Helping choosing between two Canons

Cabaal

I'm off to the states soon and I was thinking its a good chance to pick up a new camera at a low price (to replace my aging Canon Powershot S50 which I bought on ebay).

My place of choice to buy from is a Apple store as I'll be picking up a number of other items their two. I've had a look over the site and these two camera's have caught my eye

Canon PowerShot SD900 Digital Camera - http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=BD4EAB98&nplm=TK828LL%2FA

With its sinuous perpetual curve design elegantly clad in pure titanium, the PowerShot SD900 ELPH is visually arresting. But what's inside is just as impressive: a powerful 10.0 megapixel CCD, 3x optical zoom and newly developed DIGIC III Image Processor. Top-level functionality puts you at the forefront of digital technology, with expanded low-light shooting capability, a built-in digital tele converter, and futuristic Face Detection technology for incredible group shots.

Features

* Pure Titanium 10.0 megapixel Digital ELPH with 3x Optical Zoom and elegant Perpetual Curve design
* DIGIC III Image Processor with Face Detection Technology for superior image quality, fast operation and low power consumption
* Large 2.5 inch LCD monitor with wide viewing angle for easier on-camera viewing
* ISO 1600 to reduce image blur and expand low-light shooting capability
* Improved High-Resolution Movie Mode at 15 fps XGA (1024 x 768)
* Print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloading

Specifications

* Image capture device: 10.0 megapixel, 1/1.8-inch type Charge Coupled Device (CCD)
* Total pixels: Approx. 10.4 megapixels
* Effective pixels: Approx. 10.0 megapixels
* Focal length: 7.7-23.1mm f/2.8-4.9 (35mm film equivalent: 37-111mm)
* Digital zoom: 4X
* Focusing range: Normal: 1.6 ft./50 cm-Infinity; Macro: 2.0 in.-1.6 ft./5-50 cm (Wide), 1.0-1.6 ft./30-50 cm (TELE); Digital macro: 2.0 in.-1.6 ft./5-50 cm (Wide)
* Autofocus system: TTL Autofocus
* Optical viewfinder: Real-image optical zoom
* LCD monitor: 2.5-in. low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color
* LCD pixels: Approx. 230,000
* LCD coverage: 100%
* Maximum aperture f/2.8 (W)-f/4.9 (T)
* Shutter speed: 15-1/2000 sec.
* Built-in flash: Auto, Auto w/Red-Eye Reduction, Auto with Slow Synchro, Flash On, Flash On w/Red-Eye Reduction, Flash On with Slow Synchro, Flash Off
* Storage media: SD memory card, SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard
* File format: Design rule for camera file system, DPOF Version 1.1 (Digital Print Order Format)
* Image compression: Still image: Exif 2.2 (JPEG); Movie: AVI (Image: Motion JPEG; Audio: WAVE (monaural))
* Computer interface: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (mini-B jack)
* Video out: NTSC, PAL
* Audio out: Monaural
* Other interfaces: Memory card slot. Direct connection to Canon CP, SELPHY and PIXMA photo printers or PictBridge compatible printers via camera's USB cable.
* Shooting capacity: Still image: Approx. 230 shots (Lithium battery, LCD on); approx. 700 shots (Lithium battery, LCD off).
* Playback time: Approx. 300 min. (Lithium battery)
* Operating temperature range: 32-104 degrees F/0-40 degrees C
* Dimensions, excluding protrusions (WxHxD) 3.59 x 2.35 x 1.11 in./91.2 x 59.6 x 28.2 mm Weight (camera body only): 5.82 oz./165 g

In the box

* Canon PowerShot SD900 digital camera
* Lithium battery pack
* Battery charger
* SD Memory Card
* Wrist strap
* Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
* USB interface and audio/video cables

Warranty
One-year limited

Canon PowerShot TX1 Digital Camera - http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=264696E0&nplm=TM190LL%2FA
Photo - http://www.dpreview.com/news/0702/canon/canon_TX1_frontback.jpg

Housed in a stylish vertical stainless-steel design, the PowerShot TX1 offers plenty of premium advancements including Optical Image Stabilizer Technology, DIGIC III Image Processor, Face Detection Technology, and Red-Eye Correction. And because you'll want to take this compact wonder everywhere, it's equipped with a built-in lens cover and tough new scratch-resistant, anti-reflective coating on the LCD screen.

Features

* New concept ELPH-sized 7.1 Megapixel digital camera with ultra-compact Canon 10x Optical Zoom lens and proprietary Optical Image Stabilizer Technology
* DIGIC III Image Processor with improved Face Detection Technology and Red-eye Correction for sharper images and improved functionality
* Enjoy the unprecedented clarity of 1280 x 720 HD movies at 30 fps with Face Detection, stereo sound and 1080i component video playback
* 1.8-inch Vari-Angle, Wide-View LCD with scratch-resistant/anti-reflection/anti-fingerprint coating for easy on-camera viewing
* Sensitivity range expanded to ISO 1600 for sharper photos in low light, with ISO Auto Shift for the right sensitivity in any situation
* Elegant all-metal construction with built-in lens cap for enhanced durability
* Print/Share button for easy direct printing and downloading

Specifications

* Image capture device: 7.1 megapixel, 1/2.5-inch type Charge Coupled Device (CCD)
* Total pixels: Approx. 7.4 megapixels
* Effective pixels: Approx. 7.1 megapixels
* Focal length: 6.5-65.0mm f/3.5-5.6 (35mm film equivalent: 39-390mm)
* Digital zoom: 4x
* Focusing range: Normal: 1.6 ft./50cm-infinity (WIDE), 3.3 ft./1.0m-infinity/3-50 cm (TELE); Macro: 3.9 in.-1.6 ft./10-50 cm (WIDE); Super Macro: 0-3.9 in./10 cm (WIDE)
* Autofocus system: TTL Autofocus
* Optical viewfinder: None
* LCD monitor: 1.8-in. low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT LCD (vari-angle); 15 levels of brightness adjustment; approx. 115,000 pixels
* Maximum aperture: f/3.5 (W)-f/5.6 (T)
* Shutter speed: 15-1/2500 sec.; Long Shutter operates with noise reduction when manually set at 1.3-15 sec.
* ISO sensitivity: Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 equivalent
* Built-in flash: Auto, Auto with Red-Eye Reduction, Auto with Slow Synchro, Flash On, Flash On with Red-Eye Reduction, Flash On with Slow Synchro, Flash Off
* Storage media: SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, MMC Plus Card
* Computer interface: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (mini-B jack)
* Video out: NTSC/PAL
* Audio out: Stereo
* Other interfaces: Memory card slot; direct connection to Canon CP and SELPHY Compact Photo Printers, PIXMA Photo Printers and PictBridge-compatible printers via camera's USB 2.0 Hi-Speed cable
* Still image capacity: Approx. 160 shots (Nickel-lithium battery)
* Playback time: Approx. 240 min. (NB-4L battery)
* Dimensions (WxHxD): 3.50 x 2.36 x 1.14 in./8.88 x 5.99 x 2.90 cm
* Weight (camera body only): 7.76 oz./220.0 g (camera body only)

In the box

* PowerShot TX1 camera
* Lithium battery pack
* Battery charger
* MMC Plus Card
* Wrist strap
* USB interface cable
* Stereo video cable
* Component cable
* Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM

I'm really favoring the TX1 as I'd love the ability to shoot HD video* and the specs are also still pretty impressive on the digital photo side of things.

I'm interested to hear people's thoughts

*
Yes I understand I'd need a pretty big memory card for this and thats something I'll be investing in

cutback

I don't think the TX1 is available until sometime in May. I was looking at it myself today and I really liked the look of it for the same reason as you i.e. the video mode. I have had a SD200 myself for a few years now and I think the SD family of cameras are great.

The SD is better if you are going to use it primarily for stills but the TX1 would be great for taking quality video without being intrusive. Negatives for the TX1 are the small LCD display and not a very wide angle lens, I think it's the equivalent of 39mm which is pretty poor.

kirving

I have the SD 850 IS(similar to the SD900) and I have to say its a great little camera. Really great photo's, but the video on the TX1 looks great.

mathias

Everything in the specs for the TX1 say its a better camera . Better MP to sensor size ratio , better video ( really interested in this ) , so definitely the TX1 gets my vote.
I need a new general purpose carry aroung and this is most likely going to be it when it comes out.

Stephen

What part of the US are you going to? If its New York, get yourself to B&H (not terribly far from the Apple store too IIRC). You'll probably get it much cheaper.

cutback

Check out the video on youtube of the TX1, it's actually a little bigger in size than the photos I saw had me believe. The youtube video makes it look like a small video camera as opposed to a compact digital camera with video capabilites.

Cabaal

Stephen wrote:

What part of the US are you going to? If its New York, get yourself to B&H (not terribly far from the Apple store too IIRC). You'll probably get it much cheaper.

nah, Las Vegas so I'm sadly kinda limited with shops although I am getting a Macbook Pro from the apple store their

Jip

Got the TX1 camera a couple of weeks ago and I love it. I had originally planned on getting an Ixus of some sort but the wife spotted this and wanted it so what could I do ? But I'm glad I listened to her.

I have a regular hand held Canon Mini-DV camera but I never really use it as despite it being very small, it's a little too big to bring around with you. I didn't think I'd use the video function on the TX1 but I've used it a good bit, it's so handily available you can't help but use it. The video quality is extremely good, both HD and SD vids, but I haven't hooked it up to my HD T.V. to see what it's like on that. The photos are very colourful and clear but as of yet I haven't printed any off yet.

It is indeed very small which may take a bit of getting use it. The lens pops out the front and for a while I found my finger getting in the way of it but got used to it quick enough. I've read some reviewers complaining about the fidily controls but I never found that an issue, they must have giant hands or something, plus what do they expect from such a small camera. And as has been said, make sure you get a fast card to go with it, I've a 4GB high speed in mine which is fine but if you always film in HD you won't get a whole lot of recording time from it.