My old digital point and shoot is ancient, slow, and large. After researching several pocket-sized point-and-shoot, I rapidly downselected to the Nikon Coolpix series and the Canon Powershot series. After much time spent burrowing deep before doing quick scanning both lines, I settled on Canon Powershot SD780 IS. Based on many digital camera review sites, Canon appears to offer the best images in this class. Nikons have great features, are easy to use, priced competitively, and they seem to perform from slightly behind to much noisier and color shifted than the equivalent Canons.
It does not come with a memory card so a SDHC is definitely required. The 16GB, Class 6 card offers enough speed to keep up with this fast camera and plenty of room for pictures and video. Given the small form factor, extra of its custom battery packs are a “must have” as well. Amazon offers an off-brand three-pack for significantly cheaper than the Canon branded one. Its performance is rated highly in the customer review section. For $13.95 for 3 packs, it is worth the risk compared to the $38.50 for the single pack Canon branded battery.
I got a red one for Father’s Day and love it. It served me well on multiple road trips and vacations this summer. It fits in my back pocket and goes most everywhere with me.
Product Features
- 12.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
- 3x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilizer
- HD movie shooting capability plus HDMI output
- 2.5-inch widescreen PureColor LCD II screen; Face Detection
- Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)
- Large, crisp 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II
- DIGIC 4 Image Processor
- Focal Length: 5.9-17.9mm f/3.2-5.8 (35mm film equivalent: 33-100mm)
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 3.43 x 2.15 x 0.72 in./87.0 x 54.5 x 18.4mm
- Weight: Approx. 4.06 oz./115g (camera body only)