Can't decide, can't decide....brain aneurism!!!

[damax452]

SD200 vs. SD300. After lots of research I've found that one of these is the best choice for me. It's killing me trying to decide which to get. I know they are almost identical, but they have a few things different. Maybe if someone can answer a few of my yet unanswered questions it would help me out.

Both cams have the same CCD, and I believe the same lens. So how can the SD300 have an extra megapixel? Is the cam interpolating to get this? Is there more noise in the images this camera produces because of a higher res with the same ccd?

The sd200 is $275 and the SD300 is $362 from Newegg, is 1 megapixel worth the extra money? I don't plan on printing much, if ever, just mostly looking for indoor/outdoor pics I can save to my pc or put on the web.

Pretty much the three issues I'm stuck on are:
1. megapixel difference with same CCD, whats going on?
2. Price difference of about $87, is the sd300 worth the extra?
3. Personal Preference but I like the looks of the SD300 better, mainly b/c of the wrist strap mount on the sd200, its on the side and unnoticeable on the sd300

I know this is a tired subject that has been discussed many times, but I really want to make the right choice here. Any help or advice you can give is appreciated.

[leadeater]

So how can the SD300 have an extra megapixel?

They cram more pixels onto the CCD.

Is the cam interpolating to get this?

No

Is there more noise in the images this camera produces because of a higher res with the same ccd?

More noise - probable.

The sd200 is $275 and the SD300 is $362 from Newegg, is 1 megapixel worth the extra money? I don't plan on printing much, if ever, just mostly looking for indoor/outdoor pics I can save to my pc or put on the web.

As the 200 has more than enough mp's, I wouldn't pay any extra for the extra mp.



hth,
PhilR.

[james]

I'll second that recommendation: Get the SD200 and save your money for more storage, or put it in the bank and replace the camera sooner :D

[damax452]

OK, thanks guys.

I have till xmas to decide, I'll keep thinking about it.

[Need4Spd]

What makes you think they have identical CCDs? The reviews I've read say that the SD200 has a 3.2 mpxl CCD and the SD300 a 4.0 mpxl CCD. So that's not the worry. For what you say you will use it for, the SD200 will probably be fine. The main difference is more mpxls, which even if you don't make large prints, allows you to crop and still get good resolution. If that's important to you, then get the SD300. If not, the SD200 is a fine camera. I have the SD300, FWIW.

[damax452]

If you do a side-by-side at dpreview.com, they both have a 1/2.5" ccd...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_sd200%2Ccanon_sd300&show=all

Maybe I am mistaken in the meaning of this but I have read other places that the two cams have the same size ccd.