do I have a battery issue with my Canon sd750??

[ipodvidnewbie]

Hi Everyone,
First post, but I've been lurking and reading the boards for a few days now.
I couldn't find my answer, so I am posting. Please forgive me if it's been asked, but I couldn't find the answer anywhere:confused:

Anyway, after doing a ton of research, wanting to upgrade from my Canon s400, I went with the sd750. I really like it.

Just got it today, and fresh out of the box I charged the battery for 4 hours, this is what the person at the store told me to do for the first charge. Then all additional charges, only 90min. Oh, I just popped the battery in the battery charger, and then plugged the charger into the wall.

Anyway, after the 4 hours was up, I popped the battery in the camera and started taking pictures. I noticed if I didn't touch the zoom all was well. But if I zoomed in, a red flashing, what looks like a battery starts to blink (to me, indicating that the battery is low) at the bottom left of the LCD. I only took about 5 pics when this happened:( I put the camera away and came up to the computer to post the question to you all.

This is a brand new camera, so have I done something wrong??? Am I interpreting this blinking red image as 'low battery'?? and if so, why would it only do it when I zoom in, and most importantly, why would this occur after it's been charged for the first time and I've only taken maybe 5 pictures. Do I have a bad battery, does this camera need to be returned. What am I doing wrong??

TIA for any info you all might have.

[David Metsky]

I think you're seeing the low light camera shake warning, not the battery warning. It means the camera won't have enough light to take the picture at a shutter speed that you can easily hand hold. It's worse when you zoom in because that eats up more light and amplifies camera shake.

Have you looked at your owner's manual? The battery warning is much smaller and less apparent. It's clearly pointed out there.

[ipodvidnewbie]

Thanks for the clarification David. I did look at the manual but missed it:(

I take a lot of pictures inside. I want crystal clear good picture color quality. I'm wondering what I can do to make the pictures better? or should I just return the sd750 and pay the extra $100 and get the sd870, which has the stabilization and a wide angel.

I'm a novice photographer if you haven't already noticed. I really just want something that gives me good pics and is very user friendly/point and shoot. My s400 was great, but I want the 3" LCD. That is my motivation to upgrade.

I played with both the sd750 and the sd870 and went with the cheaper one.

Which would you purchase??

Thanks for your input. I'm definitely leaning toward the sd870 unless you tell me otherwise.
EDIT::::
David,
I forgot to mention, would me getting the sd 870 fix the low lighting issue at all, or would it be the same??? I'm guessing not since the 870 has IS??

Please correct me if I am wrong.

[ipodvidnewbie]

double post by mistake. sorry

[David Metsky]

IS will help somewhat with low light by keeping your camera more stable, but it's only going to go so far. If you are taking a lot of shots inside without flash this is always going to be an issue. There are several things you can do to help any camera in this situation:

- Push the ISO higher - take the camera out of Auto mode and set the ISO manually. Start at 200, push to 400 if needed. Things get a little dicey beyond that.

- Stabilize the camera as best as you can - Brace your body against something, or your arms against your body. Use the optical viewfinder which allows you to hold the camera against your eye which is more stable then holding out and using the LCD (this is why I don't like the SD750 or the SD870 - no optical viewfinder). If your subject is moving (like taking people shots) this won't work all that well. This helps you keep the camera steady while the shutter is open long enough to capture enough light; but people move during that long shutter and will blur from that.

If you take a lot of pictures in low light without a flash, consider a camera that has better high ISO performance. The Fuji F-40 and F-50 are the leaders; no other compact is going to be as good.

Short answer, the 870 will be better then the 750 at low light, but not a huge amount.

[ipodvidnewbie]

David,
Again, thank you for your clear explanations. Very helpful.

I use a flash, so that is why I was suprised that the 750 gave me so-so pictures in low lighting. (pics taken in my living room with some lights on). When I shot some pictures of my daughter in the bathtub, from the shoulders up, with the very bright lights of the bathroom, the shots were awesome!!

Hmm.... I still think I will like the wide angle and the IS of the 870, but agree though I am gaining those features with the 870 over the 750, I will only improve on the picture quality of the 870 in low lighting slightly over the 750.

I looked at your fuji recommendations. Thank you!!! But I have only owned Canon, and I'd prefer to stick with them. Plus the 3" LCD is a must for me. Oh, and I am not a fan of viewfinders, so that is also why I have chosen either the 750 or the 870. I wear glasses, and can never see correctly through a viewfinder:(

Thanks again for you explanations and help. It's VERY much appreciated!!!!!!

[ipodvidnewbie]

Ok, I just got home from the store. I exchanged the sd750 for the sd870.

I will update later after I take some pictures to let you know how 'happy' I am, or is I should have gone with the 750.

Time will tell:rolleyes: