Canon PowerShot SD700 IS

Connectivity
Software (6.75)
The PowerShot SD700 comes with a version 28.0 Canon Solution CD-ROM. One would think that, by the 28th release, this software would be pretty elaborate. That isn’t the case, though. The CD has a Canon EOS Utility program that lets users monitor on-camera folders, enable remote shooting, and select images for downloading from the SD700.

ZoomBrowser EX organizational and editing software is also included on the CD-ROM. Its options are all too common. There are three viewing modes: zoom, scroll, and preview. The zoom mode fits all of the images from one folder onto a single screen and displays a larger thumbnail when an image is scrolled over. The scroll mode lets users scroll up and down through the pictures. Both of these modes allow users to control thumbnail size.

The preview mode shows a scroll bar and thumbnails across the bottom of the screen and a larger version of the selected thumbnail with all of its shooting information. From here, users can rename the files and view file info, shooting info, and a histogram. Users can, for example, also assign one to three stars to each photo, then search files for all three-star photos. To make searching easier, users can also add keywords and comments to each image file.

To edit an image, users simply double-click on a thumbnail and access. simple editing commands: red-eye correction, auto adjustment, color/brightness adjustment, sharpness, trim, and insert text. Rotation is also available, but in the main window instead of with the editing options. Movies cannot be edited at all, only played back. In every viewing mode, users can download images from the camera, view and classify them, edit, export images, and print at home or on the internet. Pictures can be played in slide shows, with 32 different transitions, and change every 1-120 seconds or only when the mouse on the computer is clicked.

Overall, the editing options are skim but the organizational components are all there. Canon’s Solution Disk is a good solution for users who won’t be doing much editing but need some way to organize the thousands of pictures on their computers. The version 28.0 software is easy to use and has basic options, with its slide show and remote shooting capability being perhaps its best qualities.

Jacks, ports, plugs (5.0)
A single port cover hides the SD700’s USB and AV-out jacks. While many compact models combine these jacks into a multi-terminal, the SD700 keeps them separate. UBS 2.0 high-speed cable is included in the package, along with an AV cable that can be selected to fit NTSC or PAL standards. There is no port for a power adaptor, which is bad news when users want to upgrade the firmware on low batteries.

Direct Print Options (7.0)
From the playback menu, users can add selected images to a DPOF print order with the Transfer Order option. Images can be selected individually or all at once. The version 1.1 DPOF system on the SD700 doesn’t allow users to choose how many prints of each image to make; it is assumes that they want one print from each picture. When the camera is connected to a PictBridge printer with its USB cable, users need to only touch the Print button when they have completed their print order. While the SD700 can connect to any PictBridge printer, Canon naturally recommends the Canon CP and Selphy Compact photo printers .These expand printing options to include filmstrip-type index prints and an ID Photo Print mode that makes instant passport photos. 

Battery (7.0)
The SD700 comes with its own slim and light NB-5L rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It only gets 240 shots per charge with the LCD on, although its life extends to 700 shots with the screen off. . The included wall-mount charger has an LED that displays orange when in the charging process and green when it is finished. It takes a little over an hour for the battery to rejuvenate.

Memory (3.5)
The SD700 doesn’t come with any internal memory; it only includes a 16 MB SD card. This is enough to get an entire four pictures at the finest resolution available. For users who want to be able to jump a hundred shots and take advantage of the image stabilization system in the movie mode, a larger SD or MMC card will be necessary.

Other features (5.0)
Waterproof Case  - If consumers are excited about the underwater scene mode, they will need the optional WP-DC5 waterproof case to keep the SD700 from shorting out. A WW-DC1 case weight keeps the case from floating up.

Stitch Assist  - Available in the recording mode menu in the “manual” mode, stitch assist takes lots of pictures together either from right to left or left to right. This mode displays part of the previous image to help users line up the next shot. While this mode can take images as long as there’s memory on the card, it doesn’t stitch them in the camera. This must be done in the Canon software once pictures are downloaded to a computer.

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