Canon PowerShot SD800 IS

[alcina]

Isn't the SD series limited in controls of aperture, shutter and ISO? If so, then no matter how good they are, they will never be in the same arena as a camera with complete control of those things.

Only one camera? Yikes - not sure I can get my head around that concept As I'm no good at waiting, I'd get the S80 and get in the water - can always ebay it later to move on LOL If you follow the link in my sig you'll find a list of cameras with links to photos from that rig and some discussion on it - might help...don't have the two new ones on the list, but the S80 is there.

 

[Vicente]

So does this SD800is or the G7 support strobes?

I have read that some cameras have a "strobe" setting for flash, so it does one short low-power flash you trigger the main strobe with. Saves batteries and avoids the confusion of double-flashes on some settings. Not sure how you would dig this out of the camera specs to know if it has it or not.

 

[CompuDude]

I hear you, CompuDude, but what if you could only have one camera? Scary thought, huh? Given the choice of buying an S80, an SD800is or a G7, which would you choose? I'm only thinking of u/w shots, as my PowerShot S30 still meets my vacation snap needs. I'm looking for the best potential for good quality u/w photos, and camera/housing size is not a major criterion.

I'd do the same thing I did the first time: take the middle route and stick with my S80, which is small(ish) but still has full manual controls. I'd go full-blown dSLR before going for the G7, as I don't think the size difference is all that big.

Again, it all depends on how important manual controls are to you underwater. With a strobe (as of my last dive), I'm glad I have the manual controls the S80 offers, because now I'm going to really need them.

But I took some darn good pictures with my SD550, and the specs on the SD800is blow it out of the water. I'd still be giving up the manual controls, but it all depends on what you want to shoot, and how. I already have my S80 with strobe, so for me the SD800is would be a second camera. Makes it an easy choice. I miss the compact size of the SD500, though, with the S80.

So unless you can have at least two (in my case), if not three (for those who MUST have dSLR) cameras, you're going to have to compromise somewhere. With the S80 I compromised a bit on size and convenience. With a G series camera, it would be compromizing a LOT more, for features I like but don't need. The S80 suffices. However, even the S80 compromises on size and convenience compared to the SD series, which really makes a difference on a family vacation, so I'm tempted to add an SD series into the mix as a secondary camera, and leave the bulky S80 with strobe rig at home when trying to travel light.

 

[CompuDude]

Isn't the SD series limited in controls of aperture, shutter and ISO? If so, then no matter how good they are, they will never be in the same arena as a camera with complete control of those things.

Only one camera? Yikes - not sure I can get my head around that concept As I'm no good at waiting, I'd get the S80 and get in the water - can always ebay it later to move on LOL If you follow the link in my sig you'll find a list of cameras with links to photos from that rig and some discussion on it - might help...don't have the two new ones on the list, but the S80 is there.

As you have said, it's the photographer, not the camera.

It's true you will be more limited with the SD series due to lack of manual controls. But I took these with my SD500 and internal flash, and I'm pretty pleased with the result... as pleased as I have been with my S80, in all honesty:

Could I have done better with manual controls and a strobe? Probably. But there was definitely a convenience factor that was awfully nice...

(Edit: Oops, fixed links to wrong size files)

 

[ScubaMarc]

what is wrong with the battery being AA, you can by high end rechargeables AAs if u need. Any AA rechargeable is much cheaper than the canon batteries unless u try to buy a canon batery off of ebay.

 

[alcina]

IMHO AAs are a great advantage - you can get them anywhere, they are cheap, if you need some there's usually someone around who will let you borrow them or the charger, the NiMH rechargeables last for a long long time.

 

[REII]

How long are the AAs lasting for you guys?

I have the Canon rechargeable batteries in my Powershot. One battery will last thru a full day including 2 tank dives.

My worry is that I would have to change batteries inbetween dives and risk getting the camera or batteries wet. I can control dryness on my own boat to a certain extent, but not on a dive boat.

TOM

 

[CompuDude]

IMHO AAs are a great advantage - you can get them anywhere, they are cheap, if you need some there's usually someone around who will let you borrow them or the charger, the NiMH rechargeables last for a long long time.

I would agree with you, if the electronics on the A series cameras were as good as on the S and SD series. I swear they slow them down or use cheaper versions, because I've been unhappy with the slow "feel" of the A series ever time I've used them.

 

[Jamdiver]

I would agree with you, if the electronics on the A series cameras were as good as on the S and SD series. I swear they slow them down or use cheaper versions, because I've been unhappy with the slow "feel" of the A series ever time I've used them.

Care to elaborate?

I've found no noticeable difference in general operation and photo taking between the latter more recent S series (Canon S80 and so on) and my A610/A620..

In fact I had the opportunity to use an S80 and found it virtually indistinguishable in speediness and operation to my A610.

I think the differences that you noted might be due to whether or not the A series you used had the DIGIC II or even older DIGIC algorithim.. i.e. it's relative 'modernity/newness'...... I think we all know how short the lifecycle of cameras are nowadays.

I think DIGIC III is out in the new Canon G7...