Canon PowerShot SD850 IS

Auto Mode (7.0)
The Auto mode, marked by a red camera icon, is found easily on the mode dial. The Auto mode on the SD850 shortens the Function menu to include only image size and compression options. The Recording menu is only shortened by one option, omitting the slow synchro flash activation. Almost all the functions around the multi-selector work with the exception of the Burst mode. The Auto mode functions well, and its pictures look great when used in well-lit scenes with still subjects. However, the Manual and Scene modes do a better job of capturing fast moving subjects or low-lit rooms.

Movie Mode (7.0)
The Movie mode on the Canon PowerShot SD850 IS is fairly elaborate considering it’s a compact digital camera. Its Function menu outlines most of the options:

The Motion JPEG movie files are available in the standard sizes, but most cameras don’t include this many color effects or manual control over white balance. There is also a helpful ISO adjustment available from the top portion of the multi-selector.

The standard videos can record up to an hour or 4 GB at a time. The Fast Frame Rate mode allows users to record at 320 x 240 pixels at a fabulously smooth 60 fps, but only for up to 1 minute. The Compact Video mode records at 160 x 120 pixels for up to 3 minutes at a maximum frame rate of 15 fps. The Color Accent and Swap modes record at standard resolution but allow users to select colors before recording. The time lapse movies allow users to choose a 1 or 2 fps rate, which then plays back at 15 fps, although this can be slowed down in the Playback mode.

Optical zoom is not available in movies, but image stabilization is. It makes a big difference too. The continuous image stabilization is the only option available in the movie’s Recording menu. This keeps subjects looking stable instead of the typical jumpy home movies. There is 4x digital zoom available, but it makes movies look fuzzy and awful.

Movies have excellent audio recorded at 44.100 kHz. The only exception is Compact Video mode, where the audio is compressed too much and sounds awful.

Overall, the manual controls and the image stabilization system make for a great movie mode.

Drive / Burst Mode (5.0)
The continuous Burst mode is available only in the Manual mode when the bottom of the multi-selector is pushed. It snaps away at 1.3 fps and does so for about four images before slowing down further. The 1.3 fps isn’t very impressive, and the camera’s inability to keep going at this rate is puzzling because most other Canons have much better endurance.

The self-timer options are available at all times and include 2 and 10-second choices, along with a custom self-timer that can be customized in the Recording menu. The delay can be set for 0-30 seconds, after which the camera will snap 1-10 pictures.

Playback Mode (7.5)
The Playback mode has its own position on the mode dial.The Canon SD850’s Playback mode displays images and videos one by one, and even automatically rotates pictures so they are easier to view. The camera organizes its pictures well and makes searching through large numbers of them very easy. Users can view nine images on a single screen and jump to every folder, date, category, 10th or 100th image.

Single images can be magnified up to 10x with the zoom ring, and histograms and other file info can be displayed with a push of the designated display button. There are plenty of features in the Playback menu, shown below.

Slide Show	Start, Setup (Play Time 3-30 seconds, Repeat On and Off), Play (All Images, Date, My Category, Folder, Movies, Stills, Custom 1 DPOF), Effect (Four options)
My Category	People, Scenery, Events, Category 1-3, To Do
Erase	Select, Select by Date, Select by Category, Select by Folder, All Images
Protect	Select, Select by Date, Select by Category, Select by Folder, All Images
Red-Eye Correction	Start, Add Frame, Cancel
My Colors	Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red
Sound Memo	Cancel, Record, Stop, Play, Delete
Sound Recorder	Cancel, Record, Play, Rewind, Fast Forward, Delete, Protect
Rotate	Rotates 90 degrees to the right per push of the button
Transfer Order	Order, Mark All, Reset
Transition	Off, Fade, Wipe

Images plagued with red eyes can be fixed in the Playback menu with the red-eye correction feature. Users must select an image and then draw a frame around the eyes using the zoom ring and multi-selector. The process has on-screen prompts, but still isn’t very intuitive. The feature is effective though: both red-eye pictures I tested it on looked much better afterward.

The sound memos record AVI files, up to 60 seconds for each image. Movies can be played back normally or in five levels of slow motion. They can be set to fast forward or rewind, too. The time-lapse videos that record slowly are played back at a rate of 15 fps. Movies can be edited by cutting the beginning, middle, or end.

The Canon PowerShot SD850’s Playback mode is exceptional, with its many editing features, a voice memo, and organizational aids. The high-resolution 2.5-inch LCD screen looks smooth, and can be viewed from many angles, making it a hit if viewing with several friends.

Custom Image Presets (7.0)
One of the differences between this camera and its predecessor, the SD700, is a new Scene mode. The Creative Light Effect mode warps highlights in the image to look like stars, hearts, crosses, musical notes, diamonds, or flowers. This mode does well outside under bright sunlight where there are lots of tiny highlights. It does not do well under limited light. I tried a macro shot of a diamond ring indoors and didn’t get any funky shaped highlights on it. Outside it put stars on the highlights of cars.

The following modes are available in addition to the new one: Portrait, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater, Indoor, Kids & Pets, and Night Snapshot. This covers most of the basics except for a Landscape mode, which the camera wouldn’t do well with anyway because of its narrow lens.