When Image Stabilization isn't

[LeeOtsubo]

For anyone considering a consumer level digital camera with Image Stabilization, Anti-Shake, Anti-Blur or Don't Shake Your Booty Mode, here's an article (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0701/07010501notimagestabilization.asp) you might want to read before forking over your hard earned bucks.

I'd been wondering how all these companies suddenly figured out the complex IS/VR/OIS/AS algorithms AND implemented them inexpensively in lower cost cameras. Now, we know "the rest of the story!"

[msbrad]

Thank you for the information Lee. I was just hoping to eventually find an easy way out ,keeping the camera still.
m

[kimh]

Okay, I've already handed over my hard earned bucks. My new VR lens is now attached but one question is driving me crazy...... the paperwork with the lens says "If you set the AF start (AF on) button to ON on the camera, vibration reduction will not operate." I don't know what button they mean. Is it the AF/M mode? Must we use manual focus only to get the VR:confused:
Seems a little crazy but I would love someone to answer this for me.
Kimh

[TonyW]

Kim: That's a button on the D200 that autofocuses without having to half depress the shutter release button. I don't think you need to worry about that with the D80 as I don't think it's an option.

Tony

[Shari]

OK Lee - before I got my PS700IS I did a lot of homework. From the review on dpreview.com July6 by Simon Joinson "SD700IS is the first Canon Ultra-compact ever to feature Optical Image Stabilization". Under the section of the review on IS he says he was very impressed with the system.
I know for me yesterday when I was in the Doctors office I took several shots without the flash with a higher ISO and they turned out great. I was just practising because I have been sick ever since Christmas and have not had a proper chance to test my camera. I got some extra spending money for Christmas and I was considering taking this 700 back and getting the 900 but on checking the 900 did not have IS. Should I be thinking about the 900??? I still have a week where they will take this camera back - no questions asked - but I am finding I like it as a pocket camera very much.
Shari

[LeeOtsubo]

...Should I be thinking about the 900??? I still have a week where they will take this camera back - no questions asked - but I am finding I like it as a pocket camera very much.
Shari

In Phil's commentary, he says the only reviews where they check off Image Stabilization as a feature are those where it is implemented in-lens or in-body. Simon's review of the SD700IS checks the IS box and calls it Optical Image Stabilization which is true IS. Bottom line, you have true IS so, if you like it, why change?

[Chuck S.]

Shari, you have a good camera there - stick with it!!

Chuck

[Shari]

Thanks Lee and Chuck. I think I will stick with it. It is so solid for such a small camera - and a year from now - who knows!!!
Shari

[mswnow]

Stick with the 700. though IS is not that nessisary in a point and shoot in my opinion, you got it, so you might as well keep it. I did some shopping for a point snd shoot that was pocketable before I had decided to go ahead and ante up for a DSLR. My personal favorite was the canon SD800IS which was only about 100 dollars more. the other option for you to consider is the G7 which is by far the best non SLR camera out there. But it was out of my price range, so...

As far as the diference between the 700 and 900, What I noticed with both the sony and tha canon point and shoots was that their highest end and seccond to highest end were virtually the same camera renamed. the sony 10mp high end one was a piece of malarky in my opinion. No viewfinder, impossible to use touchscreen, no buttons on the outside besides the touchscreen, so in no way does more expensive mean better.

I got a D80 for xmas, and when I saw that I could get a D200 for 1300 bucks, I thought about it a little but then decided to spend the same ammout on a D80 and treat myself to some accessories that would make more difference than the difference in cameras. Be hapy with what you have, and spend the little extra money on a treat for yourself.

[madisonsgramma]

Hi Shari,

Keep the 700IS. I gave the 700IS to my daughter since she needed a camera and she always liked the photo's that I took with it. So I thought that since I was going to buy a new camera that I might as well upgrade to the 800IS. For some reason it doesn't work as well as the 700IS.

So I ordered the 700IS again and should be getting it Tues. I don't know yet what I'm going to do with the 800IS. My sister sent her 800IS back to Canon to see if it can be fixed. We are both are having the same problems with the camera. Such as white spots appearing randomly in photos and etc.

I know you will enjoy using the 700IS. It's a great little camera and the IS does work as it is supposed to!

Sandy

[Shari]

Thank you Sandy. Yes, I have had a lot of positive comments on the 700. I deal with a large popular store here in Vancouver, Canada. I have bought two other cameras from them in the past two years. When I asked them about the SD800 IS they said they were not going to carry that model as they were not happy with it. Maybe they knew something others did not. Then I decided against the 900 because no IS. Anyway I am happy with what I have - the only problem is I have been sick since Christmas so not too much chance to experiment - now I am feeling a bit better and the weather is horrible. Thanks again for your comments.
Shari