5 comments about Canon PowerShot SD40 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 2.4x Optical Zoom (Precious Rose).

1. I owned the SD10 for 4 years. It takes nice pictures (notably not THE best) and is easy to use, but the best feature was always the size. It's so compact - perfect for a guy like me that wants to shove his camera into a pocket. It was smaller than even my cell phone. So, when it was time to upgrade, the SD40 was the natural choice. I love the new features and updates that the SD40 offers. I was, however, surprised to see the Twilight Sepia version, as when it arrived, the metal trim was gold, not silver like the picture looks or like the other color choices for this model have. I can live with it, but it was not what I was expecting.



2. Super camera for taking along on trips and parties and my kids won't steal it.



3. I bought this camera for my teen daughter. She loves it and finds it very easy to use.



4. i love this camera, it is light weight and perfect size. Pictures are clear, and i love the color accent option. i would highly recommend this item and the matching case. perfect combo.



5. This is a great camera with a lot of features. It is easy to learn the functions and it is compatible with a lot more memory chips. This is in distinct contrast to the Sony camera I had, which cost me a lot to buy the memory card (only Sony unique card can be used). Overall, this is a very good camera that is a lot better than the sony I had.

5 comments about Canon PowerShot SD40 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 2.4x Optical Zoom (Twilight Sepia).

1. I owned the SD10 for 4 years. It takes nice pictures (notably not THE best) and is easy to use, but the best feature was always the size. It's so compact - perfect for a guy like me that wants to shove his camera into a pocket. It was smaller than even my cell phone. So, when it was time to upgrade, the SD40 was the natural choice. I love the new features and updates that the SD40 offers. I was, however, surprised to see the Twilight Sepia version, as when it arrived, the metal trim was gold, not silver like the picture looks or like the other color choices for this model have. I can live with it, but it was not what I was expecting.



2. Super camera for taking along on trips and parties and my kids won't steal it.



3. I bought this camera for my teen daughter. She loves it and finds it very easy to use.



4. i love this camera, it is light weight and perfect size. Pictures are clear, and i love the color accent option. i would highly recommend this item and the matching case. perfect combo.



5. This is a great camera with a lot of features. It is easy to learn the functions and it is compatible with a lot more memory chips. This is in distinct contrast to the Sony camera I had, which cost me a lot to buy the memory card (only Sony unique card can be used). Overall, this is a very good camera that is a lot better than the sony I had.

5 comments about Canon EOS 30D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. You cannot go wrong with this camera. With the 40D recently lowering in price and Canon preparing to release another model soon, I would expect to get this camera for a real deal from many retailers (e_tailers) in the near future. Camera functions are amazing and very similar to the 20D and 10D. Of course there are many newer features including the BIG pretty 2.5" LCD. For many, the 30D is sufficient which means you can save money instead of buying the 40D. Spend that hard earned money on optics...where it should go anyway!



2. I upgraded from the Digital Rebel XT to the 30D and am extremely happy that I did. Compared to the Rebel line, the camera is bigger and sturdier. The camera fits in my hands much better, and the magnesium body feels like it will last much longer than the plastic body of the Rebel.
   
   The shutter for this camera is also rated for 100,000 actuations compared to the 50,000 for the Rebel XT and 20D. The LCD screen is much larger also. I have not experienced any problems with dead pixels or coloration problems with the screen. The viewfinder is bigger and easier to see through than the Rebel as well.
   
   One of my favorite features is the wheel in the back as opposed to the 4 buttons of the Rebel. The wheel allows for quick changes to exposure compensation as well as much easier scrolling through the pictures when in the review setting.
   
   In a nutshell, if you are new to photography, are on a tighter budget and want to see exactly how interested you really are in Digital SLR's, I always recommend the Rebel XT or XTi. It is a great starter camera that wont break the bank. However, if you know you want a great camera or already have a Rebel, the 30D is a very nice upgrade. Personally, I think this camera is the best value for your money out there.



3. Canon EOS 30D, Bill Dubovsky, SI Business Trends, Bits & Bytes, Jan, 2007.
   
   Did You Know? Higher-end SLR (single lens reflex) digital cameras are now getting more affordable and user friendly...they're not just for professionals anymore. This month I will review the technology behind the digital SLR and specifically the performance of the Canon EOS 30D, about $1,300 with standard zoom lens.
   
   What is it? SLRs or single lens reflex digital cameras are becoming even more popular as their costs decrease. Once a replacement for film cameras for professional photographers, many digital SLRs can be purchased from about $500 and up. Some popular makes are: Nikon, Olympus, Canon, Pentax, Sony and even Kodak. According to market researcher NPD Group Inc, a digital SLR has an average holiday price of about $942. Baby boomers, brought up with film SLRs are flocking to the digital mode as they can afford the newer cameras and appreciate the difference in quality and performance.
   
   Digital SLRs create better photos for a number of reasons, including the larger size of the sensor (collects more light, faster and more accurate - especially in low light situations) and are much better in taking action shots. The superior optical quality of the larger lenses is also a major factor in getting crystal clear photos.
   
   The Canon EOS-30D, has 8-megapixel resolution and a 2.5 inch LCD, and it shoots continuously at 5 frames per second with a 30-shot buffer, so you don't miss the action shots of your kids, sports or wildlife. It's not too bulky or heavy and has good hand feel and balance. It provides good high-sensitivity photos which are crisp and not grainy and has image stabilization which reduces blur when using extended zoom.
   
   How it works: Folks with compact digital cameras know the frustration of shutter lag and the inability to frame your pictures accurately through the small LCD screen. Typically compact digital cameras take the photo a fraction of a second or so after you snap, often missing the action you wanted to capture. It's also hard to frame and focus with the smaller cameras smaller LCDs. With SLRs, you view the action directly through a viewfinder and actually look through the lens via a mirror that moves up when you press the shutter button. You get what you see. The viewfinder is also a blessing when you are in a bright light situation where the image on an LCD is hard to see due to glare.
   
   Other benefits to the advanced amateur include: saving film costs and not dealing with chemicals if you used to develop or print your own photos. If you choose to do your own printing and editing, there are many good programs that allow you to do some impressive work right on your Windows or Mac computer.
   
   In the past you would have to take and develop a whole role of film to see if you got the right shot. With digital photography, you can just take as many photos as you'd like and delete all except the "keepers." You won't have to pay for, or keep a large inventory of poor photos as you only keep and print the good ones. Unlike film, digital CF memory doesn't go out of date, and can hold hundreds of photos before you have to download them to your computer.
   
   What you need: Besides buying the camera kit, which should include the standard 18mm-55mm zoom lens, buy extra CF memory card. Most cameras don't come with a memory card. Additional accessories may include a heavier duty flash and/or a better quality lens. You will probably need a Mac or Windows XP computer with a USB slot for downloading the photos from the camera. The Canon comes with software for both Windows and MAC that is quite good and easy to use. While I have used the Canon software, I prefer to use iPhoto on the Mac.
   
   How to get it: Be careful about buying on-line. I saw a great deal on the Canon and bought it. I then had to call a number for delivery options and they told me I had to buy the battery charger for an extra cost (which would have brought the total price up to what everyone else was selling it for). I declined and asked them to send me exactly what was on the product description on their website. After much going back and forth, they told me they couldn't fulfill the order - they were out of the ones without the battery charger! I "Googled" the online company and found quite a list of disgruntled buyers - apparently they pull this routine all the time. Lesson learned - check out the on-line company before you spend any time with them. I immediately cancelled my order with them and bought the camera locally with no problem. You can watch for sales and rebates at consumer electronics stores for good deals or check with camera stores. Sometimes the camera is sold "body only" and you need to purchase the lens separately. This is good if you want to purchase a specific, upgraded lens of your choice.
   
   How hard is it to use? The automatic mode is very simple. You can learn to use in 10 minutes or less. The manual settings require a bit of reading and playing, but you can get some awesome results. The combination of digital photography and photo editing software are a great match.
   
   Findings: Not surprisingly, I love it. I have been an amateur photographer from my college days and grew up using Nikon and Nikomat 35 mm film SLRs. While they are heavy and clumsy by today's standards, they took great photos, mostly because of the control you had over shutter speed and f-stop as well as the great Nikor lenses. I find you can get the same control (if you choose) from the Canon EOS-30D along with a wide variety of Canon and other lenses. While the Canon EOS-30D is about the same size as the older film SLRs, it is much lighter. This camera has made me retire my film cameras.
   
   Pros: Convenience; not having to buy and store film, lighter camera, getting what you see, ease of use, professional results. The Canon EOS-30D also came highly recommended by my professional photographer friends. While I have been partial to Nikon, the earlier digital SLR models seemed to have had some mechanical defects, which took time to repair. However, I have not heard of any major shortcomings with the major SLR manufacturers' new models.
   
   Cons: Cost. They are more expensive than compact or viewfinder cameras. They are heavier and bulkier than compact cameras. You'll want accessories such as: additional or better quality lenses, heavy-duty flash, gadget bags, tripods and a host of other attachments. It's too big to keep in your pocket or purse to use for snap shots. I have also found the built-in flash to be weak - only good to about 10 feet. Good enough for snap shots. An upgraded professional quality Canon flash is about a $400 accessory.
   
   Bottom-line: In general, I am very happy with the feel, performance and results from the Canon EOS-30D and would recommend it to any serious amateur photographer.
   
   For more information: See the January 2007, Consumers Reports or Google for more information and user's comments. You can contact Bill Dubovsky at billdubovsky@gmail.com with your feedback, experiences and questions. As always, check with www.Amazon.com for user feedback and good, reputable deals.



4. I absolutely love this camera! If you are contemplating an upgrade from the Rebel digital series, go for it. My SLR voyage has been long, starting with a Canon T70. I went from that to a Canon Rebel G, then the Digital Rebel, then the 20D, and now the 30D. I don't think I will ever need to buy another digital SLR until I wear this one out. The shutter speed is brilliant. The ability to switch from manual to automatic is freeing---you don't have to worry about any setting. I'm very glad I bought this camera!



5. People can show off their Rebel tsi and say it has 12 megapixels, but you can show off your 30d and say, "mine's not cheap plastic." This camera is perfect for a semi-pro, student, or just about anyone who can afford it. I warn you not to buy it from DBROTH though. They scammed me out of 99.99 dollars worth of photoshop, and I'm still trying to settle it with them. The hi-speed shooting is great for my hobby of shooting skate pictures. I think my customer image is number 82 or something. If you want to use it for landscapes, you'll need to get something with a really wide angle, because of the 1.6 cropping factor. If you're into sports photography like me though, it just gives your telephoto zoom lens a little more reach.

5 comments about Canon PowerShot Pro Series S3 IS 6MP with 12x Image Stabilized Zoom.

1. You need to spend some time with the camera and the owner's manual before taking it on your next safari, but it has great flexibility and produces great shots.
   
   I like the fact that the viewfinder is a small video screen so you can see exactly what is going to be in the picture as well as using it to review pictures.
   
   Battery life was very acceptable using name brand rechargeable batteries that were slow charged.



2. This is a great camera for a new camera user or one who is more advanced.
   You can do so many things and get some great images. Love the ease of learning.



3. Nice Pictures, Very amazing zoom, lots of functions and very hadfull screen. You can take professional pictures.



4. I did weeks of research looking for a camera with a good zoom, a wide choice of aperture settings and good picture quality! I purchased this camera in April of 2007. It seemed to be working fine and I've taken hundreds of pictures with it. Now a year and 2 months later (2 months after the warranty expired) I went to go on a hike and tried to turn my camera on only to find that it was dead. We tried putting new batteries in with no avail. After returning home from my hike I started doing some research on the internet. I have found quite a few different posts that detail the very same problem as mine. One post mentions that a circuit board in the camera went out and it was almost $200 to fix it. I am a very disappointed customer at this point. I figured a camera that cost $ 350 would last longer than a little over a year. Canon has not issued a recall and hence will not repair it for free. I'm thinking I might need to look elsewhere for my next camera.



5. We have owned this camera for about a year now and most of the pictures turn out nicely. Video works much better than our last camera. I love how far it zooms without making image fuzzy. However I went to turn it on last weekend and it flashed at me and went off, so I changed the batteries and had the same problem.. It's now in the shop thank goodness we bought a warranty. The lens cap also keeps coming off.. Hope it gets fixed

5 comments about Canon EOS 1D Mark III 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. I upgraded from a 5D, 40D, 30D and the Mk III is the perfect camera. This camera is blazingly fast and gives me pictures that I just could not get with other cameras (e.g. shooting baseball I pretty much get "bat on ball" pics for every hitter). I shoot 6400 ISO a lot with basketball and the low noise is perfect and even much better than the 5D. I have had no issues with the AF with my "blue dot" Mk III. I think this is the perfect camera I will keep for decades to come.



2. This is an amazing camera, a big jump from 1D MkII. Better in every practical aspect. Most improvement is the lower noise level.



3. I've had this camera now for 6 months. I heard all the hype about it's "faults" etc so was a little concerned. But, then I really started to read, and found that most of the issue was hype. Only some photographers in some specific conditions had the problem. Then Canon announced some hardware and firmware fixes.
   
   This camera is just stunning. The quick and accurate AF is brilliant. It can lock on and track the target very well. It's clearly sharper for centre focus but also does brilliant for landscape images and still portraits.
   
   The fps and burst rate is second to none. It's a beast when you set it off. I shoot mostly sport, so a nice burst can be the difference between capturing and missing that image.
   
   The body is great. Not too heavy for what it does, and it's balanced very well. The construction and weather sealing are great.
   
   I could go on and on about just how good this camera is. It is well worth having a look at. So, go to your local store, feel the camera, fire off a burst and then there's no going back.



4. When one reads the early reviews of this camera, they will be surprised to see the focusing problems experienced by a seeminly large number of photographers. Canon has come out with both hardware and firmware fixes to this body. I purchased a model with a serial number indicating manufacture after these fixes have been effected. I am having absolutely no issues with this camera's focusing in both focusing modes. I love this camera. It is truely a magnificient camera. For those of you who are serious about your photography, you won't be disappointed (except for the cost). Enjoy if its in your budget.



5. After reading bad reviews on the focus problems with this camera I waited a while to pull the trigger. I shoot sports, equestrian (some indoors), and stage dance. I bought this camera for low light useage, and the superior focus speed. I have not been dissapointed. I use 3200iso when necessary without any worries. My mark3 came from Canon with the latest firmware update already installed. The battery life is incredible, shot 1700 images and still had 40% left. The wait was worth it.

5 comments about Canon Digital Rebel XSI 12MP Digital SLR Camera (Silver Body Only).

1. I previously owned the Canon Digital Rebel. I primarily upgraded to this camera for the additional pixels. Just in pixels alone, I effectively doubled my zoom rate, and it shows in bird closeups I've taken. Compared to my last camera, it's like trading in my 70-300 zoom on a 70-600 zoom. And picture quality is phenomenal, even when compared to the original Digital Rebel.
   
   But the other enhancements to this camera make it worth buying even if it didn't sport a higher density CCD. I purchased an extra battery because the battery on the original Rebel ran down way too quickly and left me without a usable camera a few times. But I didn't need to. The battery on this model lasts forever. Maybe 10 times longer than the original!
   
   This weekend I went on a bike ride with some friends. I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago and forgot to recharge the battery. I brought the extra along, but wanted to see how long the battery would last. I took a lot of pictures, then a friend of mine wanted to check out an image-stabilization lens I have. He spent an hour playing with the thing, taking more pictures and wasting battery power by testing out the image stabilization feature (something that normally uses a lot of juice). The battery still hasn't run down. I can't emphasize enough how bottomless the battery seems to me.
   
   Having image-stabilization on the short lens was a nice feature. I didn't really need it because I use the zoom lens almost exclusively, but it's nice to know the feature's there if I ever do.
   
   Focus with my 70-300 zoom lens is much faster as well. Where the old one took up to a second or so, the new one focuses instantly when there's enough light. Even when there isn't enough light for a fast focus, it's still many times faster than the original.
   
   Something else that surprised and excited me: Using the Sport mode, I used to be able to take only 4 pictures in succession before the buffer filled up. With the new camera in the same mode, I can take a lot more pictures in the same amount of time. Instead of only 4 pictures before the buffer is filled, the shutter keeps clicking away forever. I can't imagine any action shot that will be too long for the amount of pictures this thing can take now. I was showing the camera off to my brother-in-law, and I took at least 20 pictures (maybe 30 or 40?) in rapid succession before the buffer became full and it slowed down.
   
   This camera is truly awesome. The friend that was demoing it was trying to justify his previous purchase of a non-SLR. He said, "So this is more of a professional camera, huh?" I told him, "No--this is Canon's amateur line." And it is. But right now, I think it's better than their professional camera, which actually has 2 Megabits fewer pixels.
   
   In the "easy" modes, the camera is a better photographer than I am. I'm no pro. But it would be nice to be able to choose when the flash is appropriate, or force a fill-flash when I want to.
   
   Other bennies: The screen is larger and brighter, but you can lower its brightness to improve battery life (I keep it cranked up all the way--this thing has plenty of battery life as I've said).
   
   Canon advertises that this thing will let you preview on the LCD now while focusing. If you want to buy this camera just because it's the only SLR you know of with that feature, don't. You might play with it for a couple of minutes, but you'll never use it to take actual pictures, because focus either doesn't work, or is excruciatingly slow. I had a lot of trouble figuring out how to turn this on, as well, and had to consult the manual.
   
   There is another ease-of-use item I'd like to mention. You can turn off the flash in the easy modes if you want to. But you have to be in a creative mode to do it. I did that once, and it took me a long time to figure out how to turn the flash back on, because there's no menu item for it in the mode I was in (which was full-auto). I think it's idiotic that you can turn off the flash mode in full-auto from a creative mode, but not from the mode you're using.
   
   All in all, I'm very glad I bought this camera.



2. This might be a quality control issue but about 50% of my shots are out of focus. I have used a 350D for years and was planning to upgrade to 12 MP - but I am very disappointed. I am always using center point autofocus and have used several different lenses - Canon's 50mm/f1.8, the Canon 17-85mm IS, Sigma 10-20mm, Sigma 30mm/f1.4 - with all lenses there are focus issues in many many shots.
   In addition, I can not attest to the low noise comments. I see lots of chroma noise even at ISO 400 which was never the case with my 8 MP 350D. This one is going back today - I guess Canon has serious quality control issues, though the noise issue can not be explained by that.



3. I love this camera. I used to have an old Minolta XGM 35MM for many years and loved taking pictures so i decided to get back into photography and i waited for this ever since it was first announced by Canon. I got this and the 70-300 zoom and have been taking pictures everywhere. It takes fantastic pictures and make me look like a professional photographer. Now everyone I know, wants me to take pictures for them. The transaction was easy and happily uneventful. I received it on time and in fine condition. I received it from Ritz/Amazon. I am looking forward to taking classes so I can benefit from all the great features. I would highly recommend this if you have the dough!



4. I owned the XTi before and was extremely satisfied with it. I'm sold to the XSi mainly because of the new Spot metering and 3" screen!! Live View is a plus but I only used it a couple of times.
   People always compare the XSi to the 40D. Price w/ feature wise their prices are pretty much the same, but the main reason that I chose the XSi was the SMALL SIZE. For people with small hands like me the 40D is too wide and heavy. On the 40D I couldn't reach some of the inner buttons without taken my hand away from the grip.
   The IS kit lens is an excellent start but the camera quickly out grown its resolution. I upgraded to a EF-S 17-55mm IS and am very happy (make sure to get a good dust-resistant copy).



5. I ordered this camera body, a lens hood and a memory card from Amazon. I received everything in perfect condition, with no problems and on time. I was able to track each item online and the camera and memory card arrived a week ahead of schedule (even using the free, but slow, free delivery) and the hood arrived right on the scheduled day. Also, Amazon had the best prices, no sales tax and free delivery. You can save more than a few bucks if you're willing to wait a few days.

5 comments about Canon PowerShot SD800 IS 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Image-Stabilized Optical Zoom.

1. I bought the Canon Powershot SD800 IS back over a year ago when it first showed up on the market. I bought it because it had image-stabilization which I knew would be a great way to stop camera shake in low light situations and when one takes telephoto shots. I am still amazed how much technology they can put into a small camera such as this Canon SD800 IS. This is my second point and shoot Canon camera and both cameras had to be sent back to Canon to have the lens taken out and replaced because of black smudges showing up on my telephoto pictures. You could see them easily in the light blue sky area which was ruining my pictures! Canon replaced the lens without costs but after using them awhile afterwards, those black smudges showed up again in only the telephoto shots! Long story short - I don't know if this occurs in other brands but I will not be buying anymore Canon cameras for now even though I know they are a great company. Otherwise, this camera was great in every other way. But if the pictures aren't clean, then all of that high tech doesn't matter.



2. The wide angle is nice, it's not too wide, but wide enough to make a nice difference. The 2 gig SD card holds many many photos. The battery lasts a long time, and it's a great size for a pocket. The photos are great, and the interface is intuitive. I like it!



3. Have had this camera for about 8 months now, and have taken over 1000 pictures. It is an excellent camera in all respects. While you read it over and over, the 28 mm wide angle lens really makes a difference.
   
   Recently, there have been some promotions at a big box store with some other cameras, so I decided to do a little test comparing the SD 800 IS (28mm to 105 mm), SD 850 IS (35mm to 140 mm) and the Panasonic Lumix TZ4 (28mm to 280 mm). I just wanted to make sure that I had the camera that was right for me.
   
   As part of the test, I took about 70 photos with each camera in various lighting conditions, indoor lighting behind, indoor lighting in front, outdoor, zoom, wide angle, etc. Because I usually use only 4x6 prints, I printed all the photos in 4x6 prints at a local photo lab. There was no post photo processing on any of the photos. I just wanted to see the results right out of the camera so to speak.
   
   Thus, to me, the test was as real world as possible because that is how people use the camera, you don't shoot screens of color swatches, you shoot people, things, landscapes, grass, etc. Printing it out at a photo lab let me see the pictures as best as they could be. All cameras were set on full auto and no special modes were used for any of the shots.
   
   The results were very intersting but hardly surprising. With the exception of a somewhat noticeable difference in the telephoto and zoom ranges, at a 4x6 size, there is essentially no discernable difference in the pictures generated by the Canon SD 850IS and the Canon SD 800IS. There was no difference indoors, outdoors, or anywhere else. This is not surprising, because the cameras are very very similar, use the same processor, and only differ in the lenses.
   
   The Panasonic was another story. It regularly failed to perform, had zoom hunting, poor focus, fringing, etc. on the indoor shots. Outside, with plenty of light, it performed very well and produced excellent photos, but because I don't shoot exclusively outside, that was a deal killer for me. You basically cannot shoot anything moving indoors with this camera. Based on the reviews, I understood that this camera had limitations, but did not realize how much the processor hobbled this camera's indoor performance.
   
   So, for the SD 800IS, which is the one I will keep, here's the review:
   
   PROS:
   
   FAST: Very very very fast. As fast a digital camera as you will find. Noticeably faster than the SD 850IS, but they are close.
   
   PROCESSOR: Excellent photos in a wide variety of conditions.
   
   LENS: Wide angle lens is a real treat in a point and shoot. I shot 22 kids all on one staircase and all of them fit in the picture, and I did not have to walk back any steps (or wedge myself into a corner, etc. to do it). Also, outside, and especially outside, it is amazing what you will fit into a picture. At 4 x 6 did not notice any distortion, but as another review noted, I don't really look at the corners of a picture, so this is not really an issue.
   
   SIZE: very small, fits anywhere.
   
   VIEWFINDER OPTIONS: Optical viewfinder, the screen is so good that you don't use this that often, but it is nice to know it is there for those really really sunny days (and they come up every so often).
   
   BATTERY: Battery life is exceptional. Camera seems to go on for months with one battery (I think it is rated for 400+ shots, which is an astounding battery life for such a small camera).
   
   NEUTRAL:
   
   APPEARANCE: The looks of the camera. I prefer black cameras as I used to own a film SLR and black cameras remind me of that beloved camera. However, my wife seems to like the looks of this camera.
   
   CONS:
   
   LIMITED ZOOM: Would like a drop more zoom range, perhaps a 5x - 6x would be ideal, but it would be hard fitting a 28mm to 168mm in such a small package.
   
   FLASH: Flash is a little weak (similar on the SD850IS), but this is par for the course on a point and shoot.
   
   OPTICAL VIEWFINDER: Optical viewfinder is really small, is off center and not useful for every time composure on this camera, the camera is made to be used with the LCD on.
   
   Can't go wrong with either this or the SD 850IS, as they are essentially the same camera with different lenses, it just depends on whether you want a wide angle lens or not. Good luck with your shopping.



4. I have had 3 Cannon digital camera's in the past and for the most part been happy until this model.
   
   This model struggles with light contrasts when half of the picture is in shadow and the other is bright. Here are a few examples:
   1. When shooting from a shadow or shade and taking a picture of something bright like a snow capped mountain or sun rise. Awful!!!
   2. Taking a picture during dusk on the beach where the sun will be bright but the rest of the photo is dark. The camera just struggles to adjust.
   
   On this latest trip i was on a friend had a DSC-T200 which took amazing photos of exactly the same things I did without having to tweak any settings. Plus if you do a feature comparison - they are not even close.
   
   The choice is yours, but I might go the Sony way next time.
   
   Good Luck!



5. I bought this to replace my SD600, which had an internal memory card error occur. This camera takes AWESOME picts....hardly ever blurry now.
   
   
   BUT
   
   
   it's not sturdy like they used to be. I dropped it from about a foot out of a side pocket while in a leather canon case, and the focus mechanism is shot. the image stabilization is all messed up now, and it is non-functional.
   
   Powershot used to mean robust, and metal-cased. not anymore.
   
   I had a S110 for 6 YEARS. i dropped it a BUNCH of times. From 4 feet to asphalt, to carpet, to concrete, sending the battery and memory card flying. I had DENTS on the case, pieces missing, and it still worked. I kept it as a shrine to the robustness of the design. this thing took ONE hit in a case 2 months old and is done.
   
   great camera....just buy a hard padded case. no more thin cases for this one. Canon is turning into Mercedes-Benz....too much in one package for nothing to go wrong.
   
   I am gonna get an SD1000....classic design, NO I/S, and a METAL case. My father has this and it's GREAT. I am on an SD200 right now, but i know it's gonna take it since it isn't feature laden with sensitive pieces.

5 comments about Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Silver Body Only).

1. Got this camera recently and totally in love with it. Yep, it's not the new modet, but I does alot for the old model.
   Also, if you'd like to have something professional, take Canon EOS 5d)



2. By the time, I am writing this review, I have captured more than 10K pictures on this lovely camera. It takes superb pictures. The picture quality is stunning. I highly recommend buying Canon external Flash for better indoor shoots and Canon EF 70-200mm F4L USM lens for stunning pictures. Value for money and once you get used to DSLR, its hard moving back to point and shoot.
   Great camera.



3. I have owned this camera for about a month now, and it is my first digital SLR. I used to have a Canon film SLR, and a point and shoot as well, and loved them both. So when I decided to get an SLR, Canon was the only choice for me, and I was not disappointed.
   
   This is an excellent camera. It's easy to use, and the pictures are great. The software that comes with the camera is actually pretty good, and I have been quite happy with it so far. I really would recommend this camera to anyone looking into the digital SLR market. There have been documented exposure problems by other users, but I have not noticed anything wrong with the exposure.
   
   I really can't recommend this camera enough.



4. I purchases what I thought to be a "new" camera body. Upon receipt of the package and opening it, it was NOT new, but recently returned to amazon and still had the receipt from the previous purchaser. I can only hope that it was returned to some reason other than it was defective.



5. After taking thousands of pics of my two year old and my new born with my HP point and shoot, I finally gave up. None of the pictures were of the 'moment' or 'expression' I was trying to capture. I was always taking pictures of their backs or their looking away or xxx. Anything but what I wanted. Then the quality of the pictures were never quite right unless I took the picture in full blown day light.
   
   Finally decided to splurge. After extensive research on the Canon XTi vs the Nikon, I ultimately opted for the Canon. I bought it along with the portrait EF 50mm that seems to be highly rated by many. I later purchased the EF 28-105mm. Upon receiving the camera, I went to town taking pics of my little ones. What I found:
   
   Pros:
   - Fast. Very fast. Wow. I've yet to miss a shot.
   - Outstanding pics. Pics with the EF28-105 good. Pics with the EF 50mm, outstanding. Many look like they were taken by a pro. Trust me. I am no pro. I'm a working mom looking for some good pics to put on their website and send to Grandma and Grandpa. On average, with my point and shoot, I'd get 1 out 20 that were worthy of that. Now, I average 5-6 out of 10 at a higher bar of course.
   - Versitile. I can play around with different settings and Canon lenses. Fun but expensive.
   - Battery charges fast. Battery life outstanding. I honestly don't think I've had to charge the batteries but 2-3 times since I bought it five months ago and have taken thousands of pics.
   - The 4GB SD card keeps more pics than I could ever want.
   
   Cons.
   If you are a working kind of mom like I am and just want an awesome camera to take awesome pics, you've found it. However, there is one big downside: it's bigger...way bigger than a point and shoot. It's not as easy to throw in your purse and go out for a splash day. I have found myself leaving it behind because I just didn't want to lug it along with the diaper bag, a toddler and an infant...car seat, snacks, toys, bottles, wipes...etc. The bag is heavy enough. But, those pics are priceless as far as I am concerned and will sacrifice more often than not and find myself glad for having done so.
   
   LENSES. This took me longer to figure out than which camera to buy. I searched for a month before I committed. Given the affordability of the 50mm and its reviews, I opted to do without the kit lens.
   
   Admittedly, I regretted it at first. What!? No zoom. As you can tell, I'm a serious amatuer and didn't know what I was getting into. But, despite the one time I wanted to take a group pic that required me to step clear to the other side of the house to get them in, 99% of the time, I'm trying to get a good close up of my kids...many pics by default at this age tend to be close ups. Then, there is a subtle difference between the pictures I have taken with this lens and the 28-105--crisper, cleaner and outright beautiful color.
   
   The 28-105 is actually not bad especially if you use it with the hood. The zoom is about what I figure I will need at ball games and ballerina recitals when I don't have to worry about lugging a diaper bag and keeping after a climbing/crawling baby. For the price, I figure it's doable.
   
   There you have it, Amazon shopping Moms. I hope this Review was helpful. I found many of the reviews targeting semi-pros so it took a while to sift through it all!

5 comments about Canon PowerShot TX1 7.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.

1. If you have a cheap micro camera that smears if anything moves or has trouble syncing voice with action, consider the TX1. Here are some examples of its work.
   
   [...]what happens when you strap it into a model airplane.
   
   One thing it does particularly well is recording lectures. The audio pickup is amazingly good, and it handles a variety of lighting situations well. Battery life is a limitation here. See an example at [...]
   
   The downside of this camera is a lack of inputs: no IR control, and no audio input. I live with the lack of IR control by strapping the shutter control down and using a big SD chip. The TX1's microphone is so good at picking up voice that I haven't really missed the mic input.



2. 
   I've been using this for a month or two and can say it's a fairly decent camera. It works well in day light, and OK indoors. Not at all good as a night video camera.
   
   This is the first camera I have owned that only has an LCD screen, and it is not that usable directly in the Arizona sun.
   
   It certainly is well made and easy to use. However, I find, me mind you, that the zoom control is upside down to how I would imagine it functioning. I also find that the shutter button is a little too far forward.
   
   Video seems to drain the battery pretty quickly so buy some spares.
   
   It does not have the greatest set of options but this is a camera you'll have in your pocket and is not intended to be the be all and all. It's image stabilizer works well except at 8X and beyond.
   
   All in all a great little camera to carry in your back back or glove box.



3. Canon PowerShot TX1 7.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
   I was in the market for a new camera & a new camcorder, to replace my 3.0 MP Olympus & my JVC DV camcorder. In my research , I came across the Canon TX1 . For me, it is the perfect solution. I am by no means an expert photographer- just a guy who wants to be able to take some nice pictures & video of the family. We are going to be taking a big Mediterranean cruise this summer and want to be able to bring back some nice photos & video. Here are the things I was looking for:
   1. Compact. This camera is a little larger than some , but still small enough to fit in my pocket without a problem
   2. Good video capabilty. This can record Hi-Def video at 30 fps. The video looks great on my Sony LCD TV.
   3.Plenty of storage capability. I also purchased through Amazon a Transcend 8GB,class 6 SDHC card for about $35. This allows plenty of room & works great!
   4. A good zoom. This camera is the only one of its size with a 10x optical zoom.
   I've also found that the Canon face recognition software works well. The red-eye reduction also works pretty well, although I've had a couple photos it didn't clear up.The video looks much better than my old camcorder. I immediately took it to my daughter's water polo game, at an indoor pool with somewhat dim lighting. I was afraid the video wouldn't come out well in that lighting, but it worked wondefully - very good color & balance. The LCD screen is a bit small , but necessarily so to keep the unit compact. The LCD is quite crisp though- much brighter than most. I would say that a person looking for a digital camera that is extremely portable and easy to use, and also needs a camcorder would be well served to purchase one of these. I also got a great price from Worldwide Distributors on Amazon ( about $335). You can also get a Pelican 1010 micro-case which fits this camera nicely for about $13, and a spare Lenmar battery (DLC4L) for about $11 through Amazon. I'm extremely pleased with all the purchases and would highly recommend the TX1 for the family on the go that wants nice pictures & video without lugging a bunch of cumbersome equipment- stick it in your pocket or purse & Go!!!



4. If you're looking an all-in-one that does the job "good" all around, this is it. What you're not going to find is the best camcorder. It's also not the best camera. What it is however, is the best combination of the two, in the smallest size (roughly a pack of cigs). I've taken more video and pictures with this than I have with my "professional" level equipment. I carry this thing around all the time for those impromtu moments.
   
   If you're not going to film the next block buster hit or shoot the cover of Sports illustrated, you'll be MORE than happy with this.



5. It took me many months before I decided to purchase this camera. There are so many reviews, both positive and negative, that it was almost confusing. This camera is really for the individual that wants to be able to take both video and still photography. Is this the best video camera? No. Is it the best still camera? No. Is it the best combo camera? Without a doubt. It offers great versatility and quality in a compact, mobile package.
   
   First let me say that I have shot with a DSLR for years. I love still photography and never thought about going back to point and shoot after owning a Canon Digital Rebel and now a Canon 40D. But over time I wanted something smaller that I could fit in my pocket and take with me to many locations where a DSLR is just too prohibitive. The Canon TX1 was the one for me.
   
   This camera is a just a little wider than some of the small profile Powershot cameras, but it fits very well into the pocket of your pants. It is sturdy and the lens and LCD screen are protected.
   
   Video and Photo Quality:
   I was impressed by both the quality of the videos and photos. The only pitfall is the ratio of still photos is 16:9 unless you go into the menu and switch to 4:3. That's not horrible, but I wish there was a button to easily switch back and forth. The zoom was awesome. The videos and photos have great saturation and color.
   
   Use of Buttons/Camera:
   The buttons are small and if you are going to hold the camera up and record video for 30 minutes it can be a bit of a pain. However, I don't plan on recording 30 straight minutes of video. If I did, I'd likely be on a tripod. The zoom button works very well and smoothly for transitions during video recording.
   
   LCD Display:
   I thought at first it might have too small of a display, however, after using it for a couple of weeks it works very nicely. You can see everything you need to and the quality is excellent and bright.
   
   A couple of side notes:
   -The built in microphone is awesome.
   -My unit got a little warm when I heavily used it (recording lenghtly vids one after the other), but nothing that alarmed me.
   -I picked up 2 Transcend 16GB SDHC CARD (SD 2.0 SPD CLASS 6) with Compact Card Reader and they work great. You get plenty of recording time and photo storage. Fast transfer as well.
   -Some people feel that the camera misses the mark in being the perfect video camera or perfect still camera. It's not for that market. Try the camera out somewhere and you will love it. HD video, awesome still shots, compact form...what more can you ask for under $500? Shop around and you can get a really good deal.

5 comments about Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Silver).

1. Got this camera recently and totally in love with it. Yep, it's not the new modet, but I does alot for the old model.
   Also, if you'd like to have something professional, take Canon EOS 5d)



2. By the time, I am writing this review, I have captured more than 10K pictures on this lovely camera. It takes superb pictures. The picture quality is stunning. I highly recommend buying Canon external Flash for better indoor shoots and Canon EF 70-200mm F4L USM lens for stunning pictures. Value for money and once you get used to DSLR, its hard moving back to point and shoot.
   Great camera.



3. I have owned this camera for about a month now, and it is my first digital SLR. I used to have a Canon film SLR, and a point and shoot as well, and loved them both. So when I decided to get an SLR, Canon was the only choice for me, and I was not disappointed.
   
   This is an excellent camera. It's easy to use, and the pictures are great. The software that comes with the camera is actually pretty good, and I have been quite happy with it so far. I really would recommend this camera to anyone looking into the digital SLR market. There have been documented exposure problems by other users, but I have not noticed anything wrong with the exposure.
   
   I really can't recommend this camera enough.



4. I purchases what I thought to be a "new" camera body. Upon receipt of the package and opening it, it was NOT new, but recently returned to amazon and still had the receipt from the previous purchaser. I can only hope that it was returned to some reason other than it was defective.



5. After taking thousands of pics of my two year old and my new born with my HP point and shoot, I finally gave up. None of the pictures were of the 'moment' or 'expression' I was trying to capture. I was always taking pictures of their backs or their looking away or xxx. Anything but what I wanted. Then the quality of the pictures were never quite right unless I took the picture in full blown day light.
   
   Finally decided to splurge. After extensive research on the Canon XTi vs the Nikon, I ultimately opted for the Canon. I bought it along with the portrait EF 50mm that seems to be highly rated by many. I later purchased the EF 28-105mm. Upon receiving the camera, I went to town taking pics of my little ones. What I found:
   
   Pros:
   - Fast. Very fast. Wow. I've yet to miss a shot.
   - Outstanding pics. Pics with the EF28-105 good. Pics with the EF 50mm, outstanding. Many look like they were taken by a pro. Trust me. I am no pro. I'm a working mom looking for some good pics to put on their website and send to Grandma and Grandpa. On average, with my point and shoot, I'd get 1 out 20 that were worthy of that. Now, I average 5-6 out of 10 at a higher bar of course.
   - Versitile. I can play around with different settings and Canon lenses. Fun but expensive.
   - Battery charges fast. Battery life outstanding. I honestly don't think I've had to charge the batteries but 2-3 times since I bought it five months ago and have taken thousands of pics.
   - The 4GB SD card keeps more pics than I could ever want.
   
   Cons.
   If you are a working kind of mom like I am and just want an awesome camera to take awesome pics, you've found it. However, there is one big downside: it's bigger...way bigger than a point and shoot. It's not as easy to throw in your purse and go out for a splash day. I have found myself leaving it behind because I just didn't want to lug it along with the diaper bag, a toddler and an infant...car seat, snacks, toys, bottles, wipes...etc. The bag is heavy enough. But, those pics are priceless as far as I am concerned and will sacrifice more often than not and find myself glad for having done so.
   
   LENSES. This took me longer to figure out than which camera to buy. I searched for a month before I committed. Given the affordability of the 50mm and its reviews, I opted to do without the kit lens.
   
   Admittedly, I regretted it at first. What!? No zoom. As you can tell, I'm a serious amatuer and didn't know what I was getting into. But, despite the one time I wanted to take a group pic that required me to step clear to the other side of the house to get them in, 99% of the time, I'm trying to get a good close up of my kids...many pics by default at this age tend to be close ups. Then, there is a subtle difference between the pictures I have taken with this lens and the 28-105--crisper, cleaner and outright beautiful color.
   
   The 28-105 is actually not bad especially if you use it with the hood. The zoom is about what I figure I will need at ball games and ballerina recitals when I don't have to worry about lugging a diaper bag and keeping after a climbing/crawling baby. For the price, I figure it's doable.
   
   There you have it, Amazon shopping Moms. I hope this Review was helpful. I found many of the reviews targeting semi-pros so it took a while to sift through it all!