Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

The compact Canon Digital ELPH series is bulking up; perhaps not as apparent in size, but definitely in megapixels. The Canon PowerShot SD500 has 7.4 total and 7.1 effective megapixels on its large 1/1.8-inch CCD. Besides upgrading the amount of megapixels in this series, Canon redesigns the SD500’s compact outer shell. Retaining a slight 3.37 x 2.24 x 1.04-inch form, the SD500 adds a comfortable rounded edge to its right side. This “Perpetual Curve Design” departs from the sharp 90-degree angles distinguishing earlier Digital ELPHs. For $499.99, the SD500 offers automatic and manual options in an easy-to-use interface. The Canon PowerShot SD500 will be available beginning in March.
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Connectivity
Software – The SD500 comes with the Canon Digital Solution CD-ROM software.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs – With USB and AV-out jacks, users can perform all the basic functions of a digital camera: download images and movies to a computer, and play slideshows and movies on a television.

Direct Print Options – The Canon SD500 is PictBridge compatible and can print single images, selected images, crop, date imprinting, and file name imprinting. There is a Print button which enables “one-touch printing.”

Memory--The SD500 records to Secure Digital memory card and comes packaged with a 32MB media card.

Other Features
Self-Timer – Going beyond the traditional 10-second self-timer, the PowerShot SD500 has a custom self-timer that allows users to choose a time delay of 1-30 seconds, as well as how many pictures to take at the end of the delay, from 1-10. The Digital ELPH also has the standard 2 and 10-second delays.

Special Edition Gift Set – The Canon PowerShot SD500 is available in a Coach gift set. The set includes the SD500, a leather Coach pouch for the camera, and a metallic wrist strap.

Optional Underwater Housing – An underwater housing can fit both the SD400 and SD500 digital ELPHs. An underwater scene mode assists users in taking pictures.

Sleep Mode – The SD500 also has a sleep mode, which saves battery power. Canon’s Intelligent Orientation sensor can detect when the camera is picked up and will wake it from its sleep mode.

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