Canon Powershot SD850 IS Digital Camera
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- 8.0-megapixel resolution in a Ultra Compact body.
- 4x optical zoom with Image Stabilization for steady, long zoom shooting.
- High-resolution 2.5-inch "PureColor" LCD with scratch-resistant, anti-reflection coating.
- Sensitivity range to ISO 1600 for sharper photos in low light.
- Print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloading.
The PowerShot SD850 IS Digital Elph is a digital camera that will really get your creative juices flowing. It starts with a high-resolution 8-megapixel CCD, a 4x optical zoom with Canon’s exclusive UA Lens and an Optical Image Stabilizer for steady zooming. There’s also a DIGIC III Image Processor with Face Detection and red-eye correction, an ISO 1600 setting for sharper images in low light, 5 Movie Modes and a 2.5-inch PureColor LCD with scratch-resistant, anti-reflective coating for easy viewing.
PowerShot SD850 Highlights
Advanced 8.0-megapixel Digital Elph with 4x optical zoom and exclusive UA lens Count on the PowerShot SD850 IS Digital Elph for images that will make you say "wow" every time you shoot! Equipped with a high resolution 8-megapixel CCD, this Digital Elph is just what you need to capture life’s greatest inspirations as you’ve always wanted them. You’ll get every exquisite detail in dazzling, eye-popping color. And you can print big. Plus, the SD850 IS Digital Elph is equipped with a 4x optical zoom that features Canon’s exclusive UA lens with ultra-high refractive index glass to enhance your pictures while significantly reducing total lens size. Just imagine the possibilities!
Optical Image Stabilizer technology for steady, long zoom shooting Life doesn’t give you second chances to capture special times. That’s why the elegant PowerShot SD850 IS Digital Elph is equipped with Canon’s acclaimed Optical Image Stabilizer Technology that automatically detects and corrects camera shake -- one of the leading causes of fuzzy or blurred shots. So now even when you’re zooming in tight you can get the steady, crisp, brilliant images you’ll be proud to shoot and share. And Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer Technology is so convenient to use. Just turn it on, it functions perfectly with or without a flash.
DIGIC III Image Processor with improved Face Detection Technology and Red-eye Correction With DIGIC III, you get images of superior quality, the camera functions at top efficiency and battery life is significantly enhanced. What’s more, DIGIC III enables Canon’s newly improved Face Detection Technology and Red-eye Correction to give you better, more true-to-life people shots. Simply press the Shutter Button halfway down, and the PowerShot SD850 IS Digital Elph automatically pinpoints the faces in the scene and chooses the ideal focus point. To keep every face looking bright and natural -- without scary red eyes -- the camera controls exposure settings and flash, so every shot is just what you were shooting for.
DIGIC III features Face Detection AF/AE, which finds multiple faces in the frame and sets the most suitable focus point, when the shutter button is pressed halfway. And an additional new feature, Face Detection FE adjusts the flash, based on a person’s face on the screen. Exposure and flash are controlled to ensure proper illumination of both the faces and the overall scene, eliminating the common problem of darkened or overexposed faces.
Red-eye Correction detects and automatically corrects red-eye during playback for both regular and flash photography. In unusual cases where red-eye is not automatically detected, it can easily be corrected manually during playback mode.
iSAPS technology is an entirely original scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the fast DIGIC III Image Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.
Vivid, high-resolution 2.5-inch PureColor LCD The camera’s 2.5-inch LCD screen gives you the big picture, whether you’re shooting, reviewing or showing off your images. This extra-durable, high-resolution screen with tough scratch-resistant coating on the anti-reflective, PureColor LCD screen offers a crisp, clear picture to make shooting, playback and using the camera’s menu functions especially convenient. Clear and bright, it also features Night Display for easy viewing in low light.
Sensitivity range expanded to ISO 1600 The PowerShot SD850 IS Digital Elph features new ISO 1600 and High ISO Auto settings that reduce the effects of camera shake and sharpen subjects in low-light situations, giving you greater flexibility for shooting.
Creative Light effects, and five movies modes A new Special Scene Mode "Creative Light Effects" brings you a new pleasure of capturing night scenes! You can select ant effect before shooting, then it transforms background bright spots to stars, hearts, music notes and more.
Shooting movies have also five options. With a highly flexible movie mode, you can create the movie that’s perfect for any application. Select from VGA (640 x 480 pixels) and QVGA (320 x 240 pixels), with frame rates of 30 fps and 15 fps for recording up to 1 hour or 4GB. Also choose from Fast Frame Rate (QVGA; 320 x 240 pixels) recording at 60 fps for up to 1 minute, Compact Movie Mode (QQVGA; 160 x 120 pixels) recording at 15 fps for up to 3 minutes, and Time Lapse (640 x 480) recording at 1 or 2 sec. intervals. The PowerShot SD850 IS Digital Elph supports the USB 2.0 Hi-Speed standard, so you’ll enjoy the fastest possible data transfer speeds when using a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed compatible computer.
18 Shooting Modes including 11 Special Scene Modes
- Auto The camera chooses all the settings so you can concentrate on your subject.
- Manual The ultimate in creative control, you set ISO speed, exposure compensation and white balance.
- Color Accent Choose to retain a single color in your image while other colors turn monochrome.
- Color Swap Select a color and replace it with a color you specify for special effects.
- Digital Macro Shoot larger-than-life close-ups with one-button simplicity.
- Stitch Assist Build awe-inspiring panoramas by neatly aligning sequential images.
- Movie Shoot in VGA and QVGA (30 fps/15 fps for up to 1 hour or 4GB), Fast Frame Rate (60 fps for up to 1 minute), QQVGA (15 fps for up to 3 minutes) or Time Lapse (640 x 480 for 1 sec./2 sec. intervals).
- Portrait The camera sets a large aperture, focusing the subject and artistically blurring the background to make your subject "pop."
- Foliage Capture brilliant shots of autumn foliage, greenery and blossoms.
- Snow Shoot clear snow scenes without darkened subjects or an unnatural bluish tint.
- Beach Get clear shots of people at a sunny beach without darkened faces.
- Fireworks Grab brilliant images of skyrocketing fireworks.
- Aquarium Achieve proper flash-free exposure and natural hues at indoor aquariums.
- Underwater Capture underwater images with reduced backscatter effect (Note: Optional Waterproof Case WP-DC15 required for shooting any underwater images).
- Indoor Reduce blur and improve color accuracy when shooting handheld indoors.
- Kids & Pets Reduced focusing time freezes fast-moving subjects, so you won’t miss those special shots.
- Night Snapshot Get natural-looking pictures with brighter backgrounds and subjects lit by flash.
- Creative Light Effects Transform background bright spots to stars, hearts, music notes and more.
Canon SD850 IS Photo Samples
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Photos courtesy of Flickr and belong to respective users. To view a larger image click on thumbnail.
Compare Canon SD850 IS with similar cameras
| Name: | Nikon L5 | Canon SD850 IS | Canon SD870 IS | Olympus 850SW |
| Megapixels: | 7.1 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Optical Zoom: | 5 X | 4 X | 4 X | 3 X |
| Max Res: | 3072 x 2304 | 3264 x 2448 | 3264 x 2448 | 3248 x 2436 |
| LCD Screen: | 2.5 " | 2.5 " | 3.0" | 2.5 " |
| Digital zoom: | 4x | 4x | Yes, 4 x | Yes, up to 5x |
| Image stabilizer: | Yes, Lens | Yes, Lens | Yes, Lens | No |
| Media Card: | SD / MMC card + Internal | SD / SDHC / MMC card | SD / SDHC / MMC card | xD Picture Card + Internal |
| Battery: | Nikon rechargeable NiMH AA's (2) & charger | Lithium-Ion NB-5L battery & charger | Lithium-Ion NB-5L battery & charger | Lithium-Ion (LI-42B) & charger |
| Weight (with batteries): | 210 g (7.4 oz) | 195 g (6.9 oz) | 165 g (5.8 oz) | 176 g (6.2 oz) |
| Lowest Price: | $199.95 | $234.95 | $231.00 | $209.95 |
| Details: | View details | View details | View details | View details |
Canon SD850 IS User Reviews
| Avg. Rating |
This item is reviewed by 475 people so far.
Click here for complete reviews. |
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Less than 2yrs old, the lens stuck. Est repair cost: $130
- Reviewd on: 2/5/2010 12:00:00 AM By: Eric E. Schafer
I bought this camera in July of 2008 for $230. After less than two years of moderate use, the lens got stuck. The estimated cost for repair is $130, which is the cost of a new camera. I would be fine if the camera either didn't break, or if repairs cost $30 to $50. My next camera will be a Canon, but a cheaper one, and I'll basically be treating it as an 18mo disposable camera. |
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The lens would not retract
- Reviewd on: 1/17/2010 12:00:00 AM By: A. S. Meziani
I bought this camera on July 2007 and have used it sporadically since. Recently, I tried to help my son with his science project by taking pictures of items needed for his project and... the lens simply would not retract. I ended up buying a cheap disposable camera to do a job supposed to be done by this expensive camera. This camera was used sporadically, never under harsh conditions and stored properly. I bought it for $368 then and it turned out to be an expensive disposable camera. The canon brand used to be a reputable brand. Buyers beware. Canon PowerShot SD850 IS 8.0 MP Digital Elph Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom |
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Poorly Constructed
- Reviewd on: 1/10/2010 12:00:00 AM By: Dave
This is my second and last Powershot, they are good because they takes decent shots and are small, but the problem is that they are not built to last. I accidentally dropped one from waist high and that killed it, the other one just blew out on me after only 2 years. They need to improve their construction of these things to make them more durable |
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canon camera
- Reviewd on: 10/21/2009 12:00:00 AM By: Sarah Stahl
This is the best camera I have owned to date. This is the 2nd time I bought this model. My first one was lost with a stolen purse. I HAD to buy the exact same camera again. I spent a few weeks researching other make/models, but in the end, spent time on Ebay and Amazon looking to purchase a "new" used camera. (I was not ready to pay the asking price for a brand new SD850 camera.) The quality is wonderful, especially when capturing a moving target. The movie mode is also very impressive. I gave up using my digital video camera -- this camera takes better pictures than it ever did. |
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Canon SD850
- Reviewd on: 9/22/2009 12:00:00 AM By: Katy Reichmuth
This is the first 850, but the 3rd camera in this "family" that I have purchased. I was in love with my SD700, but I lost it. This has been a superior replacement with improved night photos and video options. |





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