Point and shoot: The little Canon SD750

[pyro]

This is a wicked cool camera. It's kinda like a sexier SD1000 with a bigger LCD display, NO viewfinder, and better button shape/layout. Best Buy is selling them for $219.99 today. I brought one home to play with, not sure who's getting this one for Xmas... Whaddya think Greg?

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/sd750/sd750_front_blk.jpg

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/sd750/sd750_back.jpg

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/sd750.html

[Paul Vaillancourt]

Pyro,
I bought one this summer I think it works great. I am not a photography expert and this camera is easy to use, the battery lasts a long time and I think the pictures look awesome. It has a lot of features and preset picture modes, one I thought was neat is the time lapse video. nice zoom too.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e18/LittleSnakey/IMG_19891.jpg

[Scream And Fly]

Chad, I never tried the 750, but if it's as responsive as the 1000 and provides the same (or better) image quality, it's a steal. I love my 1000 - I take it with me almost everywhere. The battery life is awesome too. I couldn't be happier with mine :)


This is a wicked cool camera. It's kinda like a sexier SD1000 with a bigger LCD display and NO viewfinder. Best Buy is selling them for $219.99 today. I brought one home to play with, not sure who's getting this one for Xmas... Whaddya think Greg?

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/sd750/sd750_front_blk.jpg

[Scott Gilmore]

This is a wicked cool camera. It's kinda like a sexier SD1000 with a bigger LCD display and NO viewfinder. Best Buy is selling them for $219.99 today. I brought one home to play with, not sure who's getting this one for Xmas... Whaddya think Greg?

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/sd750/sd750_front_blk.jpg

If it comes with a free bottle of BOOZE I'm in !!! It does sound cool, my daughter wants a new camera & that sounds like a great price !! Scott :D

[Scream And Fly]

If it comes with a free bottle of BOOZE I'm in !!! It does sound cool, my daughter wants a new camera & that sounds like a great price !! Scott :D

Scott, you can't go wrong with either the SD750 or SD1000. They are very responsive little cameras and they produce fantastic images. I still can't get over how small my SD1000 is too. Really fun camera and the build quality is very impressive.

If you guys want, I'll shoot some samples with my SD1000 tomorrow.

Greg

[Scott Gilmore]

Scott, you can't go wrong with either the SD750 or SD1000. They are very responsive little cameras and they produce fantastic images. I still can't get over how small my SD1000 is too. Really fun camera and the build quality is very impressive.

If you guys want, I'll shoot some samples with my SD1000 tomorrow.

Greg


Greg that would be cool with the sample photos ! Could you shoot some pics of an Allison or a liquor store ?? Thanks, Scott :D

[Paul Vaillancourt]

Greg that would be cool with the sample photos ! Could you shoot some pics of an Allison or a liquor store ?? Thanks, Scott :D

How bout an allison at a liquor store?

[Scott Gilmore]

How bout an allison at a liquor store?

PERFECT !!! Scott :D :D

[halveb]

I came in here looking for an Allison at a liquor store. Guess I'll look elsewhere. :)

[pyro]

I've been playing with this SD750 for a few days, and I'm impressed. I believe the inner workings are the same as the SD1000. The navigating buttons are much better designed. Instead of the flat ring with flat button, it's more of an Xbox-style, with a raised OK button in the middle. MUCH easier to operate this way. Forget the viewfinder, the big display rocks. www.newegg.com seems to have them about as cheap as anybody, anywhere right now.

I took these close-up photos for Ebay with the SD750. Click "supersize":
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250192480715

[Scream And Fly]

Photos of my tiny Canon SD-1000. I love this camera!

http://i3.tinypic.com/71fhxmu.jpg

http://i9.tinypic.com/6t1n42c.jpg


Snapshot taken with the SD-1000:
http://i14.tinypic.com/6u44p3q.jpg

[pyro]

The other minor detail I forgot about, is that the SD750 doesn't have a shoot/playback switch. It uses a play button like a pro cam instead. It reverts back to shooting mode if you tap the shutter button again to shoot. No more missed opportunities "because I forgot to switch it back.) ;) Nothing's idiot-proof, there's still a switch on the top for still/video/scene.

I like how these model Canons don't have a big "dial" switch with tons of extra modes. People are always accidentally bumping those cameras out of their easy AUTO mode, and forgetting to check where it's set. The consumer market seems to like big, bright displays, quick shooting, and simplicity.

[bits&pieces]

I saw the 1000 for $219 with a bundle kit@ circuit city, I like the view finder(quess I'm old skoll) plus at 52 yrs when i see what i want in view I know i got it! haven't deciened yet thanks for the review Pyro:cool:

[Scream And Fly]

Here's a quick, no-flash shot macro shot with the SD1000:

http://i10.tinypic.com/8b8gl7n.jpg

[pyro]

Ah yes, that new Les Paul. Looks nice. Are you actually going to PLAY it?

[Scream And Fly]

Ah yes, that new Les Paul. Looks nice. Are you actually going to PLAY it?

lol, yeah. I bought this one as my 'all-around use/recording' guitar.

[99fxst99]

Pyro, does it shoot immediatly? My Sony has to think a second or so when I hit the button.

[99fxst99]

Oh, does it do video too?

[pyro]

OK, to cover a couple of points:

ALL cameras take TIME to measure light and auto-focus.
To overcome this, aim at your subject, and hold the shutter button halfway.
The metering and focus will lock (usually also showing WHAT object it intends to focus on) The camera will usually "beep" to indicate that it's locked in.
When you press the button fully, the shot should go off almost instantaneously.
If your subject moves after "holding it halfway", let go, and hold the button halfway again to re-focus. There should be little or no delay if it's already locked in on the subject.
ALL DIGITAL CAMERAS WORK THIS WAY.

Even if you insist on pushing the button fully and "waiting", the SD750 focuses and meters faster than any of the other pocket cams I've tried.

The SD750 DOES do MPG video, it's capable of shooting at broadcast-quality 640x480 at 30 frames per second with mono audio. It's limited only by the size of the memory card installed.

[Scream And Fly]

I can say that the SD1000 that I have takes great video for a small camera - more than good enough for YouTube. I've said this before and I'll say it again, I absolutely love this little camera.

http://i31.tinypic.com/1zyabrl.jpg

http://i30.tinypic.com/m7taih.jpg

[pyro]

(the guts of the Canon SD1000 and SD750 are pretty much identical)

:D

[Stinky]

Hey guys

I got the SD750 for Christmas. Not alot to shoot up here but snow, but hope to start playing with it alot this spring.

Any tips or tricks for settings and such would be appriciated.

Also, how do you post such large pics on here? Isn't the limit around 100k. I'd like to post a few pics for critique. (nothing artsy, just seeing what the camera can do.

Thanks
Lee

[Scream And Fly]

Hi Lee,

The default settings on the camera should be good, but if you want to add more punch to the camera's images, set it to "Vivid" and that will give them a color and contrast boost (though a bit too much at times).

Re: posting images - have a look at this thread (http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144623). That should cover it all, but if you need any assistance, let me know.

Greg

[pyro]

This is EASY:

Go to an image hosting site such as
www.tinypic.com or
www.imageshack.us

There will be a "Browse..." button, click it, choose the photo from your computer, (be sure to click the re-size feature, size to 800x600), and click "upload." The next page will give you various types of image code which can be copied-and-pasted into a forum post. (Use the "IMG code for forums" code box.) The block of code will be replaced with the appropriate photo in the final post. :D

I think the "vivid" and boosted-saturation modes on many of these cameras are a bit over-the-top in some certain situations where there's already some very strong colors. It tends to cause large areas of highlights and midtones to clip, or fully saturate the color scale, distorting the true color shades. A couple of my favorite sunset shots were nearly ruined by having my Nikon D80 set this way. If you use a higher-saturation mode, you may want to underexpose shots by -0.7 or -1.0 EV just to play it safe, to discourage clipping and over-saturation in the highlights. Some cameras like my D80 already have the tendency to blow out highlights anyway, so I usually set mine to underexpose everything just a bit.

[Stinky]

I think the "vivid" and boosted-saturation modes on many of these cameras are a bit over-the-top. .


Thanks all for the info. I'll try to set up a photo site tonight if I have time.

I have not tried the vivid yet, but I do use the Cannon software to play with the saturation,brightness, contrast etc.

Do you get about the same results with the software as the in camera setting.

:cool:

[pyro]

SHAKY, one-handed video below shot with the SD750, and edited with Windows Movie Maker, which is included with Windows XP. Very easy.

<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=28548822">Snowmobiling near Cadillac, MI</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=28548822&v=2&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=28548822&title=Snowmobiling near Cadillac, MI">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home">More Videos</a>

[pyro]

I used a second SD750 to take these close-up macro shots of the camera's controls. Here you can see the shape of the buttons. They're very easy to feel, and the little tab on the zoom toggle is easier to grab with your fingertip than the older SD1000 design.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6407/img0745axe0.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6900/img0749azy1.jpg

[polaris]

i like the 750 also but how much battery time do you think it has and do you need to keep a backup battery with you ?

[seahorse]

Just want to mention that the price for the SD750 is down to $179.95 at Circuit City & Best Buy, and $169.95 from B&H Photo. From either place it is a heck of a buy for what the camera can do.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/484779-REG/Canon_2239B001_PowerShot_SD750_Digital_Elph.html

[pyro]

I saw the same thing last weekend at Best Buy!
The higher SD models with IS stabilization are the hot ticket now.

I'm going to buy more memory cards and see if I can do some more event videos with this little camera this year instead of using the big Sony.

[Casey]

Greg and Chad,

Amanda's Nikon Coolpix L1 met the pavement one to many times so i need to get her something little and cheap to keep in her purse.

Which Canon or Nikon are the hot ticket right now? Still the SD750? I tried to talk her into taking my D80 and getting me a D300, but she didn't go for that.

[pyro]

I just helped my neighbor pick out a camera for his daughter, and I ordered it from www.bhphotovideo.com

I chose the Canon SD870 IS. It has a WIDER wide angle than the SD750 and a little more zoom too. It's a little thicker than the SD750. The image stabilization is GREAT. It was $245 at B&H. Get an extra mem card or two, because it only comes with a "try-out" 32MB card. The SanDisk Extreme III cards have a $10 rebate right now. BUT- If you buy 3 cards at $30 each for $90 total, you can get a $50 mail-in rebate. Now you have $14 high-speed memory cards, fast enough to use in a SLR in burst mode.

Nikon makes a chunky point-and-shoot camera with crazy 18X zoom if you're into that kinda thing. It's not too pricey. As far as the chunky zoomy cameras go, I like the Canon S5 IS. You can't take a bad picture with it.

None of these cameras will truly ever have the image quality and true resolution of a 6 MP dSLR, but they're damn good for the money, and you can take them with you anywhere.

The Canons have the fastest startup time, fastest metering and focusing, and fastest recovery time of all the compact cams I've tried out.

[Casey]

I looked at the Canons, but ended up picking up a Nikon CoolPix S210 (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012902nikons210.asp). The start up is way faster then our other little Nikon's, plus it's tiny and looks sweet. For $150 shipped i couldn't go wrong :thumbsup:

http://cgudgell.smugmug.com/photos/359868498_r48x8-S.jpg

[Casey]

That piece of crap already broke, it's giving her some error message. I just went to Sam's and picked her up a Canon PowerShot SD770 IS for Christmas.

I hope i did ok with the 770?

http://www.itechnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/canon-powershot-sd770-is-digital-elph-camera.jpg

[pyro]

Casey, The SD770is is a decent camera. The only drawback is has the flat buttons like the SD1000/SD1100is, which I find to be more difficult to "feel" under your fingertip:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/canon_sd770is/canon_sd770is_back.jpg

Stay away from the SD790is. The buttons and "rotating" finger dial control on the back are a royal pain in the ass. Try out a few of them at the sales counter, the little texture dots wear down smooth. You'll have to lick your finger to make it go around after it wears out:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/canon_sd790is/canon_sd790is_back.jpg

The SD890is is a kick-ass camera, but more expensive. The "rim" dial control in the is a great design. The button layout is alright, but I like the 750 and 870 layout a bit better.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/canon_sd890is/canon_sd890is_back.jpg


The SD870is is my favorite of their lineup right now. It's not the best, not the cheapest, but it's compact, and has the best balance of function and feel, with a decent price:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/canon_sd870/canon_sd870_back.jpg

Notice the two cameras at the bottom ^^ have a PLAY "button" like a high-end SLR, rather than the shoot/play switch found on most models. This is favorable, becase it returns to shooting mode when you tap the shutter button. No need to move the switch. No more "oops, hold on" when you're shooting. :)

The Wal-Mart down here has a SH*T selection of point-and-shoot digital cameras. They don't have any of the decent Canon models.

[STV_Keith]

Love my SD850is

[pyro]

Love my SD850is

I've never played with one of those. It looks like a cool camera!
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/canon_sd850/canon_sd850_back.jpg

[STV_Keith]

Works quite well. The 800 has a little less zoom, and wider angle, but otherwise the 800/850's are the same. Sometimes it gets a little grainy in low light, but shoots good 98% of the time. Video mode goes 61 minutes or until you run out of card (my 8gb card will let me shoot 2 x 61min vids, not that I'd do that). Does good underwater in the underwater case too. :D

http://a171.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/50/l_05b9f11e291324d4a8b9f69492e25462.jpg