| Brand: | Canon | ||
| Average Rating |
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It may be the slimmest Digital ELPH Canon has ever created, but the impact couldn’t be bigger. The PowerShot SD780 IS Digital ELPH captivates the senses with bold saturated colors and a daringly original design that matches the intensity of Canon’s most innovative camera technology. Even when picture-taking conditions seem pretty unforgiving, you’ve got Canon on your side. Plus, you’ve got an advanced DIGIC 4 Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology and the Face Detection Self-timer for extraordinary control and performance. This technology finds and tracks the faces of moving subjects until you’re ready to shoot, then delivers perfect focus. In addition, exposure, flash and white balance are compensated, so that faces exhibit natural skin tones and backgrounds are properly exposed. The camera also makes it easy to enjoy HD movies (and still photos) in beautiful high definition (1280 x 720 pixels) on your HDTV with a mini-HDMI connector for direct connection to a high-definition monitor. You’ll enjoy the HD experience with no degradation of image or audio in the signal, plus the ability to display up to 130 still images at once. So the shots you used to miss are the images you’ll now be sharing, and the movies you never took before will be HD unforgettable. Focal Length – 5.9-17.9mm f/3.2-5.8 (35mm film equivalent – 33-100mm) LCD Monitor – 2.5-inch TFT color LCD widescreen with wide viewing angle, Approx. 230,000 pixels ISO Sensitivity – Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 equivalent Continuous Shooting – Approx. 0.8 fps Compression Mode – Still Image – Exif 2.2 (JPEG); Movie – MOV (H.264) Storage Media – SD/SDHC Memory Card, Multimedia Card, MMC Plus Card, HC MMC Plus Card Number of Recording Pixels – Still Image – up to 4000 x 3000 (Large); Movie – High Definition – up to 1280 x 720 (30 fps) Video Output – NTSC/PAL Dimensions – 3.43 (W) x 2.15 (H) x 0.72 (D) Weight – more info
Popularity: 1% [?]
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Remarkable Camera
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
just loved it. size is really something you have to appreciate. Its just a credit card sized camera. Picture quality is too good. Low light performance is also very good. Using canon cameras for last 5 years. This one also did not turn me down like others. I recommend this camera for everyone who hates to carry a large camera but on the other hand do not want to compromise with picture quality. Go get it…
Excellent camera
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This Canon camera is the best digital camera I’ve had yet. Its about half the size, but double the picture quality which is fantastic. I’ve found that Canon is always the easiest to use and takes the best pictures so you really can’t go wrong with this camera. It was also really worth the price. I HIGHLY recommend this camera to everyone!!
What is the Best Camera to Use?
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have no idea of how long this little ELPH will endure heavy use. And there is always the chance that it will get dropped, bumped real hard, or ruined by getting wet.
I already own the Canon PowerShot A580. With 8MP’s and all its features, I think it is a little miracle of technology. And yes, I still prefer using it over the PowerShot SD780 IS ELPH that I am reviewing here. The A580 fits my hand better, has a 4X Zoom Lens with a f2.6 – 5.5 aperture, and the viewfinder is easier to use. The lens is superior to the ELPH in that the ELPH has only a 3X Zoom f3.2 – 5.8 aperture lens.
But as far as image sharpness, color quality, and portability, you simply cannot find a better choice of point and shoot camera than this ELPH. Someday maybe, but not yet. I won’t even go to the toilet without it. It is nothing to carry. And the photographs are truly superior for a point and shoot camera.
The problems with the ELPH as a point and shoot camera is that it is too small to handle with real proficiency. In fact, without the lanyard (wrist strap) attached, it is sure to be dropped most every photo session. And, while my A580 came with the lanyard attached,the ELPH lanyard was loose in the box. I guess the assembly people just couldn’t attach it. I had a devil of a time feeding a little flexible wire through the recessed metal loop that was part of the camera frame. I just have to hope that that is strong enough to keep the lanyard attached.
Some reviewers have called the ELPH viewfinder useless. I can use it, and I do use it for quick shots. This brings up anther subject. The time from when I press the shutter release until the shutter actually opens is a hindrance to action shots. But I am amused to look at the television through the cameras video screen. The rectangle in the viewer (when the camera is set to recognize faces) keeps shifting each time the television cameras switch from person to person or group.
I have not had time to do much with the HD movie function. I may have use for it to document some family events, but if I want to shoot a session for uploading to the net, ordinary digital will be less of a hassle and will do just fine. I have never tried to sell even a short movie, but I have sold a lot of still shots made with point and shot cameras.
Of curse no point and shoot camera will ever replace my Canon Digital Rebel XT. But the XT, with or without all its accessories, is too cumberson to carry around everywhere I go. I now use it only when I am going out expressly for a formal photo shoot. Someday I may upgrade it to another Canon Rebel.
The PowerShot SD780 IS, Digital ELPH, is a good camera to have in your pocket when that unexpected photo opportunity presents itself. I’m sure mine will pay for itself several times over.
Love this camera! Face recognition, zoom, low-light functions rock
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I’ve owned had a few Canon cameras in the past, but I never really loved any of them. We relied on my serviceable SD550 for years, and I had brief experience with a SD750, which was technologically superior, but I found it unintuitive to use.
I just bought the SD780IS for a major trip and wow, I had a great experience with it. This camera is tiny, thin, truly ultracompact. The best features to my mind are that it focuses quickly; I love the face-recognition feature that helps with focusing; and it’s low-light function and incredible zoom abilities blew my mind.
In addition to taking lots of pictures of people amidst complicated scenes, we spent time photographing cathedrals, which were both dark and detailed. This camera on the highest quality setting really did the trick. I ended up using it almost like a set of binoculars to examine the details of stained glass and statues later.
Three quick caveats: First, I have not fully explored the video function, which on first glance looks pretty good using the highest quality setting. Second, the shutter button is in a slightly awkward spot, but I got used to it. Third, the brushed-silver finish quickly started to discolor a bit where my fingers wrapped around on the front.
Overall though, this camera provides incredible function and value. I’ve finally found a Canon to fall in love with. Invest in a big memory card (8 GB gives me over 2000 photos on best quality) and enjoy!
excellent camera
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
very easy to use; fits easily into pocket; like the viewfinder; battery lasts a long time; recommend highly
Great little camera
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
The portability of this camera cannot be beat! However, do not expect SLR grade pics with it. Its a point and shoot, and really can do quite a bit. But its not going to give you the best picture quality you’ve ever seen. Also, the flash is fairly weak, probably due to the small size and power limitations.
I was also impressed with the speed. Others have said its slow, but I disagree. From power button press to picture taken is less than 2 seconds.
Overall, a great camera for slipping into a pocket and carrying with you.
SD780 review (from a SD770 owner)
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
The SD780 is Canon’s replacement for the 10 MP SD770 model released around a year before it. I upgraded to the SD780 as I was happy with my SD770 but liked the new features and smaller profile.
The interface has improved, most notably with the automatic shooting mode detection. As I have a dSLR for serious photography I used the SD770 as more of a happy snaps camera and as such it spent nearly all it’s life in the automatic profile. The SD780 utomatically activates a suitable shooting profile in auto mode (when taking a close range photo for example it will automatically select macro mode), and so far I’ve found this system to be very quick and accurate. It’s lighter than the 770 (which itself is quite light) and doesn’t cause any discomfort in your pocket thanks to it’s slim profile. Another improvement is a wider lens (it’s no Panasonic FX37, but a 33mm equivalent wide end is better than 35mm) which was one of the shortcomings of the older model. Unfortunately the SD780′s lens is f3.2-5.8 which means it does struggle at times with low light even with the optical image stabilisation system activated. The lens itself is quite good for a compact point and shoot, with no noticable barrel distortion. Shooting performance is excellent, as good or even better than the previous model with very quick power up to shooting times, shot to shot times and minimal shuttter lag.
The CCD resolution has been increased to 12.1 megapixels but is the same physical size. This coupled with quite agressive noise reduction means that image quality does suffer at high ISO settings. Combined with the relatively slow lens it’s night performance isn’t quite as good as some of it’s rivals, but is still adequate quality for casual shooting. While the extra resolution is a bonus in daylight shooting I can’t help wondering if the resolution increase was more of a marketing excercise than anything else, and whether the camera would have better served retaining the older 10 MP image sensor.
720P video is a welcome addition as is the switch from Motion JPEG to H.264 video. The video files are stored in the Quicktime container so Mac users especially will find it easy to work with video files from the camera. Battery life is best described as adequate, Canon has switched from the NB-6L to the smaller NB-4L which means battery life is rated at 210 shots, which is lower than average. The batteries charge quickly however and the battery life isn’t really a problem if you charge it after every trip.
Overall I would say that the SD780 is a solid camera with a couple of shortcomings, mainly due to the packaging constraints. I bought the 770 because I wanted something that was as carryable and convenient as a cameraphone but with decent quality images. If that’s what you are looking for you wont be disappointed.
cannon digital camera is sweet
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This camera is nice. picture quality is very good. the display is good. battery life is just fine. I’m not a fanatic on picture taking. use once in awhile and the battery life lasts for my use. It is a little small for the people that have large hands like myself. Other than that I am very Happy with it. Easy to use and carry.
MEC
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I bought this camera after researching different models and companies for six months (as I was in no rush to purchase a new camera.) I have to say that overall I am pleased with its performance. The pictures have good color and are crystal clear in most cases. This little “gem” fits easily into a small purse and is always ready when a photo opportunity arises.
One drawback I’ve found is the shutter speed – even in continuous mode. This is a priority for me as I don’t want to miss those cute shots of the grandchildren. The manual indicates that there may be a delay especially if a flash is necessary but I find that no matter what the light, there is always a delay – longer than I would like. Maybe the camera has a feature that I’m not utilizing???
Cannon PowerShot SD780IS12.1 Review
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This camera is far superior to my last digital camera albeit my last one was 5 years old. It would seem that digital cameras had improved a lot in five years. The Canon takes great photos with little talent needed by the operator. The only area that I give it less than a perfect score is “ease of use” – the camera was much smaller than I expected and as I have large hands its very compactness makes it a little award for me to operate.
Canon SD780ISs
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
There is a whole planet of reviews for this thing on Youtube with actual footage from and of the camera. One of the best Ultra Compacts out right now!
CANON SD780
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Love this camera for point-and-shoot. Best among the Canon SD’s. Perfect for travel and everyday use.
Canon does it all
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I’ve owned Canon cameras for over 40 years now starting with a Canon Pellix in the 60s, followed by an F-1 for many years. In between, I’ve owned (and still own) a number of other cameras including several Nikons and Leicas. Today, I have a G-5, my first digital camera, a Leica M-6 (forever camera), a Canon 30D and now the SD780IS. This little camera does it all. The G-5 is history. I use the Elph for candid stuff in bars and some occasional outdoor shots, too. I have to keep telling myself that the 30D is a better camera for quality photos since the SD780IS does such a great job with photos and does video as well. Some of the program features are great especially for indoors in low light, e.g. 3200asa. Perhaps the only issue is that it is so small (an attribute,too) that I’m afraid I’ll lose it! I haven’t master the video yet, but that will come in time. I simply can’t imagine a better P&S camera that this.
Excellent camera. Look no further.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The camera is as thin as they get. It takes HD video and great pictures. It does not come wth a sd card so I recommend to get a large capacity SD card because of the enormous space HD takes (32GB is as high as you can get it, 8 Gb would be fine)
I love my new P&S
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
we got this camera after the old one got lost/stolen. This one is not as sturdy as the other canon we had, I think I dropped that one like 50 times and it still worked just fine. We’ve had this one for 3 months now and I am a bit more careful with this one than the last one. It’s just that I take my camera everywhere! I love taking pics. Anyways this one seems to have great features too. Love the macro pictures!!!