In all the reviews out there about the Canon Digital Elph models, I have yet to see one negative comment about the digital Elphs. Canon introduced the SD850IS a couple months ago to continue the legacy of the digital Elph line.

The SD800IS is by all counts still one of the top point and shoot cameras on the market, if you are looking for a compact point and shoot model, this is (or was) the one to look at. The SD800IS and SD850IS feature the same 2.5-inch LCD display though some are saying it is slightly improved on the SD850IS. And both also offer an optical viewfinder which is becoming a rarity in compact cameras.

But, the SD850IS managed to up the SD800IS on two counts. It has an 8 megapixel sensor as opposed to the SD800IS with 7.1 megapixels. The SD850IS also has a longer 4x zoom lens offering 35mm to 140mm (35mm equivalent) but you do not get the wide 28mm angle like the SD800IS offers with its 28mm to 105mm (35mm equivalent) 3.8x zoom lens.

If a lot of wide angle shooting will be important to you, it might be best to stick with the SD800IS. Other than those two features, both cameras are essentially identical though the SD850IS has a curved body, some would consider that to be more stylish.

The image stabilization of both cameras is identical and you would be hard pressed to see a difference between 7.1 and 8 megapixels. Neither camera is truly better than the other as both offer respective advantages and weaknesses over the other.

SD800IS pro over the SD850IS: 3.8x wide angle zoom

SD850IS pro over the SD800IS: longer 4x zoom lens (pro) without wide angle (con) and 8 megapixel sensor

Which is better? No, that’s for you to decide. A quick judgment would be to call the SD850IS the winner but the SD800IS still offers that often coveted wide angle zoom lens, which I have become quite fond of.

If longer zoom without wide angle shots is your cup of tea then the SD850IS is the perfect choice. If a slightly shorter zoom with wide angle is important then the SD800IS is superior. I’m not going to differentiate much between 7.1 and 8 megapixels, at this point, its just numbers.

Both cameras offer comparable performance with almost no shutter lag to speak of, thanks to Canon’s DIGIC III processor and support high capacity SDHC memory cards.

You can also save a few bucks by going with the SD800IS for around $300 where the SD850 will run upwards of $350. I’d rather get the wide angle lens for $50 cheaper but that is a matter of personal preference.

Related:

Entry was posted on Sunday, July 1st, 2007 at 3:17 pm under Canon, Digital Camera, New Products, Point and Shoot.

Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.