Canon PowerShot SD870 IS

Connectivity
Software (7.0)
The SD870 comes with version 31.0 of Canon’s Digital Camera Solution Disk CD-ROM. This includes ImageBrowser 6.0, PhotoStitch 3.2, and EOS Utility 1.1 for Macintosh and ZoomBrowser EX 6.0, PhotoStitch 3.1, Camera TWAIN Driver 6.8, and EOS Utility 1.1a for Windows. Apple QuickTime 7 is also included on the disk.

The ZoomBrowser EX software is the browsing and editing program. It is from here that users can view their pictures as previews, thumbnails, or in slide shows. Users can also print and e-mail from easily accessible buttons on the window.

As for the actual editing of images, it can be done with the "edit" tab on the left side of the window. From there, users can choose from a list of several options: Red-Eye Correction, Auto Adjustment, Color/Brightness Adjustment, Sharpness, Trim, and Insert Text. Each of those options opens up a new window where the function can be applied.

Users can also edit video in this software program. Users can merge separate clips into one show and add text, filters, and transition effects. The filters are fairly interesting and include Monochrome, Sepia, Emboss, and RGB adjustment. The Canon SD870 has more color effects in its Playback mode, though.

Overall, the included software is decent for most point-and-shooters, but more advanced photographers will want more than what’s in the box.

Jacks, ports, plugs (5.25)
The right side of the camera has an inconspicuous door that can be pried open with a fingernail. The door isn’t coated with rubber to seal it against water or dust, so users beware the rain. There are two jacks beneath the door: a mini-B USB jack and a small, round jack for the AV-out cable. Both cables are included with the camera. The USB can be set to PictBridge when connected to printers or auto for all else. The AV function can be set to NTSC or PAL so videos and mono audio can be viewed and heard on television sets worldwide. The optional power adapter fits into the battery compartment, where there is a rubber flap that allows it to be threaded through.

Direct Print Options (7.5)
There is a tab in the Playback menu devoted entirely to creating print orders. Users can select images individually or in ranges and then choose the quantity of each image to print 0 to 99 times. A running tally appears on the LCD screen so users know how large their print order is as they add and sort through pictures. Users can select images by date, category, or folder, and can select all images at once. The print type can be changed from standard to index or both. The date can be turned on and off, as well as the file numbers. The DPOF data can also be cleared. The Canon SD870 has DPOF version 1.1 and is PictBridge compatible. With Canon Pixma, CP, and Selphy printers, it can also create ID photos and movie prints. The camera connects to printers with the included USB cable and can transfer pictures and print orders with the touch of the LED-adorned print/share button.

Battery (5.25)
The Canon PowerShot SD870 IS is powered by the same NB-5L lithium-ion battery pack that came with the SD850. The new SD870’s battery lasts 270 shots, which is decent considering the battery’s skinny size and the LCD’s large size. The camera also comes with a convenient wall-mount charger that takes a little more than two hours to fully revitalize the battery.

Memory (3.0)
The Canon PowerShot SD870 IS comes with a 32MB MMC card, which is enough to hold eight full-resolution pictures. This isn’t much, so users will surely want to purchase more memory. The camera is compatible with SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC Plus, and HC MMC Plus media, which is generally the least expensive and most widely available type on the market. The postage stamp-sized memory card fits in a thin slot by the battery in the door on the bottom of the camera.

Other features (3.25)
Underwater Housing – The Canon WP-DC17 underwater housing fits this camera and can take it to depths of 130 feet. The SD870 accommodates this with an Underwater scene mode.

Panorama Mode – The Stitch Assist modes are located in the Function menu with other exposure modes when the mode switch is slid to the camera icon. Pictures can be lined up right to left or left to right. There is no limit to the pictures that can be taken this way. Panoramas aren’t created in the camera; the pictures must be loaded into the included software and subsequently stitched together there.

Create Folder – If users really want to keep their photos organized, they can create folders in the Setup menu. They can also set up the camera so it automatically creates a new folder daily or weekly on a selected day of the week. It can also be done monthly.