Need help buying my first digital camera.

[Saint71]

I am currently looking at buying a digital camera and these are ones that I am considering. Should I get one of these and if so which one?

Thanks,

Newegg.com - Canon SD700 IS Silver 6.0 MP Digital Camera 1/2.5" CCD 2.5" 173K LCD 4X Optical Zoom 4X Digital Zoom - Retail
Newegg.com - Canon PowerShot SD800 IS Silver 7.1 MP Digital Camera 1/2.5" CCD 2.5" 207K LCD 3.8X Optical Zoom 4X Digital Zoom - Retail
Newegg.com - Canon PowerShot SD900 Champagne 10.0 MP Digital Camera 1/1.8" CCD 2.5" 230K LCD 3X Optical Zoom 4X Digital Zoom - Retail
Newegg.com - Canon SD1000 Silver 7.1 MP Digital Camera 1/2.5" CCD 2.5" 230K LCD 3X Optical Zoom 4X Digital Zoom - Retail

 

[Mr. Switch]

easy, the SD700.

Less megapixels=larger photosites=more light hitting each one=less noise=sharper and cleaner images.

Anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong. The other cameras might have less noise in the images, but that's because of more aggressive noise reduction that smears details. You're probably going to print no larger than 4x6 anyway, if you even print them at all. 8x10 is the largest you should print these if you're shooting at ISO 400 because that's where the images REALLY start falling apart from seeing the noise, noise reduction, and all the other crap P&S's do to rape the image quality. at ISO 80, you might be able to get away with a 12x18.

 

[alansafani]

Agreed - He makes an excellent post. The camera I would choose as well.

 

[MacDaddyGator]

I really like the SD Powershot cameras, because they are very small and have image stabilazation. Something you might want to take into consideration in making your choice is that the SD Powershot line has had some changes in the zooming and telephoto choices. Specifically, look at the review for the SD700 and notice that the lens range is 35-140mm:

Canon SD700 IS Digital ELPH Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Now look at the SD800 Powershot and notice that the lens range is 28-105mm:

Canon SD800 IS Digital ELPH Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

The SD800 will allow you to take a wider angled picture due to it's setup. You need to decide which is best for you.

You might want to look at the SD850 as well. It went back to the longer lense range that the SD700 has. Truthfully, there were some problems with the shorter lens range that resulted in the SD700 being viewed as better than the SD800 in some tests.

You should also read Ken Rockwell's take on the SD700. Hit the link and scroll down till you get to the discussion of the SD700.

Summer 2007 Camera Guide

For the price, the SD700 is hard to beat. Indeed, it might be better than the later SD Powershot Cameras that followed it.

Above all, make sure your camera is a Canon and that it has image stablization.

Good Luck.