Which camera is better, Canon 950 or Canon SD1100?

So which camera is better, Canon 950 or Canon SD1100?

Answer from byjamesderuvo:
They're both very similar. But for comparison, you may want to check out this resource. It takes pictures with each and you can compare them side by side. But frankly, don't get caught up in the "more megapixels must be better" falacy.


For picture quality, I think there's too much MP in the SD1000 to work with. Let me explain. I came across an interesting article today about how more mega pixels is not necessarily a good thing. According to Image Engineering � a company that does testing of digital cameras for photo magazines in Germany � the quality of digital pictures has steadily decreased since the state of the art was six megapixels back in 2004. And because they don�t have a �dog in this hunt,� they put forth a compelling argument for buying new digital cameras with less mega pixels and not more.

The argument is essentially this: CCD chips on point and shoot cameras a smaller and as such, fitting in more pixels causes them to lose light sensivity. Sure, there�s more data on the chip, but the chip can�t absorb the light data and what it ends up with is a picture that has more noise than image quality. In addition, the more megapixels a camera has, the larger the lens it needs to provide the clarity it deserves and prevent diffraction due to a loss of detail with smaller apertures. But since we�re talking portable point and shoots here, those large lenses simply aren�t being made.

Finally, with larger mega pixels comes longer saving time due to their requires huge storage capacity, or more compression if not storing images in RAW format. The result is a noisier image and a dissatisfied camera user who thirsts for high quality and speed but fell into the trap of "more must mean better."

In the end, relying on a smaller MP that can balance all these needs may indeed be a better answer.

Setting your camera to a lower setting doesn't help either. Essentially, the image is reduced to the set quality after it has been processed by the CCD. As such, the light still goes through those pixels, only that after some basic processing steps pixels "thrown out" to make the image to the desired setting and size. This process is called "Choking" and that will cause Artifacting and noise. Additionlly, you'll also loose details of the recorded image.

Some cameras have written into their firmware a process called "binning," which merges the signals of multiple pixels to make larger pixels. Usually at a 4-1 ration. This will essentially turn a 12-megapixel camera into a 3-megapixel camera. And that gives you the opposite problem of too many pixels on the chip ... you now have too few and as such, will run into artifacting instead of noise.

Cannon Powershot Dropped: Blank Screen

Question from RaviAmane: I have a Canon PowerShot S1 IS. I happened to drop it on floor (in my defence, on a soft floor :-)).

Now it does not work anymore. When i switch it on, it shows the blank screen. If I take a photo, it captures the image all blank (black). So basically I can�t take any photos anymore.

Has anybody faced such problem; any remedies?

Or is this problem occuring because of a known issue with CCD? http://www.canon-asia.com/index.jsp?fuseaction=image-phenomena_notice

Additional Information: All other functions like erase, etc. do work well and appear properly on the screen. I also can see the Canon logo when I turn on the camera. I guess that means that the LCD display is working properly.

Answer from byjamesderuvo: It could be. At the very least you should contact Canon about repairing the known CCD issue. DO NOT MENTION YOU DROPPED IT. It may have exacerbated what would've eventually happened anyway.

Point-and-shoot with better shutter lag and next-shot delay? (taking pics of kids) Canon S5 or A650? or Sony H3?

From Safarisunrise:
I have an older Canon powershot A80. The shutter lag and next shot delay drive me nuts. I really like canon's feel in my hand and the swivel screen. Plus I have a decent Canon photo printer. So I'm leaning towards Canon. Possibly S5 IS or A650 IS? Also considering Sony DSC-H2 or H3 based on consumer reports. Which do you recommend? Is there a better (faster) Canon to consider?

I know an slr would remove the delays, but I don't think I want something that big. Or should I just break down and buy slr? I know how to use many of the manual and fancy features from yrs of using traditional film slr, but I want simple and speed. Is there a simpler and smaller SLR?

We have toddler twins who are constantly on the move (our main photo subjects), so speed is priority. And prefocusing doesn't usually help since they are constantly running around.

What camera do you recommend for taking pics of active kids?
Is there a place I can compare the actual data? (for example I understand with or without flash contributes to delay and lag).

thanks for any help!

Answer from byjamesderuvo:
Shutter delay is a way of life in digital cameras. The good news is that according to recent news articles, many camera companies will be incorporating the CCD chips they use in their SLR lines (which give no shutter lag) into their point and shoot cameras. So look for it within the next few years.

Meanwhile, there are a few tips to speed up your performance:

1. Prefocus. Hold down the shutter half way to get a prefocus of the image you're shooting. When it changes, prefocus again. This will speed up your camera's performance during picture taking since it won't have to autofocus before it shoots the shot.

2. Use faster SD cards. Yes, there are faster cards and it does make a difference in writing the image file to the card. This is especially key if you're taking multiple or burst images.

3. Fresher batteries. Use alkalines at least. But I recommend using high energy batteries designed for digital photography. Varta is a good brand. They are usually sold in camera shops, are long lasting (because they are sold in small quantities) put out alot of energy.

4. Shoot in "sports" modes when you're in situations that require action. Night or available light modes when in night time settings. These presets can help in speeding up your shots, rather than the camera taking a split second to evaluate the conditions of the lighting.

5. Go manual. If teh camera you choose has a manual option, focusing, particularly in darker settings will help. Also, the infrared does have a range and if your image is out of that range you can end up with the camera's "best guess" or infinity setting which may not help. You can also go manual on fstops and shutter speeds as well, getting more light faster when you choose.

6. Go with a shallow depth of field.

7. Pan with the action. You can create some pretty cool shots by panning with your shot, focusing on your subject. This will create the effect of your subject in sharp contrast to the blurry background.

8. Use a flash - even in day time. This will "freeze" the image and cause your subject to "pop" in the shot. However, flash is only designed for limited range and can dissipate outside of about 20-25 feet unless you're using a zoomable flash.

9. Stick with 100-400 ISO. Going higher will cause more noise/grain in your shots, particularly in darker settings.

THe purist in me would say just take the plunge and go SLR. But the fact is, you may not be interested in photography as a hobby, and as such, it isn't really necessary to get one.

I can tell you my preference is Canon of the two brands you mention. In my opinion, it's a good idea to steer clear of SONY, as they tend to force their customers into proprietary technologies such as the memory stick, their own spin on formatting, and a host of others which the Canon won't do. As you know, Canon relies on SD cards, which are pretty much the standard in point and shoot for memory cards. This means you can use any you happen to currently have and they are much cheaper than memory sticks. You can also use them in other technologies like PDAs, DMPs, and even mp3 players, whereas that memory stick is only going to be used in another SONY and as such, you'll have to reinvest in digital memory cards. That's a drag.

Another recommendation is to for comparison, you may want to check out this resource. It takes pictures with each and you can compare them side by side. The A650 hasn't been tested yet, but looking at the A630, I would say that the A650 will continue to have the advantage in macros settings, BUt if that isn't an issue for you, I'd call it a draw.

Downloading pictures from canon camera

Question from Vicki: I downloaded pictures from my canon. The computer asked if I wanted to delete the pictures from the camera, I said yes and now all the pictures are gone.

Answer from byjamesderuvo: I don't understand what your problem is. If you have the pictures on your PC, then you have no issues. But if you want to get them back, there are many photo recovery utilities out there to help you retrieve a deleted file. You can use a utility like "F-Recovery" to get back your pictures quite easily. Just do a google search and you're in business.

Also, another tip is to invest in a $10 USB memory card reader and simply take your card out and plug it in. The PC will read it as a drive and it's a simple drag and drop to get your pictures onto the PC for editing and printing. . Then you can either leave them on your card or delete them directly. It's better for the health of your card anyway.

Is the canon S5 capable of sports photos?

Question from ks110213: Is the canon S5 capable of sports photos? Is the new Canon S5 running at 1/2000 or 1/3200 shutter speed capable of stop action shots like kids playing football, baseball, etc.? I have taken hundreds of 35mm pictures with my Canon EOS Elan at 1/2000 to 1/4000 and gotten great pictures, but I am concerned about how quickly the S5 will be able to focus.

Answer from photo-guy4god: If you can see if your local camera store or another one near by will give you the chance to handle the camera your self. I have taken a few test shots while in the store and the auto focus n the S5 IS is very fast. I was taken back at its speed the whole camera operated very quickly. One of the workers at the store commented that of the point & shoots they sell, this it either the fastest operating one, or very close to it. And this was a store where the people working her are pros and know what they are talking about. For sports this camera should work quite well. You will not be dispointed with it.

Canon Powershot SD850 IS compatability with Apple iPod Camera Connector

Question from Carl: Is the Canon Powershot SD850 IS compatable with an Apple iPod Camera Connector? Also, Is there a wide angle AND manual exposure features on a compact?

Answer from DeadWolfBones: Everything I've read on the subject indicates that the SD850 should play nicely with the iPod connector.

As for wide angle + manual features on a compact, this can be hard to find. Both Canon and Panasonic make models that come close, but they inevitably wimp out on the manual control aspect. I'm not sure that there's anything decent with this featureset in the SD850's size range, but there should be at least a few in the bigger (but still compact) realm of cameras like the A710 IS, etc.

Hope this helps!

The Best Pocket Cameras!

You don't have to be a party animal to appreciate these cameras, but they all have some nice features that would be quite handy in such an environment. These ultracompacts are very tiny. You can just slip them in your pocket and there's no need to worry about lugging a big, heavy digital camera around all night. They're outfitted with great sensors, advanced lenses, and superb technology like image stabilization to ensure high-quality shots. Take a look below, and we think you'll find that these little marvels would be make a perfect gift for the always-on-the-go photographer in your life.

The Best Ultracompacts You Can Buy: Canon Powershot SD750 and SD1000

With an unprecedented amount of positive feedback from users, we're confident that the Canon SD750 or its close relative, the Canon SD1000 are the best ultracompact cameras currently available. Both cameras have "A" grades, as they are exceptional digital cameras. Just look at the user reviews, you'll see the satisfaction. The SD750 features a 3-inch LCD, while that SD100 has a 2.5 inch LCD; that's the only real difference between these stylish, 7.1 megapixel cameras besides the price. Both are amazingly affordable, at roughly $250 and $200, respectively.

The Canon SD900 isn't too shabby, and has one of those nifty 10-megapixel sensors that are all the rage these days. The Canon SD850 IS might be where it's really at for party-people and users on the go. It's got a substantial 8-megapixel sensor, and perhaps most importantly, image stabilization. No more shaky ultracompact shots! The SD850 also has a wide-angle lens, perfect for large group shots or panoramas.

The Sony W55 has gotten great reviews from owners, who say it's an excellent camera that will never let you down. It's highly ranked in all of the categories it's featured in, rising to the top thanks to its 7-megapixel sensor, affordable price, and superior performance. We're also partial to the Sony N2 , which has stunned owners with its clever touchscreen controls.

It's small, lightweight, and takes simple 'AA' batteries. The Canon A460 is an excellent choice for consumers on the go. It'll slip into any pocket or bag and be ready to take crisp, 5-megapixel photos at a moment's notice. What truly makes this camera great, however, is the remarkably low price-tag. For around $100 you can have what may be the best travel or party camera out there. You may also want to consider the 7-megapixel Canon SD40 .

The Casio Z1050 is small, wafer-thin almost, a true ultra-ultra-compact camera, but somehow they still managed to cram 10-megapixels into this thing. It's certainly the slimmest 10MP camera out there, if not the slimmest camera overall. Don't worry that Casio had to sacrifice power for such a small size. Our readers tell us that the Z1050 performs very well, so give it a close look.

Via.

How can I restart a PowerShot S3 IS

Question from lawyer187: Well I bought this Cannon PowerShot S3 IS camera for my wife, and she went crazy over it , but no more then 3 weeks and she's having problems with it, when she tried using it this morning, the screen went dark and a message said "lens error, restart camera" but I don't know how to restart it.

Answer from bukit97: Usually turning the camera off and on again will restart it.
If you are desperate, take out the batteries and put it back again, press the ' on/off ' button and it will restart.

I would suggest you change to a set of fully charged batteries before you do that. If that is not available, a set of new alkaline batteries will do as a temporary measure.

If that does not work, you probably has to claim your free service from Canon since it is only 3 weeks old.

The Olympus 720sw or Canon A710IS?

Question from teeoff007: Which camera has better image quality, the Olympus 720sw or Canon A710IS?

Answer from byjamesderuvo: I went over to Imaging Resource's Comparometer and inputted both models from their pull down menus.

It seems to me that Canon's A710is has better image quality. More accurate colors, better clarity, and WAY better macro range. You mileage may vary, but if I was making the call, I'd go with the A710IS.

PowerShot SD230 LCD Problem

Question from LuisV: I bought a PowerShot SD230 from a friend and it was working perfectly fine until now. The LCD displays only the settings but it does not display images or video any more. It is just black and when taking pics or video you only see total black images. Does any one knows about this problem?

Answer from Brenda P: Make sure the display is not turned off (push the Disp button near the screen on the back). If that doesn't solve it, try holding the Menu button for five seconds and choosing to do a camera Reset. If something is glitching, this will solve it.

If neither of those work, you might have a failed CCD sensor. This is essentially the recording center of the cam and repairing it tends to cost more than the camera is worth. There was a recall on bad image sensors awhile back, where many manufacturers (including Canon) repaired cameras for free when sensors went out due to some bad sensors that were installed in certain models. Unfortunately, yours isn't listed on the recall, although the camera just ahead of it in the sequence (the SD200) WAS recalled. I suppose you could give it a shot, call Canon, and see if they're willing to work with you. You never know.

Compare and rate Canon SD900, SD800IS and Canon SD850IS

Question from Aninda: Please compare and rate Canon SD900, SD800IS and Canon SD850IS. Which one would be the best buy option ?

Answer from Matt:
I think I say this every time, but it depends on what you're looking for. Between the SD900 and SD850IS, get the SD850IS, no questions. Between the SD800IS and SD850IS, there are a few key differences, and I've noted them in a different question thread. In conclusion, there are two key differences you need to decide on before choosing:

The SD800IS has a wide-angle (28mm) lens, allowing you to fit more into your picture at the same distance. This, IMHO, is much more valuable than getting a few mm zoom at the far end, since you can always crop your pictures after they're on your computer. If you don't care about this wide-angle (I suggest trying the two models out in the store to see if it makes a difference to you), then stop reading this and go get the SD850IS :)

The SD850IS has 8MP over the SD800IS's 7.1MP. Now, although this isn't a big difference, it will let you crop a little more in post-processing, and a sharp image will be sharper if you process pictures at the 16"x24" size. If you just plan on 4"x6" pictures, you won't see any difference at all. Again, you may want to opt for the SD800IS at that point, too.

Both cameras have the updated DIGIC processor, allowing for faster picture taking and start-up speeds, longer battery life (not that significant, but longer nonetheless), and better continuous shooting speeds (1.7fps for the SD800IS and 1.3fps for the SD850IS). Both cameras have great video capability, 640x480 at 30fps, using about 1.7MB/sec at this high quality. The image stabilization really helps the movie quality, as it's not bouncing all over the place with hand movements.

I can't pick between these two. In my opinion, the wide-angle offers so much more versatility that I chose the SD800IS. That's not to say it's the better camera, it just happened to suit me better. Like I said earlier, if you don't care about the wide-angle, go for the SD850IS, it's an amazing camera.

If you want to read general specs, check out this site:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_sd850is.asp

I'm not a fan of the SD900 for one big reason: You're paying for a basic camera that crammed 10MP into its 1/2.5" CCD. Although you can get some stunning pictures in good lighting, shoving those extra MP into the same CCD causes a lot of problems in lower light. There needs to be an advance in CCD technology (ie, fit a bigger one in the same size ultracompact frame). Don't be sold on megapixels - once you pass about 6MP, all the pictures start looking the same for all intents and purposes.

canon 710 vs. canon 570?

Gary Melnikoff asked: I'm leaning towards purchasing the Canon 710 due to the 6x xoom. Am I trading something off which the Canon 570 has as a Plus which the 710 does not?

Richio answered: Yes, you are trading off two important features: The Digic III CPU chip, and face-detection technology (included in the Digic III).

The Digic III is a more polished 'brain', and it works a little faster than the Digic II (in the A710). Thus you will drain less power, and get some extra shots between battery charging. Not a great increase---perhaps 220 photos instead of 200, for example.

The face detection circuitry allows the camera to auto-focus on faces, which of course you want if you have people in the photo.

I am not saying don't buy the A710 (I have one). Both the A710 and the A570 are very fine cameras.

Can I load pictures into the camera from a PC?

Question: Can I load pictures onto the camera from a PC?

Answer from Richio: You have to get the PC to recognize the card as a separate entity. When you plug the camera into USB, the PC is communicating with the CAMERA, not the card.

To get around this, you have to remove the card from the camera (make sure it has a photo or two on it to help you later), and insert IT into the memory stick slot on the PC. If you don't have a slot on the PC, you might have one on the printer, esp. if it is a USB printer. Or you can buy a 'card reader' from the store that has several different sized slots for memory cards, and that reader plugs into the PC USB.

If you are connected as above, then just go to Windows Explorer (click on the RIGHT mouse button while pointing to the START menu button), scroll down and you should see the memory card listed as an I/O device. There may be one, two or three folders nested there. You have to find the one that has the photos I told you to have on there. When you open the right folder, you will see the photos.

Now all you have to do is to cut and paste, or drag and drop, from your folder on the PC that has the photos you want to transfer, to that folder on the memory stick.

Canon SD800 or Panasonic FX-50?

Question from Joan: I am confused if I should buy the Panasonic FX-50 or the Canon SD800. Can anyone help?

I want a wide angle lens. I am an artist, a sculptor, and shoot my own work for my own purposes and also I do interior design so I shoot rooms. I need it all pretty simple too.

Answer from Brenda: My choice would be the Canon SD800 based on the fact that you're going to get better quality images. Panasonic, who has wonderful lenses and great easy to use cameras, has some issues with electronics, and their higher megapixel cameras are just plain noisier (grainier) than the competition. Particularly if you plan on shooting indoors or in relatively low light, you will notice a difference in quality and the Canon wins.

The downside to the Canon is that it basically doesn't offer any manual control, while the FX50 does offer some. But you mentioned that you wanted things simple, so as long as you're happy with point and shoot, I think the SD800 will give you much better results for your purposes.

What lens should I purchase to go with the Canon Rebel XT?

Question: What lens should I purchase to go with the Canon Rebel XT?
The Rebel XT is going to be my first dSLR. What is the best choice for a lens to use instead of the kit lens? I'm looking for something reasonably priced, but of better quality than the kit lens. I would say I'm more interested in portraits than landscapes. Also, is image stabilization in a lens very expensive, and is it worth the extra money? Thank you very much for your help!

Answer from Brenda: Another contender to compare against the 50mm is the Canon 35mm f/2.0 lens. It's built more solidly than the 50mm and also gives slightly sharper results (although I don't have any complaints about image quality on the 50mm, the 35 is a little better). Also, it may be more flexible in terms of focal length. The 50mm will get you some good close-up face/ head/ shoulders portraits, but may not be wide enough for general use whereas the 35mm (times the 1.6x of the camera body) equals 56mm, which is awfully close to a 'general' field of view and should yield good results under typical daily conditions.
If you can play with both before you buy, do so. I think one or the other will suit your needs.

Canon A630 Flash readiness

Question from Stephen Cheung: How long do I have to wait before the flash is ready for the next picture?

Answer from Ben Keough:
The figure I'm seeing most often is "10 seconds or less," and all of the user reviews that mention the flash recycle period say that it's "very good" without giving a specific number. Its near-identical twin the A640 got these timings in dpreview's in-depth review:

Shot to Shot Flash off 1.7sec
Shot to Shot Flash on (red-eye reduction off)* 2.6sec
Shot to Shot Flash on (red-eye reduction on)* 3.2sec

The *s are there to indicate that these timings were taken with the subject 3ft from the camera, and that they will increase as the subject gets further from the lens.

Hope this helps!

Canon SD900 and SD800

Question from Josh Pollock: Hi. Does anyone know if the CANON SD900 and Canon SD800 IS if affected with the E18 error? I just thought about buying a Canon SD900. Then while I was on amazon, I saw a post that there is a e18 error that is most common with canon cameras. I really like canon digital cameras, my friends have them and i am amazed with the image quality. I am really scared that the e18 error will happen to me so please help me.

Answer from Ben Keough:
Hi Josh,

The E18 code doesn't really pop up with the SD900 and SD800 IS, but some users have had a "Lens error. Restart camera." error, which is essentially the same thing. The good news is that the frequency of this error seems to be substantially lower (nearly nonexistent) with these new models (though this could be because they haven't yet had the time to develop these problems, unlike the older models). I myself have had an A60 (one of the original E18 problem cameras) for over three years and have had no issues. I also have a S2 IS, which hasn't had a hint of the problem in the last year. The point is, it's absolutely possible (I'd say extremely probable) that you'll buy a Canon and never come close to having a problem resembling the E18 error; those who do have the error are bound to be more vocal than those who have clear sailing.

I'd say that if you love the image quality and the feel of the cameras, you shouldn't let the E18 monster scare you off. All brands have certain issues, and if bad luck's going to hit you it's going to hit you.

Good luck!

Canon S1IS

Question from Marcela: I have the Canon S1IS and suddenly the screen turned all blurry and purple. A moment before it was fine. not drop the camera.
I did not drop the camera or do anything different.
It just turned blurry and purple in the middle of shooting pictures. Checked the batteries. Any suggestions?

Answer from Ben Keough: This is a known issue with some models of Canon cameras. What has happened is that your camera's imaging sensor (CCD) has become partially or fully detached from its wiring. Luckily, Canon has acknowledged the fault and is offering to repair any and all affected units for free (including free shipping both ways), whether they're under warranty or not.

Why isn't my lens working with the Canon Rebel XT?

Question from Ben Trumbo: It seems like the Err 99 message is fairly common with Canon's Rebel line of dSLRs. Furthermore, it's a sort of catch-all error for many different problems including lens errors, battery problems, and memory card problems. However, the vast majority of those reporting the problem seem to think it has to do with their lenses. There are some very extensive discussions of the problem here and here. The latter link suggests a fix (cleaning the lens mount contact points), but as you'll see from the comments it doesn't work for all users.

Answer from Ben Keough: The problem here is that if it's a lens problem, Canon's customer service people will probably tell you to contact Quantaray and ask them if their lens is compatible with the 350D or not--chances are Quantaray hasn't tested it or will refuse to give you a clear answer one way or another. You can try to send the 350D back to Canon for a repair, but even if they accept it as a defect and repair it, you might have the problem again. That seems to be the experience that a lot of users have had, anyway.

I'd attempt the quick fix suggested above and see if it works. If not, contact Canon and see what they have to say about it. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine. Good luck!

Canon SD 800 IS

Question: Comparing the SD800IS to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50, which would be the better choice?

Answer: Canon has optical viewfinder and unlimited continuous shooting option. So this camera is a little bit better than the Panasonic.