Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS

The Canon SD1100 IS is among the most popular ultra-compact digital cameras, so it's not surprising that there are lots of reviews. Camera enthusiast sites including Imaging-Resource.com and DCResource.com deliver the most complete and sophisticated reports, but they are geared toward those with a bit of experience with digital cameras. PC Magazine's reporting is not as detailed, but it covers all the important points. Consumer Reports delivers very objective ratings, but lacks much in the way of detailed discussions. Amazon.com is the best place to go for user reviews.

Reviews say that the 8-megapixel Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS delivers reliably solid picture quality with a minimum of fuss. Image noise can be a problem at higher ISO settings, and a touch of corner softness can be seen on occasion -- but these are minor issues common to all ultra-compact digital cameras. Despite its budget price, this 3x zoom camera has such advanced features as optical image stabilization and face detection. The camera is easy for anyone to use, though more sophisticated photographers might be frustrated by the lack of manual controls. If you have a little more to spend, the Canon PowerShot SD790 IS (*est. $200) offers higher resolution and a bigger LCD screen (3 inches vs. the SD1100 IS's 2.5 inches), and its picture quality is described as first-rate.