A Wide Angle Lens Sets the Canon PowerShot SD880IS Apart in This Review

When consumers are asked what they would like to improve on their current digital camera the majority answer "zoom". Most consumers have small size point and shoot cameras which really seems to limit zoom capacity. Canon has addressed this request with the Canon PowerShot SD880IS. With out a doubt this small point and shoot is a step above the rest with its 4 time wide angle optical zoom. The old adage "if you build it they will come" has really come true on this one as it is currently ranked as one of Amazon's top selling electronics this holiday season. Because of this I've taken the opportunity to give one of these a test drive just to let you know how well it performs.

Styling: 5/5

Features: 4/5

Image Quality: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Overall: 4/5

Product Overview:

A high end point and shoot this Canon really looks the part. It has a wonderful design my model is silver with a black obverse. The 3 inch LCD takes up a large part of the rear of this camera and the view finder is sacrificed. Luckily the LCD screen is quite bright making it easy to take photos outside during well lit situations. The camera itself is constructed of a high density plastic and feels very durable in the hand.

This camera is full of features all of which can be accessed on the back side of the camera. I found that navigating the menu was easy thanks to the intuitive layout and large accurate buttons. Sometimes individuals with larger hands like myself can find it difficult to manipulate menu controls but that is not the case with the Canon PowerShot SD880IS. I've found that while the typical shooting options like landscape, portrait etc. work perfectly the more esoteric advertised features like the face self timer may be utilized but made little difference during my experience with the camera.

The image quality produced by this 10 megapixel is excellent. Ideal settings are well lit outdoor shots where the zoom can truly be utilized. Sporting events were nice as well with the wide angle. My only complaint was I did experience a slight amount of blurring while shooting a basketball game. Night shots turn out well especially in high ISO mode utilizing a tripod. Otherwise there is some noise, but the photos are acceptable.

Product Value:

The Canon PowerShot SD880IS can be found for less than $300 which in my opinion is a decent deal. They are charging a premium for the lens and zooming capabilities so if that doesn't interest you, it may be advantageous to look else where. I do feel like most people will find that it actually is worth the extra coin and will ultimately enjoy their camera. It is perfect for the budding photographer as well as the armature point and shooter.