Canon's 12-megapixel SD950 IS review roundup

You've had a moment to ponder over that SD870 purchase, so how's about yet another option, cool? On the docket today is Canon's SD950 IS (IXUS 960 IS elsewhere in the world), which packs an awful lot of megapixels into a pocket-friendly shell. As expected from Canon's SD lineup, this one fared pretty well throughout, garnering praise for its sleek design, superb image quality, effective optical image stabilization / face detection and sturdy feel. The only real knocks came from the less-than-perfect noise performance, slower than expected startup / image capture and the admittedly lofty pricetag. Granted, this one should be close to ideal for poster printers needing a camera minuscule enough to reside in a rear pocket, but for the rest of us, one of Canon's "lower" models should fit the bill (and our budgets) a bit better.

Read - CNET (7.8 out of 10)
Read - PhotographyBLOG (4 out of 5; Recommended)
Read - Good Gear Guide (4.25 out of 5)

[Jonny @ Oct 1st 2007 6:26PM]

For the average user out there who is looking for a point and shoot, the last thing you need to spend your money on is more megapixels. If you think you are going to blow up prints from this into poster size those extra megapixels aren't going to help. You need a bigger sensor and better optics (try an SLR). Even a 4MP SLR from a couple years ago would probably have better prints because of the above reasons. These manufacturers are cramming more megapixels just to fool people into paying more. Canon makes great cameras (I have a Digital Rebel XT and the 8MP SD1000) but this is getting absurd here for the average user.

[Josh @ Oct 1st 2007 9:40PM]

I can feel the heat from that noise producing sensor from here. Like you said - pixel density is out the roof on this thing, especially when SLR owners are beginning to even wonder if the 40D and XTi are too dense with less pixels than this and larger sensors.

Wasnt it the D2X that has a 4mp sensor yet has full size prints better than most 10mp cameras?

[John Doe @ Oct 1st 2007 6:31PM]

On a side note does anyone know if there are any rumors of a replacement for the Canon 400D/XTi. (I'm assuming the 40D wasn't a replacement.) Looking into jumping into the DSLR pool with the 400D/XTi however if there is a chance of a new model showing up this Fall.....

[Josh @ Oct 1st 2007 9:41PM]

I would go with a 350D and a nice lens rather than a newer camera, most SLR owners will agree with me when i say that lenses are more important than the camera.

[Buff @ Oct 1st 2007 11:49PM]

I echo the comment about the lens. I just bought an XTi and I love it. I bought with the kit lens, but I also got an EF-50mm 1.8 and that takes beautiful pictures. I have only used the kit lens to take about 10 pictures and the fixed 50mm about 1000 because the picture quality is soooo much better.

[Dan @ Oct 1st 2007 8:28PM]

You mention a 'lofty' price tag, but can't share that high altitude number with us? Why?

[Spiff @ Oct 1st 2007 9:20PM]

Following the link to the reviews, it appears about $450 is the typical price.

[2manygadgets @ Oct 1st 2007 9:14PM]

I have the SD 800 IS, which is perfect because of the wide angle lens. I only wish it would capture better video so I can ditch the camcorder.

[Macinjosh @ Oct 1st 2007 9:24PM]

Honestly, what point & shoot needs 12MP?? Especially when the sensors are so tiny. There has to be a stopping point, because this is just unnecessary & the file sizes are getting huge. Which means harder to store, longer to upload, more computer processing power, etc.

Why not concentrate on better lenses & sensors??

[John Doe @ Oct 1st 2007 9:35PM]

Because then people would skip over their DSLR's. Its the same reason why their low end DSLR's are missing some basic high end features. Its about putting a barrier between the different models.

[Howard @ Oct 2nd 2007 1:10AM]

I agree, a larger sensor would give much better results than merely packing more pixels into a small sensor. That said, the sample photos in the PhotographyBLOG review look amazing at low ISO!

[daddycool @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:32AM]

I want this, stop hating. I need to replace my IXUS 700 and this is the new replacement. Not everybody wants a big heavy ass SLR. Is this not the best non-SLR Canon camera???

[Zimmy @ Oct 5th 2007 4:17AM]

Some reviews say the Ixus 860 (SD870) is better value and less noisy with 8MP. No viewfinder but a bigger 3" screen and a wider angle lens.

[Ryan @ Oct 15th 2007 7:48PM]

I dont understand why anyone would invest their money into a 12megapixel point & shoot other than to be the "cool kid on the block." When it comes down to it there is no glass in the world that size (3/4 of an inch diameter?)that can really take full advantage of a true 12 megapixel sensor (not going into the small sensor issue and interpolation). Canon makes great equipment, just dont waste your money so you can have more pixels than you need.

[thubleau @ Nov 10th 2007 12:46AM]

I have just bought this camera and my reasoning is this.
I have a 20D and a host of lenses.The only other camera I need is the 5D to give me a set of new focal lengths from my existing lenses,seems to me no point in buying new lenses when i can buy a new camera cheaper.
Now, the 960is will fill a place for me, and that is I don't have to lug around the big guns when I am just going out to lunch, dinner or just for the day and it is not a planned photographic excursion.
Okay, it's not that great in low light but it has to be a lot better than the crappy 3 megapixel in my k800i phone which has terrible low light and flash performance.
The other thing is I crop my prints .The extra megapixels are going to help the limitations of not carrying a long lens with me so I reckon I should be able to crop to an
about the equivalent of a 300-400mm lens without loosing detail.
It has it's advantages and will just be another tool for me in my armourment.
Does this make sense? just forget the issues of noise, that can be removed quite easily with software and shooting any higher than ISO is something I rarely do and if I am serious about using a flash (which i hate) I will use my 20D and 580EX.

[thubleau @ Nov 13th 2007 5:13AM]

The Camera arrived today and as you know I have been using a 10d then a 20D for the last few years.
My first impressions.......quality....no flimsy parts that i can see and it feels solid in the hand.
i have noticed that people have commented about the high price but let me tell you, this is not a high price to pay for a camera that delivers stunning and accurate everyday photos.
Many years ago, well, maybe 5 or six you would have paid $1500.00US for a camera that delivers this type of image.
i am stunned!! Colours were supremely accurate and even using the in built flash surprised me at close distance.
reviewers like DPreview and Steve's digicam will probably only give this one a recommended mainly because they test everything and compare everything in fine detail but for me this is a highly recommended.I use a number of lenses with my 20D including a 17-40 "L" lens and this little camera more than matched those results straight out of the can before I even started my "darkroom' work.

Anybody who is thinking about an ultra compact I suggest you buy the Canon SD950/ixus960is.
For everyday shooting and without having to lug those "big guns" around to events it makes a lot of sense and at least you don't have to be looking over your shoulder to see if someone has pinched your gear.
It will get plenty of use from me but obviously will not replace my DSLR system,but I reckon I will be finding a lot more 'photo opportunities" with this one in my pocket.