Canon PowerShot SD600 6MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (OLD MODEL)

Funny how this camera seems to be tested in Boston. I bought this camera specifically for a trip to Boston. I thought my brother's SD450 was the best digital camera I've ever used, until I got the SD600. I took TONS of pictures in different lighting and all turned out great. I shot everything from plates of food inches away to soccer games with players clear across the field. Certain settings worked better than others for different lighting situations. It really just depends on what color tones you prefer. I prefer warmer tones and the camera worked really well. For the basic point-and-shoot shots with the setting on automatic and flash, I thought the colors were very true to life. The video feature is really great as well. Playback is amazing on the large LCD screen. The newer version of this camera (SD630) has a larger display of 3inches but I actually prefer my 2.5inch screen. THis is because when I tried out the SD630, I'd get finger prints on the screen just trying to manuever the buttons. I don't have this problem w/ the SD600. I am able to avoid touching the screen while changing the settings on my camera. The best thing about this camera is that it is ready almost instantly after you turn it on. No waiting for an annoying flash to warm up. It also takes a picture right away when you press the button. Hardly a delay compared to other digital cameras. I don't have much else to add to this review that hasn't been already addressed. This camera with its numerous settings is far better than any old point-and-shoot camera. I think it's a great compromise between a professional camera and a point-and-shoot. It's quite versatile for those who like to play around with settings and effects. For the price, this camera rocks. 3 people have already been convinced into buying this camera after seeing me use it.

I have to say it is a bit confusing when looking for a digital camera. I found it helpful to go out and see how the cameras work and see how you like the feel. It came down to a few models for me - the sony w50, canon a630 and a540 or a530 and the canon sd630 and Nikon L4. The a530 and a540 I liked but didn't care for the fact they only used 2 AA batteries as they didn't seem they would last too long with the size of the camera and I wanted something that would take better low light shots and maybe something a bit smaller as well. I liked the price on the nikon L4 but everybody told me to avoid it so I did. The one I liked the best was the canon a630 but I came to the conclusion that a small 'carry with you everywhere camera' was more the direction I wanted to go so I hesitantly moved my search to the sony w50 and canon sd600. The sony is a slick camera and pictures were ok but I liked the image quality and feel of the canon better. I didn't like having to buy the sony duo pro type memory over the sd cards, although people do love the sony and it seems to be a dependable camera. The sd630 is a nice camera too but I wanted the viewfinder and have already found it usefull and I liked the larger controls on the sd600. Sooo here I am. I was surprised how fast the camera booted up, almost instantaneous. I bought a 2 gb kingston sd memory card and it performs flawlessly. I have never downloaded pictures to my computer before but this was a snap, didn't load software just plugged it in and easy from there. I have windows xp. Movie mode is amazing and I can zoom in and out which I didn't know I could. Took some pictures of furniture I wanted to sell on craigs list and came out excellent. I didn't use a flash and just have to have some good outside light in the room and good angle. The flash is a bit strong and wish there was a message board for people who own this camera as we could give each other some shooting tips. Anyway am just beginning to discover all the shooting modes and unique features of this camera and so far I am surprised at the quality of the images and the camera itself when I have had a chance to use it. Will update after some more extensive use. If you're looking for a camera you can put in your pocket and take anywhere, then I don't think you can go wrong with this one.

Even though my SD110 seemed indestructible, it couldn't match the size and nimbleness of the new generation of Elves, so it was time for a replacement. With under a hundred bucks separating the first five models, a consumer might well be in a minor dither about which to get. Currently most Amazon consumers are bucking the adage "newer is better" and going with the SD600 (which the tech people at Cnet support, giving it a rating identical to or higher than the slightly larger and heavier SD700 and recent SD800 and SD900, both with Digic III processors). Perhaps their thinking is like mine: first, its dimensions (width, depth, and height) are smaller and its weight (under 5 oz) lighter than the other six models (the 500's are the largest, and the 630, in fact, is a bit of an oxymoron: a bigger screen to accommodate failing eyes but tighter and tinier controls for those same eyes to locate and navigate); second, the 600 is the only one of the seven that maintains the original Canon Elph aesthetic of perfectly square angles at all corners of the camera (the contoured look that Canon is beginning to introduce is, I confess, a slight offense to my eye). Finally, in the category of set-up time for the first and each subsequent shot, the 600 is comparable in speed with the other models, rated a nano-second behind the 800 but better than the 900. Moreover, the price at this time is right (though don't expect this model to be around much longer). If you can live with a "mere" 6 megapixels and shoot with a sufficiently steady hand to ignore the absence of the 700's image stabilizer feature this may very well be "the one" for you. (Not for an eternity, but in our world of rapidly changing technology even an "extended honeymoon" of several years has to be considered equivalent to a lasting marriage.) If it needs a further recommendation, my botanist son-in-law, who owns an SD500, is about to order a supply of the smaller and lighter 600's to put in the hands of his students in the field. Postscript: Contrary to a later reviewer's claim, this camera does not have an "anti-shake" feature like the SD700. I've never had a problem with shaky pictures, but should you observe jittery images, try shooting through the viewfinder for a firmer grip (which is lacking, by the way on the SD630). As for a 6 megapixel lens vs. a higher number, only the sharpest eye would detect any difference in quality of resolution--and even then it would have to be an image blown up to wallpaper size. Finally, the cost of SD memory cards has come down by 50% in just the past several months, so it makes sense to go for the larger (1 GB) card. Also, I would spend the extra fifteen bucks for the faster speed of the Sandisk Ultra II card. (If you like to check the results of a shot the instant after exposure or if you transfer large numbers of shots to your computer at the same time, you'll notice a difference). If you're content with a conventional SD card and want to save a few additional bucks, go with Kingston (as good as Sandisk, in my experience, though I'd stay clear of Lexar, which has given me trouble).

Even though it states it twice, this item does not come with a charger or SD card. I reached out the the seller and was told thats just the way it is and that its amazons fault, they then gave me $15. I have purchased numerous SD cards and none work! I got a faulty camera! I think the slot where the SD card goes is oxidized, cause even when I unlock the SD card it still comes up as locked.

This camera is my holy grail. Everyone loves the pictures it takes. Even for an older camera its competes so well with modern day cameras. The functionality still holds up. It gives a old nostalgia feel with each picture. Almost like a memory you’ve had. The colors are bright. Its so easy to use. Everyone, even strangers I’ve met have been able to take pictures of me easily and well. Its a very small camera so i can always squeeze it in my purse. For the girls, BUY IT.

I've had five Canon digitals: the tough-as-nails S230, the reasonably robust s410 (though the rotary settings dial failed there, happily I had the AMEX extended warranty), the ultra-rugged G2 and the excellent Digital Rebel XT. Oh, and the brand new frail and feeble Canon PowerShot SD600. Oh, it's not a terrible camera. It's inexpensive, the images aren't worse than the s410, the shutter lag is somewhat less ... but I expected more. Yes it's smaller -- but only outside of the case. Put it inside the somewhat bulky case (you wouldn't want to carry this fragile gem any other way) and it's about the same size as the s410 in its case. So the size drop doesn't bring much practical value, but the large display and small size have some unfortunate side-effects. The flash is microscopic and the battery looks too small to power the big display for long. Speaking of the big display, it doesn't leave much room for the almost invisible controls. Yes, the display is nice for doing on camera image review and editing, but we do that on the 20" iMac display. It's made for consumers who don't use a computer. Maybe it was the lack of space that made Canon remove the mechanical switch between 'Auto' and 'Manual' settings. That hurts. My wife uses auto, I use manual. The switch used to be foolproof, now it requires quirky menu navigation. And so we come back to the build quality. On the one hand the camera has a one year warranty. On the other hand it probably doesn't cover the camera door coming off in your hands. This camera is 'Made in Japan', but evidently that doesn't mean what it once did. The first time I inserted the SD card it wouldn't pop out again, though it did on a second try. The Digital Elph's had an enviable reputation for solid construction, Canon has tossed that out the window. If I were Canon's CEO I'd be calling for an internal inquiry. A few positives to end with. It still uses a standard mini-B USB connector and Canon's compact and plugless wall charger is as well designed as ever. For the price it may still be a competitive offering, but in the past I used to tell friends to save their time and buy Canon. Now I have to tell them to look around first.

After doing a lot of reading and browsing I finally settled on the SD600 mainly 'cos of the reviews. It's nothing less than a great camera for the person who is not much into adjusting the blah-blah-blah for getting that perfect photo! Just switch it on and click. The zoom is sufficient and the clarity is real good. I have tried almost all the options except the "manual" and the photos are just great with foliage and night shots being the highlight. The foliage shots had a good depth of the colors and the night shots were clear. The only problem I found with night shots was that the flash "whitenend" the subject when the subject was less than 10 feet(approximately) away from the lens. Otherwise it was good. Also the photo tends to be "shaken" in low light conditions. If you are going to do a lot of shooting in low light conditions, either you need to have one/a pair of steady hands (I try to hold my camera in both my hands for better stabity) or go for one with IS. The battery life is satisfactory and charges pretty fast. Lack of a battery indicator is a sore point. The camera is compact and fits inside almost any pocket on your attire. With an ultra SD card, the snapping is quick. By the way, the SD card that shipped with the camera was a waste. It carries no more than 10 photos at the most. Order a larger SD card along with the camera. To summarize, here are the reasons why you should go for this... - compact and fits palm of your hand - Simple and easy to use - Offers some preset settings to explore and saves you time and effort to adjust a lot of things if you were to use the manual option - And with all these... gives you great pictures Reduced the 1 star from the rating 'cos... - no battery indicator. I would not know until its completely dead. - an IS option would have been better - sometimes I feel it is too compact that I have put in effort to grip it tight and hold it steadily (my fingers ache) Overall, go for the camera if you need it for snapping on the go.. ur kids, travel, holidays, events etc. If you are a serious photographer with an "eye" for details, this is not the camera for you. I would suggest the S* IS series.

I bought the SD600 because I needed a small and reliable camera to take with me to the Himalayas in February. Originally, I was going to buy a higher end SLR camera for this trip but decided the bulk and worry behind carrying a camera like that would not be worth it. This being said, let me talk about how happy I am with the quality and color of the SD600. First off, in proper situations, the color and brightness of the SD600 are far superior to all other small digital camera's I tried. When I am getting photos printed, I still have to do some small adjustments in photoshop most of the time, but that's only really nitpicky. The SD600 also has a view finder, which is great for traveling and general shooting because all LCD screens on the back of cameras can get washed out by the sun, making them very hard to see. Although the view finder is not great, it still helps drastically and is a important and fast dieing feature in a camera. One of my only complaints is quality of the flash. But, this isn't a fault unique to the SD600. Because of the physically tiny size of the flash in the SD600, it is hard for it to get as even, wide and distant spread as I would like. My only other complaint (besides the price), is that the LCD screen on the back doesn't seem to show true colors perfectly. Pictures taken with a flash often look a little washed and it's hard to see small blurs in low light pictures. Even with these two complaints, I would still recommend this camera. It is easy to use, takes surprisingly great pictures and movies and is so physically small you could take it anywhere, effortlessly. My use for it is travel, but I couldn't really pick a better small digital for everyday use.