Last week I dropped my camera…. in water. Yeah, a double whammy! And let me tell you. I LOVED that camera. I bought it about 18 months ago. I spent months looking into what I wanted and a few months saving up for it. It was a Canon Power Shot SD 630. What an incredible camera it was. I’ll truly miss it.

So, now I’m looking into a replacement camera. Initially I thought I would just get another 630. Unfortunately I can’t get a new one for any less than $300. Yikes! However, many new models have come out since then offering more features. So I had a Sony once before and it worked pretty good, but I didn’t like it nearly as much as my Canon. I investigated the Cool Pix as well but in the long run the reviews didn’t stand up to the Canon line. So, here is what I am looking into:

Canon Power Shot SD 870 IS

Price: $250
Resolution: 8 Megapixles
LCD Viewfinder: 3 inch

For a full review, click here.

870is

Canon Power Shot SD 850 IS

Price: $230
Resolution: 8 Megapixles
LCD Viewfinder: 2.5 inch

For a full review, click here.

850is

Canon Power Shot SD 790 IS

Price: $260
Resolution: 10 Megapixles
LCD Viewfinder: 3 inch

For a full review, click here.

790is

My thoughts:

I know this sounds kind off dumb, but I am very partial to the 3 inch LCD display on the back. When I was buying a camera the last time around, I ended up going with the 630 because of the bigger LCD. It was about $30 more but I have no regrets. I loved it! So, as nice as the SD 850 IS is, the fact that it only has a 2.5 inch display makes me not want it as much. Is that vain? The 850 also has a wider housing that what I was used to with the 630… so almost a double hit against it.

The 790 IS has the form factor that I liked with the 630 and also has the 3 inch display. However, it’s the most expensive. It costs more most likely because it is has a resolution of 10 Megapixles. Generally though I would think that if I could get a higher resolution camera, that would be better, right? The reviews I have been reading though have been saying that in this class of “point and shoot” cameras, the 8 to 10 Megapixle leap isn’t worth it.

So, that leaves me with the 870 IS. It is the middle priced camera with 8 Megapixle resolution. To top it off, it has a 3 inch display. Am I in love? Maybe. Last of all, CNET has a list of top 10 cameras in the 8-9 Megapixle line. The 870 IS is number one (actually the 850 IS is number two). Since I really do trust CNET’s opinion, I further lean towards the Canon Power Shot Shot SD 870 IS.

What do you think? Any suggestions that I haven’t thought of?