Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Product Features

* New 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 Image Processor
* Includes Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens
* Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution; HDMI output
* 3.0-inch Clear View LCD; Live View Function for stills (Quick, Live and Face Detection AF modes) and video
* Capture images and video to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Technical Details

* HDMI output for HD viewing of stills and video.
* 3.0-inch Clear View LCD
* Auto Lighting Optimizer
* Wide range ISO setting 100-3200
* Compatible with over 60 Canon EF/EF-S lenses
* Self Cleaning Sensor Unit
* Metering Modes: 35-zone TTL full-aperture metering
* Self-timer: 10-sec. or 2-sec. delay or 10-sec. delay plus continuous shooting
* Flash Exposure Compensation: ±2 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
* Continuous Shooting Speed: Max. 3.4 shots/sec. (with One-Shot AF or AI Servo AF)

Product Description
15.1-megapixel effective recording * EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens (35mm equivalent focal length: 28-90mm) * 3" color LCD screen (920,000 dots) with two Live View modes * HD movie mode with up to 1080p resolution and mono audio * Auto Lighting Optimizer with three settings to maintain detail in bright and dark areas of your pictures * Highlight Tone Priority for preserving highlights in very bright, light areas of a photograph * Peripheral Illumination Correction mode to counterbalance lens vignetting * DIGIC 4 image processor for extremely responsive handling * EOS Integrated Cleaning System (for cleaning image sensor) * wide-area 9-point autofocus *

A wonderfully full-featured camera at an unbeatable price, April 29, 2009

I've had the T1i for about almost week now and after some extensive use, here are my thoughts:

1. 15.1 megapixel sensor. Yes, the high megapixel count is impressive, but keep in mind that, as you approach higher resolutions, you need to ensure the lens on the SLR can resolve that much detail. Sadly, the included 18-55mm IS lens is functional, but the high resolution really shows the so-so quality of the lens. Even if taken at the proper focus, pictures can appear soft with this kit lens. Shots I have taken with Canon EF-S 17-85mm and EF 70-200mm L lenses are crisp. I don't have any gripes on image quality. There are some issues with noise on the higher ISOs that don't seem to show up on the Nikon digitals, but overall, the quality is amazing for the price. Skin tones, textures, colors are reproduced very accurately.

2. Digic 4. The Digic 4 processor appears to process/save the 15 megapixel images in the same time (if not faster) than the Digic III processor on the XSi (even in RAW+Jpg mode). I have also noticed that at higher ISOs, the sensor and the Digic 4 produce images with less overall noise compared with its predecessors.

3. LCD. The 920,000 pixel LCD screen is large (3"), crisp, vibrant and fully visible even in bright sunlight. In comparison, the Canon XSi SLR (which the T1i replaces), also has a 3" LCD, but with 230,000 pixels. The viewing angle is great as well and the LCD can easily be seen nearly 180 degrees around.

4. ISO 12800. Canon and Amazon are correctly identifying that the T1i maxes out at ISO 3200. Some less reputable dealers are listing an ISO 12800, which you should disregard. The ISO 6400 and 12800 settings are expanded ISO settings. The pictures taken on these two settings are ISO 3200 images pushed to ISO 6400 or 12800 by the Digic 4 chip before saving to the memory card. These pictures are extremely grainy and contain a lot of noise to the point of only being usable as for snapshots or adding an artistic effect to certain compositions.

5. Penta-mirror. That Canon is still using one in the T1i is disappointing. The penta-mirror viewfinder image is functional, but still noticeably darker than that of the penta-prism viewfinder in the Nikon D90 (which is the T1i's main competitor). I really would have preferred if Canon had kept the XSi's 12.2 megapixel sensor, forgone 1080p video altogether, and maybe upped the cost of the camera slightly to cover the production cost of using a penta-prism in the T1i. Honestly, unless you are massively cropping your images, or creating large photos, the difference between 12.2 and 15.1 megapixels really is negligible.

6. Size. This is the same body as the XSi, and therefore a bit on the smaller side compared to other digital SLRs. I have small hands, so the T1i is comfortable for me. If you have big hands, I can see this being a very difficult camera to use over an extended period of time. If you haven't handled a Canon XT, XTi or XSi, I would suggest you go to a store and hold the T1i yourself before purchasing it online. (I will upload a picture of the T1i in my hands to the user gallery for a size reference.)

7. HD Video. Yes, the Canon marketing department made a horrible marketing decision and pushed the T1i onto shelves limiting the 1080p recording to 20fps (frames per second). Recognize this as a marketing gimmick that allows them put a 1080p sticker on the camera box. The 1080p @ 20fps is fine most times, but seems a choppy if you have a lot of action in the frame or are panning quickly. The T1i's 720p video is recorded at 30fps and is clean, smooth, and sufficient for all but the most discerning consumers. One major criticism though is that the sound is recorded in mono, AND there is NO input for an external microphone.

A lot of pre-production reviews of the T1i criticize its inability to automatically autofocus while recording. I wouldn't put much weight in this criticism, mostly because neither of the other two SLR cameras with HD recording capabilities (Canon 5D Mark II and Nikon D90) can automatically autofocus while recording either. What you can do with the T1i is pan/zoom the lens and then press the AE lock (*) button to make the camera autofocus on the new subject (all while recording). A problem with using the AE lock button to have the camera autofocus is that the microphone for the camera is on the front upper left of the body near the lens mount. Therefore, the lens motor noise is picked up just as much as ambient sounds. Even with my quietest Canon USM (ultasonic motor) lenses, this lens motor sound is pretty loud in video playback. Although, remember, you can always manually turn the focusing ring on the lens to get your subject back into focus. It's not easy, but after a little practice, it's not all too hard, either.

Ultimately, you shouldn't let the HD recording limitations sway you one way or the other. This is an SLR camera -- not a video camera. The HD video is a great feature, but if you're looking for something primarily to take video, look elsewhere. There are much better, cheaper VIDEO cameras out there which can record true 1080p.

8. Record button. For some reason, the record video button is next to the LCD screen (the same button used for direct printing). The first few times you take video, you'll intuitively find yourself using the shutter release button used to take pictures. The reason for this switch is that you can take a still picture while recording video, although, doing so will interrupt the recording.

9. Battery life. My first fully charged battery only lasted about 250 shots (no flash), but all charges since have given me in the range of 500-700 shots per charge. I'm guessing the first charge had such a short life because I spent quite a bit of time learning the camera, its menus, and settings.

10. Live View. I honestly can't review this as I haven't used it too much yet -- I prefer using the viewfinder. One feature I can say is nice is that, on the LCD, you can digitally zoom in (up to 10x) on a section of your shot to ensure it is properly focused. This, and the fine focusing, can really help if you're into macro-photography.

11. HDMI cable. The T1i has an HDMI Type C output on the body to allow you to directly display pictures and video on an HDTV. A minor criticism is that the HDMI Type C cable is not included in the box. You have to buy it separately. It would have been nice if it were included, as it's not an expensive cable.

Conclusion. The T1i is a bit on the light end, yet the construction still feels solid. For the camera's price point, you'd be hard pressed to find any digital SLR out there which gives you all the capabilities and growth range of the Canon T1i. The camera is intuitive enough for those new to photography to pick and learn easily, yet configurable enough for advanced amateurs. If video is not a big deal for you, then get the Canon XSi. There is very little the T1i has (other than ISO 3200 and a sharper screen) that the XSi doesn't. Plus, with the release of the T1i, you can probably pick up a used XSi for a great price on eBay. My wife recently gave birth, and I'm not looking to record endless (never to be watched) tapes of video footage of our son, but I do want several minute clips of him as he grows through the years. I've always been more inclined towards photography, so this camera gives me a very versatile digital SLR that I need with the wonderful capability of recording HD video that I want.
By Rimesh Patel (Washington D.C.)



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Canon PowerShot S90IS 10MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-inch LCD

Product Features

* New 10-megapixel High Sensitivity System; DIGIC 4 Image Processor
* Improved low-light image performance, plus a Low Light scene mode for ISO settings up to 12,800
* Customizable control ring for easy access and operation of manual or other creative shooting settings
* Wide-angle 3.8x optical zoom with Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer; bright f/2.0 lens
* RAW + JPEG shooting and recording modes; capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Technical Details

* Brand Name: Canon
* Model: S90IS
* Optical Sensor Resolution: 10 MP
* Optical Sensor Technology: CCD
* Optical zoom: 3.8 x
* Maximum Aperture Range: F/2.0-4.9
* Minimum focal length: 6 millimeters
* Maximum focal length: 22.5 millimeters
* Lens Type: Zoom lens
* Optical Sensor Size: 1/1.7"
* Included Flash Type: Pop-up flash
* Display Size: 3 inches
* Light Sensitivity: ISO 100, ISO 800, ISO 125, ISO 400, ISO 200, ISO 160, ISO 320, ISO 640, ISO 80, ISO auto, ISO 500, ISO 2000, ISO 2500, ISO 250, ISO 1600, ISO 3200, ISO 1000, ISO 1250
* Image types: JPEG, RAW
* Shooting Modes: Frame movie mode
* Exposure Control Type: Beach, Kids & pets, Night snapshot, Snow, Landscape, Portrait mode, Aquarium, Stitch assist, Fireworks, Low light, Night scene, Underwater, Sunset, Indoor, Foliage
* Viewfinder Type: None
* Width: 3.9 inches
* Depth: 1.2 inches
* Height: 0.2 inches
* Weight: 6.2 Ounces

Product Description
The pocketable PowerShot S90 gives powerful everyday shooting. Shoot quickly with a lens control ring and get superior low-light performance with a high-sensitivity 10.0 MP CCD and f/2.0 lens.A high-sensitivity CCD sensor gives outstanding image quality in a wide variety of lighting conditions. Even images taken at high ISOs show exceptionally low noise levels and a wide dynamic range.A bright f/2.0 aperture allows exceptional versatility, capturing low-light images and fast-moving subjects at higher shutter speeds. A wide angle of 28mm lets you put more in the frame, while Canon's optical IS reduces blur caused by camera shake.

New King of Compacts, October 10, 2009

I bought this camera on 10/9, which is the first day it was available here in Kansas City. I have already taken a couple hundred shots with it comparing images side by side with my G10 at various settings. This review is of my initial impression based on the short time that I have had it. I was anxiously awaiting the release of this camera. I own a Nikon D90 DSLR, but there are many times when I prefer to just take a compact. In the past the Canon G10 has served that purpose, but the S90 boasts improved low-light performance and smaller size.

The first thing I wanted to test was image quality and noise at high ISO settings. Most photography hobbyists and pros know that low light performance is the number one factor influencing camera and lens prices. This is the main reason an f/2.8 zoom lens costs 3-5 times as much as an f/3.5-5.6 zoom. The S90 performs superbly in this regard. RAW images from the S90 set at ISO 800 were equal to or better than RAW images from the G10 set at ISO400. Both luminance and chrominance noise were lower in the S90 images. This represents a 1 stop improvement, which is what I was hoping for. These comparisons were made with all noise reduction disabled in camera and in the DPP software. I tested all other ISOs and found the S90 to be better at all ISO settings above 100 and the 2 cameras demonstrated equal IQ at the base ISOs of 80 and 100.

Canon also boasts about the S90 having a faster f/2.0 lens compared to the f/2.8 on the G10, but this part of the camera did not impress me. The lens only has the 1 stop advantage at the absolute widest setting and the max aperture closes down fast from there. The G10/G11 lens is faster at the telephoto end and the difference is negligible at all zoom settings in between. Both lenses are equally sharp throughout their zoom ranges.

The ergonomics of the camera will take me a while to get used to. I was looking for a smaller camera and the S90 definitely fits the bill. But now that I am using it, I wonder if it might be too small. I hope that it will become more comfortable in my hands as I get used to it. On the G10, I could operate all of the controls on the right-rear of the camera with the thumb of the hand holding the camera. With the S90 there are fewer controls that I can operate one-handed and at times I feel like I might drop this camera, because I just can't get a good grip on it. Other ergonomic concerns are that the rear control ring turns too easily and I have found myself unintentionally adjusting settings because of this, which was never a problem on the G10. I think I might miss the external ISO and Exposure Compensation dials on the G10, but I have set the front control ring to adjust the ISO setting and I would honestly need to use it more before I say the controls are not easy to access; again this should improve with more use. None of the concerns I have about the size and controls on the camera would dissuade me from the purchase; the trade-off is worth it for the smaller carrying size and improved performance.

The camera ships with a newer version (3.7) of Canon's Digital Photo Professional software. There is not much difference compared to older versions, but there is one nice improvement: the lens aberration section is enabled for images taken with the S90. This allows for correction of vignetting, CA and distortion. I do not understand why the same controls are not available for RAW files taken with the G10. There is still no straighten function in the software, which is a disappointment. Another disappointing factor about the software is that Canon has not yet released a new RAW Codec; the current version (1.5) does not support the S90 or G11. This allows raw files to be viewed in Windows and for thumbnail images to be created in Windows explorer. I am sure they are working on an update, but I wish they had this ready by the time the camera was released.

I went step-by-step through the menus and features of both cameras during my comparison and most functions are very similar. The S90 has fewer AF options and no remote control, but I do not think I will miss either of these.

I considered giving this camera only 4 stars because of the couple of hits I mentioned above, but then decided that would not be fair. The title of "Best Compact" has been debated feverishly on the web, with most votes going to the G10 and LX3. But now, I think Canon's new release of both the S90 and G11 will put a quick end to these debates. There is no question in my mind that this pair sits above all competitors. Therefore a five star rating is the only logical choice. I highly recommend this camera.
By Randy Benter (Kansas City)


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Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Product Features

* 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for poster-size, photo-quality prints
* Large 3.0-inch LCD display; includes Canon's EF-S 18-55mm, f3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens
* DIGIC III image processor provides fast, accurate image processing; improved Autofocus and framing rate
* EOS Integrated Cleaning system, plus Dust Delete Data Detection in included software
* Stores images on SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Technical Details

* Brand Name: Canon
* Model: XSI Kit
* Optical Sensor Resolution: 12.2 MP
* Optical Sensor Technology: CMOS
* Optical zoom: 3 x
* Maximum Aperture Range: F/3.5-5.6
* Minimum focal length: 18 millimeters
* Maximum focal length: 55 millimeters
* Lens Type: Zoom lens
* Optical Sensor Size: 14.8 x 22.2mm
* Included Flash Type: Pop-up flash
* Display Size: 3 inches
* Light Sensitivity: ISO 100-1600, ISO auto (100-800)
* Image types: JPEG, RAW
* Shooting Modes: Close-up, Landscape, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Night portrait
* Exposure Control Type: Landscape, Portrait mode, Close-up, Night portrait, Sports mode
* Viewfinder Type: Optical
* Width: 5.1 inches
* Depth: 2.4 inches
* Height: 3.8 inches
* Weight: 1.1 pounds

Product Description

For stunning photography with point and shoot ease, look no further than Canon’s EOS Rebel XSi. The EOS Rebel XSi brings staggering technological innovation to the masses. It features Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Live View Function, a powerful DIGIC III Image Processor, plus a new 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and is available in a kit with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens with Optical Image Stabilizer. The EOS Rebel XSi’s refined, ergonomic design includes a new 3.0-inch LCD monitor, compatibility with SD and SDHC memory cards and new accessories that enhance every aspect of the photographic experience.

Wonderful digital camera!, June 2, 2008

This camera is impossible to beat at this price. I won't write a lengthy review, but, you can set this camera in fully automatic mode and hand it to a "point and shoot" person, and they will obtain fantastic results. For the amateur photographer, this has all of the bells and whistles, what I love is I can reset the camera rapidly for multiple shots of the same scene on very different settings. Married with a decent photo program on your computer, it is possible to achieve professional results.

Many reviews say, get this with the stabilization lens.... I wholeheartedly agree... the extra $100 is a bargain price for this lens... It is almost (and I do say almost) like having a tripod. I set the camera for 1/10th second exposures with no support, and obtained steady pictures with it, slower than this, and the stabilization did not fully correct for any unsteadiness.

We'd buy it again in a heartbeat, and I wish I could get one for everyone I know!! Best photos that I have ever taken and a joy to use! Connecting it to the computer and downloading photos takes a matter of seconds.

Get the largest SD card you can afford with it... We have a 2GB card with it, and it fills fairly rapidly. 1GB is far too small for this camera (primarily because you will take numerous shots with it, not because the pics take up a great deal of memory), I'm guessing 4GB would be near perfect (or a couple of 2GB cards, but one 4GB is safer, the cards are too easy to misplace).

By John Korkow "John Korkow" (Vermillion, South Dakota)

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Canon PowerShot A1100IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD

Product Features

* 12.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
* 4x optical zoom and Optical Image Stabilizer; 2.5-inch LCD screen
* DIGIC 4 Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology; Face Detection Self-timer
* Uses 2 AA-size batteries
* Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)

Technical Details

* Sensor: 12.1 Megapixels
* Size: 1/2.3-inch
* Image Resolution: 640 x 480, 1600 x 1200, 2592 x 1944, 3264 x 2448, 4000 x 2248, 4000 x 3000
* Movie Resolution: 320 x 240, 640 x 480
* Storage Media: SD/SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, MMC Plus Card, HC MMC Plus Card
* Movie File Format: AVI
* Optical Zoom: 4x
* Digital Zoom: 4x
* Combined Zoom: 16X
* Focal Length: 6.2-24.8mm f/2.7-5.6 (35mm film equivalent: 35-140mm)
* Focus Mode: TTL autofocus
* Focusing Range: Normal: 1.6 ft./50cm-infinity

Product Description
Splash Out with Dazzling Color. Brighten your world with the intensely colorful Canon PowerShot A1100 IS. Fashionably slender, this sleek camera body has been specially shaped to make it easy to hold and easy to shoot. There's a metal-plated front grip that contributes a striking note of elegance and adds to your comfort. Loaded with Features, Packed with Value. 12.1-megapixel digital camera with 4x Optical Zoom and Optical Image Stabilizer. With the PowerShot A1100 IS, dramatic, personal pictures have never been easier to shoot and share. This 12.1-megapixel digital camera lets you create impressive, large photos of family and friends you'll be proud to display. The high-resolution images taken by the PowerShot A1100 IS can be enlarged up to 13" x 19". The PowerShot A1100 IS has a 4x optical zoom lens that makes it easy to get the inspiring, emotive close-ups that will make your images lasting keepsakes. This magnificent lens gives you the power to shoot distant subjects with razor-sharp precision and stunning lifelike color. So you can brilliantly capture a closer shot of a landscape, or a child's big smile. The PowerShot A1100 IS is equipped with Canon's acclaimed Optical Image Stabilizer Technology that automatically detects and corrects camera shake - one of the leading causes of fuzzy or blurred shots. Even when zoomed in, you can get the steady, crisp, brilliant images you'll be proud to shoot and share. And Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer Technology is so convenient to use. It functions perfectly with or without a flash. A World of Advantages with Canon's Technology. DIGIC 4 Image Processor has evolved Face Detection Technology that tracks the faces of moving subjects and lets the shooter enter the frame seamlessly with the Face Detection Self-timer. DIGIC 4 Image Processor - Canon's most advanced image processor, DIGIC 4, delivers evolved Face Detection Technology

Fun and easy to use camera!, July 11, 2009

I purchased this camera just before a 19-day trip to the East Coast and gave it quite a workout...nearly 2800 pictures taken during the trip, and only about 5 of them were unclear due to my unsteady hand. The rest were great, even zoomed out to a ridiculously large size on my computer, with crisp lines and faces, and vivid colors, far exceeding any 35 mm or digital camera I have used in the past.

The camera itself and the software included with it are incredibly intuitive. Though there are many manual settings possible, I set the camera in Auto mode and just clicked away. Many places I took pictures required me to turn off the flash, but even those were very clear and bright, and I had to do nothing but aim and shoot.

The delay time between pictures was negligible, and the rechargeable AA batteries I used were good for around 200 pictures a charge, even using flash and with frequent zooming in and out. I used a 16 GB SDHC chip and had the capacity to take 5,000 pictures! I'm still working on filling the first chip!!

The provided software is also very simple to use...as easy as plugging in the provided USB cable, and turning the camera on. All pictures are quickly and automatically saved in folders by date regardless of how many times in a day you download them, and renaming or tagging pictures is a breeze. I have not even begun making full use of the picture touch-up features, but the software includes a fun and easy slideshow application that makes sharing pictures via desktop or projector a snap.

Overall, I could not be happier that I purchased this camera! I look forward to mastering all its features, but as a user-friendly, versatile, and inexpensive point-and-click camera, it blew away all my expectations. It does all that Canon says it does and makes taking pictures fun and easy, right out of the box!

By Jon H.


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Canon PowerShot SD780IS12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD

Product Features

* 12.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
* 3x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilizer
* HD movie shooting capability plus HDMI output
* 2.5-inch widescreen PureColor LCD II screen; Face Detection
* Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)

Technical Details

* Brand Name: Canon
* Model: SD780IS Black
* Optical Sensor Resolution: 12.1 MP
* Optical Sensor Technology: CCD
* Optical zoom: 3 x
* Maximum Aperture Range: F/3.2-5.8
* Minimum focal length: 5.9 millimeters
* Maximum focal length: 17.9 millimeters
* Lens Type: Zoom lens
* Optical Sensor Size: 1/2.3"
* Included Flash Type: Built-in flash
* Display Size: 2.5 inches
* Light Sensitivity: ISO 100, ISO 800, ISO 400, ISO 200, ISO 80, ISO auto, ISO 1600, ISO 3200
* Image types: JPEG
* Shooting Modes: Frame movie mode
* Exposure Control Type: Beach, Kids & pets, Digital macro, Night snapshot, Snow, High sensitivity, Portrait mode, Aquarium, Slow shutter, Stitch assist, Fireworks, Underwater, Sunset, Indoor, Foliage
* Viewfinder Type: Optical
* Width: 3.4 inches
* Depth: 0.7 inches
* Height: 2.1 inches
* Weight: 0.24 pounds

Product Description
It may be the slimmest Digital ELPH Canon has ever created, but the impact couldn't be bigger. The PowerShot SD780 IS Digital ELPH captivates the senses with bold saturated colors and a daringly original design that matches the intensity of Canon's most innovative camera technology. Even when picture-taking conditions seem pretty unforgiving, you've got Canon on your side. So the shots you used to miss are the images you'll now be sharing, and the movies you never took before will be HD unforgettable.

A True Pocket Camera with HD Video

I just purchased this Canon on a whim, earlier today at Best Buy. I have been tinkering with it for the majority of the evening. My previous SD300 is still working like a champ, however I have been considering a video camera for some time...after some peering at the video camera counter I wandered over to the point and shoot table... what initially drew me in to the SD780IS was its appearance on the display stand. The sleek matte-black body is very eye-pleasing...then I looked at the specs. and realized that it shoots video in HD! (1280x720) Then all the other attributes made me realize that it was time to update my "everywhere, anytime" camera.
I proceeded to check out some of the other Canon SD cameras. The SD960 became the other candidate...it has a little more glass(4x)zoom, over the SD780's (3x)zoom. The SD960 has an appealing f2.8 apeture over the SD780's f3.2. The SD960's screen is more tailored for the HD video capture as it has a 16:9 ratio LCD panel. (Kinda nice for instant viewing ON THE CAMERA)
After some thought I went with the SD780 for these reasons:

1. The HD video capability is awesome and comparible with the SD960. It has a HDMI jack. The traditional 4:3 screen does not bother me, because the video is ultimately going to be viewed on a HD TV.(There will be an upper and lower bar on 16:9 playback through the SD780's LCD).

2.The weaker 3x zoom is not a big deal as this camera is for general shooting(out w/ freinds, bars, random afternoon at the beach, mountain biking, etc.)and with this camera EASLIY fitting in my jeans pocket or camelbak, the portability is what gives me the opportunity to document those moments, that would otherwise be missed. The SD960 is a little bulkier(but still small). I do also shoot with a Canon 40D, accompanied with L optics, but the weight and bulkiness do not lend to certain shooting circumstances. (as mentined above)

3. The user interface on the SD780IS is like most (if not all?) preceeding SD cameras. While there is not much control in the way of shooting settings, feature buttons like flash override, AE lock, AF lock, and exposure compensation are present on the camera body. The SD960IS has two buttons and a jog wheel, which lend to swims in the menu. I'm sure the new interface on the 960 is intuitive, but I liked the 780 due to its similarity to my old SD300.

I am very happy with the results produced thus far with the SD780IS. The HD video is excellant, however it should be known that once recording you can only zoom digitally. Low light cabilities and sound in video mode are excellent. The stills I have taken look great. Also, to the budget-minded who are upgrading from older digital point-and-shoots, a class 4 minimum 4GB or 8GB SDHC card would be well suited due to the demanding memory of the 12.1 million pixels, and HD video. Also, most old card readers will not process the the SDHC cards so you may have to purchase a new card reader as well.

I have to mention it again...the small size of the Canon SD780IS is mind-blowing...and the functionality actually mirrors its beauty.
By U. Wilkins (San Jose, CA USA)

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Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Product Features

* EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS zoom lens with 35mm equivalent of 88-400mm
* Image Stabilization allows in-focus shots with longer exposure times (up to four shutter speeds slower)
* UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) glass lens element corrects chromatic aberration for excellent image quality throughout the zoom range
* compatible with Canon APS-C format digital SLR cameras
* image size: 15.1mm x 22.7mm

Technical Details

* Focal length: 55 to 250mm
* Maximum aperture: f/4 to f/5.6
* Construction: 12 elements in 10 groups
* Diagonal angle of view: 27 degrees (at 50 feet) to 6 degrees (at 15 feet)
* Focus adjustment: DC motor, gear-driven (front focusing design)
* Closest focusing distance: 3.6 feet
* Filter size: 58mm
* Dimensions: 2.8 inches in diameter and 4.3 inches long
* Weight: 13.8 ounces
* Warranty: 1 year

Product Description
This telephoto zoom lens is designed with Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer technology while retaining compactness and lightness, in response to demands of photographers. This high zoom ratio lens is equivalent to a focal length of 88-400mm in the 35mm format (when used on Canon EOS cameras compatible with EF-S lenses), and the image stabilizer effect equivalent to a shutter speed about 4 stops faster than the same size lens without Image Stabilizer. In other words, if the slowest shutter speed you could formerly hold a 250mm lens steadily was 1/250th of a second, with Canon's 4-stop stabilization correction, you could hand-hold at shutter speeds as slow as 1/15th of a second. It also uses a UD-glass lens element to correct chromatic aberration for excellent image quality throughout the zoom range. This new EF-S telephoto lens with great features delivers excellent performance at an affordable price for all photographers.
Buy This Product and Related Accessories

Conclusion: A great EF-S lens for Canon users. (even if Nikon had to force Canon to make it for us.)
I Love It For IS and Zoom Range at this Price, Not Pure Performance

I was determined to love this lens based on the specs and price point alone. Canon really needed to come out with this lens at this price because Nikon offers a very decent Vibration Reduction lens at roughly the same range for the same price, leaving me to make apologies for Canon and their neglect to all my Nikon friends.

The IS can be switched off to save battery life but I haven't noticed a difference in battery performance with it. The IS is only activiated when you press the shutter halfway for auto focus. Although it FEELS like there is a small lag for the IS to start, I don't think I've had any photos messed up because of it.

You can HEAR the IS. A little bizarre after using point and shoots that have IS that is silent, but it doesn't seem to affect performance

Pro: Great price for an image stabilized zoom lens. I paid 299 and am very pleased even though Amazon is selling it for 280 a week later. ALso arrive 2 months sooner than Amazon initially promised. This lens has NEVER been 400 dollars. Its MSRP from Canon prior to release was 299.00. Shame Amazon!

Pro: Images are very sharp.

Pro: Image stabilization does a VERY nice job. Four stops as advertised by Canon? I'm not so sure. GREATLY enhancing the composition experience at 250mm? Absolutely.

Pro: Much smaller and lighter than the 70-300 of any manufacturer and much sharper than my Sigma 70-300.

Con: Cheapish feel. But just use it, quit feeling it already. Plastic mount. But if you NEED a metal mount, may I suggest you are being a little rough with your camera. *UPDATE* The plastic flanges on back were able to hold the camera securely to the lens, but NOT hold the rear cap securely to the lens. I've tried many different rear lens caps that fit snugly on other lenses. So I think this is beyond cheap feel and has to be called CHEAP BUILD.

Con: This lens is a little (ok, maybe not so little) slow to focus in dim light, sometimes it misses altogether when I think other lenses of mine would have had no difficulty.

Con: I never gave Inner Focusing much thought on my other lenses until I used this. The front of this lens rotates AND moves in and out a LOT while focusing, so much so that you MAY even want to recompose your shot. The length of this lens changes almost an inch across the focus range. I just checked my Sigma 70-300 and found that it does also, but I've never seen it make as much difference in the viewfinder as I have with this Canon. Your perception may vary.

This lens and the soon to be arriving 18-55 IS as the XSi kit lens will allow me to carry one less lens to achieve an 18-250 IS range. For a little more money than the cost of both lenses you can get the Tamrom 18-250 but not have Image Stabilization. And now Sigma has an 18-200 WITH Optical Stablization for about what these 2 lenses cost retail, but in testing the 2 Canons produced better images.

By J. Kirlin (Bangor, Maine USA)

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Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-inch LCD

Product Features

* 18.0-megapixel CMOS Sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors for high image quality and speed
* Body only; lenses sold separately
* Advanced HD movie mode with manual exposure control and selectable frame rates
* Intelligent Viewfinder with 100 percent field of view; 19-point, all cross-type AF system equipped with dual diagonal cross-type sensors
* Capture images to CF Card Type I and II, UDMA-compliant CF cards (not included)



Technical Details

* Brand Name: Canon
* Model: EOS 7D Body Only
* Optical Sensor Resolution: 18 MP
* Optical Sensor Technology: CMOS
* Optical Sensor Size: 14.9 x 22.3mm
* Included Flash Type: Pop-up flash
* Display Size: 3 inches
* Light Sensitivity: ISO auto (100-3200), ISO 12800, ISO 100-6400
* Image types: JPEG, RAW
* Viewfinder Type: Optical
* Width: 5.8 inches
* Depth: 2.9 inches
* Height: 4.4 inches
* Weight: 1.8 pounds

Product Description
With a host of features designed to enhance every facet of the photographic process, from still images to video, the EOS 7D represents a whole new class of camera.Made to be the tool of choice for serious photographers and semi-professionals, the EOS 7D features an 18.0 megapixels APS-C size CMOS sensor and dual DIGIC 4 image processors, capturing tremendous images at up to ISO 12800 and speeds of up to 8 fps. The EOS 7D has a cross-type 19-point AF system with improved AI Servo AF subject tracking and user-selectable AF area selection modes for sharp focus no matter the situation. The EOS 7D's Intelligent Viewfinder provides 100% coverage and displays user-selected AF modes as well as a spot metering circle and on demand grid lines. iFCL metering with 63-zone dual-layer metering system uses both focus and color information to provide accurate exposure even in difficult lighting. The EOS 7D also captures Full HD video at 30p, 24p and 25p with an array of manual controls, including manual exposure during movie shooting and ISO speed selection. The EOS 7D features a magnesium alloy body that is dust- and weather-resistant and shutter durability of up to 150,000 cycles.

Great Features compared to XT, AF on the soft side ( back-forward F)

I had the Rebel XT (350D) for three going four years, and yes it is a awesome camera!
when I was looking for an upgrade to my rebel XT the T1i look really great, but then came the 7D and all of the new AF features and video. I think that the rebel body is lean and small even more now having a XD body.
If your on a budget the rebel T1i is a great upgrade with more MP (al dough with 8MP is more than enough) good video Q, live view and better high ISO performance than the XXXD and if you like the rebel series bodies then you should go for it, now if you don't mind the video The 50D offers higher ISO and FPS than the rebel series and better IQ overall.
7D !!! :
I do recommend the upgrade to any one moving in that direction. The size is no issue when you get all that features, and it feels really good solid and hefty in your hands. The FPS & AF Are Fast. The high ISO performance is amazing comparing it to the XT, the low light focus and results are simply great. The AF points and versatile setup is so much better than the XT there is no comparing it.
The view finder and the LCD screen are just awesome... you cannot compare it to the Rebel 350D its on another league.
The battery life is longer, you can record RAW a JPG on at the same time or choose to do it with a press of a button. And the list of features goes on.
I Think that there is still much potential on the 7D via firmware cos it a awesome piece of hardware, no matter what they say.
18-270mm Tamron VC ( got it last year to upgrade the Rebel and now use with the 7D )
50D :
I think (money wise) that a Canon 50D is a good upgrade (IQ compared to the 7D) and don't care for the video or faster AF.
If you are looking for the most IQ available today, it's no brainer that the 5DMII is the choice (and don't mind the extra money) performs better in low light than the 7D. Now the 7D is faster on Focus and in FPS, so if youre a sports shooter or wildlife photographer the 7D will suit you more.
Hope it helps you decide
The AF is not 100% accurate all the time ( get a bit soft images that you can improve with PP ) but overall you get very good IQ ( if want excellent IQ get the 5DMKII )
Highly Recommended!
By Isaac Burdeinick "iburdeinick" (Aventura, FL USA)
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Canon PowerShot SX1IS 10 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.8-inch LCD

Product Features

* First PowerShot to feature a 10.0-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor
* Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels at 30 fps) movie mode plus HDMI output
* 28mm wide-angle 20x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilizer
* 2.8-inch Vari-angle LCD widescreen; DIGIC 4 Image Processor with Face Detection Technology
* Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)



Technical Details

* DIGIC 4 Image Processor
* 25 Shooting Modes
* Focal Length: 5.0-100.0mm f/2.8-5.7 (35mm film equivalent: 28-560mm)
* Maximum Aperture: f/2.8 (W) - f/5.7 (T)
* Shutter Speed: 15-1/3200 sec.; Long Shutter operates with noise reduction when manually set at 1.3-15 sec.
* ISO Sensitivity: Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 equivalent (Standard output sensitivity. Recommended exposure index)
* Exposure Control Method: Program AE, Manual Exposure, i-Contrast, Program Shift, Safety Shift, Auto ISO Shift; AE Lock
* Built-in Flash: Auto, Manual, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE Lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro
* Dimensions (WxHxD): 5.02 x 3.48 x 3.45 in./127.5 x 88.3 x 87.7mm
* Weight: Approx. 20.6 oz./585g (camera body only)

Product Description
CMOS image sensor with 10-megapixel effective recording * 20X optical zoom * optical image stabilizer * 4X digital zoom/80X total zoom * 2-13/16" fold-out swiveling LCD screen * full 1080p movie mode (1920 x 1080 at 30 frames per second) with stereo sound * 16:9 widescreen photo mode (3840 x 2160) * image file formats: JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG *


Quick summary:

1. I really like this camera, especially being able to take HD video and optically zoom while recording. I also really like taking 4 fps of continuous shooting.

2. You really need to read (at least skim) through the instructions. Some of the ease of use benefits of a point-and-shoot were compromised to give you some of the versatility of a digital SLR. I'm not too crazy about the "Control Dial" to select menu options. Over all, the software seems a bit less intuitive than other Powershots I've used in the past.

3. Using Quicktime on Windows to view the HD video might result in jerky motion. HD video is smooth in Quicktime on a Mac. This is a Quicktime/Windows issue, not a camera problem.

4. The camera is solidly built, but it's a bit heavy. It's not ergonomically designed for extended video recording.

5. Consider reading and viewing a video demo by a professional at www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_SX1_IS/

Long version:

I was very eagerly anticipating this camera. The key feature in the Canon SX1IS is the CMOS sensor used in the SLR product lines. I got really excited about a single camera with HD video, 20x optical zoom, 4 frames per second of continuous shooting, articulated screen, and standard AA batteries. I've owned several Canon Powershot models, and I've been very satisfied with them. I'm also an experienced 35mm SLR person. I thought that the SX1IS was going to be my perfect camera... or actually the perfect gift for my wife.

I am an amateur photographer whose primary subjects are my children playing sports. Since I work a lot, my wife actually ends up taking a majority of the photos. I was planning to get a digital SLR for her when I came upon the specs for the SX1IS. It seems as if Canon product managers have listened to everything I wanted in a digital camera. The biggest deals for me were

1. HD video with optical zoom enabled while you're filming
2. 4 frames per second of continuous shooting
3. 20x optical zoom
4. Ease of use of a point-and-shoot

Here are my series of reactions:

1. After the first set of photos and videos, I couldn't help but feel as if Canon has under-delivered on the promise of a nearly perfect camera for amateurs or perhaps my camera was defective. This was my review of the first batch of photos and videos: (please read on to the next section since my initial disappointment resulted more from ignorance and unfair expectations)

a. I wasn't getting anywhere near 4 frames per second.

b. In the AUTO mode, the photos seem to come out at a lower quality than my much cheaper Powershot A710 in AUTO mode. By lower quality, I mean that the color, contrast, and details appear not as good.

c. It is very cool to be able to zoom in and out while you are taking video, but the HD video footages came out jerky enough to be really annoying.

2. This didn't seem right, so I actually read the instructions and spent a few minutes googling for info. It quickly became clear that you really have to read the manual to use this camera effectively. The manual is not written especially well, but it contains the info you need. (FYI, I've NEVER read instructions on any of my other digital point-and-shoot cameras before, and I have been very happy with the thousands of photos I've taken.)

a. Getting 4 frames per second: I learned that you cannot shoot 4 frames per second in AUTO mode or SPORTS mode. SPORTS mode can only take continuous AutoFocus photos which is about 1 frame per second. Most of the other modes support fast 4 frames per second continuous shooting. In the 4 fps continuous shooting, only the first shoot will be in focus, the others will be out of focus if the subject moves towards or away from your camera.

b. Comparing photos from SX1IS with A710: I realized that I was taking photos at high zoom that the Powershot A710 was not even able to get, so this was not a fair comparison. For apples-to-apples outdoor photos, SX1IS does take superior photos, but indoor photos does seem grainier at similar zoom levels. However, the difference is really minor, and there are many many adjustments on the SX1IS that can more than compensate.

c. Jerky HD video playback: This is a really a problem with Quicktime on my Windows Vista (on 2.5GHz Quadcore CPU with 4GB of RAM & ATI Radeon 512MB graphics card, so not a hardware issue). I saw similar jerky playback with Quicktime on Windows XP. However, the videos play smooth and perfectly in Quicktime on a Mac OS X. By reading this review, I hope you don't get upset when your first HD video looks really bad because of the jerky motion. I'm sure that this is a temporary problem: either Apple will improve Quicktime playback on Windows, a better MOV player will be available, or software will be available to convert the MOV to another format that works better on Windows.

d. Further note: To make changes to a bunch of settings via the menu options, you have to use this ring on the function button (called the "Control Dial"). It's the knurled outermost concentric ring surrounding the FUNC. SET button. You rotate this to select the menu options you want. Well, maybe I'll get used to it, but right now, this ring sucks. It's easy to miss the your menu item because you rotate this ring with just enough force, but if you press a bit too much, you end up with different options. This will probably suck to another plateau when I'm in bright sunlight looking through the viewfinder.

Here are 3 other things you might want to consider before purchasing this camera:

1. The camera feels very solid, but this also means that it is a bit heavy.

2. The form factor is for taking photographs, so if you plan to use this primarily for the HD video, your hands/arms will tire out. It is a bit awkward to keep the camera steady for extended video. HD camcorder will probably be better for you if your primary motivation is to take HD videos.

3. See a professional review with a video demo at www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_SX1_IS/
By B. Lim (Santa Barbara, CA USA)
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Canon PowerShot G11 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Stabilized Zoom and 2.8-inch articulating LCD

Product Features

* New 10-megapixel High Sensitivity System; DIGIC 4 Image Processor
* Bright 2.8-inch Vari-Angle PureColor System LCD plus optical viewfinder
* Wide-angle 5x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-140mm); Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer
* Improved Smart AUTO intelligently selects from 22 predefined shooting situations
* RAW + JPEG shooting and recording modes; capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)



Technical Details

* Brand Name: Canon
* Model: G11
* Optical Sensor Resolution: 10 MP
* Optical Sensor Technology: CCD
* Optical zoom: 5 x
* Maximum Aperture Range: F/2.8-4.5
* Minimum focal length: 6.1 millimeters
* Maximum focal length: 30.5 millimeters
* Lens Type: Zoom lens
* Optical Sensor Size: 1/1.7"
* Included Flash Type: Built-in flash
* Display Size: 2.8 inches
* Light Sensitivity: ISO 100, ISO 800, ISO 400, ISO 200, ISO 80, ISO auto, ISO 1600, ISO 3200
* Image types: JPEG, RAW
* Shooting Modes: Frame movie mode
* Exposure Control Type: Beach, Kids & pets, Night snapshot, Snow, Landscape, Portrait mode, Aquarium, Stitch assist, Fireworks, Low light, Night scene, Underwater, Sports mode, Sunset, Indoor, Foliage
* Viewfinder Type: Optical
* Width: 4.4 inches
* Depth: 1.9 inches
* Height: 3 inches
* Weight: 12.5 Ounces

Product Description
The PowerShot G11 is a compact camera that will find favor with professionals and advanced amateur photographers due to its superb image quality, full manual control of settings, and RAW shooting capability. If it's not practical or safe to carry a large DSLR a high-specification compact such as the PowerShot G11 is a fantastic choice. It's great for photographers looking to capture high resolution, high quality, and low light images without having to carry a large SLR system in their kit bags.The G11 features face detection technology that can detect and track numerous faces within the frame to ensure the correct exposure and focus for them. An enhanced i-Contrast system optimizes the dynamic range of subjects to deliver shadow details whilst avoiding highlight blow outs.

An Amazing Camera!!, October 12, 2009
I actually still shoot film the vast majority of the time however I purchased my mother a G-10 for her birthday last year and spent a couple weeks using the camera so I could adequately teach her how to use it. I have since borrowed it on numerous occasions and was actually about to buy my own G-10 but then I heard about the G-11 so I figured I would wait and buy the new upgraded version. I am glad I did just that. For me this camera is worth upgrading to just for the swivel LCD view screen on the back. I cant tell you how many times I have shot outdoors and was completely unable to see the LCD screen even when you shaded it with one of your hands. Adding the swivel option basically eliminates this problem. This option is so nice when shooting outdoors that I am honestly thinking about upgrading my mothers camera for this one reason alone as she doesn't have the best eyesight which means if I am having problems seeing the viewfinder, I can only imagine how hard it is for her to see it.

The next best thing I have noticed about this camera is its improved film speed ratings. I have already done a lot of testing with the G-11 and to say that they have improved the speed ratings is a huge understatement especially in the higher film speed settings. I was extremely hesitant to use a film speed over 400 with the G-10 yet I am using speeds above 800 with the G-11. Depending on the conditions your shooting in you should see anywhere from a 1.0 to 2.0 stop difference. I did some tests where the G-11 shot pictures at 800 that were basically equivalent to a 200 on the G-10. I was hoping for an improvement in this area but wasn't expecting this big of an improvement.

The next biggest improvement has to be with the auto mode. I tested the auto mode extensively with the G-10 as that was going to be the mode my mother used the most, at least out of the gate, and I was unimpressed. There were too many shooting situations to count that easily fooled the camera into shooting with settings that were less than optimal. You would still get decent results but it definitely needed improvement and they have done just that. Running the identical tests I did with the G-10 clearly showed that this camera is much better at selecting the appropriate shooting mode. Some conditions were drastic improvements. This is probably the 2nd biggest reason why I am most likely going to be upgrading my mothers camera to a G-11.

A lot of people were concerned with the G-11 as it actually has a smaller picture size than the G-10. The G-10 has a 14.7 MP size and the G-11 only has a 10 MP size. Overall that's a 32% decrease in maximum size. People who have a high understanding of digital imaging sensors knew not to worry as the MP size is not the most important aspect to an imaging chip. Details such as dynamic range, image noise and low-light performance are just as important, if not more important, when discussing overall image quality. I for one have always hated the MP war as we passed the quality that the vast majority of the population would be content with a long time ago. It has basically become a numbers game where people think that bigger is better and they just don't seem to grasp that they will never have any use for such high MP images. So I tip my hat to Canon for taking this extremely bold step as this is the FIRST time that we have seen resolution reduced in a line of cameras that is still progressing forward. IMO this is the white flag that signifies the war of the MP is finally coming to an end and we will finally see companies focused on these other, equally important, image qualities as much as they have been with the MP size. As for the image quality of the new sensor, its outstanding! I immediately noticed a difference in the overall quality of the images. They seem richer with much less compression on the higher and lower ends. If I had the choice of choosing between the G-10 sensor and the G-11 sensor I would take the G-11 sensor every single time. Again a big tip of the hat to Canon for boldly choosing to go this route with the G-11 sensor.

The G-11 retains the same 5x optical zoom lens from the G-10 which in case your unaware is equivalent to a 28mm to 140mm lens. Also the same is the aperture settings which go from f/2.8 to f/4.5 depending on the zoom setting. Shutter speeds range from 1/4,000 to 15 seconds and it has the same metering modes as the G-10 (evaluative, center-weighted and spot). Thankfully they didn't make any changes to the manual dials at the top of the camera as that is easily one of my favorite aspects to these cameras. ISO speed and the camera mode dials let you quickly and easily switch the most important settings. I an an old school photographer so I still prefer dials to buttons. IMO its the best set up out of all the point and shoots on the market.

2 other noticeable improvements include an increased flash sync speed of 1/2000 and a high-definition HDMI connector (Dont worry it still has the USB 2.0 connection).

The bottom line is that Canon has taken the G-10, which was easily one of the best point and shoots on the market, and made some outstanding improvements that have taken this camera line to a whole new level. If your one of those people who care more about how many MPs your camera has than the actual image quality of the camera then you should stick with the G-10. If however you are more concerned with image quality than MP's then drop what your doing, list your G-10 on eBay and run out and buy the G-11. The image quality, improved noise performance, and swivel back LCD screen make this camera absolutely worth every penny.

The only negative thing I can say about this camera is in regards to Canon's sheer ignorance when it comes to the lack of standard size filter threads. How hard would it be to design this camera so it had a 52 or 58mm threaded lens opening? Trust me when I tell you it would be extremely easy. At the very least they could design it so all you needed was a simple step up ring to 52mm or 58mm. Instead they leave out threads altogether and make you go out and spend around a hundred bucks on a 3rd party aluminum lens tube that then allows you to use 58mm and 72mm filters. The "Plastic" Canon Lens tube isn't even an option as its so poorly designed. It just really annoys me that canon totally ignores this aspect of this camera. In all honesty threaded lens openings should be mandatory for all cameras, even point and shoots. Again it would be EXTREMELY Easy to change.

By OrangeCrush "Still shooting with Film!" (Farmington Hills, MI USA)
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Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD

Product Features

* 10.0-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for prints up to 13 x 19 inches
* 3x optical zoom; 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II screen
* DIGIC 4 Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology; Face Detection Self-timer
* Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings
* Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)

Technical Details

* Brand Name: Canon
* Model: SD1200IS Light Gray
* Optical Sensor Resolution: 10 MP
* Optical Sensor Technology: CCD
* Optical zoom: 3 x
* Maximum Aperture Range: F/2.8-4.9
* Minimum focal length: 6.2 millimeters
* Maximum focal length: 18.6 millimeters
* Lens Type: Zoom lens
* Optical Sensor Size: 1/2.3"
* Included Flash Type: Built-in flash
* Display Size: 2.5 inches
* Light Sensitivity: ISO 100, ISO 800, ISO 400, ISO 200, ISO 80, ISO auto, ISO 1600, ISO 3200
* Image types: JPEG
* Shooting Modes: Frame movie mode
* Exposure Control Type: Beach, Kids & pets, Digital macro, Night snapshot, Snow, High sensitivity, Landscape, Portrait mode, Aquarium, Slow shutter, Fireworks, Underwater, Sunset, Indoor, Foliage
* Viewfinder Type: Optical
* Width: 3.5 inches
* Depth: 0.9 inches
* Height: 2.2 inches
* Weight: 0.25 pounds

Product Description
When a camera puts a smile on your face the moment you hold it, imagine how great you'll feel when you see your first pictures! The PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH has everything going for it - exuberant color, the sculptured style of Canon's famed ELPH series - and the innovative know - how that takes you to a whole new level of picture-taking accomplishment. Fun, smart and a style follow you everywhere.


I'm a professional photographer. I got tired of dragging my D3,D200 or other large cameras around, and worrying about it getting damaged. I decided to buy a camera just for fun that could fit in my purse and I wouldn't have a heart attack if it broke. Well I didn't hold that high of expectations of the camera, but after getting it, I've had a lot of fun with it. Not the most amazing pictures come from it (I am used to very high quality pictures), but they are good enough shots of my family. It's easy to use, really easy to set, FAST, and good low light. You don't always need the flash. It's very small, and can fit easily in my purse (that are all quiet small purses actually). This is a perfect camera if you just want some fun shots that are clear, and you want an easy to use fast camera. This is NOT good for "professional" type shots (why do people write reviews of these cameras and get all down on them for not being professional grade cameras? They never claim to be!).
By S. Craig "Workout-aholic" (Bellevue, WA)
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Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Product Features

* 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for poster-size, photo-quality prints
* Large 2.5-inch LCD display; includes Canon's EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens
* DIGIC III image processor provides fast, accurate image processing; Live View Function
* EOS Integrated Cleaning system and Canon-designed Self Cleaning Sensor Unit, plus Dust Delete Data Detection in included software
* Stores images on SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Technical Details

* Color: Black
* Type: Digital, single-lens reflex AF/AE camera with built-in flash
* Recording media: SD memory card, SDHC memory card
* Image sensor size: 22.2 x 14.8 mm
* Compatible lenses: Canon EF (including EF-S lenses); 35mm-equivalent focal length is approximately 1.6x the lens focal length
* Lens mount: Canon EF mount
* Image sensor: High-sensitivity, high-resolution, large single-plate CMOS sensor
* Effective pixels: Approximately 10.10 megapixels
* Total pixels: Approximately 10.5 megapixels
* Aspect ratio: 3:2
* Color filter system: RGB primary color filters
* Low-pass filter: Located in front of the image sensor; non-removable
* Dust deletion filter: Yes
* Recording format: Design rule for Camera File System 2.0
* Image type: JPEG, RAW (12-bit Canon original), RAW+JPEG
* File size: Large/fine: approximately 3.8 MB (3,888 x 2,592 pixels); large/normal: approximately 2.0 MB (3,888 x 2,592 pixels); medium/fine: approximately 2.3 MB (2,816 x 1,880 pixels); medium/normal: approximately 1.2 MB (2,816 x 1,880 pixels); small/fine: approximately 1.3 MB (1,936 x 1,288 pixels); small/normal: approximately 0.8 MB (1,936 x 1,288 pixels); RAW: approximately 9.8 MB (3,888 x 2,592 pixels)
* File numbering: Consecutive numbering, auto reset, manual reset
* RAW+JPEG simultaneous recording: Yes
* Color space: sRGB, Adobe RGB
* Picture style: Standard, portrait, landscape, neutral, faithful, monochrome, user-defined 1-3
* Auto white balance: Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten, white fluorescent light, flash, custom
* Color temperature compensation: White balance correction: +/-9 stops in full-stop increments; white balance bracketing: +/-3 stops in full-stop increments; blue/amber direction or magenta/green direction possible
* Viewfinder type: Eye-level pentamirror
* Viewfinder coverage: Approximately 95 percent vertical/horizontal
* Magnification: Approximately 0.81x (-1m with 50mm lens at infinity)
* Eyepoint: Approximately 21mm (from eyepiece to lens center)
* Built-in dioptric adjustment: -3.0 to +/-1.0m (dpt)
* Focusing screen: Fixed, precision matte
* Mirror: Quick-return half mirror (transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60, no mirror cut-off with EF600mm f/4L IS USM or shorter lenses)
* Viewfinder information: AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure information (shutter speed, aperture, AE lock, exposure level, ISO speed, exposure warning), flash information (flash ready, high-speed sync, FE lock, flash exposure compensation), monochrome shooting, white balance correction, maximum burst, SD memory card information
* Depth-of-field preview: Yes, via depth-of-field preview button
* Autofocus type: TTL secondary image registration, phase detection
* AF points: 7 AF points
* Metering range: EV 0.5 to 18
* Focusing modes: One-shot AF, AI servo AF, AI focus AF, manual focusing (MF)
* AF-assist beam: Small series of flashes fired by built-in flash
* Metering modes: Evaluative metering, partial metering, center-weighted average metering
* Exposure control: Program AE (full auto, portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, night portrait, flash off, program), shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, depth-of-field AE, manual exposure, E-TTL II autoflash
* ISO speed: Basic Zone modes: ISO 100 to 800, set automatically; Creative Zone modes: ISO 100 to 1,600 (in one-stop increments)
* Exposure compensation: Manual: +/-3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments (can be combined with AEB); AEB: +/-3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
* AE lock: Automatic: When focus achieved with evaluative metering and one-shot AF; use-set: by AE lock button
* Shutter type: Electronically controlled, focal-plane shutter
* Shutter speeds: 1/4,000 second to 30 seconds, bulb, X-sync at 1/200 seconds (total shutter speed range; available range varies by shooting mode)
* Shutter release: Soft-touch electromagnetic release
* Self-timer: 10-second or 2-second delay, or 10-second delay plus continuous shooting
* Remote control: Remote switch RS-60E3
* Flash type: Retractable, auto popup
* Flash metering: E-TTL II autoflash
* Guide number: 13/43 (ISO 100, in meters/feet)
* Recycling time: Approximately 3 seconds
* Flash-ready indicator: Flash-ready icon lights in viewfinder
* Flash coverage: 17 mm lens angle of view
* FE lock: Yes
* Flash exposure compensation: Up to +/-2 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
* Compatible flash: EX-series Speedlites
* Continuous shooting speed: Approximately 3 shots per second (single shots possible)
* Maximum burst: JPEG (large/fine): approximately 514 (until memory card becomes full); RAW: approximately 5; RAW+JPEG (large/fine): approximately 4
* LiveView shooting modes: LiveView shooting; remote LiveView shooting (with a personal computer installed with EOS utility)
* Focusing: Manual, autofocus (quick mode, live mode)
* Grid display: Yes
* Exposure simulation: Displayed in real time
* LCD monitor type: TFT color liquid-crystal display
* Monitor size: 2.5 inches
* Dots: Approximately 230,000
* Coverage: Approximately 100 percent (170-degree viewing angle)
* Brightness adjustment: 7 levels provided
* Interface languages: 20
* Direct printing: Yes, via PictBridge-compatible printers
* Printable images: JPEG image compliant to Design rule for Camera File System
* Easy Print feature: Yes
* DPOF: Version 1.1 compatible
* Direct image transfer: Yes, with JPEG and RAW images
* Interface: USB 2.0 high speed, video out (NTSC/PAL selectable)
* Battery: LP-E5 battery pack (AC power is available with optional ACK-E5 AC adapter kit)
* Battery check: Auto
* Date/time battery: Built-in secondary battery
* Item width: 4.96 inches
* Item height: 3.8 inches
* Item depth: 2.4 inches
* Weight: 15.9 ounces
* Warranty: 1 year
* In the box: Rebel XS body, EF-S 18 to 55mm lens (1:3.5 to 5.6 IS lens), eyecup, wide strap, video cable, USB interface cable, battery pack, battery charger, EOS Digital Solution disc and instructional manuals, "Great Photography is Easy" booklet, "Do More with Macro" booklet


Review from dpreview.com

When Canon launched the EOS 300D back in 2003 it was widely regarded as the first affordable digital SLR and secured Canon a seemingly indomitable number-one spot in the market. Since then the 'small' Canon has gone through three further iterations and the current model - the EOS 450D - offers a feature set and image quality that could only have been dreamed about five years ago (and at a price point well below the 300D's). However, the competition haven't been idle spectators and have recently launched a number of de-spec'ed cameras that have redefined the entry level segment and undercut the EOS 450D in the DSLR hierarchy.

Canon has now responded to this mounting pressure by launching a new model one tier below the 450D in its current lineup - the EOS 1000D. It shares bits and pieces with Rebels gone by and, depending from which angle you look at it, the new model is either a stripped down 450D or a 'reheated' 400D. It's a lower specification camera than the 450D, by every measure you might see listed on the shop shelf, but is not the huge step down that its market positioning might lead you to expect.

On the next page of this review you'll find a detailed comparison between the 1000D, 450D and 400D but the headlines are; a 10MP sensor, 2.5 in LCD monitor, 7-point AF system and no spot-metering (like the 400D) but gaining Live View with both phase- and contrast-detect AF, SD/SDHC for storage and a control and menu layout that is pretty much identical to the EOS 450D's. In fact, because it's based around the same Digic III processor, it shares an interface with almost every current Canon DSLR all the way up to the 1DsMkIII.

Note that throughout this preview we will refer to the EOS 1000D by its European name; if you live in other parts of the world you'll know the camera by Rebel XS or Kiss F Digital, but they're all essentially the same camera.

Product Description
Ideal for a wide range of photographers from first-time digital SLR users to veteran photo enthusiasts, the new Canon EOS Rebel XS camera is designed to embody what you have come to expect from the EOS Rebel series -- a fast, non-intimidating, lightweight, easy-to-use camera that produces excellent images and starts emerging photographers off on the right foot. Immediately, photographers will take notice of the camera's Optical Image Stabilized kit lens for crisp focus, compensating for camera shake from unsteady hands or a moving vehicle. The new Rebel model also incorporates Canon's DIGIC III image processor, 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, Live View, Auto Lighting Optimizer, 7-point wide-area autofocus (AF) sensor and 3.0 frames per second continuous JPEG burst rate where the number of consecutive shots in a burst is only limited by the capacity of the flash memory card in the camera.

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