyhow, after months and months of reading reviews, the SD900 was my top choice. I found a review in Popular Photography today that suggests that maybe the Pentax Optio A20 would be a better choice. But, I don't believe it. The Pentax does have shake reduction, but I doubt this will be necessary in a camera that only zooms to an equivalent of 114 mm and I just can not believe that 10 MP on a smaller 1/2.5" sensor will be better than 10 MP on a 1/1.8" sensor that is nearly twice as large.

Anyhow, go here to see the comparison article on 5 compact camera and see what you think. If you really don't want to read reviews, I am still happy that I am got the Canon SD900 and this would be my recommendation for anyone at this point, since it is what I chose for myself. I ordered from B&H Photo where the price is $343 (today) for the SD900 and $355 for the SD800-IS. They have been playing with the price point for this camera since Christmas and that's why I say "today." Every time I check back, it's got a different price.

I also bought a 5-year Mack warranty for $50. If you are even a little paranoid or clutzy, I feel that it is money well-spent. These are somewhat delicate compared to SLR's.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3471/high-5-10mp-compacts.html Click on the name of each camera to read a detailed review.

Anyhow - compared to the SD800-IS... The SD800 has a wider angle lens, but the reviews say, "there is a slight, but noticeable drop off in sharpness towards the edges and corners in some circumstances." Then, the SD800 only zoom to an equivalent of 105 mm. (The SD900 lens is 37-111 equiv.) The SD800 has image stabilization, which adds about $80-100 to the cost of the camera, but I say that it is wasted technology if the lens only goes to 105 mm. ANYONE can hold this lens still and should not need IS. Since we have ruled out the need for IS, I see no reason to spend more money on the SD800 than you would spend on the SD900. The SD900 has a sensor that is almost twice as big as the SD800 and this translates into better image quality. I am very happy with mine and I think everyone should own one. (haha)

Check out this comparison page. Click on "In-depth review" and "Read Owner Opinions" for each camera. Be sure to note that the reviews are many pages long so you don't stop after page one. Check the sample images, also. You can enlarge these to full size images if you click on the link below the picture. You will have to then put your cursor in the white space to the right of the picture and click once. After that, you can pass your cursor over the image and it will turn into a magnifier. Click it as a magnifier once and the image will go to full size and you can really examine the detail or look for artifacts like fringing or noise.

I put the SD700 in there, because I think it is a more desirable camera than the SD800.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_sd700is%2Ccanon_sd800is%2Ccanon_sd900&show=all