Canon PowerShot SD790IS 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Reviews

• The Canon SD790 IS - A Great All-Around Point & Shoot Camera

  
  By A17BUUBOU0598B on 2008-05-31
  
  Canon's 790 IS is a great all-around point and shoot Camera. Canon has been playing with various mixes of features and prices with their newer models. The model numbers are confusing, but I've gone through a few new models recently and hope this extra info may help you.
  
  Even though I do own a few older Canon DSLRs, for point and shoot I've been leaning more towards Nikon's Coolpix S series for the better pricing and some features. I did a lot of research into the various models in this price range. The 790IS stands up well against the competition. And for my needs it's more appealing than Canon's SD890IS , SD950IS, SD770IS or SD1100IS models.
  
  ** The Nikon Coolpix S52c with Wi-Fi has all the good stuff that's included with the Nikon Coolpix S52 plus a wireless antenna for uploading pictures without syncing to your PC. Either of these is a better value than the Canon 790 or 770 at about 30% less. To be fair though, they cost less for a reason, since Canon has owned this market segment for a while.
  
  ** 10 megapixels is a good capacity on the higher end for point and shoot cameras. I wouldn't expect it to produce better pictures than 8 or 9 MP models. You may have good reason to set your image size smaller within the camera. However having the *option* of more megapixel's gives you certain large image format options you wouldn't otherwise have. Hence the meaning behind the much maligned statement, "more never hurts." That doesn't mean you always want to use more, but it's nice to be able to versus other cameras. The 770 and 890 each also offer 10 MP and the 950 offers 12 MP, though at a much higher price. The Nikon S600 also has 10 MP. The 9 MP of the Nikon S52c was enough for me, so the 790's 10 MP is a slight upgrade.
  
  ** 3x optical zoom is also a perfect amount that tends to not result in blurred photos. The 950IS and the 870IS each has 5x optical zoom, but both have smaller screens and thicker bodies. Digital zoom is irrelevant to me.
  
  ** Canon's image processing is faster and more reliable than on my Nikon. The built-in image stabilization, face detection and motion detection reduce blur. I simply wouldn't consider a Canon without IS at this point.
  
  **Just like the Nikon, and unlike many other Canon models I was looking into, the 3 inch LCD screen is too beautiful to ignore. No view-finder here, but with this beautiful screen you don't really need one. The Nikon's screen is best of all, and made from a nicer glass that seems more durable. But this Canon is just as big and very nice as well.
  
  ** In terms of memory compatibility, Canon's lead this group. Just like the Nikon they support SD and larger SDHC cards. And they also support the wide range of MMC, MMC Plus, and HC MMC Plus. No usable card is included, but you can get a nice 8 GB SDHC for only 30 or 40 bucks.
  
  ** All those common extras for in-camera editing are included here. The Canon has a lot of extra shooting modes too. These may aid casual users a lot, but you have to spend some time studying the manual and playing with them. I haven't used them all a great deal, but I'm generally happy with using minimal adjustments instead of the shooting modes.
  
  ** The control wheel and buttons are intuitive but not as tactile as on the Nikon. I'm not crazy about the flattened buttons. But if you really want a Canon with a 3 inch screen, you give up the buttons. As for the wheel, those not used to it should have no trouble adjusting.
  
  ** The other advantage of the Nikon S52 is the internal zoom. That means no waiting for the lens to zoom in and out, and no worries about the mechanical issues with those external lens extension cameras. It is possible to view pictures on the 790 IS without activating the lens by pressing the view button. But for taking pictures, the lens articulates out.
  
  ** The slim chiseled body of this Canon is very comparable to the S52 and more attractive than the rounder and fatter 870, 890 and 950. I still prefer the Nikon body design, but the Canon definitely feels more solid in your hand.
  
  ** Picture taking is better feeling on the Canon, with a more effective button design, less lag and faster shutter. It's true that some manual controls aren't available here, but it's a point and shoot. Step up to a bridge model like the Canon G9 or the Nikon P80 if you want more manual controls.
  
  ** Low light performance is better with the Canon in auto but better with the Nikon when the ISO is set manually. On balance I think the S52 is better in this area.
  
  ** The wireless upload feature is a nice extra on the S52c. Connecting to a wireless access point takes some time. This is not a feature I plan on using often, but considering even the S52c is significantly less pricey than the 790 it's almost like a freebee. Upload speeds are too slow for video, but for pictures it will do in a pinch.
  
  ** The video recording features are pretty similar but slightly better on the Canon. The video quality is great on both and sound quality could be improved on both.
  
  ** The Canon PowerShot SD870IS and the Nikon Coolpix S600 each offer widescreen lenses. The 790IS is on the cusp of wide-lens aperture. The SD870IS is clearly the most popular camera in that group. Like the S600 it also has an externally articulating lens, so it's less compact than the S52. The S600 is a serious competitor but the 790IS is still nicer looking and the 870IS is much more popular. The 870IS has a ton of in depth reviews out there, so look them up.
  
  ** All of the ELPHs have proprietary rechargeable batteries. Plan on recharging them often and buying a spare battery. You'll also need to buy a little case for this camera. Some bridge models like the Nikon Coolpix P60, Canon PowerShot A590IS and Canon PowerShot A720IS offer the convenience of AA batteries. If you plan on travelling a lot internationally, being able to use AAs comes in handy.
  
  
  This is a great camera, and probably the best Elph out there right now.
  
  1) If you plan on shooting a lot in auto mode and want a thin camera with the 3 inch screen, the 790IS is the way to go.
  2) If you think you might use the Wifi upload feature, prefer the internal lens or are looking for the best value, the S52c or S52 is the way to go.
  3) If you don't need the 3 inch screen and just prefer Canon to Nikon, go with the 770 IS or the 1100 IS to save some cash.
  4) If you need something that doesn't force you to use those proprietary batteries and chargers, check out the P60, A590 or A720.
  5) If you want a little wider lens capabilities and don't mind spending a little more cash, look at Nikon S600 and the very popular Canon 870IS.
  
  I know this is a lot to digest. I hope you can benefit from this info and the recent spree of camera purchases I've made.
  
  Enjoy your new camera.
  
  
  

• Absolutely Fantastic Camera

  
  By A1CS6FGM6TMQ3D on 2008-05-05
  Canon PowerShot SD790IS 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
  
  I did a lot of research before purchasing this camera. I have been disappointed and frustrated by the last three or four digital cameras I purchased, and got a little wiser this time. I mostly use my cameras for vacations and snapshots, nothing earthshattering, but I have, in the past, had a lot of trouble with blurry, vague, dark pictures, except with my very large digital Kodak, which is too big to take on an upcoming trip.
  I purchased a 4G highspeed sd card and an extra battery and leather case along with this camera. When I received it, I charged it, actually read the manual, then started taking lots of photos, and I am having a great time with it. Maybe this will turn me into a half way decent photographer.
  My initial battery charge is lasting a very long time, (two weeks +, and it is still fully charged) and the pictures are the best I have ever taken.
  I am blown away by all the things this camera will do, and how easy it is to figure out, all in a small but sturdy package.
  Most of all, I am super happy with the quality of the photos, and cannot recommend this camera highly enough. I was a little concerned initially at the lack of an optical view finder, but the screen is excellent, and its brightness level is adjustable. The camera turns on and is ready to use almost instantly, and focusses quickly. Pictures turn out sharp and clear, even with the flash, the zoom works easily with a very accessible button, and there is absolutely no red eye.
  I cannot give you a very technical review, I am just a regular casual user.
  I am very impressed, having fun, and cannot recommend this camera highly enough, it exceeds all my expectations.
  
  
  

• Comparing Canon PowerShot Digital ELPH cameras

  
  By A10G4BPT5MGBHY on 2008-06-09
  As a travel writer I spend a lot of time at Walt Disney World, and Canon PowerShot Digital Elphs are the most common cameras I see. Families seem to love them, because they're so easy to carry and operate. About the size of a deck of playing cards, each of these "pocket cameras" really do slip right into a pants pocket, and their rectangular designs make them easy to grip. Best of all, they all take good photos. (How do I know? Because I've actually gotten to use every one of these models. Nearly every day guests ask me to take photos of them with their own cameras, which most often are Canon PowerShot Digital Elphs.)
  
  Here's my breakdown of the ten bestselling Digital Elph models. Any of the first six are superb choices:
  
  1ST PLACE: SD1100 IS
  An update to the SD1000 (see below), this 2008 8MP beauty adds image stabilization, a slightly longer zoom (38-114 mm), another MP of photo size and a small indent on the right side for a better grip. Plus it comes in colors! My daughter has a blue one and uses it every single day. During school days the image stabilization made a real difference in her on-the-bus shots. With that heavy of use hers has gotten scratched up a bit, but the marks are small and hardly noticeable.
  
  2ND PLACE: SD870 IS
  The ELPH to buy if you want a wide-angle lens. Slightly thicker than the SD1100 IS, this 8MP model doesn't have an optical viewfinder which makes it tough to use in bright sunlight, otherwise there's little not to love. My husband uses one as a comp camera, to compose shots for the travel guide "The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World."
  
  3RD PLACE: SD770 IS
  Just released in May, this 10 MP model is, in a way, an update of the SD1100 IS (see above). I rate it lower because it costs about $50 more and doesn't come in colors. On the other hand, it has a longer battery life than the 1100 and features an improved LCD screen that is very easy to view. As for photo quality, I can't tell the difference.
  
  4TH PLACE: SD950 IS
  There's a lot to like in this 12.1 MP camera. First off, it's gorgeous. The body, though a little thick, is titanium. An upgrade to the SD850 IS (see below), it has a 3.7x zoom lens and adds manual controls as well as the ability to stitch together panoramic images. The only reason I don't rate it higher is the price.
  
  5TH PLACE: SD890 IS
  Want a long zoom lens? Here's your baby, a 2008 10 MP model with a 5x zoom. Also has the new bright LCD screen and all the other 2008 Canon goodies. The most expensive Canon PowerShot ELPH.
  
  6TH PLACE: SD790 IS (The camera on this page)
  With the same 10 MP image sensor and 3x zoom lens as the SD770 IS, this 2008 model stands out only for its larger 3-inch LCD display and, as a result, lack of optical viewfinder. The rear controls are different, too, with a flatter design that uses fewer buttons.
  
  7TH PLACE: SD1000
  In my opinion there's no reason to buy this 7.1 MP model. Released in 2007, it's been replaced by the SD1100 IS (see above). The SD1000 is a fine camera, but it doesn't have image stabilization, a key feature of the 2008 lineup. We have one ourselves, although we don't use it anymore since we got the 1100.
  
  8TH PLACE: SD850 IS
  The ancestor to the SD890 IS, this 8 MP Elph combines a 4x zoom and 8 MP photo size with an image stabilizer. Every button, dial and switch has a quality feel. Slighter larger than the other models here, it is a little tougher to pop in and out of your pocket, but if you have larger hands it may be just what you are looking for.
  
  9TH PLACE: SD800 IS
  This 7.1 MP predecessor to the 870 doesn't focus well at its edges when set at its widest angle. Unless it's priced really cheap, get the 870 instead.
  
  10TH PLACE: SD750
  The 2007 PowerShot flagship offers a light meter that adjusts for facial brightness, 17 shooting modes, some first-rate movie features and red-eye correction -- features that were innovative a year ago but are common in Canon's latest models. No image stabilization; no optical viewfinder. Choose a 2008 model instead.
  
  

• good pocket cam

  
  By A1HMQ71YXISCCA on 2008-05-22
  I had a panasonic pocket cam, but I scratched up the screen!!!! So... I was able to return it and get another pocket cam. The model of panasonic that I had was unavailable at the store where I returned it. Therefore I decided to get this canon since I have had good luck with canons previously. (I own a rebel xti and a canon a75. Both of them are too large to carry in my pocket.)
  
  Ultimately, all pocket cams suffer from the size of their minuscule sensors. Anything but the lowest ISO setting will show some noise and the dynamic range is fairly low. But that's what DSLR's are for. Of course DSLR's have one huge drawback. I can't fit any of them in my pocket!
  
  On to the review.
  
  First off, I would like to get my biggest complaint out of the way. That little spinning wheel SUCKS!!! It is far too sensitive. Also, the designers of this camera made the little function/set button in the middle of the wheel too small in order to accommodate said wheel. Hence, four stars instead of five.
  
  Now for the best thing about this camera: THE SCREEN! Bright, fairly accurate, legible from all angles, and contrasty. (Is that a word?) There will never be a need for a peephole viewfinder (which this camera lacks). Even in bright sun, I can be fairly confident about the results of each shot. Hallelujah! Most surprisingly, there seems to be some kind of anti-reflective coating. And the coating actually works! Blacks look black and bright external lights don't obscure the view.
  
  There are even a few hidden features that I am extremely happy with. (I say "hidden" because I never would have figured them out without the instruction manual.) Hidden bonus #1) Exposure lock and FLASH EXPOSURE LOCK. This means that I can actually attempt to get some control over the output level of the flash. I have never seen this feature on any other pocket cam. I would recommend reading the instruction manual to learn how to do these things. I don't want to give step by step instructions in a review.
  
  Hidden item 2) the "my colors" mode. Once this mode is accessed, the color saturation, contrast and sharpness can be adjusted to taste. Once I figured this out, I immediately turned the contrast all the way down. Now I am able to avoid blown highlights in high contrast situations more easily. And portraits are also better with lower contrast. Sure, dynamic range is still limited, but it helps to have this kind of control. One other thing: a little saturation boost looks good to me. Your results may vary.
  
  Hidden item 3) grid lines. This puts lines across the lcd which break the composition into thirds. (Those of you who know about the rule of thirds will appreciate this.) I can keep straight lines fairly straight (assuming lens distortion hasn't curved the straight lines) and I can use the intersection of lines to apply the rule of thirds. (I would recommend a google search of "rule of thirds.")
  
  Hidden item 4) aspect ratio masking. This means that I can choose to have gray shaded bars at the top and bottom of the screen which will show what I will get from a 4x6 print. I like to print my pics at a popular warehouse store (rhymes with bosco) and in the past it has been frustrating to receive prints which crop away the edges of my careful in- camera framing of a shot. Now I can pre-visualize the results of a 4x6 print while I shoot. Amen brother.
  
  One last complaint: these cameras should be made available in black. Not silver with a little "black eye" in the middle. My panasonic was black. Damn.
  
  One more complaint: Hey Canon people!!! Figure out a more creative name than "powershot sd 790 is." My recommendation: paint it black with a skull and crossbones. Call it the "poison cam." Okay, maybe not. But, seriously, how many times can a new model with yet another number designation suffice? 790,870,950,911, 666 the camera of the beast!!! Enough with the stinkin' numbers!
  
  One last recommendation: use caution when carrying a camera in a jacket pocket or (worse still) pants pocket. I ruined my panasonic by carrying it in the same pocket as a set of keys. Luckily, my brain has two distinct, separate lobes which don't slosh around in my skull damaging each other like my keys damaged my camera. (What a lousy metaphor!) I bought this case and it's a perfect fit.Tamrac 5204 T4 Digital Camera Bag (Black)
  
  In conclusion, I expect that I will use this camera quite often owing largely to its diminutive proportions. (Hopefully, its diminutive proportions don't mean that it will be lost!) I just need to make sure not to accidentally spin that stupid little wheel. Oh well, perhaps I can cut a little piece of gaffer's tape to hold it still.
  ------------------
  update to review
  ------------------
  Order this battery: Lenmar DLC5L Lithium-ion Digital Camera/Camcorder Battery Equivalent to the Canon NB-5L Battery Works great for a great price.
  
  Another good thing about this camera: it is possible to view images on the camera's screen without extending the lens. With the camera turned off, just hold down the play button to turn on image playback. The lens won't pop out.
  The extending lens design of this and many other point and shoot cameras seems to me the most likely element to be damaged. Some cameras avoid this issue by utilizing a lens design whereby the zoom lens is entirely contained inside the camera housing. I'm not entirely certain whether internal zoom lenses are equal in quality to extending zoom lenses.
  
  Another thing I have noticed is that I can't really see any difference between "fine" and "super fine" jpegs. One thing is certain. The fine jpegs take up less file space.
  Also, 10 megapixel files ("large" jpeg setting) seem like overkill for such a tiny sensor. I haven't done any valid comparisons, but I suspect that setting this camera to record 6 megapixel images may look just fine and would also save on file size. I have a Canon A75 which makes great 8x10 prints even though it only has 3.2 megapixel resolution. If this camera is used to make poster-size prints, that little bit of extra resolution may help. But, then again, maybe not. I know of at least one article on the internet which suggests that 6 mp may be the "sweet spot" for sensors of the size contained in this camera. I will need to compare prints made from files of different resolutions to know for sure. If I remember, I will eventually post my opinion here. I would appreciate if anyone more knowledgeable in this area could post a comment.
  
  
  

• Great pocket camera

  
  By A1SIU0DAKP8Q0X on 2008-04-29
  I bought this camera to replace a 3 year old Panasonic. The Canon's features and picture output are great. The image stabilization really works well and allows me to capture on the fly shots of my family. The only negative I have with the camera is a nitpick, its a wee bit too wide, I wish they could have made it a bit smaller.
  
  
• Canon Powershot SD790IS Review by [...]
  By A1H3SBUUQX9LF8 on 2008-05-20
  Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2BS3DS7IC25I6
  
  
• Excellent Camera and Great Pictures
  By ALA188X1MZWXD on 2008-05-14
  I purchased this SD790IS after having only used Canon cameras through the years. This camera is excellent. The body is made of out of thin metal and is very strong, unlike the SD770IS, which is made out of plastic. Picture quality is also excellent, offering sharp 10MP images. The flash recharge speed is extremely fast when compared to other thin digital cameras. The 3 inch screen is great and I don't miss having an optical viewfinder. Image stabilization is also a nice feature. Overall a great purchase and it was shipped fast from Amazon.com
  
  
• Truly Point & Shoot - A Fantastic Camera
  By A3N3ZQ2MXCMNSB on 2008-07-01
  I'm getting married in two months, so I began looking for a camera for use on the honeymoon, to replace my Casio EX-Z57.
  
  I'm hardly a professional photographer; mostly I take pictures of family and friends in party situations, or scenery.
  
  Ideally my new camera would fit easily in my pocket, would have a large LCD screen suitable for reviewing pictures at parties, and would produce great pictures on the "automatic" settings. Manual settings are lost on me; I don't want to mess with the F-stop setting, white balance, or focus.
  
  I started doing quite a bit of research, and was a little intimidated by the number of models on the market. I created a spreadsheet to sort through the 25 most popular models on amazon.
  
  My primary criteria was:
  
  LCD Screen Size
  Thickness
  Resolution
  
  Secondary Were:
  
  Optical Zoom
  Price
  
  This camera ended up on top. I summoned my courage, added it to my cart, and hit "checkout".
  
  I received the camera 3 days later, and fell in love on the first day of using it.
  
  Observations:
  
  The 3.0" LCD screen is bright, and is clearly visible even in bright sun. I don't miss the viewfinder.
  
  The camera is very small (3.6 x 2.2 x 0.8) and fits easily into my pocket. Surprisingly light, much more so than my old Casio, which was the same approximate dimensions (3.5 x 2.3 x 0.8).
  
  Pictures taken on the "auto" mode look beautiful, both on the computer screen and my 42" plasma. Colors seem accurate, and everything is very crisp. People's faces don't look washed out, or orange. For additionaly testing, I took pictures in bright sun, of faraway objects, and things up close (about 4 inches), and everything came out great.
  
  Video is surprisingly good, but VERY file sizes are large. My first video was about a minute and a half, and was about 150 Megabytes. Played on Playstation 3 (the Casio wouldn't).
  
  The 3x optical zoom works fine. I expected a little more for a camera in this pricerange, but I realize you have to sacrifice something for a camera to be this thin.
  
  Concerns:
  
  I was worried that I wouldn't like the "new" buttons, which aren't actually buttons at all, but similar to a Motorola Razr. They work well so far though.
  
  The scroll wheel. It actually rotates, unlike one you'd see on an iPod. As a mechanical engineer, I know moving parts will wear out. Durability may be an issue, but on the plus side, it has really improved navigation through the menus.
  
  Overall, it's a fantastic camera, and has exceeded all my expectations. I would reccommend it without reservations to any of my friends, and am looking forward to the pictures it will take of my honeymoon.
  
  5-Stars
  
  
• Lens Error. Restart Camera -- Flaw in Canon Camera
  By A1C4ZMO0E8HGKJ on 2008-07-30
  My parents bought me this camera about a month and a half ago and while I liked the various advanced features it offered, the camera is much more complex than I would have wanted. There is a bit of a learning curve involved in figuring out the different modes and options, and I feel that this camera is for the more advanced user, as opposed to the casual photographer.
  
  My main complaint about this camera, however, is that after having dropped it once (while the camera was on and the lens was open), the camera gave me a "Lens Error. Restart Camera" message and the camera would not function again, no matter what I tried! Apparently this is flaw on most models of Canon cameras (also known as the e18 error) and it will now cost $100+ to replace the lens!
  
  This camera might have great reviews for its quality of images, various features and overall performance; however, it certainly does not deserve any praise for its durability. Beware, if you happen to drop this camera, the very same lens error might happen to you!
  
  
• Impressed
  By A1F5GS58H4XXBJ on 2008-07-09
  Now first things first. I am upgrading from a Sony p-72 3.2 mega pixel camera that I got back in 2003. So there are many cameras out there that would be a big step up.
  I was only interested in a point and shoot and it had to be compact for traveling purposes. I would love a DSLR but they are pricey, bulky and did not fit my daily needs.
  
  I started reading around for a month or so to see what was out there and read all the pros and cons. I have read so much that I finally grew sick of it. In its basic form, all point and shoot cameras have +'s and -'s. It all depends on features that are most important to you and how you will be using the camera.
  
  After many reviews, forums, and websites I decided to go with the Canon 790IS. I was very apprehensive on the quality of picture this camera would provide due to manufacturers pushing the limitations of the sensor. The sweet spot for most point and shoots are 6-8MP.
  
  So what drew me to this camera?
  I was really impressed with the size, screen size, material that the camera was made out of (not cheap plastic), and most of the automated settings which make the camera very easy/quick .
  
  I didn't want to have to mess with manual settings on a point and shoot. My impression of a point and shoot is it is ready to go when I need it. Maybe 5-10 seconds to change the macro but that is it. If I have to spend much more than that, great picture opportunities would be lost.
  
  So I took the plunge and bought it here off of Amazon in addition to a 8 gig Sandisk ultra II for pictures and a spare battery.
  
  I am not going to go into what the camera comes with as other people have done a great job with that already.
  
  After three days of waiting, I got the camera.
  
  I was quickly impressed on the startup speed of the camera and quality of the pictures. I took 150 in the first day. The battery is still going strong.
  
  I also tried the higher ISO settings and they will only be good on a tripod. The 3200 iso macro that is in the camera is really good. It downgrades the 10 MP to 2ish but makes a really dark shot seem to be early evening. I used it many times and it worked great. Way better than what I am use to. You can do it manually but need to keep the camera stable or you will get a blur.
  
  I have had the camera for almost a month and I am very pleased with it.
  You can't go wrong with the Amazon price. It is 100$ lower than retail.
  The camera is very well built and does an excellent job as a point and shoot. Even quick when using the flash. So again, you need to look at what you will use the camera for and what features are important to you. This one satisfied all of my requirements and I am very happy with my purchase.
  
  As a side note:
  I recommend getting a screen protector for the large screen. It will be easily scratched if you put in your pocket with change or other objects.
  Just keep in mind you get what you pay for in screen protectors. Boxwave ones are highly rated and last forever. IT would suck to get a scratch across that beautiful 3inch screen.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Amazing Camera
  By A1IKN2G6RWYEEY on 2008-08-10
  I bought this camera before going on a European Cruise (I'm American).
  
  Pros:
  1. Camera films great standard video (640 by 480).
  2. Camera pictures are good under all lighting conditions and are 10 MP.
  3. Camera does TIME-LAPSE video, taking a picture every 1 or 2 seconds (you choose) to film scenes over a long time. I used it to video a home renovation project. It was a lot of fun to look at afterwards.
  4. Camera can sense which way you're holding the camera and shifts the image on the screen just like the iPhone does! Great during playback of video and still shots to always fill up the whole screen.
  5. Camera has a lot of interesting special effects, like color swap, black and white with only one color developed (ex: black and white landscape with blue sky showing as blue).
  6. Very small and easy to put in your pocket. It was great for my trip. I left my bulky 10MP SLR and Mini-DV camcorder at home, why lug that stuff around when this camera takes awesome pictures and video!
  7. Can take 1000 high quality pictures (10MP) with one 4GB card or 45 minutes of video!
  8. The camera can track and recognize your face so that it always focuses on your face. This is amazing because you can watch it track (little white square) a person's face on the viewfinder as you set up a shot.
  9. HUGE screen. I didn't buy a case and the screen never became scratched.
  10. It shows you how much battery life you have left. Batteries lasted over a day with very heavy use of taking and viewing both video and TONS of pictures. I bought an extra battery just in case. Batteries were fully charged in under 2 hours.
  
  Cons:
  1. It takes maybe 5 minutes to get used to the menu system, but after the initial learning curve it's easy to use.
  2. The 4GB memory cards couldn't be read by the photo shop or my SD card reader because the larger GB format is new and requires updated card reader equipment.
  
  
  
• There is a maximum amount of good, and it ain't here
  By A1P5TI3RAOE207 on 2008-09-09
  There is a fixed amount of improvement in a camera, and this is obvious in the SD 790. The quality is impressive and the camera is small, compact and feels right in hand despite being so small. The screen is amazingly large, giving the photographer unexpected amounts of image when previewing pictures. The qualiy of the screen is very good and the image stabilization makes a huge difference.
  
  However, one must be careful that these qualities start eating in the robustness of this camera.
  
  For example, the camera is compact and to achieve a size smaller than a deck of cards, the viewfinder had to go. That limits angle from which you can preview and you may get some pictures wrong because you look at the previewing screen from an angle that you can't see well. The compact size limits the length of the zoom also.
  
  To get a large screen you expose a large surface of ... well ... LCD panel. This becomes easier to break and I I sadly learned, once that is broken you can;t use the camera since it does not have a viewfinder.
  
  
  
  
• Surprisingly good point and shoot
  By A2K2DPW8RA9ZWO on 2008-05-17
  Just bought my first digital camera after only shooting film slrs for over 30 years. Picture quality is outstanding and the output is as good as the film prints you're going to get from the average photo shop.
  
  It's chock full of nice features such as time lapse, multiple shooting modes and more.
  
  I've spent some time using photoshop to inspect the jpegs that come out of the camera and I'm really impressed. It's not going to replace an slr, but for just knocking around and taking pictures it is outstanding
  
  
• CANNON! There is no substitution....
  By AUP0YSR8IRJYB on 2008-07-10
  I just got my first Cannon today and I'm impressed with the technology which went into this camera. I did a lot of research on this camera before I bought it. Unlike the lousy SONY I owned before it. Cannon is the only brand of digital camera's that is consistently top rated for picture clarity. After having the Sony for 6 mos. I can really appreciate that characteristic. There is too many cool feature's about this product to list so you'll just have to read the spec's on it yourself.Canon PowerShot SD790IS 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom However, the feature's which stand out the most are the stitch assist and the computer-less printing abilities. The stitch assist allows you to bridge multiple picture's together to create a panoramic picture. You don't have to worry about lining the pic's up perfectly either, the camera automatically does it for you. Secondly, The picture bridging ( computer-less printing) allows you to crop, select multiple images for same page printing, select paper size and image size all from your camera. Face detection on this little gem is also pretty outstanding. While detecting a face, it magnifies just the face for your approval before you take that 10 mega-pixel work of art. So, before you waste money on any other brand, do your own research. You'll see, Cannon reign's supreme!
  
  
• Excellent camera, I couln't be happier..!!!!
  By A1SFY8OF0B49TZ on 2008-05-04
  I tried several digital cameras before, mostly Sony and Nikon and I kept felling unhappy with the shots taken, finally I decided to give Canon a try, the camera is EXCELLENT, the color quality is precise and the performance is the best I've seen. I am a Canon fan now.
  
  
• My Newfound Love
  By A3AQXNELPYDV6D on 2008-05-17
  There isn't much to write here cause great reviews were given already but I just wanted to add my 2 cents about how wonderful this camera is. Its an upgrade for me, previously having the Sd 750.
  And since getting this camera, I haven't taken my fingers off it. Im just pointing and shooting at anything. And its so good 2 of my family members have bought this camera.
  I would highly recommend this camera, its just a great point and shoot.
  
  
• I LOVE THIS CAMERA!
  By AH9FCFS4PCUVE on 2008-05-21
  Every bit of hype I read about this camera has proven to be absolutely true -- it's the best point-and-shoot camera I've ever owned, superior to even the excellent film-based Elphs.
  
  You simply can not go wrong buying this camera.
  
  
• Great...but...heavy, slow, short optical zoom & hard to clean
  By A2ZHXSHB1QLIVZ on 2008-05-29
  I have been an avid canon fan for 22 years and once again find myself with yet another quality product. The camera has a variety of features, a convenient turn wheel for camera options, and is worth the extra price for the Image Stabilizer; because I normally shoot with a SLR (Canon 20D)I was looking for a solid camera that offered these options in a user friendly way. This camera lives up to my expectations. However, the camera is not without its weaknesses: it processes slow after pressing the shutter button(the same frustration with my old Canon Elph S500), it is heavy for its size, only offers 3x optical and 10MP(while others offer 5x and 12MP at comparable rates), and it is very hard to wipe off finger prints on the screen and body--even with a microfiber camera cloth (other bodies are manufactured from scratch resistant material). It's a toss up between this model and the SD950IS, but I like the sleekness of the SD790IS and the turn wheel on the back of the camera. It's a trade off and you'll need to decide what fits your needs.
  
  
• Canon PowerShot SD790IS 10MP
  By A2E9W7XQHYHL8J on 2008-06-08
  I've only owned canon powershot cameras. This is by far the best powershot camera that canon has producd. I've had minor complaints about past canon powershot cameras. However, this particular model has no flaws. I've owned this particular model for a couple of months now and it's honestly an amazing camera. It's very easy to use and the durability of the camera is fantastic. Most importantly, the quality is top notch.
  
  I find it very difficult to imagine anyone not liking this camera. It's great in all aspects of a digital camera. Definitely buy without hesitation.
  
  
• Best Camera I've Ever Owned
  By A3Q79IF90Q5UXY on 2008-06-14
  The 790 SI is an excellent little camera. The picture quality is amazing. Sharp, crisp, and the 10 MP resolution produces images that are good enough for posters. The start up time is fast and so far the battery life seems pretty good too. The display on this camera is as good as it gets and the image stabilization and face detection works like it should. The camera is obviously very well built and the metal casing looks and feels great. The camera itself is tiny and fits well in a pocket but it is a little on the heavier side. There are not many dowsides to this little thing. The camera controls are not completely intuitive but I got used to them very quickly and was able to figure out most of the options within an hour.
  All in all you get what you paid for with this camera. Its one of Canon's top of the line models and it performs like a top of the line model. You won't regret spending the money once you see the images that this camera produces.
  
  
• Canon SD790IS
  By A2RGZ94EP3VHWG on 2008-05-20
  I have owned several Canon Cameras but recently strayed to the Casio Exilim which I liked for the size but not for the video recording format (.mov) which was not compatible with my PS3, or easily editable with Windows Moviemaker. I decided to switch back to Canon and am very happy with this camera. Lots of options, ease of use and an excellent lens more than make up for the lack of style and smaller size of the Casio. I totaly recommend this camera for anyone looking for a point & shoot with enough options to cover most lighting conditions.(The image stabilization seems to work well, too)
  
  
• Perfect upgrade
  By AYWRO8UZCF1T2 on 2008-06-01
  I went with the Canon SD790 after I dropped my other digital camera on its protruding lens, thus rendering it useless. After using the SD790 for a while, my accident feels like a godsend.
  
  This camera is speedy making spontaneous moments easy to capture. And all those memories will look great too, the image quality is unmatched by any other digicam I've ever owned. It's 10.0 megapixels, but I typically shoot in 6.0 megapixels and these photos look much better than my previous 6.0 megapixel camera.
  
  Battery life is superb. I took almost two-hundred pictures and the battery was still mostly charged. All the different scene modes are very appreciated, but some of them I doubt I will ever use (i.e., fireworks, underwater).
  
  Not to mention that this is one of the sexiest gadgets I currently own. I would highly recommend the Canon SD790IS.
  
  
• Great Birthday gift!
  By ARY2OZVBUHSIZ on 2008-06-08
  Great camera! Beautiful clear lcd screen even in bright sunlight. No more point and hope you have everyone in the picture. Even with my old shakey hands I get a clear picture. That's when my wife lets me use it. grand kids also sneek it out when Grannys not looking. Really great buy . Have had four digitals before and none were as easy to operate and fun to use.
  8x10 enlargements clear as a bell.
  
  
• The best present ever!!!
  By A2MKPFMINIH6CM on 2008-07-17
  I searched for the BEST point and shoot out there for over a month! After reviewing all the reviews and recommendations...and after buying the wrong camera and returning it, I choose this awesome camera.
  
  I bought the 12 mega pixel Kodak that is around 200 dollars before i started my research. BIG mistake. if its too good to be true it probably is. On some professional sites, kodak didn't even get a mention, and when it did it was always discribed as good "for the money". I didn't want good for the money, I wanted plain good...great.
  
  So let me save everyone some time. Buy this one, it is the best, buy it on amazon because it runs $350 in all retail stores, I got mine for 300. I don't regret this camera even a little. For the extra 100 I spent on it, I got a whole different caliber of camera, it took a picture of my dog shaking off after a swim...and it didn't blur at all!
  
  
• It comes with magic!
  By A3F8W86PTGISMG on 2008-07-22
  This camera is absolutely outstanding, and quite possibly magical. The first few shots I took with this thing look like something out of National Geographic. You don't know me, but lets just say, prior to this camera my pictures look like they were taken while I was intoxicated on a moving boat. Yes, that's how bad they were, and no, I've never been drunk on a boat. Was it the worthless Konica Minolta I was using? Perhaps. But, I'm thinking magic has something to do with it instantly transforming me into a photographer. I've actually had people offer to BUY my photographs!! Me!!
  
  The color is vibrant, with superb clarity and sharpness, plus fantastic depth, which I think can be the hardest thing to achieve in a photograph. The Macro settings are unreal, and the focus and lighting are exceptional without a flash. The battery life is really long, and the video quality looks better than my video camera, and even has better sound. The screen is really impressive.
  
  For the most part- it's easy to use!! It did take me awhile to learn all the camera's functions and experiment with settings because it was significantly more complex than my old camera. I don't know what half the manual settings do, so I just stick with the settings in Auto mode- which has wonderful options. It works great. I love how this camera functions- and I am SOLD on Canon. My boyfriend had an older generation of this camera and his pictures were amazing, so I just went ahead and bought this without even holding it first.
  
  I truly couldn't be happier with it, and I can't imagine anyone not absolutely loving it. Its tiny, but packs quite a punch!! I just wish it came with a case...
  
  
• great little camera
  By A3TKSAQX6MYKGB on 2008-07-26
  I've owned a great many P&S cameras. I love the quality of the photos that come off of this camera. Although, ISO 800 and above are noticeably grainy. So I tend to stick with the lower ISOs.
  
  It has nice features on it where you can select a color in a scene and only that color will appear vibrant while others will be black and white. Also like that you can edit photos right in the camera and change the color cast of the pictures right on board. The face detection feature is good too, even close up shots don't wash out the face when the flash fires.
  
  The only thing I wish were better was the IS system. I think Sony has Canon beat with that, but that's just my opinion.
  
  This is a great camera, small, slim, sleek. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a P&S now. But do, do research to find out what camera is best for your needs. (I frequent [...] for that information)
  
  
• A Tale of Three Treasures!
  By A2HNH4PKE5DPSI on 2008-07-28
  This review is a combination of three:
  
  Canon PowerShot SD950IS 12.1MP (Titanium)
  Canon PowerShot SD770IS 10MP (Silver)
  Canon PowerShot SD790IS 10MP
  
  I first purchased the Canon SD950, and after loonnnggg shipping from Jr.com, I received it and tried it out. The camera is much bigger than the SD500 that I upgraded from--even though it's got so many bells and whistles. One thing about Canon that's got my eyebrow raised: Why the big font as if we can't read?
  
  The Image Stabilization is a wonderful thing, right along with the face detection. It even focused on an enlarged print of a little girl! The 3.7 zoom is nothing to frown at either. ISO is easier to set now so one can play around with the settings...
  
  The camera is made for "big hands" and it took me about two weeks of off and on shooting to get used to it. The 12MP quality is okay, and I didn't have to get used to too much new button placement. One thing I didn't like is the play button. I felt I had to really push my finger on the play button in order to view my photos. It annoyed me enough to see what else was out there.
  
  The Canons SD770 and SD790 were next on my list. Even though they were "only" 10MP, they had newer technology from Canon: Motion Detection and Infinity and cute buttons in all new small packages.
  
  SD770IS(Silver)
  First the SD770. This was a nice small camera! Not cheap feeling at all, Canon packed everything but the kitchen sink in there. I like the "Infinity" setting that the SD950 didn't have. Also, I have the silver version and it's nice, small, sleek, and takes great pictures. I didn't like the way the battery cover was not spring loaded. Also, either it was this particular camera or the 770 in general, but it seemed like I had to "dig" for the battery and SDHC card once put in. Yes, it's compact, hefty, and full of bells and whistles, but it was...kinda boring. Maybe because the silver color didn't have the pizazz of the black version that I'd read reviews on. Moving on to the SD790...
  
  SD790IS
  Bigger camera! Compared to the 770, it's a giant! The same size as the 950 except in a square/cube like form. The 950 is curvy, while the 790 is sleek and boxy (not sure if that's an oxymoron or not!). The 790 also has a new button format that I'm not sure if I like or not. I really enjoyed the SD500's button placement and while I can appreciate a "play" button...why not make it easy access instead of having to constantly press the button down? I'm thinking that the play buttons will eventually wear out. The big screen is nice, and even though I haven't used a viewfinder since...ever, it would be nice to "just have". So the lack of a viewfinder is a potential bummer. You never know when you gotta smear your nose on the photo screen to take pic! lol Also, the 790 is a fingerprint magnet.
  
  I tried to take the same pictures with all the cameras, but couldn't always (morning/evening, different zoom, etc.). Both the 770 and 790 have high ISO settings (as did the 950), but I didn't even use anything that high previously! All the pictures came out great. Even my crappy pictures of my messy coffee table were clear and colorful! One issue I had with all three cameras was the color accent setting. It seemed as if I got better black and white/one color photos from my SD500 than either of these cameras. I have to do a lot more tweaking. However, it could be just because of the balances of the colors and the lighting effects in my environment.
  
  If I just had to choose based on portability, photos, looks, bells/whistles, ease of use, I would go crazy trying to decide. Both cameras are amazingly small! The thing that keeps me wondering about the 770 is, "how can they fit all these specs in this TINY camera!?? But, I'm a sucker for good looks, so the scale points back to the SD790! True it's bigger than the 770, but it's still small considering the screen. I always take great care of my electronics, so I'm not so worried about fingerprints. If the button issue upsets me extremely, then I'll just upgrade to Canon's latest and greatest in 6-8 months.
  
  One more thing: I purchased the SanDisk 4 GB Extreme III SDHC Card w/ MicroMate USB Reader
  and it gets 900ish pictures on the 10MP versions at the highest settings.
  Either way, can't wait to take pics on the new SD790. I feel that although all three are great, the 790 has that sleekness with Canon's new technology all in one package.
  
  Get out, purchase any of these cams and you'd be satisfied.
  
  
• Wow. This is the Point and Shoot to have!
  By A2NK3QMW8YXBGF on 2008-06-29
  After leaving the Canon family (SD630) and trying Panasonic (DMC-TZ3) - I'm back! The SD790IS is the best Canon Point & Shoot I have tried. This is a great camera. If you would like a simple Point & Shoot with the ability to allow many manual adjustments - this is the camera to have. It's a small footprint with a lot of quality!
  
  
• Great Camera
  By A2RVPQYUKKT1DM on 2008-08-03
  Great camera. It has a very nice feature set, but that isn't the selling point. The best part of this camera is that you can just turn it on, and take amazing pictures. You don't have the to tweak anything, just point and shoot. If you want to tweak, you can, but you don't need to.
  I also like it since it is very small. It fits into pockets without a problem. The build quality seems great. The camera feels solid.
  I would recommend this product to anyone who needs a new camera without hesitation.
  
  
• Suddenly the choice of Elves became less difficult.
  By A6FIAB28IS79 on 2008-10-03
  I originally purchased the SD790 as a birthday gift for my wife as a replacement for her Canon SD600 because I remembered her enthusiastic response upon seeing a 3" viewing screen. When she received it, it soon became clear that her disappointment at the camera's greater overall size and weight, its rather off-beat flat-panel styling, and its more complicated setting system (a rotating ring) made a greater impression than the 1/2" larger viewing screen.
  
  So I exchanged it for the camera I had at first thought was definitely the inferior choice: the SD1100. When the SD1100 first appeared, several camera review sites (and Cnet) greeted it with moderate enthusiasm at best, suggesting it was little more than a cosmetic touch-up (because of the blue, pink, brown colors) of the SD1000. But that's only half true, because the SD1100, like the SD790, incorporates face and motion detection as well as image stabilization. Moreover, the most popular and trusted Consumer Magazine has recently called it the Best Buy available in a point and shoot model of any brand. And if a clincher were needed, Amazon's pricing provided it (currently a difference of sixty). So I ordered the SD1100 (in silver, of course) and, among other things, have become more aware of the advantages that a viewfinder can provide (excessive sun will still wash out the image on a viewing screen; a larger viewing screen is more prone to breakage, in which case a viewfinder becomes indispensable).
  
  I wish I could give the SD790 4 and 1/2 stars because the pictures are equal in quality to the SD1100 (and if it makes you feel any better, the lens boasts an extra 2 megapixels). But the SD1100 adheres more closely to the size, weight, and styling of the Elf that has become a "classic"--and along with the speed, dependability and convenience, it produces pictures to my eyes that are second only to a full-sized SLR camera. On the other hand, if you plan to limit your shooting to indoor portrait photography and to blow up your shots much beyond 10 X 12", the SD790 is a compelling choice among the Elves.
  
  

• Adobe Photoshop CS4
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• Kingston 2GB Secure Digital Memory Card (SD/2GB, Retail Package)
• Transcend 8GB SDHC CARD (SD 2.0 SPD Class 6)
• Canon PSC-55 Deluxe Leather Compact Case for SD430, SD500, SD550, SD600, SD630, SD700IS, SD800IS, SD850 IS, SD900,SD950IS & SD870IS Digital Cameras
• Kingston 4 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Card (SD6/4 GB)
• Canon Digital Elph Accessory Kit for Canon SD880IS, SD990IS, SD890IS, SD950IS, SD900, SD870IS & SD850IS Digital Cameras