Digital Trends

Canon PowerShot SD880 IS December 10th, 2008 | by David Elrich

Performance and Use

Since the SD880 IS is a 10MP camera, it grabs 3658x2736 pixel images which are more than enough for solid 8.5x11 prints. We started off at maximum file size using the least amount of compression (Super Fine). The camera was initially set to Auto with optical image stabilization, grid lines and Face Detection engaged. From there we moved to the various scene modes and the few manual options available.

During a walk around Manhattan, it was fun stashing the camera in a jacket pocket, then quickly taking it out for a series of photos. The SD880 is just a bit more than a handful and it’s a pleasure to use. Given there are hardly any tweaky adjustments available, this is really an aim-and-forget model.

That said if you really want to make adjustments, you can move into Program (P) mode and adjust exposure compensation, ISO and white balance. Canon’s My Colors is also available to make shots more Vivid, black-and-white, sepia and so on. The words aperture and shutter speed are not in this camera’s lexicon. It’s first and foremost an automatic camera and—like we mentioned up top—that’s not such a bad thing.

The camera comes to life in around a second as the zoom extends. With grid lines we kept our horizons straight—especially at the widest-angle setting (28mm). The camera also focused quickly even in low-light situations. Since this is a point-and-shoot you can forget about super-fast shot-to-shot times. Canon states 1.4 frames per second and this is close to our results. Use the flash and you’ll wait a bit more as the camera recycles. This is not a major drawback in most situations but just don’t expect D-SLR performance of 3 fps.

The SD880 features DIGIC 4, Canon’s newest processing chip that’s also found in the G10 and EOS 50D among others. Along with a decent frame rate—the older DIGIC III powered the 8MP SD870 at 1.3 fps—the chip enables better focusing of moving subjects (Servo AF) and enhances Face Detection so it works on almost any angle. We tried FD on a poster with close to 20 faces on it and it definitely freaked the camera out (it’ll handle 9) but it dealt with most of them. More importantly, it also worked very well on humans with smiling faces. This is one digicam feature that’s really come into its own and has powerful real world benefits.

The processor also powers Intelligent Contrast (i-Contrast) which brings out details in shadowy areas. i-Contrast can even be used to post process shots. We used is on a cat’s profile that was half in sun, half in shade. In playback, just enter i-Contrast mode and select the amount of processing from Auto to High, then use the zoom feature to check the results on the 3-inch LCD. Once you like it, hit Set and a new file is saved. It can be quite helpful but you really won’t be able to tell exactly how good a job it does until you examine the images on a monitor. Still it’s a nice tool to have at your fingertips.

Image Courtesy of Canon

Photo Testing

Now it was time to download the photos and make a batch of 8.5x11 full-bleed prints. There were no surprises—the SD880 IS did what it was supposed to do—turn out crisp, accurate photographs. A light snowfall had dusted some evergreens and the prints were just the right shade of color dabbled with white snow framed by a bright blue sky. Close-ups of red bayberries were spot on as well. With My Colors we also took shots in Vivid and it added pop in some situations but red fabrics took on a smeary, unreal look; use these tools judiciously. As noted earlier, Face Detection worked extremely well for groups of friends. We were very happy with the vast majority of shots taken with the camera. All is not perfect with the SD880—since it is a compact digicam using a small imaging sensor, digital noise is an issue at ISO 400 and above. You might get a decent 5x7 at 400 but 800 and 1600 are really filled with noisy dots. Stick to lower ISOs unless really necessary. The video—at only 640x480 pixels—is acceptable, nothing more and the tiny mic picks up rustling of your fingers around the camera. And there’s no optical zoom when you’re in the movie mode which is on oversight.

Conclusion

We’re constantly asked which digital camera to purchase—especially this time of year. If you’re looking for a very good point-and-shoot for under $300 buy the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS Digital ELPH. At around $275 in the real world this is one holiday gift that won’t break the bank and you’ll be very pleased with the results.


Pros:

• Fine and dandy point-and-shoot
• Nice wide-angle zoom
• Attractive design and feel
• Effective optical image stabilization

Cons:

• Few manual adjustments
• Noisy at ISO 400 and above
• Somewhat pokey frame rate
• No optical zoom in movie mode
• No safety net viewfinder