Canon Powershot SD790 IS Review

Click to take a QTVR tour of the SD790 IS

The 10-megapixel PowerShot SD790 IS is one of several Digital ELPH models from Canon for 2008. It offers users powerful high-end features in a compact design. The camera's 3x zoom has a focusing range from a wide-angle equivalent of 35mm to a maximum telephoto equivalent of 105mm and features Canon's legendary Optical Image Stabilization technology. Like the PowerShot SD890 IS Digital ELPH camera, the SD790 IS Digital ELPH camera features the quick and easy-to-use multi-control dial.

Though smaller than a deck of playing cards, the PowerShot SD790 IS Digital ELPH camera conveys a cool, substantial look and feel, thanks to its solid, yet streamlined, chiseled design. Adding to its appeal is the camera's large and highly visible, three-inch PureColor LCD II display, with an adjacent multi-control dial and new button configuration that combine to form a flat control panel.

Among the significant technological advances shared on the new PowerShot SD890 IS, SD790 IS and SD770 IS Digital ELPH cameras is Canon's intelligent anti-blur system. Developed by linking four of Canon's most cutting-edge achievements: Optical Image Stabilization, Motion Detection technology, Hi-ISO Auto and Noise Reduction technology, the result is consistently sharp and clear pictures, even when the shooting conditions and circumstances may not be ideal.

All three PowerShot Digital ELPH cameras feature the latest and most advanced generation of Genuine Canon Face Detection Technology, thus ensuring that up-to nine forward-looking faces in the frame - whether posed for a family portrait, candidly capturing friends and fun, or spontaneously snapping a toddler's expression of triumphant glee as two halting steps - are in focus and properly exposed, with or without flash. In addition to focus and exposure control, the camera's Face Detection feature captures truer, more accurately lit skin tones (and hence more beautifully rendered pictures) thanks to Canon's improved Face Detection White Balance. There's also a new optional "AF Point Zoom" feature that digitally enlarges the face of the main subject on the camera's LCD screen to make it easy to determine the optimum timing for clicking the shutter to capture the moment.

Canon Digital ELPH cameras offer an array of in-camera processing features that once required tweaking with computer-based photo software. Now, newly developed Automatic Red Eye Correction can be engaged while shooting, minimizing the need for correction before printing or sharing images.

With Canon's Image Inspection Tool, users can review pictures recently taken on the camera's bright, brilliant and easy-to-read 230,000-pixel PureColor LCD II display by zooming in to ensure that the subjects are in focus and to check for such picture-damning details as closed eyes or inappropriate expressions. What's more, with the digital EPH camera line's Trimming Function, users can easily crop images, centering and creating memorable close-ups whether they are smiling faces or iconic cityscapes.

The "brain" in every new Canon digital camera is Canon's proprietary DIGIC III imaging processor. This exclusive chip is responsible for the camera's higher performance levels including faster start up, faster autofocus and quicker shutter response times that leave long lag competitors far behind. What's more, the DIGIC III processor improves both the image quality and the cameras' power consumption, extending the battery life under typical shooting conditions.

Powershot SD790 IS Features:

• 10.0 Megapixel CCD sensor for up to 3648 x 2736 pixel images
• 3x optical 35-105mm (35mm equivalent) zoom
• Optical Image Stabilization (IS) technology
• Large 3.0" color LCD with 230,000 pixels
• Widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio for HDTV display
• Ultra-compact and durable stainless steel body (3.61 x 2.24 x 0.82 in.)
• Advanced TTL AiAF 9-point autofocus system with focus-assist lamp
• Canon's Face Detection AF/AE/FE technology with AF-Point Zoom feature
• Auto, Scene and Camera M (Program) exposure modes
• Continuous 1.4fps shooting until memory is full
• Movie mode w/sound 30fps 640x480/320x240 up to 4GB
• Evaluative metering on focus point or Spot
• Exposure compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments
• White Balance: Auto, 5 presets or Custom
• Shutter speeds of 15 seconds to 1/1500 second
• Auto noise reduction with 1.3 sec or longer shutter speeds
• Selectable ISO settings from 80 to 1600
• Voice memo (up to 60 secs) can be attached to images
• Intelligent Orientation Sensor
• Built-in microphone and speaker
• Lithium rechargeable battery and charger included
• Direct print and PictBridge Compliant
• High-speed USB 2.0 connectivity for PC and Mac
• SD/SDHC and MMC/MMC+/HC MMC+ card storage, 32MB SD card supplied

The Powershot SD790 IS Digital ELPH is scheduled to be available this month (March 2008), and comes in five colors. The camera kit include a battery pack and charger, a 32MB SD memory card, a USB interface cable, an AV cable, a wrist strap, and Canon's software suite. Each kit carries an estimated retail price of US$349.99