Canon's PowerShot SD line of digital cameras is daunting.  There are a number of different models all with slight variations on the same themes.  Most of the main product features remain constant throughout the line, but there are some differences to look out for, and with this handy guide you'll be sure to know which camera is right for you.

Below are the four cameras we currently offer and some of their main attributes.  Peruse the chart and you will see minor differences in a few, but not all, of the categories.

                           
                                       SD 600                  SD 630               SD 700               SD 1000
Megapixels                         6.2                        6.2                      6.2                        7.1
Shooting Modes                 17                         17                       17                         22
Zoom (Optical & Digital)  Optical: 3x           Optical: 3x           Optical: 4x             Optical: 3x
                                        Digital: 4x             Digital: 4x             Digital: 4x             Digital: 4x
ISO                                  800                        800                     800                     1600
Movies                             30fps                      30fps                  30fps                 30fp (5 different modes)
Screen Size                       2.5"                        3.0"                     2.5"                      2.5"
Media Storage                  SD, MMC          SD, MMC            SD, MMC           SD, MMC, SDHC

All of the above cameras are easy for anyone to use.  They are not tricky and require a mere glance at the manual before you begin shooting.  Some of the features will need looking into in order for your pictures to come out at their optimum quality, but rest assured, high quality photos are in anybody's grasp.

Each one of the cameras listed above has several shooting modes that can be used to great effect.  Some of these modes are macro, sports, kids & pets, night, landscape, portrait, aquarium, and several movie modes.  The movies are all shot at 30fps and the length depends on how much space you've got on your memory card, but none of these cameras can hold a movie longer than a few minutes.  (Even that is pushing it.)  The only camera that stands out in the movie category is the SD1000 because of it's five different movie modes.  You can shoot in time-lapse, fast-frame, VGA, QVGA and compact mode.  The convenient 16:9 screen is perfect for shooting high quality movies. 

What sets these cameras apart from each other is price and features.  For instance you can buy the SD600 for a very in

expensive price, but the screen is 2.5".  The SD630 has a screen that is 3.0", but not much else is different, and it will cost you a little bit more.  It just depends what you've got in mind for your purchase.

Canon Digital SD600

This is a camera you can get a lot of mileage from, and it's very easy to use.  It's got a decent zoom at 3x, and an average sized screen, 2.5".  It has all the main shooting modes that the other SD cameras have and it's got a good movie mode, even if it's not the best.  In my opinion, if you want to take movies, buy a video camera.  (We sell those too, just FYI!) 

You can use any SD or MMC card to store your pictures with this camera, and those cards can be reused in different cameras too.  The LCD viewing screen is in gorgeous color and will show you all the settings currently in use. 

This camera is great if you are budget-conscious, but it won't let you down in the picture-quality department.

Canon Digital SD630

The Canon SD630 is very similar to it's forebear, the SD600, except that the screen is larger and more vibrant.  All of the other settings are the same.  They both have Image Stabilizer and DIGIC II processors.  They both have the same shooting modes and take the same quality/size movies.  This camera will cost you a little more because of its screen, but it's not money wasted.  The screen is easy to see in all types of light, including sunlight.  Setting up your macro shots is a lot easier because your canvas is so much larger.

I recommend this camera because the added benefit of increased screen size is a very nice perk.  I have this same camera for my own personal use.

Canon Digital SD700

Onto another in a great series of cameras.  The SD700 goes back to the 2.5" LCD screen, but gives us a better zoom with a 4x Optical zoom as well as keeping the 4x digital zoom.  This gives it a total zoom of 16x, instead of the 12x total zoom that the other cameras talked about here have.  The increased optical zoom is a nice feature.  This camera also has the Image Stabilizer which will come in handy when zooming in all the way on a subject.  This camera also has a DIGIC II processor and 6.0 megapixels of resolution. 

If you're looking for a more powerful zoom, this is the one to go with.  The screen is large, but not the biggest out there, and the other features are all standard, as with the two previously discussed models. 

Canon Digital SD1000

The SD1000 is the most expensive camera of this group that we offer from Global Phoenix.  It has a megapixel upgrade, going from 6.0 to 7.1, and it upgrades the processor to a DIGIC III.  This means it scraps the Image Stabilizer, which the improved processor doesn't need, but adds a feature called Face Detection.  Face Detection locates the faces of those in the picture in order to use them as focus points for cleaner images.  It also balances the exposure in those pictures to make sure that everyone's face is evenly exposed, and not too bright or too dark.

This camera is small and compact, just as the others in the SD series are, but it increases the picture quality and offers a couple more features to improve your photo-taking skills.  This camera does a lot of the work for you, and it shows.  On top of all the improvements in picture-taking, it handles SD, MMC and SDHC memory cards.  Being able to use an SDHC memory card is a plus for longer vacations where uploading and clearing off your memory card is a luxury you don't have.  An SDHC card will fit in your PowerShot, unlike the already large-capacity CF cards, and give you up to 4GB of picture-taking space. 

If you have the money, this is the best buy in the series as it offers a lot of newer digital camera features, and will take your picture-taking to the next level without a lot of work from you.  The screen is the usual 2.5", but it is bright enough to be seen at any time of day and will inform you of all the current settings in use on your camera. 

Each of the PowerShot cameras come complete with all the accessories needed to put your photos on the computer and digitally enhance them.  Standard items include USB cable, AV cables, battery chargers and help software.

Feel free to examine any of these cameras, and others, at our eBay store online.  Online pages offer more complete information on specifications, included items and of course, prices.