SD 400 and SD 500 Digital ELPH

[foaf]

Have been eagerly anticipating a 5MP version of the SD300, but now I am so happy about the SD500! 7.1MP! On paper this looks like a stunning camera with updated looks to match. It makes the SD400 look a little retro, and I do wonder why they did not make the camera's from the same design.

All I can say is: Jeff can you review this camera ASAP please, want to make sure it has the DCResource Seal of Approval before I part with the cash.

Edit: If someone could let me know what the UK/European equivilant model names will be then I would be really grateful.

[gary_hendricks]

Have been eagerly anticipating a 5MP version of the SD300, but now I am so happy about the SD500! 7.1MP! On paper this looks like a stunning camera with updated looks to match. It makes the SD400 look a little retro, and I do wonder why they did not make the camera's from the same design.

All I can say is: Jeff can you review this camera ASAP please, want to make sure it has the DCResource Seal of Approval before I part with the cash.


Actually 7.1 megapixels may not be everything. What about functions? Does the SD500 have manual controls? I have an S500 but am disappointed with the lack of manual options.

[hinz]

I think I'm going to go out and buy the SD400 as soon as Jeff gives his seal of approval just like foaf said, after my A70 died last october I've been left with no camera :mad: but that's a different story

I believe the SD400 will be the IXUS 50 and the SD500 the IXUS 700, in the european regions

[peraevum]

Ah! I just got the SD300. I might think about returning it and getting either the SD400 or SD500 just because I can't stand not being at the forefront of technology. The description of the two new models says that manual mode lets you control shutter speed. This isn't a feature on the SD300, right?

[Newbie]

Actually 7.1 megapixels may not be everything. What about functions? Does the SD500 have manual controls? I have an S500 but am disappointed with the lack of manual options.

IMHO, this is precisely what the SD series isn't about... It has a minimum of manual controls and its supposed to be a point and shoot... meaning no manual features... maybe it has shutter speed control because that is quite necessary when taking night shots, but beyond that...

[lafester]

could someone post links to pics and specs of these cameras?

thanks, chris

[red]

Ah! I just got the SD300. I might think about returning it and getting either the SD400 or SD500 just because I can't stand not being at the forefront of technology. The description of the two new models says that manual mode lets you control shutter speed. This isn't a feature on the SD300, right?
i returned my s500 for a sd300. i might have to do it again!!!!!!!!!!!!! :(
i feel stupid

[MrForgetable]

Canon USA->SD400->Features

Says that the SD400's "manual mode" can change both shutter speed and aperture. I double checked with the SD300 and it only says "exposure and white balance" and some other stuff that isn't that important so the fact that they are different may mean it's very true.

If so, that would be hot. This may be the one.

[ProblemSolver]

I too have an Ixus 500 (S500) and I was disappointed with it because of lack of MP, lack of a fast processor, couldn't do unlimited movies, etc.... a lot of stuff. So goodbye to my Ixus 500 (S500) and hello to the Ixus 700 (SD500)!!! Which has most of the specs that I wished for :).

By the way, can someone tell me the proper procedure of trading in my Ixus? (Note the word "proper" - I'm not a newbie)

Okay. My impression of trading in my Ixus 500 is to walk into the shop where I bought it from, say that I want to do a trade in (and reason, if required), then the guy will take the box and give me an Ixus 700 box and I'll have to pay the difference (Depreciation and price diff).

Am I correct? Or is there some other way? Plus, what I'm worried about is... Will the dealer accept the tradein? - Everything is 100% untouched (except the camera and manual) and in good condition (5 months old). But what is the dealer to do with the old camera and how much do I have to pay?

[variozin]

Dear problem solver.
If you are going to buy 7 mega pixel camera and are going to use the 640*480 movie mode, as it appears from your excitment about it then you should better get something really big in memory bags i.e. a big capacity SD card ,something like 1 GB.

Even i am using 1 GB in my SD300....and really enjoy shooting videos and watching them in camera...

cheers
ashley.

[Rex914]

It makes the SD400 look a little retro, and I do wonder why they did not make the camera's from the same design.

The SD500 actually takes on a different design because it has to support that larger sensor and lens. The SD400 would have "wasted space" if it had to fit the SD500's form.

[ProblemSolver]

Yes, I sure am. I just checked eBay out and they have lots of cheap 1 GB SD/MMC cards. A couple of them are Sandisk branded - I've been using Sandisk since I got my Y2K Digital Ixus (S100). You're right about my excitement - I've been waiting over a month for this day.

What I'm not happy about is that I've got three NB-1LH batteries and a 256 MB CF card (which my S100 and S500 both use) and now Canon wants consumers (like me) to use NB-3Ls and SDs instead :mad: ! Lucky for me, I already have a 256 MB SD which I use for my HP Photosmart 635 so the Ixus 700 (SD500) can share the card. Since the battery life for the SD500 (Ixus 700) is quite reasonable, I'll stick with the one battery which comes in the package (Or risk changing battery type in the future ;) )

You must be enjoying your SD300 :) - It's really cool, just that I didn't get it because I was waiting for a 7.2 MP Ixus/Elph.

EDIT: This post is a reply to variozin's post

[kazaan]

Does the SD500 have manual controls?

From what i read , it doesnt have Aperture priority or Shutter priority modes. It allows shutter speed control and usual exposure (WB, EV ) etc just like SD300 !


( btw what is a AE program mode? )

[ProblemSolver]

btw what is a AE program mode?

I think program AE locks your exposure when you press the shutter button halfway down and while you're doing that, you press the "UP" button on the 4 (5 if the middle button is counted) way controller.

For example, if you point your camera at bright light and do that, then point it at a darker place, the darker place would look even darker. Vice versa, if you point your camera at a dark subject, the picture will "gain up" and once exposure is locked, bright subjects will turn out white.

[kazaan]

I think program AE locks your exposure when you press the shutter button halfway down ...........

Gotcha !
thanks

[ProblemSolver]

If you are going to buy 7 mega pixel camera and are going to use the 640*480 movie mode .... you should better get something really big in memory bags i.e. a big capacity SD card ,something like 1 GB.


This may sound excessively wasteful to get a 7 MP cam but I usually use 1600 x 1200 (2MP) sized pictures, sometimes even 640 x 480 still images. Imagine that, getting a 7 MP cam to take 2 MP pictures :eek: . I suppose I've been stuck with my S100 for just tooooo long ;) - I'll get used to taking 4 -> 7 MP pictures sooner or later but I fear that by then, my 1 GB SD would be quickly filled up.

By the way, anyone know of higher capacity SDs? Sandisk produces SDs up to 1 GB only (Not enough) but CF cards up to 8 GB! Well that's about it, I guess..........

And here's a BIG FAT NOTE for anyone planning to get the Ixus 700 from a bracketed-print (Something like a fineprint that they think no one's going to read/notice) on the Ixus 700/SD500's specs page (from the Canon BeBit site):

Movies... "can record up to a maximum of 1 GB at one time". That's not very nice :mad: !! They say "up to the capacity of the card" and also "up to 1 GB". Hello?? Is this the "freedom of recording movies"? I know that the reality is that SDs up to 1 GB are available at this time, but what if higher capacity SDs are made??

[lafester]

there is one company making 2gb sd cards.
i don't remember who it is, just search and you will find them.

i don't really like the looks of the sd500, but i would get the sd400 if i didn't already have the sd300.

chris

[gary_hendricks]

Have been eagerly anticipating a 5MP version of the SD300, but now I am so happy about the SD500! 7.1MP! On paper this looks like a stunning camera with updated looks to match. It makes the SD400 look a little retro, and I do wonder why they did not make the camera's from the same design.

All I can say is: Jeff can you review this camera ASAP please, want to make sure it has the DCResource Seal of Approval before I part with the cash.

Edit: If someone could let me know what the UK/European equivilant model names will be then I would be really grateful.

Yes the SD500 is much better than the SD400.

[ProblemSolver]

Edit: If someone could let me know what the UK/European equivilant model names will be then I would be really grateful.

Here are the names:
ELPH SD400 = Digital IXUS 50
ELPH SD500 = Digital IXUS 700

Not sure why the SD500 is not called the IXUS 60 though.

[Lewiedude]

When will SD400 and SD500 be out in the US? I am eagerly awaiting the "form factor" with them and will walk out of the store with one of them.

I appreciate the help.

[gary_hendricks]

From what i read , it doesnt have Aperture priority or Shutter priority modes. It allows shutter speed control and usual exposure (WB, EV ) etc just like SD300 !


( btw what is a AE program mode? )

I guess the SD series is purely point and shoot, with minimal manual controls.

[Deborah]

When will SD400 and SD500 be out in the US? I am eagerly awaiting the "form factor" with them and will walk out of the store with one of them.

I appreciate the help.

I called Canon a couple of days ago. They said the SD500 will be released in March; the SD400 not till April.

[8bits]

What is the comparison between SD500 (IXUS700) and the Sony W7 in terms of size and manual controls?