powershot sd780is
canon sd780is
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I wanted a camera that can take quality pictures and record HD videos. The powershot sd780is allows me to do just that. I selected a canon because I have confidence in their quality. I truly enjoy recording in HD with this camera. The playback on my HDTV set is beautiful. If you decide to purchase the powershot sd780is, I would recommend buying at least an 8GB SD card. Recording in HD will eat up a lot of space.
To be honest, I bought the powershot sd780is pretty much based on the great reviews here on Amazon.com. I am not a photographer, but I own a high end DSLR and after that, I guess, maybe my point-and-shoot expectations were a little too high. I used to own a Sony point-and-shoot for many years that I loved, then got a Nikon DSLR, so this is my first time with powershot sd780is. It is my hope that I learn how to use this little camera better and get better pictures.
Good things:
1. Good focus - the pictures are rarely blurry.
2. Very small and compact, fits into the cell phone compartment of my purse - great portability.
3. Image quality for the most part is ok if you shoot under ideal conditions - not too much sunlight, not too dark, no one is moving and you hold the camera very still.
4. The video quality is fantastic.
Bad things:
"Auto mode" chooses the settings poorly in my opinion. There is a "Program" mode that allows you to select more specifically (white balance, color choice, vivid vs neutral, lighting conditions, etc), so I ended up reshooting the same thing in the "P" mode and got much better picture.
What initially drew me in to the powershot sd780is was its appearance on the display stand. The sleek body is very eye-pleasing...then I looked at the specs. and realized that the powershot 780is shoots video in HD! (1280x720) Then all the other attributes made me realize that it was time to update my "everywhere, anytime" camera.
I proceeded to check out some of the other Canon SD cameras. The SD960 became the other candidate...it has a little more glass(4x)zoom, over the powershot sd780is (3x)zoom. The SD960 has an appealing f2.8 apeture over powershot sd780is f3.2. The SD960's screen is more tailored for the HD video capture as it has a 16:9 ratio LCD panel. (Kinda nice for instant viewing ON THE CAMERA)
Canon SX20 IS 
After some thought I went with the powershot sd780is for these reasons:
1. The HD video capability is awesome and comparible with the SD960. It has a HDMI jack. The traditional 4:3 screen does not bother me, because the video is ultimately going to be viewed on a HD TV.(There will be an upper and lower bar on 16:9 playback through the powershot sd780is LCD).
2.The weaker 3x zoom is not a big deal as this camera is for general shooting(out w/ freinds, bars, random afternoon at the beach, mountain biking, etc.)and with this camera EASLIY fitting in my jeans pocket or camelbak, the portability is what gives me the opportunity to document those moments, that would otherwise be missed. The SD960 is a little bulkier(but still small). I do also shoot with a Canon 40D, accompanied with L optics, but the weight and bulkiness do not lend to certain shooting circumstances. (as mentined above)
3. The user interface on the powershot sd780id is like most (if not all?) preceeding SD cameras. While there is not much control in the way of shooting settings, feature buttons like flash override, AE lock, AF lock, and exposure compensation are present on the camera body. The SD960IS has two buttons and a jog wheel, which lend to swims in the menu. I'm sure the new interface on the 960 is intuitive, but I liked the powershot sd780is due to its similarity to my old SD300.
I am very happy with the results produced thus far with the powershot sd780is. The HD video is excellant, however it should be known that once recording you can only zoom digitally. Low light cabilities and sound in video mode are excellent. The stills I have taken look great. Also, to the budget-minded who are upgrading from older digital point-and-shoots, a class 4 minimum 4GB or 8GB SD card would be well suited due to the demanding memory of the 12.1 million pixels, and HD video. Also, most old card readers will not process the SD cards so you may have to purchase a new card reader as well.
I have to mention it again...the small size of the powershot 780is is mind-blowing...and the functionality actually mirrors its beauty.
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