Rating:

In this case, I am talking about the current small form factor. I had the previous version of this camera (SD 940IS) and this one is definitely an improvement. On the 940, the HD video was very jumpy. This version fixes that and it’s much more smooth.

The increase in MP to 14.1 really doesn’t improve things. It’s more of a marketing point that camera makers shoot for because people like to see a higher MP.

Another review mentioned blurry pictures. For some reason these small Canons seem to have that problem. I find it most when I don’t use a flash indoors. I don’t think the camera compensates correctly when a person chooses to have the flash turned off.

The main thing that I like about this camera is its size. It’s so small, that I can have it with me wherever I go. I recommend one of the Canon leather belt cases for someone who would want to carry this on a belt. When I use that with this camera, I hardly notice that it’s there. It is true that the best camera is the one that you have with you, and with the SD1400, this is a camera you can always have with you.

I also have a Pansonic ZS3 camera. It takes better pictures, but it’s larger and therefore I don’t carry it around.

I will update this review with more details when time allows. I just wanted to give my first impressions.

Rating:

The Canon has FAR superior low light performance, image stabilization works well, great compact size, nice big LCD relative to the size of the camera, and easy intuitive controls (although tiny buttons, if you have big fingers, they’re a touch too small in my opinion).

To compare, I took similar shots with both cameras, one outside in full sun, the other inside in low light with the flash on. I left both cameras in full auto mode. On both shots, the Canon outperforms the older camera (with 5 years of improved technology, I expected nothing less). The low light flash shot was dramatically better on the Canon (and taking a low light shot without the flash was even more extreme).

The outdoor shot, although the Canon was better, it wasn’t a whole lot better. To be honest, for 14 megapixels I was expecting a little more fine detail/sharpness in the image. Shame on me for thinking a higher resolution sensor would really make that much difference — when examining fine details, it’s really all about optics, and no point and shoot lens is going to measure up to my expectations (I used to do a lot of SLR photography with pro level lenses).

So don’t expect anything remotely resembling SLR quality results; remember you’re buying a point and shoot. You won’t be making any 11×17 prints to proudly hang on the wall. But the portability of this camera is fantastic; you can easily drop it in a pocket and have it ready when the moment strikes, and the results will look great in a scrapbook or family photo album. And when I started a family I stopped lugging around an SLR and camera bag… the diaper bag is plenty.

Rating:

PROS:

-Produces consistently clear pictures

-Extremely compact, lightweight, and sturdy

-Easy to use (functions are intuitively organized)

-Uses standard USB cable instead of a proprietary one (SONY)

-Uses standard memory instead of a proprietary one (SONY)

-No wheels or toggle switches jutting out to get caught on things and mess up the settings (when I wanted to take regular pictures, I always seemed to be shooting movies, or photographing in a strange light setting with my SONY camera)

CONS:

-Buttons seem a little less solid than previous CANON models (my CANON IXY from about 8 years ago was designed a lot better)

-Buttons are flush with the body of the camera, so I have to operate it using my fingernails sometimes (again, the buttons on my CANON IXY were much easier to use)

-The door to the digital port for connecting the USB cable doesn’t swing out very wide, and I have a feeling that if I am not careful it may not last long (the CANON IXY had a soft rubber cover that was much more flexible)

In short, this is a great product, but I hope that CANON will re-introduce some of their older design features in the new cameras in order to make them a little sturdier and easier to use. I have not noticed any problems with dead pixels–the LCD screen is beautiful. Please note that you will need to buy a memory card separately. It does not come with one.