Canon IXUS 90IS Digital Camera

Pros: Bundle of features in an ultra-compact package; easy point-and-shoot operation; large LCD screen
Cons: Not all controls are intuitive; no aperture-priority, shutter-priority, or true manual settings; no viewfinder

Six years ago I got my first digital camera, a Canon PowerShot S200, a direct ancestor of the PowerShot SD790.  With 2 megapixels, it took fine pictures, as long as you didn't need to enlarge them or try to get a close-up.  The PowerShot has ...

Pros: 3" lcd screen, lightweight, awesome value for the price $199.00,
Cons: Not as durable as I would like

This camera was recommended to me by a friend who is a professional photographer. She said Canon and Nikon are the best. It is a very compact and lightweight camera. I take this camera everywhere I go. It's very easy to use (IF YOU CAN READ DIRECTINS!) ...

Pros: Image quality, sturdy construction, movie quality and a 3" screen
Cons: time limited movie recording. (1hr.) on high quality, no fill flash.

         After doing a lot of research on point and shoot digital camera's, I chose the SD790 power-shot. I wanted a camera which was very compact, had a large viewing screen and would take very sharp picture's. Canno...

Pros: Image quality, performance, screen size, and settings.
Cons: Low light performance is still below regular film.

I'm a fan of the Canon digital cameras.  I had an older model, a recent Kodak, and a Panasonic TZ-1.  The Canon offers many features, great picture quality, and a very compact package.The SD790 is your garden variety digital camera, but ...

Pros: good picture qualities, sturdy metal body, big lcd display
Cons: none

For me, two of the most important qualities for a camera are its picture quality and the look of the camera.  After reading many other reviews, I knew I wanted a Canon.  On looks, most of the Canons are ok.  Many cameras now have a plastic body with metallic paint.  This little camera has a sturdy metal body.  My biggest surprise was that it was made in Japan! 

I bought it with me to my Brazil and India trip.  It took great photos and even the video was pretty good.

Pros: It feels like a solidly made camera
Cons: Lack of sharpness in images

I did a lot of research and from other reviews I expected the Canon Powershot SD790 to be one of the best.  I currently have a 5-year Sony Cybershot and wanted to get something more current and with more megapixels.  However, after receiving it and testing it out in the field I found several things I didn't like.

1-the pictures were not as sharp as my Sony, so there was no improvement there.

2-the image that I saw on the LCD screen did NOT match what was actually captured---this surprised me a lot!

3- There was no controls to adjust the brightness of the flash.

4- Focusing was a problem---it seems to have a narrow range of focus...my subject was in focus but anything in front or back of it was slightly out of focus---I know that's a personal preference and it might not bother others.

5-Manual controls were a little bit too complicated---I think Sony has spoiled me with their simple to use manual controls that are on my Sony Cybershot!