Canon Powershot SD850 IS Review

When you select Playback mode the last picture taken is displayed. You can move backward or forward through the images using the LEFT and RIGHT buttons. The amount of overlay information displayed is controlled by pressing the DISP button. Information across the bottom is 54/62 which means image 54 of 62 total, image quality is set at Large SuperFine and the time and date of capture. A "key" icon means the image is protected, and a "musical note" icon indicates that a voice memo has been attached (not shown.)

Pressing the DISPlay button displays the histogram and extended image information to indicate the capture mode, flash mode, exposure compensation, white balance, ISO speed, metering, file size and image size.

If you press the DISP button again all of the overlay information is removed. This is good for when you are showing the pictures on the TV and don't want the info displayed.

You can quickly search through stored images using the Index playback function which is actuated by pressing the Wide zoom control button. Nine thumbnail size images will be displayed and you can select one using the LEFT or RIGHT buttons and then pressing the Telephoto zoom button. Pressing the Wide button again will put you in jump mode where you can backward or forward a page at a time.

The image can be magnified up to 10x in ten steps by pressing the telephoto zoom button. Once the image is enlarged at any step, you can move around inside of it using the 4-way selector buttons.

Movie clips can be played in the camera with audio thanks to the built-in speaker or on a TV set with the supplied A/V cables.

You get "VCR-like" buttons to control the playback of movie clips.

You can also shorten (edit the length) a movie clip.

Pressing the MENU button brings up this page of options. You can start a slide show, place an image in a category, Erase images, Protect or unprotect an image(s), correct red-eye in your portraits, use My colors, Sound Memo will let you attach up to a 60 sec voice "note" with an image, use the sound recorder function, rotate portrait mode image for display on TV, Transfer Order lets you select the order from which the images are transferred to your computer and Transition is to display a screen effect between images.

For proper display on a TV screen you use the Rotate option on any pictures that you have taken in portrait (vertical) mode.

The Sound Memo options lets you record memos or notes up to 60 seconds in length which are attached to still images. You can overwrite or delete previous memos.

The SD850 can also be used as a digital sound recorder.

The Setup sub-menu lets you Mute camera sounds, adjust the volume of several functions, enable or disable the touch icons, adjust LCD brightness, choose the Power saving settings, set the Time Zone, set the time and date in the internal clock, choose the clock display settings, format the SD card, choose file numbering method, create a folder new folder, turn auto rotate on/off, adjust the Lens retract time, set the menu language, specify the video out format (NTSC or PAL), select the print method used and RESET all settings to factory default.

The MyCamera sub-menu lets you customize the startup and shutdown screens and the camera's sound effects. When you install the included software you will find a wealth of themes, startup screens and sounds to choose from our custom build your own.