SD800 IS Reviews

[SQLJohn]

This camera has been available for a few days now. Priced $400 online.
I've been watching for reviews.

Jeff Keller, DCRP Founder/Editor posted sample photos September 23 but still no review?
Am I too anxious?

For what it's worth (not a whole lot) CNET has posted the first review I've seen.


Please post your experiences with the SD800 in this thread.

I'd be interested in hearing about photo quality!
The corner softness in Jeff's samples seems even more pronounced than the SD700IS or am I imagining it?

[downtrodden]

It says above the sample photo gallery his review will be done in October. It's barely a couple days into the month.

[MMB916]

I have been agonizing over the SD800IS vs. a Lumix. I have read a lot of SD800IS bashing on the dcpreview -- finally someone just posted saying that the SD800IS would be just fine for 95% of the users out there (I have seensome great pics taken with it). Some say they're being too hard on the camera and others have returned it in disappointed.

I also saw the CNET review and was excited but figured that is was CNET and not a REAL review - - some of theri reviews lately I find quite off.

I too - am anxiously awaiting professional and detailed reviews - I'm trying to settle this by a vacation on 10/15!!!
Doesn't it seem like we have been waiting forever?!
I know -- patience is a virtue!!

Whatever information anyone gets I would also be very appreciative! Thanks in advance.

This camera has been available for a few days now. Priced $400 online.
I've been watching for reviews.

Jeff Keller, DCRP Founder/Editor posted sample photos September 23 but still no review?
Am I too anxious?

For what it's worth (not a whole lot) CNET has posted the first review I've seen.


Please post your experiences with the SD800 in this thread.

I'd be interested in hearing about photo quality!
The corner softness in Jeff's samples seems even more pronounced than the SD700IS or am I imagining it?

[cvicisso]

Thanks for the link! I too am anxiously awaiting the 'real' reviews to surface, but it is encouraging to read that CNET considers the ISO 800 from the camera to be pretty usable. The high ISO performance is the only thing I'm waiting on in order to decide between the Canon SD800IS and the Fuji F30/F31fd. Here's how I see the breakout between the two contenders:

Canon SD800 IS advantages:

1. Image Stabilization!
2. Wide angle lens
3. SD (and SD-HC) cards vs. xD cards in the Fuji (ugh! )
4. Pocketability (size - to 'take everywhere')

Fuji F30/F31fd advantages:

1. Incredible low light performance (nothing even comes close in a pocket digicam)
2. Battery life (580 shots!!)

If the SD800 can close the gap a little in low light performance between it and the Fuji, the other advantages (of the Canon) will seal the deal for me. So far, it looks promising (I only really need usable ISO 800). Waiting anxiously on your review, Jeff...

[BowerR64]

What is the sensor size?

[cvicisso]

What is the sensor size?

SD800 IS: 1/2.5"
Fuji F30 & F31fd: 1/1.7"

Fuji sensor is much bigger (hence - the outstanding light-gathering ability).

[BowerR64]

The SD550 has a sensor that is 1/1.8"

[cvicisso]

The SD550 has a sensor that is 1/1.8"

Yeah - it's kind of confusing how Canon names their cameras. The larger numbers (within the same series - such as the 'A' or 'SD' series) don't necessarily have the bigger/better sensor and/or features. For example:

The A710 IS has a 1/2.5", but the A640 has a 1/1.8" Which one is 'better?' Arguments can (and have been!) made either way. The A710 has image stabilization and a bigger zoom, but a smaller sensor and less megapixels (not necessarily a bad thing - as Jeff Keller often points out).

As you noted, the SD550 has a 1/1.8" sensor - which falls in between the size of the Fuji (1/1.7") and Canon SD800 (1/2.5") - but it is much closer to the Fuji in size. The SD550 has the same size sensor as the SD500, which JTL (on this forum) uses and has posted some really great low light pictures with. It's been a while, but I think they were longer exposure shots, but great pictures. I'm sure the size of the sensor has at least a little bit to do with it.

[BowerR64]

I have the A700 and the A610 and i like the images the A610 takes better. I dont know how or why canon names their cameras i mean look at the G7 IMO its not anything over the G6 yet its the G7 so its just marketing maybe?

I dont see how they are pulling higher ISOs out of a smaller sensor then the A6XX IMO, that is the sensor that needs to be running the higher ISOs.

wouldnt it be funny if its all just software? I know the higher models have better zooms and stuff but they are going backwards with the sensor size yet still moving up in ISO speed.

I wonder when they will start using new sensors. It seems there is only 2 the 1/2 and the 1/1 with various points after it. Whats the difference between the 1/1.7 fuji and the 1/1.8 canon?

[cvicisso]

Whats the difference between the 1/1.7 fuji and the 1/1.8 canon?

Approximately 33 thousandths of an inch in the length of the diagonal line drawn from one corner of the sensor to the opposite corner. I'm not sure why they give their sensor sizes this way (probably to make it as confusing as possible), but 1/1.8" literally means the fraction "one over one-point-eight inches." Weird - I know. Again, that's the length of the diagonal line from one corner of the CCD to the opposite corner.

1/1.8" = .555 (repeating 5) inches
1/1.7" = .588 inches

Therefore, the difference is .588 - .556 = .033 inches (approximately .83mm). In other words, not much difference!

Ok, I am pegging the geek meter!