Canon PowerShot SD880 IS

Steves-Digicams.com has the most in-depth coverage of the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS, with an exhaustive review that delves deeply into every nuance. Imaging-Resource.com has only completed its initial tests at press time, but even that report is better detailed than many others. We also found good information at CNet.com, PhotographyBlog.com and TrustedReviews.com. Amazon has already amassed a good deal of user feedback.

Reviews say that the 10-megapixel Canon PowerShot SD880 IS ultra-compact digital camera is tough to beat. The most significant negative is an underpowered flash that has trouble adequately lighting subjects at the long end of the camera's 4x zoom range. Otherwise, reports say this camera takes some of the finest photos of any point-and-shoot camera. The wide angle (28 mm) lens makes it easier to compose photos than many competing cameras. Important features like optical image stabilization and face detection are included, as are lots of scene modes to handle common shooting situation and even a few very basic manual controls. Image noise and the effects of noise reduction are said to be less of an issue than with other ultra-compact digital cameras. If this camera is out of your price range, the Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS (*est. $160) also gets good reviews; it has a slightly lower resolution, a smaller LCD, a shorter zoom range and no wide-angle lens, but image quality is very good.