Point and Shoots

Comments

1. DV_Editor says:

   September 14, 2010 at 4:42 AM

   Review by DV_Editor for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Red)
   Rating:
   Purchased camera for an upcoming trip. Wanted a point and shoot that was pocket sized and took good pictures. I was going to get a Canon Powershot but then started looking at Panasonic. I feel like I got more for my money. Maybe because Panasonic is not yet a household name in cameras. A few clicks online will reveal they are “joined at the hips” with Leica.

   Using the iA mode delivered great pictures everytime. Did not take a bad picture yet, the smarts built-in really work! Focusing time is short, but you have to let the camera focus before pressing all the way. Zoom is great for such a small package, but image stabilization is a must without tripod. Also has wide angle lens which is a plus, not readily available in competing models. Have not played with any of the scene modes, I let iA handle that. And when I’ll need the manual modes, I’ll be reaching for the dSLR where I can play with buttons.

   Played briefly with the video mode and was happily surprised. It is not a camcorder replacement, but it is better than expected. Sreen is large and bright under all experienced conditions so far. It does have a mode that adjusts LCD brightness to ambient light automatically. I do miss the viewfinder but I would trade a bigger LCD for a poor viewfinder anytime. Great point and shoot camera so far, good optics, it does what it should. Will probably look for a second battery soon, but I am a little confused at moment on which one to buy.
2. Doris C. Moran says:

   September 14, 2010 at 5:09 AM

   Review by Doris C. Moran for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Red)
   Rating:
   I’ve used a Canon for many years, recently bought the ultra compact Canon SP790IS. My original Canon was slowly giving out. Did research and checked out the FH1,FH3, FP8 and the FH20 along with the Canon 790. Received this camera several days ago, this FH20 rocks. Pictures are really very, very good. I couldn’t believe it. The size is great, ease of use is beyond belief. I’m an artist and use my camera to take pictures of lighthouses, old barns and interesting buildings. This camera gives me what I’m looking for and more. So glad I took the plunge. As the first reviewer said she read a test of the FH20 by a pro photograher, I read the same article and it’s all GOOD. I’d receommend this camera above all others. Thanks Amazon, once again you came through for me as did Panasonic.
3. George M. Allen says:

   September 14, 2010 at 5:12 AM

   Review by George M. Allen for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Red)
   Rating:
   Ordered the camera and did not realize it did not come with a memory card. No big deal as it has 40mb of built in memory. Took it for a weekend trip to Dumont Dunes. It took 8 photos (at max resolution) and I simply loaded them on my MacBook, deleted, and took more. Great pictures, fair video (with limited memory we had to take short ones)but overall a great little camera. The “automatic mode” makes using it a snap. A great value, in my opinion.
4. Mountainman says:

   September 14, 2010 at 5:36 AM

   Review by Mountainman for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Red)
   Rating:
   First off. I’m not a professional photographer. I’m an average joe that loves to take pictures.Before I left on my trip to Jackson Hole Wyoming I knew I wanted a point and shoot camera. So, being a Nikon man, I looked at the Coolpix but when I started reading all of the great reviews on the FH20, I decided to give it a shot. The battery life, the 8x optical zoom, intelligent auto, 14 megapixel all make this camera remarkable. But it’s the ease of use (I never opened the manual) and the fact that there is abosolutely no shutter delay.I shot with this camera 10 to 12 hours per day and still had juice left at the end of the day. To give it to you in a nutshell.This little camera that I carried around in the front pocket of my trek pants for 6 days, packs one hellava wallup!!!…Panasonic has done it!! And the FH20 is by far top of the line in point and shoot. I’m completely sold. Get this camera and I promise you will come back here and rave about it!! I just wish that I could somehow attach a couple of pics that I shot with this camera so as to show you just how stunning your pics will be.
5. Line Dancing Mom says:

   September 14, 2010 at 6:19 AM

   Review by Line Dancing Mom for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Red)
   Rating:
   This is an awesome little camera. Little only in size. I have been a loyal Canon owner, and have several point and shoots as well as a Rebel D SLR. I wanted a new camera for a wedding and graduations and this camera caught my eye..mainly because it was red.
   
   This zoom is amazing, the scene modes give the user many options, from beach to snow. The low light option was what I really wanted since I have not found any P and S camera that can handle low light situations. This camera can!! No lie. The pictures are crisp and clear.
   
   I love the ease of the functions, I think this camera is “goof proof”. Very user friendly without sacrificing the high end features.
   
   I bought an extra battery, and a faster level 4 SD card which does make a difference with start up and rapid photography.
   
   Enjoy this camera!!
6. Adam says:

   September 14, 2010 at 7:09 AM

   Review by Adam for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black)
   Rating:
   I purchased this camera on a recent trip to Thailand. I have a Lumix FZ28 that I LOVE but it is somewhat cumbersome to carry around so I wanted a little “snapper” I could whip out easily on the spur of the moment when something funny happened in a bar or nightclub or I wanted a quick snapshot of something happening on the street or whatever. It was important to me that the camera be small and not a pain to carry around. I did NOT want to spend a lot of money since I already own a great camera so this little Panny seemed, at first glance, to fit the bill nicely.

   First off, for these perpetually whining types who only seem to write reviews to complain about what a camera DOESN’T do and how it pales in comparison to their SLR’s etc, lets clarify what this camera actually IS first of all.

   The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 is a camera designed with simplicity in mind. There are NOT a lot of advanced functions. You have normal shooting mode, Panasonic’s acclaimed, amazing Intelligent Auto mode, (makes it hard to take a bad photo- seriously!) a bunch of pre-set scene selections and video mode. In normal shooting mode, white balance, ISO and focus modes are pretty much all that can be adjusted. In Intelligent Auto mode, it’s even less. This is a camera designed NOT for advanced photographers that demand maximum control over their photos, but for normal people that want to take great photos with a minimum of fuss- the kind of people that wouldn’t know (or care) what aperture priority mode means and are not interested in spending days or weeks pouring over their cameras instructional manual to learn all the advanced features it has. The kind of people that want to unpack their new camera and start snapping straight away! On this level, keeping in mind it’s target audience, the camera succeeds.

   What you DO get for your modest amount of money is a compact, well built little camera from a TOP manufacturer featuring a 12 megapixel sensor, a 28mm wide angle lens, 5 x optical zoom, Panasonic’s tried and proven “Mega optical image stabilization”, lightning fast auto-focus, focus assist lamp, the ability to shoot high definition video with sound and outstanding picture quality for a VERY reasonable price. A few years ago, a camera with these features would have cost a small fortune, now it can be had for peanuts and you will be thrilled with the quality of pictures it takes as long as you are not expecting something that will give your SLR a run for it’s money!

   Anyone in the market for a cheap snapper, who does not demand a great deal of control over camera settings but still insists on excellent performance and image quality should give this little gem some serious consideration. Panasonic has created yet another winner! Five stars.
7. Dennis Hawley says:

   September 14, 2010 at 8:07 AM

   Review by Dennis Hawley for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black)
   Rating:
   I don’t profess to be an expert on digital cameras; my many years of photography involved mostly 35mm film cameras (primarily SLRs and boat loads of accessories). I purchased my first digital camera about 7 years ago (an Olympus Camedia C-4000Z, followed by a Lumix DMC-Z20, both of which still perform like new). However, these cameras are somewhat bulky and don’t lend themselves to carrying around to catch spur-of-the-moment shots. Wanting something small and easily carried in a shirt or pant pocket, I began my research.

   I was somewhat disappointed to find that many small, ultra-compact digital cameras from some of the best known brands (Nikon, Canon, Olympus and others) really didn’t have great reviews from users, at least those in the sub-$200 dollar range (which I was targeting). Having been impressed with my first Lumix, and seeing many high marks bestowed upon a number of Lumix compacts and sub-compacts, I narrowed my search to that brand.

   When I noticed that Amazon was running a special price on this particular Lumix that had the features I was seeking, it was easy to make the choice. Receiving the camera after only a few days from order, I immediately bought a 2gig SD memory card (although the camera itself will hold 40mg of images, which is not much), read the manual a couple of times and began shooting. I was impressed by the quality feel of the camera, and liked the fact that the lens (that great Leica quality is a big plus) has a retracting cover. As I expected, the quality of the photos (from fully automatic functioning) was top-notch. I took various indoor shots in different lighting conditions, and then I took it outdoors and clicked off dozens of photos, all the while trying various adjustments available. One can change the sensitivity (ISO) from 80 all the way to 1600 if desired. Color selections include normal, natural, vivid, black & white, sepia, `cool’ (a bluish tinge) and `warm’ (a reddish tinge).

   One can set the picture size from 4000×3000 (suitable for up to 16″ X 20″ enlargements) down to 640×480 (for email attachments or web photos), as well as 4000 X 2248 for 16:9 display on a high-def television or computer monitor. As with most other digital cameras, other settings can be adjusted as well (i.e. white balance, red eye removal, , etc.).

   Although it came with software (imaging and a PDF version of a more advanced manual than the paper one supplied), I was unable to load it in my PC (apparently my `service pack’ needs to be upgraded). Undaunted, I simply took the card out, inserted into the computer’s card reader and presto, pulled the pictures up, and saved to a file (the camera came with a USB cable to allow direct connection to a PC or hi-def monitor too).

   After fiddling with photo transfers a while, I then took numerous shots using the 5X optical zoom (most digital cameras in this price range only have a 3X optical zoom). The zoom action was smooth and quick, and images showed no distortion. I was able to photograph a pileated woodpecker from about 50 feet with the zoom maxed out, and the resulting picture was worthy of framing. Lumix’s `Mega Stabilization’ feature works great; I took a pic of a cat jumping and caught it in mid-air without a hint of blur.

   The camera also records video with sound; one can select from hi-def (720p) down to QVGA (four setting options available). I recorded a few video segments in hi-def of a few minutes each (it will record up to 2 gigs of hi-def video). Playing them back on the camera yielded fantastic quality; when I showed the videos to people, their jaws dropped over the image quality. However, it is worth noting that while one can play back smooth video on the camera, playback on a PC or hi-def monitor will result in a jerking, fragmented playback (sort of like a video downloaded from a dial-up modem) UNLESS a `class 6′ memory card is used (most SD cards are class 2, fine for photos but not for big-screen playback). While I intend to get a class 6 memory card, I didn’t buy this camera to use as a camcorder, so this is not a big issue for me. It should also be noted that it is not possible to use the zoom feature when recording; while it would be nice if it did, I was aware of this prior to buying it, so obviously it was no show-stopper.

   A few more points; the rechargeable battery comes without a charge, and it takes about 100 minutes to fully charge (a charger is included). I’ve had the camera two weeks now, have taken about 300 shots and 4 short HD videos, and the battery still has some charge left. The time from one shot to ready for another is about 2 seconds. The camera’s small size (3.9″ by 2.2″ by .9″) makes it easy to slip in a shirt or pant pocket. I keep mine in my suit coat pocket during working time, but use a small padded case attached to my belt at other times. I can whip it out and have it snapshot ready in less than 4 seconds now!

   I really can’t identify anything negative about this camera, with the single exception of the inability to zoom while video recording. Unless that is important to you, then there is no reason not to seriously consider this excellent little camera.
   
8. Timothy Snow says:

   September 14, 2010 at 9:03 AM

   Review by Timothy Snow for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black)
   Rating:
   I bought the camera this past Friday with Free Super Saver Shipping, and it showed up Monday! The camera is a great deal for the money. Pictures are super clear and the functions are very user friendly. I would definitely recommend this camera to everyone I know.
9. dymx23 says:

   September 14, 2010 at 9:08 AM

   Review by dymx23 for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black)
   Rating:
   I bought this camera because of its price and some reviews I had read. My brother warned me not to get the Panasonic but I ordered it anyway for my mom’s birthday present. When it arrived, I opened the box and checked it out before presenting it to my mom. I took some pictures and was very displeased!!! DOES NOT TAKE AS GOOD OF PICTURES AS THE CANON POWERSHOTS! I had owned a Canon Powershot SD630 for about 4 years now and I absolutely love it. It does not boast a 10MP, and instead provides a humble 6MP, but it still takes better pictures than the 10MP Panasonic Lumix!!! Needless to say I returned it and spent more to buy the Canon Powershot SD1200 which my mom loves. ALWAYS GO WITH CANON.
10. Mitchell Small says:

    September 14, 2010 at 10:06 AM

    Review by Mitchell Small for Nikon Coolpix S630 12MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Titanium Silver)
    Rating:
    I have been a dedicated Nikon 35mm fan for years, but this is my first Nikon digital camera. I did debate very long between the SLR series and the Coolpix line, but in the end, the compact design and the lighter weight of the Coolpix nudged me in that direction. So far, I am not disappointed.

    The menu structure is different from the Olympus menu system I had become used to, but a short session with the Nikon owner’s manual quickly showed me how to access all the functions. Perhaps it is because I had used another band of digital camera for the last few years, I did not originally find the Nikon menu quite as intuitive. I had no trouble changing over however, after less than an hour or so.

    The Coolpix is clearly designed as a point and shoot digital camera. Personally, I favor more of a wide angle style than what this camera delivers, but the zoom range is quite nice and very useable. Automatic modes are the default for everything. In my initial testing, I found very few photos that were not acceptable using the fully auto everything. Excellent optics and a vibration compensation system yielded very crisp hand held images. Good marks for this area.

    While there is no full manual operation for the S630, there are shooting modes galore that will provide settings to isolate the subject from the background using larger apertures (portrait modes) or favor smaller apertures for greater depth of field when photographing scenic views. There is even an extreme close up mode, similar to the macro mode of many 35mm cameras. Other overrides will allow you to modify the flash effects (fill in, red eye reduction, off and others), fire bursts of shots (depending on exposure up to several per second), set automatic intervals (pre-determined) or even some in camera creative effects. While it did take some getting used to the controls, the S630 again took high marks in this area.

    One of the features I really like about the Coolpix S series in general is the large, compared to my older digital camera, viewing screen. I was even more pleased to find I could superimpose a small grid as an aid in composition. I was trained on a 4×5 view camera and had a grid screen for my old Nikon F2S, so this was like coming home for me. I would have liked some intermediate lines in addition to the three by three box pattern, but even this simple implementation will prove useful.

    The S630 uses an exclusive rechargeable battery. I suggest buying at least one spare battery with your camera. While the battery is rated at well over 200 exposures before needing to be recharged, I’m sure Mr. Murphy will be at the party you are photographing and your battery will die, just as you are about to snap that great celebrity photo you dreamed about taking. The S630 makes the external charger as part of your purchase package and an AC cord is an option. If you like being able to run on standard batteries, this may be less than desirable for you, but I like the rechargeable feature from an environmental standpoint. Call this an even trade.

    I was disappointed in the lack of an uncompressed format to save images in. My last digital camera had a RAW format that while not used for every photograph nonetheless was used often enough I miss not having it. You do have some selection in the JPEG compression, however, so I have to be content with that. Your photos do look their best using the maximum pixel count, so you will want a high capacity card. I urge you to get at least a 4 GB card to supplement the minimal onboard memory.

    Now we come to my only real dissatisfaction with the S630, and that has little to do with the camera itself. I hate the software suite Nikon supplies. I must digress a moment here. If you use a high capacity SD card, one that is 4 GB or more, you may not be able to read the card with the card reader built into your computer. While technically still an SD card, the SDHC series cards use some internal difference to break the 2 GB barrier. Whatever the reason, you should purchase an external reader capable of handling the SDHC format cards.

    Without an external card reader, you need to plug the camera into your computer and use the Nikon Transfer software to transfer the images to your computer. While the plug fitting on the camera looks like a mini-USB, I could not get a mini-USB cable I already owned to fit the socket. I needed to use the Nikon supplied cable. My computer would not recognize the camera until I loaded the software. The transfer process is slow and the interface is clunky at best. I also have my own photo retouching software and do not need the software Nikon supplies. With an external card reader, the process is greatly simplified: remove the SD card, pop it in the reader and transfer the images just like any other file collection. An external reader will also provide a faster transfer speed.

    All together, I found the S630 a very nice travel package. This camera will deliver some very high quality images without the bulk of an SLR. You can easily fit a spare battery, spare memory cards and the camera into a small case not even the size of a case for sunglasses. Well worth the price until you really need the versatility of a digital SLR.

    6/30/2009
    
    Recently returned from 10 day trip to Japan. The camera performed flawlessly and delivered photos even better than I expected. Great available light shots, very good flash fill in, good video in karaoke bar and wonderful overall grab shots. My only complaint is I wish it had a wider wide angle, but I knew this going into the trip. Used the telephoto at maximum to capture details at the top of castles, shrines and temples; great results there made up for the lack of a wider view.
11. Lee Robinson says:

    September 14, 2010 at 10:26 AM

    Review by Lee Robinson for Nikon Coolpix S630 12MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Titanium Silver)
    Rating:
    When I went looking for the perfect pocketcam, or camera that would easily slip into any pocket, I had an idea of what it should be. With a big DSLR and a bag full of lenses already in the studio, I didn’t need or want that much capability. I wanted a little camera that was light weight, fast, easily and quickly configured, and would capture a nice, sharp image. I found it with the Coolpix S630. The camera turns on and is ready to shoot in less than a second. The menu system is logical and straight forward, and provides just enough control to keep me happy. I can easily set the ISO range, autofocus method and aperature within seconds. With its optical vibration reduction, I always have sharp, clear, handheld images. As Chase Jarvis says, “the best camera is the one you have with you,” and now I always have my little S630 in my pocket.
12. Meester Shack says:

    September 14, 2010 at 11:19 AM

    Review by Meester Shack for Nikon Coolpix S630 12MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Titanium Silver)
    Rating:
    I don’t know what I do wrong, but I do ‘it’ too often. I get people snapshots slightly out of focus. I have it on auto, people are not in ‘action’, the photos just don’t come out sharp… and others come out perfectly. This is my 3rd (unless you count about 5 coolpix 7900s, which were great and I’d buy now if they were still selling them). Also the battery/sdcard door comes open fairly easily and I expect I’ll snap it off by accident someday. It has disappointed me too many times and I’m trying a Canon.
13. NotaMacGenius says:

    September 14, 2010 at 11:20 AM

    Review by NotaMacGenius for Nikon Coolpix S630 12MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Titanium Silver)
    Rating:
    I like this camera overall – except in very bright sunlight when you cannot be sure of the image.
    
    The only real downside is the battery — it goes dead with no warning. So, beware, and buy an extra battery.
    
    There should be some kind of battery life indicator, but I have yet to find it.
14. D. Davis says:

    September 14, 2010 at 11:26 AM

    Review by D. Davis for Nikon Coolpix S630 12MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Titanium Silver)
    Rating:
    After looking at most of the cameras that fit the needs of my wife, I chose the Nikon – S630 COOLPIX. I read dozens of reviews – some good and some not so good. I think that the poor reviews were mostly from people who had too high expectation of this little NIKON. Well here is mind review. The camera is small and the controls are well thought out.The camera fits easily in a pocket or purse. One of the best features is the 7X zoom lens, that works great. I took a picture of a wall and window to a restaurant in the City Centre, Las Wages and then zoomed in thru the window to see a chef making Japanese Sushi, awesome pics. The camera is fast and the quality of the pictures is almost as good as my expensive DSLR. The only thing is does not take pictures while swinging the camera around, but who does that? The camera worked well in dark situations on AUTO. and also with the flash turned off. I shot sunsets and scenes in the desert with good quality. Inside shots were better than I thought they would be. The old camera was a Canon and it took great pics too, but the S630 Coolpic was even better to my surprise.
    
    Another great feature is the lens is out in a second or less ready to shoot, so you don’t miss a shot. We got about 200 shots per charge on the rechargeable battery and used a 4 GB memory chip which gave over 1250 pictures at the highest quality. I have yet to use the movie feature and some of the other manual features. The camera can even tell when a person smiles or blinks – amazing. If you are looking for a compact camera and very good quality, this Coolpic S630 fit the bill for me. Now my wife want her Christmas present back, so she can shoot some pics and she did and her pictures came out great too. She liked the Zoom right by the release button. the 2.7 inch view is plenty big too! Happy hunting for a camera at $200 with a case and memory chip too.
15. Thomas M. Taylor says:

    September 14, 2010 at 12:19 PM

    Review by Thomas M. Taylor for Canon PowerShot A480 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.3x Optical Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Deep Red)
    Rating:
    I have a canon digital SLR camera, and wanted to go on a hummer 4×4 extreme off road adventure. Rain was in the forecast and several days of rain on the trail already, taking the digital SLR was totally out of the question.

    I picked this nifty device based on the price, the batteries, storage on the SD card, and the 10mp really perked my interest. The gentleman at the camera shop showed me the easy access on/off button, and where the “press here for picture” button is located. 20 minutes after the purchase, I was in the hummer taking photos and within the hour, I was being bounced around, getting muddy water all over me, I was able to laugh and press the button to take pictures without problem.

    Ease of operation:
    
    I use my cameras in the auto mode, (the if SLR is for my wife), and the auto mode does work. I was able to view the pictures I took using the 2.5″ view screen with ease. I did not even need the instruction manual.
    
    The batteries and memory card were easy to install too, without the need for instructions. The camera does boast a host of different shooting modes, but auto is all I use.

    Picture quality:
    
    Not a fine as my digital SLR camera, but the price difference is over 1000.00 dollars.
    
    Compared to my old 5mp camera, this camera does a very good job for the price. Image stabilization is WONDERFUL. I was trying to take picture of the hummer tires while we were in motion bouncing everywhere (the tire at times was in the air) and the pictures look almost as if the tire is still. You can read the manufacturer on the tire

    Battery life:
    
    After two days of use, the camera was still able to go. To save battery life, the LCD screen turn itself off and the followed by the camera (the auto shut off was annoying some times)

    Summary:
    
    The camera is very easy to operate, image stabilization works very well. Time from button press to picture taken is almost unnoticeable.
    
    Picture quality is pretty darn good.

    For the entry market, or for those looking for a good camera that won’t break the bank, this maybe the camera you are looking for/
16. Man T. Nguyen says:

    September 14, 2010 at 12:42 PM

    Review by Man T. Nguyen for Canon PowerShot A480 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.3x Optical Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Deep Red)
    Rating:
    For an entry level point and shoot, this camera is ok. There are a few cons about this camera as well as pros.

    Con:
    
    The first camera I bought had auto-focusing issue. It will not auto-focus correctly in “normal” and “infinity” mode. I went back to the store and exchanged it. I made them open the box so I can test it there and the 2nd camera worked fine. Just FYI.

    After having it for 30 mins, dust already got inside the LCD screen. It is not a big deal unless you have OCD or something.

    The video quality is pretty decent at the highest settings, however, the camera cannot handle light reflections off the water. If light reflects off the water and into the camera,the video will cause a vertical line streak. One streak isn’t so bad, but when you’re at the beach with tons of light reflecting off the water/sand it caused tons of vertical lines streaks.

    Also becareful when replaying videos on the camera. Sometimes it will start where you last stopped. I accidentally deleted several videos thinking the video was shorter than it really was.

    Pros:
    
    I used the alkaline batteries provided with the camera and regular Duracell batteries. I got a good amount of photos and videos before I needed to replace them. I am happy with the battery life.

    Even though the camera isn’t as thin as the digital elphs, the camera is pretty compact for an AA-powered camera. The button layout is pretty nice. Really simple interface. You can pick it up really quick.

    Lots of nice program settings such as super macro, portraits, beach and my favorite: long shutter(up to 15 seconds).

    Conclusion:
    
    Overall, I am pretty happy with the camera. The picture quality of the camera is pretty good. I am happy with the video quality so long it’s not at the beach. I wanted an inexpensive point and shoot. Just remember this is the absolute bottom line of Canon’s point and shoots. It’s decent for the $99 I paid for it.
17. Paul Ferrara says:

    September 14, 2010 at 1:06 PM

    Review by Paul Ferrara for Canon PowerShot A480 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.3x Optical Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Deep Red)
    Rating:
    I just received my camera today and I was impressed. It’s so tiny and has so much in the way of capabilities. All I wanted it for was to take pictures of restaurants when I eat out (for Yelp). Without adjusting the white balance or anything, every picture has been pefect. I have three other Canon cameras: a G2 which cost me about $800 when new, a D60, and a 20D. All of them are too large to lug around with me, while the A480 goes in my shirt pocket. I uploaded some pictures, take a look.
18. Bww says:

    September 14, 2010 at 1:39 PM

    Review by Bww for Canon PowerShot A480 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.3x Optical Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Deep Red)
    Rating:
    I wanted a small digital that would fit in my shirt pocket that used AA batteries and of course took good pictures.
    
    The Canon A480 far exceed my expectation. Out of the box it was so intuitive to use that I hardly looked at the manual. I took tons of pictures and they all came out great.
    
    There was a bad review here by someone who said there was a problem with “battery charging” all the time, however I noticed it once and that was it, and even then it was for just a couple of seconds.
    
    If you want an easy camera that does alot (the movies were great on this little guy) then this is the ticket.
19. Lonny D. Stark says:

    September 14, 2010 at 2:03 PM

    Review by Lonny D. Stark for Canon PowerShot A480 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.3x Optical Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Deep Red)
    Rating:
    This is a nice camera overall, but the macro shooting on the little A480 is positively splendid! The super-macro feature is unbelievably good. We’ve come a long way from the Kodak Instamatic cameras of 30 years ago, where your only chance of getting a tight closeup was to hold a very strong magnifying glass in front of the lens and hope that one of the photos turned out.

    I regularly use the A480 as a back-up to much more expensive gear – and every now and then it actually outperforms a DSLR camera and lens kit that cost me ten times its price. Anyone who enjoys taking experimental photos or shooting in the great outdoors — nature geeks like me — will appreciate this camera’s macro abilities. It easily finds the correct focus and light levels, even on very difficult shots. The trick with a beautiful close-up photo is to have an attractively blurred background. Very smooth, “creamy” blur (referred to as bokeh) allows the subject to really pop from the photo. The bokeh of the A480 exceeds the quality of some of the more modestly priced, though reasonably good, DSLR lenses that fall in the $200-$400 range.

    Like most other point and shoot cameras, the A480 really shines in good strong lighting, and falls off a bit when used in dark settings with a flash. But even in poor lighting it is a remarkable little piece of equipment. Compared to most other point and shoot cameras, the A480 creates exceptionally rich photos with attractive color, sharpness, and tone. I use it regularly for website development projects, either to build photo galleries showing businesses and products, or to create textures and special FX graphics. The added Canon software is great as well and helps to supplement this camera. The Photostitch program, which creates a large panoramic image from a series of shots taken in sequence from left to right, was nearly perfect, and a riot to watch in action. It works best with photos taken from a tripod.

    The trick with any point and shoot is to take tons and tons of pictures, and then aggressively throw most of them out, retaining only the best. Unlike the old film days, it pays to burn through as many photos as your heart desires. Print only the best. This camera will help you create some real masterpieces.
20. C. Dyer says:

    September 14, 2010 at 2:43 PM

    Review by C. Dyer for Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)
    Rating:
    I own the silver Nikon s3000. The camera take really great pictures and is very fast in doing so. One of the best parts of the camera is that the battery lasts for a long period of time. I have charged mine once when I bought it, and I have not charged it again since. That was three weeks ago. I use my camera almost all the time and it still says I have a full battery. This camera is defiantly worth the price. It works almost as good as my Nikon DSLR camera.
21. Jorge Castells says:

    September 14, 2010 at 3:18 PM

    Review by Jorge Castells for Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)
    Rating:
    If you are looking for a light and small camera that also takes great pictures, look no further. This is a beauty of a camera, very easy to use, very intuitive and fun to take pictures with it. The moment you take it in your hands you perceive high quality materials used in its manufacture. You can take photos outdoors with no glare on its monitor, contrary to what happens with other cameras. The different colors of the body are very expressive, I picked blue, but all the others are nice. To summarize, I love this camera and I’m pretty sure you will too.
22. Joanna West says:

    September 14, 2010 at 3:38 PM

    Review by Joanna West for Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)
    Rating:
    I bought this camera to replace my beloved Nikon Coolpix S220 which was drowned when my water bottle leaked all over my purse. I was sad to see it go, but I thought surely the latest Coolpix based on the popular S220 model would be just as terrific, if not more. I was…wrong. First let me point out that I realize these are “cheap” point and shoot cameras, and we certainly can’t expect astounding performance. But notice… is there a single “Best Point and Shoot cameras of 2010″ guide that so much as mentions the S3000? I haven’t found one. This camera feels… cheap. The buttons feel flimsy, it’s noisy, it has a lousy reaction time, and many photos I’ve taken that have no business being blurry are, of course, blurry. My computer also doesn’t recognize the camera, even after installing Nikon Transfer. A quick look online will tell you other people have also had this problem. The S220 was a solid, great performance camera for a point and shoot. The S3000 had big shoes to fill and came up short. I never thought I’d be disappointed in a Nikon product, but there it is.
23. Q. Salmon says:

    September 14, 2010 at 4:27 PM

    Review by Q. Salmon for Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)
    Rating:
    The Nikon Coolpix S3000 is aesthetically pleasing and lightweight. It is 1/3 the girth of my other cameras. One of my qualms is that the image capture button wobbles a lot. It also has the worst picture quality of any camera I have seen. Every picture came out blurry and unreadable. I would not recommend this camera for anyone.
24. Jenna says:

    September 14, 2010 at 5:21 PM

    Review by Jenna for Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)
    Rating:
    Well I love it. When i first got it,it was easy to learn. The size can fit anywhere small.When i brought it to my job everyone loved it. They said it was cute and fit-able, also very clear pictures.When the veiw was shaking whether in a car or in your hands it still turned out a clear picture. P.S if it doesn’t have a memory card you can get from 12,15 and 17 pictures stored. Video is about 30 sec without photo.
25. Barbara says:

    September 14, 2010 at 6:00 PM

    Review by Barbara for Nikon Coolpix S570 12MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Electronic Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)
    Rating:
    The camera is small and very easy to use. There are 17 different sene settings quick to get to. The CD ROM that came with the camera gives you lots of options to play with your pictures. There’s 5 different color options on the camera including sepia (my sisters favorite). I think the quality of the pictures are great. When you first take the pics, it’s hard to see the clarity, but after they’re on the computer they look great. My mom has an $800 camera and wants this one for mother’s day. Great for the price. Love this camera!! Only issue, a dead battery takes up to 100 minutes to charge.
26. William Alisauskas says:

    September 14, 2010 at 6:48 PM

    Review by William Alisauskas for Nikon Coolpix S570 12MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Electronic Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)
    Rating:
    i just love the camera. The pic quality is fantastic. the only problem i have found is it really needs a screen protector or else u are forever cleaning the view finder. Other than that, i really cannot find one thing to complain about.
27. Robbie Riehn says:

    September 14, 2010 at 7:37 PM

    Review by Robbie Riehn for Nikon Coolpix S570 12MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Electronic Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)
    Rating:
    This is an excellent camera. The picture quality is absolutely amazing. I upgraded from a 5MP camera, so this was a great purchase. It shows skin flaws and even clothing fibers. I highly recommend this one. Like a previous reviewer wrote, I wish it came with a case. I bought the light blue Nikon case to put it in.
28. AT says:

    September 14, 2010 at 8:17 PM

    Review by AT for Nikon Coolpix S570 12MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Electronic Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)
    Rating:
    This was purchased to replace an ageing and now malfunctioning Casio Exlim EX-S600(extremely thin camera). Overall, the S570 is a good little compact camera: picture quality is ok and there are a plethora of functions (so many that most have not yet been used). Two most useful functions to date are the “quick retouch” and “D-lighting” functions, both of which adjust the image so you retain both the original and the retouched image in the memory card, allowing both photos to be uploaded to your PC. Processing is a little slower than expected as the S570 does need some time to save the image before allowing the next shot to be taken (partially linked to choice of high quality images). Also, a bit slow to start-up but appears to result from the fact that S570 is the budget version of the S640 which has “super fast startup” which the S570 lacks. The S570 is bulkier than the EX-S600 which it replaced but lighter, possibly due to lack of the optical image stabilization available in the S640. Battery life appears less than the camera it replaced and the battery level display is not particularly helpful as it does not show battery life until the battery is low or completely out. For a little camera to carry around daily, the S570 serves its purpose.
29. Cowboy Jeff says:

    September 14, 2010 at 8:44 PM

    Review by Cowboy Jeff for Nikon Coolpix S570 12MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Electronic Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)
    Rating:
    I am not a professional photographer, I take pictures of my kids primarily. I was looking for a point and shoot that takes good still pictures for vacations. I was tired of hauling my heavy Nikon D50 and associated accessories everywhere. Well, after one 4 day trip of average to useless pictures, I am sending it back. I am in disbelief that all of these reviews are so favorable for this product.

    1. The picture quality is NOT GOOD: It takes ok outdoor pictures, but they lack depth. Indoors – the flash is useless. It will either add no light, or wash out the light colors and the subject’s faces, even in portrait mode.

    2. S-L-O-W: If you don’t mind waiting 5 full seconds between pictures, this camera might be for you. I used a class 4 memory card and it still takes 5 seconds to write to the card and focus again.

    3. Battery life is average at best and you cannot charge the battery in the camera.

    4. Actually something positive: the menu and buttons are really easy to use, the LCD is nice. The power button is finicky though and too small.

    5. BEWARE turning it off too quickly: I ruined at least 10% of my pictures by turning the camera off too quickly after taking a picture. It will write the picture to the card but will overlay the colors causing it too look like an old film shot that got double exposed.

    In short, I highly advise not buying this camera unless you are going to take still shots outdoors in good light and don’t care about actually seeing the eyes of your subjects.
30. S. Gebhardt says:

    September 14, 2010 at 8:48 PM

    Review by S. Gebhardt for Nikon Coolpix S8000 14.2 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Red)
    Rating:
    I purchased a $400 Canon auto-focus, image-stabilizer camera about 2 1/2 years ago and hated it from “Day One.” My husband claimed it was “operator error,” until he tried changing every setting to see if he could get it to take decent pictures. We finally gave up and bought a new camera about one month ago: the Nikon S8000 from amazon.com. I couldn’t be happier. The pictures are awesome with or without the telephoto. Unlike my Canon, the Nikon takes nice pictures in low light situations, or when shooting into the sun (with flash turned “on.”) The controls are very intuitive and I like the “scene” feature to tell the camera if you are taking a portrait, landscape, night portrait, indoor shot, beach/snow, sunset, dusk/dawn, night landscape, close-up (such as a picture of a flower), etc. The only negatives I have found are the placement of the flash (as noted by previous reviewers); it’s in an awkward place where some people would normally place their left index finger to hold on to the top of the camera. I also find that the LCD screen is very hard to see in bright (outdoor) light, even when adjusted to the brightest setting it can be. However, I can live with a few minor inconviences as this camera takes just awesome pictures! I have always loved Nikon cameras and wished my husband had NEVER talked me into the Canon. After two+ years, I am finally ENJOYING photography again!

    UPDATE — JULY 21, 2010: I just returned from an Alaskan cruise and am still in love with this camera. My pictures are incredible and the various scene selectors were very helpful. I would encourage anyone purchasing this camera to also buy a second battery (and keep a fully charged second battery on hand at all times). When you receive the low battery indicator, you only have about one or two more photos you can shoot, so there’s not a lot of warning that your battery is low. I charged up both of my batteries every night while on the cruise (took 500 pictures in seven days) so I was always ready for a full day of sightseeing and picture taking.
31. Julie R. Weeks says:

    September 14, 2010 at 9:02 PM

    Review by Julie R. Weeks for Nikon Coolpix S8000 14.2 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Red)
    Rating:
    Got this as a replacement for an earlier Coolpix camera. The features/buttons were the same, and the shutter speed and picture quality are much improved over my earlier camera. The only downside – battery life. My initial use was on a trip to Sweden, and I ran the battery down before the first full day of picture-taking. So, while I’d recommend the camera, I’d also say to buy a second battery to swap during a long day of sightseeing and picture taking!
32. Owhatagoosiam says:

    September 14, 2010 at 9:48 PM

    Review by Owhatagoosiam for Nikon Coolpix S8000 14.2 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Red)
    Rating:
    I have lots of cameras, including a another Nikon and a Canon 50D. I bought this for my wife’s use, but use it some myself, because it’s so easy to stick in the pocket and shoot.
    
    The image quality is very good. The Camera is well made and the zoom range with minimal distortion for this camera type is great. I am satisfied, BUT, I hate the flash placement-I still find my finger on the top of the flash and I have to manually bring it up to position. I also dislike having to charge the battery in the camera. All considered, knowing what I know after using the camera, I’d buy it again.
33. Michael Kinney says:

    September 14, 2010 at 9:57 PM

    Review by Michael Kinney for Nikon Coolpix S8000 14.2 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Red)
    Rating:
    I’m not an expert when it comes to dealing with cameras but i’ll do my best to describe my experience with it. Before this camera, I owned a cheap olympus and a fuji film camera. Quality wise, this is better than all of them. Pictures and videos are very smooth on this camera. There is however, one slightly annoying problem. During video mode, there’s a light beeping sound that doesn’t go away. For the most part, it’s not an issue with me because I mostly use it to take pictures and if I want to make an extensive home video, I’ll use a camcorder. For the price, this is a very good deal considering most camera’s that contain 14.1 mp for each pic usually cost more than this camera.
34. Loon Potts says:

    September 14, 2010 at 10:23 PM

    Review by Loon Potts for Nikon Coolpix S8000 14.2 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Red)
    Rating:
    I agonized over this purchase, comparing, comparing, comparing. I wanted a small, reasonably light weight idiot camera to carry with me all the time. Something to slip into my pocket, to do simple snaps. This camera performs well, given that it’s an all-in-one sort of camera. I think some of the pros who rate these little cameras are too hard on them. NO camera is going to be so easy to use your 98 y.o. granny can create 30″ x 48″ photos of startling clarity with no grain while shooting inside the living room closet with the door closed, all while weighing less than a hummingbird (the camera, not granny), and small enough to fit in your credit card holder. Oh, and I want a 30x zoom, please. The controls are intuitive, and I specifically wanted a camera without a touch screen. I don’t want greasy fingerprints all over my view finder. The view finder is nice & large. The battery, while exclusive, lasts a long time. My larger canon, which I like very much, sucks down AA batteries like candy. The only complaint I have is that Nikon didn’t include any sort of case. I had to buy one, along with an SD card.
35. jenny says:

    September 14, 2010 at 11:21 PM

    Review by jenny for Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Green)
    Rating:
    What a GREAT camera. I had been cursed with the kodak easy share (older model) for years now and no matter what, I could only take about 10 pics before the battery died. I love the Nikon its small- light weight and perfect fit for me! Im not a professional photographer but I can take some great pics with this camera. The options that the menue gives you for photos is amazing! I would highley recomend this camera above kodak! They made everything VERY easy for inital set up also! Once I opend the package, did the camera set up, I was ready to take pictures within 3 minutes (once I charged the battery fully which only took about 30 minutes). I bought this camera because I was going on vacation and was tired of going places with an unreliable heavy camera and now feel so lucky to have this one! Ive never taken so many pictures before that its like a whole new world for me. This camera will also give you and option for “blink protection”, “auto correct”, and so MANY other options. Great camera, great price compaired to Walmart, Target, and other store/web-sites. Also Amazon was the only place I could get this cool green color. Stores werent carrying this color yet (only the purple, black, and some of them had the orange). One last thing I want to mention is the speed of taking the pictures. What I was used to was press the button wait about3-4 seconds then wait about 8 more seconds before you could shoot your next one-not so with the Nikon. I can practically take pic after pic with it – its great!
36. R. REESE says:

    September 14, 2010 at 11:50 PM

    Review by R. REESE for Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Green)
    Rating:
    This is a compact camera.
    
    no need to worry about recharable batteries!! it’s a charage battery included. Just plug the camera up to the wall. Cute look, and takes great pictures! I bought two of them. One for myself, and one for my daughter. She was very excited about her new camera! I would recoment this camera to a friend. It’s very easy to use.
37. CAA says:

    September 15, 2010 at 12:39 AM

    Review by CAA for Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Green)
    Rating:
    I bought this camera for my son to take on a trip to Boston. It’s super small and light, so he didn’t mind carrying it. It also takes fantastic pics. I highly recommend it. However, it doesn’t come with a memory card, so you might want to order one.
38. elhsew says:

    September 15, 2010 at 1:33 AM

    Review by elhsew for Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Green)
    Rating:
    I love this camera!!I bought it for the color & price & got everything I was looking for. I took it on a Zipline Adventure & captured some great pics & video! It was easy to figure out how to use (& I’m not real tech savvy). I like the small camera size & large viewing screen.I like that it shoots video too & it has an image stabilizer so your video looks really smooth. I wanted a camera for general, everyday use. This fit the bill on all accounts. Thanks Nikon for a user friendly product & Amazon for such a great price & free delivery!!
39. ChemE says:

    September 15, 2010 at 2:15 AM

    Review by ChemE for Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Green)
    Rating:
    This camera is a great purchase for its price! It has all the functionality that one would want and expect from a Nikon. I purchased this after having a Canon (which broke and wouldn’t even turn on after less than a year) and this camera is far superior. Has great zoom, loads of settings (everything from portrait and landscape to close up and fireworks), and has a great battery life. I would definitely recommend this camera to others.
40. U. Wilkins says:

    September 15, 2010 at 2:29 AM

    Review by U. Wilkins for Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Deep Red)
    Rating:
    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! (1280×720) 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.
41. W. Chan says:

    September 15, 2010 at 3:01 AM

    Review by W. Chan for Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Deep Red)
    Rating:
    OVERVIEW
    
    Canon SD780IS is the perfect travel/everyday camera. It weighs a little over 4 ounces. The size of the camera is astonishing. It is smaller than my iPhone 3G and my wallet. I love the new 720p video recording HD feature on the 2009 Canon P+S line. The image stabilization for video/image stills is a winner. The clips are sharper and clearer than the clips from the Creative Vado HD and the Flip Video MinoHD.

    PLAYBACK ON COMPUTERS
    
    For video playback without choppiness on the computer, you need to have at least a Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz or higher processor on Windows (Vista/XP SP2/XP SP 3) or Core Duo 1.66 GHz or higher processor on Mac OS X (v10.4-v10.5)

    MEMORY CARD
    
    You should get at least 8GB Sandisk Extreme III SDHC (Class 6 or higher) memory card for the camera. 4000×3000 resolution images can quickly fill up your 2/4GB SD memory card.

    CONCLUSION
    
    + Quick Continuous Snapshots
    
    + 720p HD Video Recording with Image Stabilization
    
    + Lightning Quick Startup
    
    + Ultra-Compact Point & Shoot Camera (Thin + Light Combo)
    
    + Beautiful Design
    
    + Great for Beginners (Very Easy To Use)
    
    + Bright LCD Screen
    
    + DIGIC IV Technology
    
    + Blink Detection
    
    + Can Edit Video Clips on the go
    
    + Scene Detection Mode works Flawlessly

    - No Optical Zoom in Video Mode while Recording (You can Digitally Zoom)
    
    - Monotone Sound in Video Mode
    
    - Only 3x Optical Zoom for image stills
    
    - View Finder is Useless
    
    - Little Noisy/Grainy when Using Higher Than ISO400 but Acceptable

    SCORE/VERDICT
    
    09/10: Recommended
42. George D. Gates says:

    September 15, 2010 at 3:54 AM

    Review by George D. Gates for Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Deep Red)
    Rating:
    After researching ultra-compact cameras for 2 weeks, I had narrowed down my choices to this camera, the Canon SD880 IS and a couple of models from other manufacturers (though I knew in the end I’d choose a Canon). As with most electronic purchases I make, it was an agonizing process. Every camera had a feature that I wanted, yet none of them had everything that I wanted. I would have liked a bit more zoom, and other cameras have wider lenses. In the end, the three features that won me over were the amazingly small size, the ability to capture HD video at a resolution of 720p, and the HDMI out.

    As for the performance, I couldn’t be happier. Many of the reviews I read before purchasing mentioned a high amount of noise, but in my experience it only occurs at higher ISO’s, is not very noticeable, and seems to be in line with other compact cameras that I’ve used, no more, no less. I would NOT let this be a determining factor if I were considering this camera.

    This is my first camera with image stabilization and it’s works very well. On a recent trip I took over 500 pictures (and filled up less than 1/4th of my 8-gig card at the highest resolution), and not one of them ended up blurry. The AUTO feature has also proven to be much better than I had anticipated: it changes between 18 settings automatically, such as macro, bright sunshine, etc., and so far, it’s been right on the money. Another complaint that I’ve read is that viewfinder is useless. While it is quite tiny, I have actually used it, and I find it to be quite serviceable. At some point, a camera gets so small that it’s difficult to squeeze everything onto its surface area. Kudos to Canon for even including the optical viewfinder at all.

    My complaints are few, and none would be a dealbreaker for me. The small size and smooth, symmetrical shape sometimes make it hard to tell which side I am holding onto when I take it out of my pocket. When attempting to push the power button, I will often realize I am pushing on the bottom of the camera. I have to actually look at it to tell what I am doing. Also, as stated previously, the HD video takes a pretty beefy CPU to play back smoothly. My PC is 4 years old and has a hard time keeping up. The easy solution to this is to play back directly to the monitor/TV with an HDMI cable. It seemed improbable to me that a video made with a camera this small would look good on a 55″ HD television. I was stunned at how sharp it looked.

    The bottom line is that anybody looking for an ultra-compact camera is going to be extremely satisfied with this one. It doesn’t take the pictures that a digital SLR is going to, nor does it have the same features. But anybody looking at this camera realizes that already. I went to an arts festival last weekend and was AMAZED at how many people are lugging around DSLR’s these days. It seemed like every other person had one. When looking at performance vs. convenience and portability, I’ll take the SD780 any day.
43. Kent T. Hambrock says:

    September 15, 2010 at 4:07 AM

    Review by Kent T. Hambrock for Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Deep Red)
    Rating:
    As many have already left HUGE reviews on this camera I will try to be quick about it, but I did have to review this camera. This camera is great. When I say that I mean it. I work for a camera store and everyday I’m reviewing cameras to people’s faces and when this one came out I took one look at it and the features and told my boss “Oh yeah, we’ll be out by tomorrow” and we were. It sells FAST. Why? Because it’s a GREAT camera.
    
    The form factor can’t truly be captured in a picture, you have to feel this thing in your hand to know what everyone’s talking about. 9 out of 10 people I show the camera to decide to buy once they’ve held it. It’s small, it’s REALLY small. It’s just a sexy form. The 2.5 isn’t screen isn’t because they wanted to be cheap, it’s because they couldn’t put a bigger screen on there without making the camera a good deal bigger. Same for the 3x zoom.
    
    The Digic IV processor and iSAPS technology means this camera is fast and accurate. It’s constantly focusing and letting you know what it thinks you want to take a picture of. It’s facial recognition is so fast and accurate, it can track someone running quickly across the screen with a box around their face the whole time. And it picks up faces on magazines, ads, anything that has a human face on it. The iSAPS is constantly changing the mode to better suit what you’re shooting and it’ll show you the mode you’re in while it’s doing it(upper left hand corner of the screen).
    
    The 720p high-def video is the one that seals the deal. You know it’s fast. You know it’s accurate. You know it’s easy. But the video, always catches you of guard. “Wait you mean to tell me this camera smaller then my blackberry curve can take high-def video as well as pictures??” Oh it can do more then that. Canon always has a few things thrown into video mode for the fun of it, like color Accent, as in taking away all but one color. Allowing your friend in the red shirt to be the REAL center of attention. And seeing that on the big screen only makes the camera more interesting.
    
    And I even sold myself on buying the camera, with it’s sleekness, speed, accuracy, and high-def I just couldn’t resist. I’m not telling you to get the camera, but if you do, you won’t be disappointed.
44. H. Mera says:

    September 15, 2010 at 4:37 AM

    Review by H. Mera for Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Deep Red)
    Rating:
    PROS: Easy to use, Simple controls/menu, Nice features/settings, Bright LCD, Excellent image quality, Lightweight/Portable, compact volume

    CONS: Poor Low-Light Performance, some noise in low light, tiny viewfinder, mini-HDMI to HDMI cable not included, SD/SDHC storage card not included

    Amazon has the best price at under 250 bucks. Most sites are charging full retail since this camera is so popular.

    High Definition video is very good at 720p. This will not replace a full size camera or the 5D Mark II for video quality. But, it is a lot better than most including the original Flip video camera.

    An HDMI cable IS NOT INCLUDED with the camera. You will need it to watch HD video directly from the camera on an HDTV. I bought a 3 ft miniHDMI-to-HDMI cable online from Monoprice for 8 bucks including USPS first class shipping. They have quality cables for the lowest price on the Monoprice site.

    UPDATE: I am very happy with the mini-HDMI to HDMI cables. They were so inexpensive that I bought 2 of these at 3ft long: one for the iMac, the other is for my travel bag. I bought a 6ft mini-HDMI to HDMI cable for the HDTV in the first floor family room. I should have gotten a longer cable since you have to control the video start/stop/next buttons on the camera. You have to get up often to start the next movie clip. I also bought a small 1×3/4inch miniHDMI to HDMI adapter to carry everywhere I take the camera which is everywhere!

    UPDATE: The small cover that protects the miniHDMI and USB ports feels a little flimsy. The hinge stretches. I have to force it slightly beyond my comfort to insert cables. I can see this covering breaking off with a lot of use.

    An SD storage card IS NOT INCLUDED. They are available at low cost, under 15 bucks, on the net. Check the Dealnews site for the latest sales. I used a 4GB SD high capacity (SDHC) card which will hold about 30mins of video.

    Some complain 2.5inch is too small for the LCD. There is no place to put a larger 3inch LCD on this camera without making it a touch screen like the iPhone or increasing the camera size. Plus, 2.5 inch is common on a lot of cameras. I have no problems with it.

    TINY VIEW FINDER: It was hard peering through the small hole. I mainly use the LCD screen about 95% of the time. So, NOT A PROBLEM.

    Got this camera to try out the 720p HD, face/blink detection and other features. They all worked great.

    I was surprised by the small size since I only saw this camera online and never tried it out at a store. It is slightly smaller than my average size business card and about as thin as a new deck of playing cards. I’m female, but, I never bought an ELPH-size Canon camera because they seemed too small. I was concerned I would not be able to comfortably operate the buttons or it would slip out of my hands. I don’t have that fear with the SD780. The brushed metal finish provides some friction. The buttons are placed well. Also, the wrist strap is always available as protection against dropping the camera.

    SMART AUTO feature is great! I use it often to take closeup (macro) shots or when I don’t have time to adjust the settings. I hold the camera about 4 inches from an object and the camera self adjusts the settings. It amazing to watch it work. I partially press the shutter button to see where the camera is focused and move it to focus on my area of interest. The camera selects of the pre-programmed 18 modes to find the one that creates the best image.

    As many stated, the images are superb thanks to the 12.1 mega pixel resolution, Digic 4, and the image stabilizer (IS) function. You should not live without IS unless you are into the artsy blurry pictures. It takes great pictures of kids who don’t sit still. Great if you don’t have steady hands. Images are crisp, clear and can be easily seen in the beautiful 2.5inch LCD.

    I noticed the noise in some of the photos. Did not have too much problems with it.

    The 3X optical is fine. Best for the photographer to move in or out to zoom/out on the subject matter and not worry about the camera lens zoom when just taking photos. Zooming during filming would be better. Hopefully, Canon adds this feature to future powershot ELPH models.

    Overall, a great camera that is thin enough to hide in a small purse or pocket yet still deliver superb photos for it’s size!

    (I have owned 7 Canon cameras including 5 digital cameras. I have used this camera for about 1 week.)