Canon's new Digital ELPHS: the SD900, SD800, and SD40

Three really is the magic number, or at least Canon seems to think so: the company has just unveiled three new Digital ELPH cameras (Digital IXUS in Europe) with the SD900, SD800 IS, and SD40 all featuring an array of new features. Starting with the highest spec camera, the SD900 is a 10 megapixel 3x zoom jobbie, with a 2.5-inch LCD screen and 18 shooting modes, including that 1024 x 768, 15fps video capture mode that the G7 recently acquired. Stuck in the middle with you is the 7.1 megapixel SD 800 IS, the first ELPH to carry an image stabilized wide angle 28-105mm 3x zoom lens. Finally there's the SD40, the smallest model in the range that packs a 7.1 megapixel CCD and a 2.4x zoom lens into four differently colored titanium cases. All three new cameras feature the Digic III image processor, which means they'll all reap the benefits of face recognition (even higher definition warts 'n' all!), faster start up and general response times, as well as lower power consumption. Each one is also capable of super sensitive ISO 1600, although Canon's press release mentions that there's an ISO 3200 shooting option somewhere in the special scene modes. Pricing is set at $499, $399, and $349 for the SD900, SD800, and SD40 respectively, and all three should be available in October.

[Via Dpreview]

The Canon PowerShot SD800 IS.


Canon's PowerShot SD40.


The four different color versions of the SD40.

[grimace @ Sep 14th 2006 11:57AM]

sweet, i'm definitely gonna look into the IS800, i've been lookin' at the kodak specifically for that task, but i know first hand of canon quality

[quanta @ Sep 14th 2006 12:03PM]

Their flagship (SD900) doesn't get image stabilization? How weird. Meanwhile the SD800 has IS, is smaller, is cheaper, and has a wide-angle lens. Not a bad tradeoff from 10 Mpx vs. 7Mpx.

[pito189 @ Sep 14th 2006 12:11PM]

Man I almost bought the sd700 yesterday. I think I will wait alittle while now and see how these two turn out before I make a decision.

[Mike @ Sep 14th 2006 2:38PM]

Still no WiFi??? Come on, Canon...

[Zelnox @ Sep 14th 2006 2:38PM]

I hope the higher ISO ratings will be usable and not be too grainy. Would be nice for low-light conditions. Ala Fuji F30

[Tek @ Sep 14th 2006 2:48PM]

I knew that after updating their zoom cameras, they'd have to come out with something quick! Esp. since many said the SD630 didn't live up to Canon's reputation of amazing digital quality in a point-and-shoot. I will definitely consider getting an SD40 for my family around Xmas!

[jason @ Sep 14th 2006 3:17PM]

I'm am definitely digging the sd800is. cnet says the 900 and 800 are going to be the same price of $450...i really hope they're wrong, i like engadgets prices better

http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7-6637974.html?tag=blog

[GC @ Sep 14th 2006 4:17PM]

wow! when i was in hong kong, they had the canon ixus wi-fi. but none here???

[Segura @ Sep 14th 2006 7:20PM]

Too bad they are back to the 2.5" screens. Guess I will keep my SD630

[David @ Sep 15th 2006 10:48AM]

@ quanta...

that's the first thing i questioned too - the flagship model loses IS and has 3x optical while even the older 700IS has stabilization and 4x optical zoom.

i wanted to buy a canon camera but they are doing their job to come out with thick feature missing cameras - almost makes me want to buy a sony except for the memory sticks and the fact they release a new version of the T series every 2 weeks.

[Josh Bancroft @ Sep 15th 2006 7:24PM]

The Canon SD430 has WiFi.

Can you clarify what you mean by "SD 800 IS, the first ELPH to carry an image stabilized wide angle 28-105mm 3x zoom lens"?

My SD700 IS has an image stabilized lens, and it's even got 4x optical zoom instead of 3x.

I got lots of noise at ISO800 on my SD700, so I'm kind of worried how noisy ISO1600 is going to be on the cameras.

Being able to capture 1024x768 video is pretty sweet, though, even if only at 15fps.

[gibson042 @ Sep 19th 2006 4:28PM]

Josh:
The SD800 IS sets a new record for widest angle available in an ELPH (28 mm). Most have offered 35 mm, and as far as I know this is their first model to best that. However, Canon traded telephoto range in order to achieve this, reducing the previously available 140 mm to 105 mm. Correspondingly, the optical zoom shrank from 4x to 3.75x.

[Henry @ Nov 9th 2006 7:33AM]

Can someone please help. I am thinking about getting the Canon SD 800 IS. I will be traveling to Hong Kong soon, on my way home to the US. I am planning to check out its price while I am in HK. Might as well. What is the European model (i.e. IXUS what?) that is equivalent to the Canon SD 800 IS? For example, the IXUS 800 (European model) is equivalent to the Canon SD 700 IS in the US.

GC, what is your take on price check these Canon in HK. Any differences?

Thanks,

Henry

[Van @ Jan 25th 2007 5:57PM]

Henry,

The SD800 is the Ixus 850 IS in Europe. I've been looking at the SD800/SD900 vs the older SD700. Can't decide, but these pages have been helpful:

http://www.vsxl.com/cameras/Canon_PowerShot_SD700_IS_vs_Canon_PowerShot_SD800_IS.html
http://www.vsxl.com/cameras/Canon_PowerShot_SD800_IS_vs_Canon_PowerShot_SD900.html

[outoffocuz @ Jun 1st 2007 1:27PM]

I'll listen to the podcast and keynote coverage on these, but to really put these good phones to the test you got to load up the lossless audio files of some well-recorded music...aural bliss.