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7.2 out of 10

Canon PowerShot SD800 IS / IXUS 850 IS / IXY 900 IS

7.1 megapixels

Information found in: from 78 sources in 21 countries

Great Deal: $499.99

  • User Score (734)
    8.8 8.8 from 734 reviewers
  • Expert Score (18)
    7.8 7.8 from 18 reviewers
  • Design (7)
    7.6 7.6 from 7 reviewers
  • Value for money (48)
    6.9 6.9 from 48 reviewers
  • Features (68)
    6.9 6.9 from 68 reviewers
  • Ease of use (67)
    7.0 7.0 from 67 reviewers
  • Performance (34)
    7.1 7.1 from 34 reviewers
  • Picture quality (47)
    6.5 6.5 from 47 reviewers
  • Durability (2)
    7.5 7.5 from 2 reviewers
  • Reliability (3)
    7.8 7.8 from 3 reviewers
  • Overall quality (6)
    6.4 6.4 from 6 reviewers
  • Battery performance (6)
    6.4 6.4 from 6 reviewers
  • Display (30)
    7.1 7.1 from 30 reviewers
  • Video quality (14)
    7.5 7.5 from 14 reviewers
  • Ergonomics (30)
    7.1 7.1 from 30 reviewers
  • Equipment (2)
    5.9 5.9 from 2 reviewers
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  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(5)
7-8
(11)
5-6
(2)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(452)
7-8
(169)
5-6
(50)
3-4
(22)
1-2
(14)

  • Expert Reviews

  1. DP Review

    DP Review
    8 June 2011

    Although the SD 800 IS (above left) isn't strictly speaking a direct replacement for the SD 700 IS (the older model is still listed as current by Canon, and offers a different zoom range), it is an updated version of that camera. The differences are small, but in the most part fairly significant: SD800 IS / IXUS 850 IS specifications Street price • US: $390 • UK: £260 Naming • US name: Canon PowerShot SD800 IS Digital ELPH • European name: Canon Digital IXUS 850... Read more

    • Good resolution, good color, Useful and fairly rare 28-105mm zoom range, Clean, detailed results at lower ISO settings, Reliable exposure system, Fast and accurate foc...

  2. Imaging Resource

    Imaging Resource
    31 August 2007

    Featuring a 7.1-megapixel CCD, 3.8x optical zoom lens, image stabilization, and well-designed user interface, the Canon PowerShot SD800 IS updates the popular PowerShot line with a compact body style well suited for travel. Exposure remains under automatic control, something novices will appreciate, and the Canon SD800's 10 pre-programmed Scene modes help with more tricky subjects. Read more

    • You can't beat image stabilization, Face recognition really works, 28mm wide angle is very nice, Fast start-up with virtually no shutter lag if you pre-focus, Dependab...
    • A little bulky compared to its competitors, Optical viewfinder is not accurate, No digital zoom in Wide Screen aspect ratio shooting, No manual control over aperture o...

  3. What Digital Camera

    What Digital Camera
    8.8/10
    26 April 2007

    Canon’s IXUS range typifies high style without compromising image quality. Its latest addition has something for wide-angle enthusiasts, with a 28mm equivalent focal length. Features Like its predecessor – the IXUS 800IS – the 850IS has a slightly more versatile zoom than most, reaching from a 28mm equivalent up to 105mm (3.8x overall). Read more

    • Speed of use, Stylish design, Image stabilisation, Superb WB and metering
    • Lack of image detail, Noise at ISO 1600, Corner softness / fringing at 28mm

  4. Digital Photography Interface

    Digital Photography Interface
    7.6/10
    7 September 2009

    The very compact Canon PowerShot SD800 IS Digital ELPH packs a lot into that casing with 7 megapixels, a wide-angle image stabilized zoom lens and many other nice features. The large 2.5 inch LCD on the back is high in resolution and has good visibility as well. Featuring the latest DIGIC III processor, the SD800 IS has above average performance, unlimited continuous shooting mode, an impressive movie mode and face detection autofocus that works. Read more

    • Wide-angle, image stabilized lens, Above average battery life, Face detection AF that works, Large high-resolution LCD with good visibility, Unlimited continuous shoot...
    • No manual controls, Redeye, Edge sharpness and color fringing issues, No live histogram; very limited exposure information, No movie focus or optical zoom

  5. Wired

    Wired
    26 July 2007

    This 7.1-megapixel camera has all the standard extras, like face recognition and autofocus, plus exceptional image stabilization. Dig deep into the exhaustive menus and two manuals and things only get better. Want to replace one color in your shots with another? You got it. You can even tweak video footage in the camera using the rudimentary but surprisingly capable editing system. The only limit to the SD800 is your patience in exploring the layers of options. Read more

    • Shots look great: Color is reasonably on target and images are crisp even with significant shake. Wide-angle 3.8x zoom lens captures a big picture. A real hacker’s cam...
    • Zoom controls difficult to reach. Comparably weak flash. Some odd screen modes that will go largely unused: How often will you need an aquarium setting?

  6. Steve's Digicams

    Steve's Digicams
    30 November 2006

    Physical Views The SD800 compared to a standard CD disc. The 10-megapixel Powershot SD900 and the SD800 IS. Continue on to Features & Controls PowerShot SD800 IS Specifications Camera Effective Pixels Approx. 7.1 million Image Sensor 1/2.5-inch CCD (Total number of pixels: Approx. 7.4 million) Lens 3.8x optical zoom, 4.6-17.3mm f/2.8-5.8 (35mm film equivalent: 28-105mm) Digital Zoom Approx. Read more

  7. DigitalCameraInfo.com

    DigitalCameraInfo.com
    11 October 2006

    - Steady image stabilization - Effective, quick face recognition - Great movie mode - Interesting My Colors modes - Extensive ISO 80-1600 options - Lengthy burst mode Dislikes - Awkward handling - Relatively slow 1.7 fps burst mode - Limited max f/5.8 aperture in telephoto - Below average 270-shot battery - Off-center placement of flash The 7.1-megapixel Canon PowerShot SD800 IS has a solid set of components overshadowed by its newer and trendier technology. Read more

  8. Digital Home Thoughts

    Digital Home Thoughts
    22 January 2007

    After shooting with my Rebel XT exclusively for almost a year, I decided that having a point and shoot again would be a good idea as I was trashing my Rebel by carrying it around everyday. After a few recommendations (not the least of which was Jason's) I grabbed a Canon Powershot SD-800IS. I've never been happier with a point and shoot, but it's not without its problems. Read on for the full review! Read more

    • Small pocketable size;, Excellent color reproduction;, Optical image stabilization;, Video can be shot at 640 x 480;
    • Average low-light performance;, Images are noisy at ISOs higher than 400;, Autofocus is a bit slow at times;, Zooming in video is digital instead of optical;, No manua...

  9. CNET

    CNET
    7.0/10
    3 October 2006

    A slim, stylish body, a wide-angle lens, very good photo quality, and snappy performance make the Canon PowerShot SD800 IS a great point-and-shoot. Read more

    • Good focal range for lens; quick performance; optical image stabilization; attractive design.
    • Few manual controls; extremely noisy photos at ISO 1,600.

  10. TechRadar UK

    TechRadar UK
    9.0/10
    7 September 2007

    Canon has kept up its good work by producing yet another iconic Ixus. It's a good-looking and hard-working camera that's capable of some high-quality images; and as long as you're only planning to print out your images at standard sizes, it's one of the best compact cameras on the market. Read more

    • Excellent colour performance, Great wide-angle lens, Attractive looks
    • Image noise at higher ISOs

  • User Reviews

  1. Very robust camera

    Amazon
    10/10
    Reviewer: Stepon Yor "Bug", Amazon
    2 weeks ago

    Very robust camera. I have used it in agricultural fields for over three years and it has always worked reliably. It has been in the rain and even dropped a couple of times and still it takes pictures like a charm. It's size is awesome - light weight and small, so clipping it to my belt works well. Read more

  2. "Initially loved it..til it stopped working"

    CNET
    6.0/10
    Reviewer: tadlyt, CNET
    6 April 2011

    and they purchased the combo Scanner/printer deal from Costco $240...but just after 9 mts the camera would not turn on. Using Concierge service thru Costco I had it repaired..OK so now it works..uhh 5 mts later (after expired warranty) it broke again. Shutter sticks and will not open unless you pound it on the ground. The Scanner also broke after 2 years of light use. Read more

    • all deleted after it broke twice
    • Breaks..shutter issues. Lasts just long enough to clear warranty

  3. Good camera but a tad pricey

    8.0/10
    Reviewer: ironbar, epinions.com
    2 weeks ago

    My wife and I bought this camera for the IS feature. Not really sure if it's worth it or not though. Read more

    • Easy to use. Good pictures.
    • Expensive. Poor red-eye feature.

  4. Great for videos as well as still shots

    Ebay
    10/10
    Reviewer: peterson396, Ebay
    1 week ago

    The camera is solidly built and takes great videos as well as pictures. Videos load into Movie Maker without having to be converted. The only thing I don't like about the camera is that it doesn't have a battery life indicator. Fortunately, the battery life is excellent and spare batteries are available for a nominal price. Read more

  5. Simply Awesone

    Newegg
    10/10
    Reviewer: yazzam, Newegg
    7 November 2007

    I bought this thing right before the summer and took a lot of images and video with it during the summer. I bought this because i wanted a better camera than the A520 which I also bought on newegg. Shipping was on time, product in crisp new condition, simply awesome. And another thing is that the value of this thing hardly went down in the ;half year that i owned it. Seriously, I bought it for 317. Now its 310? Without free stuff? Read more

    • Looks,battery life, sharpness of pictures and the wide angle lens,advanced features, low light shooting capabilities, video sound and resolution and speeds, size,I sim...
    • The chrome surfaces can easily get scrtches but i solved it by buying it a nice silicone case. Also bought an lcd protector.

  6. Best point and shoot camera ever - easy to use, fa

    ReviewView
    10/10
    Reviewer: Brian, ReviewView
    11 December 2007

    I think this is the best compact point and shoot camera that I have ever used. It is blazing fast and takes really nice sharp pictures. Read more

    • You can start taking pictures almost immediately after you turn it on and review pictures just as easily. For point and shoot simplicity, you can easily snap pictures ...
    • It has a pretty good night mode and fireworks mode, but it otherwise has very limited functionality and performance in low light photography. It is also limited in tha...

  7. Walmart

    Walmart
    10/10
    Reviewer: ddk54, Walmart
    26 July 2008

    THIS IS A VERY GOOD CAMERA!!! I LIKE IT'S COMPACT DESIGN, IT IS SMALL, BUT YET IT HAS A NICE SIZE LCD SCREEN. I ALSO LIKE THE WIDE ANGLE LENS. WALMART IS THE CHEAPEST PLACE TO PURCHASE IT TOO!!! Read more

  8. Wonderful camera, does movies & stills,

    pcRUSH.com
    10/10
    Reviewer: geno, pcRUSH.com
    21 November 2006

    Comments about Canon PowerShot SD800 IS: This camera which I wore on my belt allowed me to leave my video camera home. Un believable features. Fun to use. Read more

    • Accurate Colors, Great Resolution, Nice Features and Settings, Rugged, Simple Controls
    • sometimes human distortio

  9. Canon PowerShot SD800

    10/10
    Reviewer: Loren V., expotv.com
    31 October 2007

    Make my old camera look sick. Great quality and reliability. Canon PowerShot SD800 IS 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Image-Stabilized Optical Zoom, Digital Cameras, Electronics Read more

  10. Wide Angle Satisfaction

    B&H Photo
    10/10
    Reviewer: Bill, B&H Photo
    3 December 2007

    This is the pocket point & shoot I'd been looking for. Soldmy month-old SD700IS to get it, and never looked back. I've lived with the SD800IS now for 8 months and couldn't bemore satisfied. It's done everything I've asked it to do,from panoramas (great, easy-to-use Canon pano stitchingsoftware is included in the package) to macros. Evenlow-light and night photography from a tripod, and thephotos come out great. Read more

  • WikiFreak Description

Canon PowerShot SD800 IS digital camera is known as IXUS 850 IS in Europe. This compact wide angle camera comes with 7.1 mega pixel imager and 3.8x optical zoom lens. The camera comes with an excellent ‘Image Stabilization’ technology. The company included “IS” in the model name to emphasize this as a unique selling feature for the model. The Image Resource review of SD800 suggests that the camera produces sharp and crisp shots even at low intensity light conditions.

The 2.5 inches LCD display provide…

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Canon PowerShot SD800 IS digital camera is known as IXUS 850 IS in Europe. This compact wide angle camera comes with 7.1 mega pixel imager and 3.8x optical zoom lens. The camera comes with an excellent ‘Image Stabilization’ technology. The company included “IS” in the model name to emphasize this as a unique selling feature for the model. The Image Resource review of SD800 suggests that the camera produces sharp and crisp shots even at low intensity light conditions.

The 2.5 inches LCD display provided in the model is supplemented by an optical view finder for image framing. It supports an ISO range from 100 to 1600. The review also states that this camera is pocket friendly with rounded edges and retracting lens. The review by Lets Go Digital suggests that SD800 is a good blend of style and substance. The response time of the camera is impressive. The auto-focus system with face detection technology helps in keeping the subjects in focus, irrespective of their position in the image frame. 3.8x wide range zoom lens with canon’s improved UA lens technology gives the camera longer zoom capability even in small spaces. The DIGIC III image processor is the main reason for the efficiency and quality of the images produced.

Taking professional quality photographs through simple operations is the hallmark of this advanced image processor. The Neo Camera reviews point out that SD800 produces good and sharp pictures with pleasing colors. Wide angle capability and good stabilization are mentioned as unique features of this model. In comparison with other canon models, the rear panel buttons are larger in size enabling easy operation. This has resulted in less space at the back for gripping the camera. With wide angle capability, good stabilization features and an improved image processor, majority of the reviews suggest that the SD800 is a reasonably good camera in its price range.

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  • Manufacturer's Description

This is the Digital ELPH that’s raising the bar. There’s everything you’d expect from a camera of this caliber: A 7.1 megapixel CCD to render images in magnificent detail and a DIGIC III Image Processor for stellar quality and fast operation. Yet what sets the SD800 IS Digital ELPH apart is its Wide-angle 3.8x optical zoom with Image Stabilizer technology for rock steady zooms. The Canon SD800 IS Digital ELPH, it’s the Digital ELPH that’s a step ahead.

  • Windows XP co…

Specifications

  • Format
    Ultra Compact
  • Also known as
    Canon Digital IXUS 850 IS
  • Max resolution
    3072 x 2304
  • Low resolution
    2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480
  • Image ratio w:h
    4:3, 3:2
  • Effective pixels
    7.1 million
  • Sensor photo detectors
    7.1 million
  • Sensor size
    1/2.5 " (5.75 x 4.31 mm, 0.24 cm²)
  • Pixel density
    29 MP/cm²
  • Sensor type
    CCD

Release Date

  • First seen
    3 October 2006

Ask the community

Need more advice? Ask the community a question.

Questions asked: 2 Answers: 1

Previous questions about this product

  • My memory card has been deleted and shows "No Image" in playb...

    My memory card has been deleted and shows "No Image" in playback mode. In the photo taking mode it shows "Memory card full." Is it possible that videos taken did not get deleted or what else may it be? Thanks.

    Answered by KristoferB 2008-09-04:

    try actually formatting the card.. some cameras save pictures and videos to different places, you may have missed them when you were deleting

Canon PowerShot SD800 IS / IXUS 850 IS / IXY 900 IS Deals

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