Canon PowerShot SD870IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

A month before I purchased the 870IS, I purchased and returned the Panasonic Lumix TZ5 (Thanks to Amazon for easy return process). The TZ5 had a nice 10x optical zoom, but dissapointing picture quality and poor first shot delay. Canon's 870IS is a small, lightweight camera with great picture quality and good first shot delay. My only complaint with the 870IS is the date stamp only works in "postacard" mode (a non wide-angle mode). I purchased caselogic's UNZ-2 small universal pocket camera case, which fits the 870IS perfectly. Caselogic UNZ-2 Small Universal Pocket w/Screen Protection (Blue/Silver)

It's an outstanding camera. Almost all the features of a proffesional one. It could be a bit smaller, but it fits perfectly on your pocket, anyway.

Former professional photographer here.

THe only reason to get this camera (vs other Canon cameras) is if you understand the uniqueness of a wide angle. That extra 28 vs 35 is a HUGE difference when indoors taking photos of friends, or taking landscape. You get 30% more into the shot.

I am an avid Canon purchaser.Their lenses are much sharper then any other camera this size.

BUt this model is BIG. It is about 5.5 ounces. My Sd200 was just over 4 ounces. They keep adding features and it slowly gets bigger and bigger again.

Also in the video mode you cant zoom in, which is a major drawback for me. \\THe time lapse photo /video is awesome. Taking a photo per second or minute.

All in all, I will keep it since no other Wide angle matches is (I also swear by the Kodak v570 as the widest camera, but it is not that sharp for travel shots or photos you want to blow up)

Kinda disappointed that they cant make it SMALL (hell give me a smaller screen, who cares about the screen)

Also the red eye reduction in camera is neat.

But I will probably still grab my SD200 for day to day shooting with friends etc. Actually the SD450 I think is the last of the small ones.

Frank

Bought the camera from Amazon. Was quite satisfied with the image quality (would rate it 5 stars for that). Frequently used the camera for 6 weeks. Then one day the camera couldn't focus any longer after a few on-off cycles I got a lense error. The lense no longer retracts fully when powered off. Unfortunately, I already exceeded the 30 day return policy period from Amazon. Now need to try my luck with Canon directly. Never had such issue with any of my previous digital cameras from Canon, Fuji or Olympus (they all still work).

I did a LOT of reserch on digital cameras before purchasing the SD870. I started with consumer reports, read all sorts of reviews, and then went to a camera store to get the 'feel' of different ones. I chose this one because it was rated high, has excellent reveiws and had the wide angle lens that I wanted. This is an awesome camera, is easy to use, has great features, has a large LTD screen and takes amazing pictures! You won't be disapointed.