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More…Wide is the operative word for the $350 Canon PowerShot SD870 IS Digital Elph--not for the camera's overall size, but for its alluringly large 3-inch LCD and for its wide-angle zoom, which starts at 28mm (35mm equivalent), a focal length to warm the heart of any ardent landscape photographer.
Canon Powershot SD870 IS
Pricing
$398.90 - $439.99 From 2 Vendors Get Best Prices »
- Spec Navigator
- Digital Format
- Display
- Exposure
- Image Processor
- Lens
- Shutter
- Storage
- LCD Screen
- Exposure Controls
- Dimensions
- Power
- Flash
- Lens Features
- Connectivity
- Other Features
Image Processor
| Number of image sensor pixels | 8 megapixels |
| Image sensor | CCD |
| Maximum horizontal image resolution | 3264 |
| Maximum vertical image resolution | 2448 |
| Image sensor quantity | 1 |
| Image format | JPEG |
| White balance | 0 |
Exposure Controls
| Maximum shutter speed | 1600 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 15 |
| Bulb setting | 0 |
| ISO equivalencies |
|
| Exposure settings | 0 |
| Exposure compensation range | 0 |
| Number of scene modes | 10 |
PCWorld Rating, June 9, 2009
5 User Reviews Add your own »
$398.90 - $439.99
From 2 Vendors
Get Best Prices »
- Lab Tested
- How We Test Cameras »
Pros
Extra-wide zoom lens
Big LCD (3 inches)
Cons
Not as well constructed as other Elphs
Animated on-screen button is distracting
Bottom Line
Though not made as sturdily as other Elphs, the SD870 IS has a big LCD, an extra-wide zoom lens, and takes great pictures.
Canon PowerShot SD870 IS Digital Elph Compact Digital Camera
Powershot SD870 IS Review, by Tracey Capen November 26, 2007
A sibling to two other Digital Elph models we reviewed--the PowerShot SD950 IS and the PowerShot SD850 IS--the SD870 shares many of this trio's fine features, including a nicely organized exposure system that groups key controls into one simple-to-use, easy-to-read screen.
All three digital cameras also share a new four-way thumb button that when touched, displays an animated replica for the button on the LCD screen. Though it's handy when you are trying to select settings in a dark room, it can also be annoying--when holding the camera, your thumb naturally wants to rest on the four-way button. The virtual button keeps popping up on the LCD when you don't want it to. Fortunately, you can turn this feature off in the setup menus.
With a shell made of both metal and plastic, and with its plastic buttons, the SD870 IS does not look quite as rugged as its two siblings. And some parts are not as robust: The battery door hinge, for example, is plastic and looks a bit frail, and instead of the typical metallic mode dial, it has a simple plastic sliding switch for Movie, Scene, and standard still shots. Nevertheless, it feels sturdy enough to survive most camera operators' punishment.
Given the similarity of this trio, it's no surprise that the SD870 IS produces photos on par with the SD950 IS and the SD850 IS. Our lab-based test shots were a bit underexposed, but sharp and nicely colored. Flash shots of our test model had a slightly grayish skin tone, but some of that may be due to being underexposed. Outdoor scenic shots were impressive--generally good exposure accuracy, no oversaturated colors, and sharp details. The huge LCD can be somewhat dim in bright light, but turning the LCD brightness all the way up helps.
Other high points for this camera (and the other two Digital Elph models reviewed) are superior documentation and an easy-to-use photo management application (in both Mac and Windows versions) that lets you organize, edit, and back up your photos. If you like to tweak the colors in your shots, the SD870 IS offers a near excess of options, including Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black and White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, and Vivid Red--plus novel Color Accent and Color Swap features that let you highlight a particular color. You could, for example, retain the color in a yellow ball, and turn the rest of the photo into black and white. All of this seems a bit high-end for a camera that feels more like a snapshot model.
It's pricey, but the extra-wide-angle lens, the big LCD, and the well-thought-out exposure control system make this an attractive compact camera.
For other, similar digital camera models, see our chart of Top 10 Compact Cameras.
--Tracey Capen
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PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
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77
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81
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83
- See Complete Lab Results »
Performance Comparison with Similar Cameras
77
79
78
75
Performance
| Battery Life (minutes) | 165.75 |
| Battery Life Score | Very Good |
| Image Quality Score | Good |
| Image Quality, Color | 64 |
| Image Quality, Distortion | 59 |
| Image Quality, Exposure | 56.3 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Flash | 56.1 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Normal | 56.5 |
| Image Quality, Overall | 59.1 |
| Image Quality, Sharpness | 40.5 |
| Number of Batteries | 1 |
| Number of Shots | 301 |
User Reviews
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: Bupitz
Strengths: Great LCD, superb pictures, a lot of functions, small, great battery life, great videos, i just love this camera.
Weaknesses: The only weakness is the noise at ISO 800/1600 but that's the problem with all compact cameras ... if you don't want noise in your pictures use a DSLR!
Overall: There is no better p/s camera out there. I also have a Canon EOS Rebel XSi DSLR but sometimes it's too big to have it with me. So if you want clear pictures in bright sky or in good light the SD870 IS is the best choice. Even in low light I got good pics. There are a lot of manual controls either ... long exposure, etc and the movie mode is excellent with a great sound.
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Reviewed by: allyn12341234
Strengths: Nice large view screen. Intuitive, well thought out controls. Love it!
Weaknesses: None that I can see
Overall: Nice large view screen. Intuitive, well thought out controls. Love it! It is well made and solid in feel, as well. Starts up quickly. Shoots great video...Suggest 4GB memory card if intending to shoot much video as it eats memory compared to photos.
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Reviewed by: pammyyoha
Strengths: Speed, ease of use, battery life, overall picture quality
Weaknesses: Lack of full manual controls, but expected
Overall: I have used the Canon SD870 IS and the Canon SD850 IS--I like them both. The SD870 has the wide angle lens, a large 3" screen, and no optical viewfinder. It is quick to respond when you turn it on or when it recycles between shots. It takes nice photos and I'd buy it again in a flash. This model has the battery status indicator (unlike the SD850) and the battery lasts well (tons longer than in ones like the Canon A570 that uses AA batteries). The SD870 is easy to hold, nice looking, solid, and the LCD quality is great. The settings it chooses on automatic are normally very good, though one can tweek them quite easily when needed. I bought this after trying a Panasonic FX33 which has a similar lens range--this has far better color and sharpness. If you want a cute, reliable point and shoot with a normal range of options, this works great and takes very good photos. The flash is not FANTASTIC, but spot focus on the area of a room where you want to shoot and the flash will extend better. Also, if there is natural light shining into a room, this camera will shoot without the flash and pick up the picture pretty nicely.Outdoors this camera capture accurates colors and brightness, and the software that comes with the Canon cameras has a lot of options for editing. This is a very reliable choice in a point and shoot!
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Reviewed by: jayneg
Strengths: large LCD screen, good array of manual settings for a pocket camera, superior quality to other cameras in same class
Weaknesses: battery & SD card access door feels like it will break each time I open it. Auto-white balance indoors is a little yellow (manual white balance adjust fixes this though, but it's an extra step)
Overall: I hear many people ranting and raving about their consumer grade digital cameras (To be fair, I won't name the brands), but I kind of laugh when they say "I've got 8MP and all these different auto modes like snow, museum, etc...) after seeing the results of a similar type camera utilizing all the different modes, I see grainy, washed out, out-of-focus shots. The cameras take forever to boot up, and there is a long lag time inbetween shots even with high speed cards installed. The time between pressing the shutter button and the unit actually taking the picture renders These cameras ability to capture the moment useless.But with the Canon PowerShot SD870 IS, all the above statements are not true. This camera actually has nice color tones and can take sharp action shots The large LCD makes it very easy to frame your subject(s), and even though it may get a bit grainy in low light conditions, the actual picture comes out fine. Start up time is almost instant, time between shots is fast, and when you press the shutter, it takes the picture. So there is more to purchasing a digital camera than how many MP it has. I've seen 13 MP camera's take lousey pictures compared to this camera. I am extremely happy with it. It is as easy or as complicated to use as I want it to be; meaning I can just use it as a point-and-shoot when I'm feeling lazy, or I can switch to manual mode and take advantage of the multitude of user settings not always offered with other same type cameras.
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Reviewed by: mhbusch
Strengths: Easy to use
Weaknesses: none so far
Overall: This is great camera and Abe's of Maine is a super supplier of electronics fast shipping. Customer service called and offered better deals on accessories. We will buy from again.
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