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Canon PowerShot SD880 IS

Discontinued

Reviewed

January 2009

Pros

Packed with features
Wide-angle lens
Good picture quality
Good LCD screen

Cons

Flash is underpowered
No optical viewfinder
Unexciting styling

Where to Buy

for $549.00

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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.

Where To Buy

Canon PowerShot SD880IS 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Gold)
(290 reviews) Buy new: $299.99 12 Used & new from $89.00

Our Sources

1. StevesDigicams.com

Steves-Digicams.com's report on the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS is one of the most comprehensive around. Every detail is well discussed, the report is well illustrated and test results are completely documented. The Canon PowerShot SD880 IS is included on the site's list of best cameras.

Review: Canon PowerShot SD880 IS Review, Editors of Steves-Digicams.com, Nov. 5, 2008

2. Imaging-Resource.com

At the time of this report, this well-regarded camera enthusiast site had only completed its photographic and timing tests, but is already impressed enough with the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS to name it an Editor's Choice. Build quality, speed and image quality are all highlights.

Review: Canon PowerShot SD880 IS Initial Test, Shawn Barnett and Mike Tomkins

3. PhotographyBlog.com

PhotographyBlog.com provides a reasonably well-detailed review that is notable for the many sample images posted. Zoltan Arva-Toth calls the SD880 IS "probably the best-designed [digital ELPH] to date, both in the aesthetic and the functional sense."

Review: Canon PowerShot SD880 IS Review, Zoltan Arva-Toth, Nov. 27, 2008

4. CNET

Although some other reviewers go into more depth, this review at CNet.com covers all of the important points and is more approachable for beginners. Lori Grunin finds a few flaws, but adds, "Simply put, the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS is an excellent point-and-shoot camera."

Review: Canon PowerShot SD880 IS Review, Lori Grunin, Oct. 28, 2008

5. TrustedReviews.com

Like CNet.com, this report at Britain's TrustedReviews.com isn't the meatiest you can find, but it gets straight to the point and is easy to follow. Cliff Smith takes issue with the placement of some controls, but is otherwise impressed enough to make the SD880 IS (known as the IXUS 870 IS outside of North America) one of the site's recommended digital cameras.

Review: Canon PowerShot SD880 IS Review, Cliff Smith, Nov. 27, 2008

6. Amazon.com

Amazon.com is one of the best places to read user-written reviews of ultra-compact digital cameras, including the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS. While the overwhelming majority of owners are happy, a handful complain about noise or blurry images, possibly as a result of receiving a defective unit.

Review: Canon PowerShot SD880IS, Contributors to Amazon.com

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