Review of Canon PowerShot SD700 IS 6MP Digital Elph Camera with 4x Image Stabilized Zoom

Quiet Operation Yields Top Quality Photos and Nice Videos.

I've used my SD700 IS for several days now.Before receiving it I was concerned about the reviews on Amazon that talked about the noisy video problem.However, the first reviews were written before the camera was released in the US.So I crossed my fingers.I got my camera from Crutchfield.(By the way, their custom service was excellent!)

I have been unable to reproduce the noisy video problem.My videos are *not* noisy and sound good (for a camera of this size).I will say that if I turn up my computer's volume as loud as it will go...THEN there is some ambient background noise.But the volume is extremely loud at that point and I expect a tiny microphone to have some noise when played back at such a high level.For normal video shooting and playback, my SD700 sounds just great.I've tested it with an without the image stabilization activated and the videos do not have any excess noise.Also, my zoom is quiet!Anyway, my experience with the camera obviously differs from others'.Not sure if that helps you or not.

As far as the picture quality, I am also happy.Most of my shots so far have been indoors in the evening using the flash.Color saturation is fine and flash coverage is really good.(I'll upload some examples if I get a chance.)

Hindsight being 20/20, I'm not sure the image stabilization is something I needed.With a flash, it really isn't necessary and I've been an amateur photographer for many years so I know how to hold a camera.I'm sure the IS will be handy if I'm ever in a situation when I'm taking photos from a moving car, or letting someone else use the camera.But if I had to make the purchase all over again I'd probably get the SD600 or SD630 and save a few bucks.

It has a slew of settings including ISO 800, focus lock, flash lock, custom exposure and slow shutter setting.So although it lacks aperture and shutter priority there are still plenty of adjustments I can make in order to get a good shot (though this hasn't bee necessary so far).

PLUSES:
1. Looks beautiful and feels very solidly made when holding
2. Fast startup, fast refresh (I'm using a SanDisk 1GB Ultra II SD card)
3. Image Stabilization.
4. Quiet operation.

MINUSES:
1. Does not come with a case.
2. Does not have aperture or shutter priority modes.
3. Does not record MPEG format (video) or RAW (photo).
4. At close to $500, it's a bit spendy.

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Product Description:
Canon PowerShot SD700 IS is equipped with 6.0 Megapixels, an optical 4x zoom lens (f/2.8 - f/5.5) with a shift-type optical Image Stabilizer (IS) system and Canon high-performance and high-speed processing "DIGIC II", which makes it possible to take pictures with up to a maximum of 2816?2112 recording pixels and achieve more comfortable camera operation complying with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed.The molding technique highlighted the delicacy of a continuously curved form (Perpetual Curve Design), made the main body look more compact and enhanced the holding comfort when shooting. Employing a large 2.5-inch LCD monitor on the rear allows easy operation.With a shift-type optical Image Stabilizer system and High-speed ISO setting that can be adjusted up to 800 equivalent, you can reduce camera shake and subject blur, and shoot beautiful images when shooting in telephoto with slow shutter speeds or in a dark area.

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