Canon Powershot SD950 IS

Reviewed by: LexClaude

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: There are many: Durable case, 12 Mega-Pixel, HDSD Capability, Video Camera Capability, Easy User Interface, Red-Eye Correction in Camera

Weaknesses: microphone sensivity to wind noise, frame rate on high resolution video, USB/AV Out access door, size, price relative to comparables

Overall Evaluation: This is my second digital camera. I used my first 5 MP camera for 5 years. I know the Canon SD950 is more camera than I probably need, but decided to go with it since I tend to buy higher-end products and use them for a long time. The market is full of very good and compact cameras in the $200 range, so the SD950 at it's minimum price of $350 in Dec 07, is an expensive camera. It's also a more "traditional" size - small enough and easy to hold, but not a camera you will find carrying in your shirt pocket like so many on the market. I purchased this camera with one special functional capability in mind: using it as a camcorder. I stopped using my old camcorder about the time I started taking digital pictures, so I thought, if I could upgrade my camera after 5 years and add the ability to take "usable" video pictures with the same unit, that would be great. As for the weaknesses: Size - its bigger than most point-and-shoots out there, but its quality and capability make it worth the bulk. Price - as mentioned above, it's expensive, but well worth it I think. Microphone wind noise while taking outdoor videos - this may be common to all cameras, don't know, I can live with this minor consideration when taking outdoor action videos. Frame rate while taking high resolution (1024) videos - Video pictures while shooting at the 1024 definition seem to be a bit "jerky", maybe taking at 15fps. Access door for the USB/AV out connections - the door/cover is very secure when closed, but getting it opened to access the ports is a bit tricky, it may become easier after more use. Now for the strengths: very strong case (titanium) - seems to be very resistant to scratching. High mega pixel pickup - at 12 mega pixels, I believe it's the highest for point-and-shoots at this time, wow the pictures are sharp. At the next to highest resolution setting, the pictures take approx. 2mb per picture - that's high requiring more storage space, but storage space is very inexpensive these days. Video capability - eventhough the high resolution setting seems to be a bit "jerking" due to frame rate compromise, the standard (480) setting produces remarkably smooth video pictures as good as my old camcorder. If you want high resolution video pictures, this video functionality will not serve, but is a very good compromise since most of the video moments are impromptu and of short duration. With this camera, you are always ready to add some video to your picture taking. I love this feature. Taking videos with your point-and-shoot has usually meant limited recording time given former storage constraints. With the HDSD capability in this camera, I purchased an 8gb card and I can take just over 60 minutes of video at the 480 setting. If you think this isn't much, remember that that about all you could take with an old camcorder on one tape and the benefits of having that material digitally right out of the camera, well, that priceless. User Interface - it has been very easy to learn how to use the camera. On-Board Red-Eye Correction - if you have taken many digital pictures, you know that even with camera set to take in the red-eye prevention mode, you still get the red-eye phenomenom. Correcting red-eye has been a rather time consuming process in the past. The greatest feature of the SD950 for me has been the ability to correct the red-eye in the camera right after I take the picture and in just a few seconds - wow, I love this. Overall, I love this camera and believe I will be happily using it for many years.