What's Hot: Bigger review screen, simpler controls, has an optical viewfinder, a little thinner, great macro functions, through screen.
What's Not: Auto ISO function aims low, even in high auto, optical viewfinder could be bigger, manual modes not offered in the classical sense.
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Review: This camera is replacing my SD110 Digital Elph as my daily driver. When I feel the need for full control, I carry my D70, or an older film camera.
The very first things you should do, if you buy an SD1000, is set the camera to manual and set the Print Share button to set exposure compensation when pressed while in the shooting mode. You will then have most of the tools you need to take most pictures easily accessable without having to delve into the function settings or the menu. The command dial offers instant access to (from twelve o'clock, clockwise) ISO settings, flash controls, self-timer to multiple exposure settings, and macro to landscape settings. Having these options so easily available makes the camera fairly easy to adjust manually, to say, bracket shots, if you feel the need, with flash or exposure compensation.
Sad to say, The older SD110 has the better optical viewfinder. When it comes to optical viewfinders, like their digital equivalents, bigger is better. With all the advances in microprocessor power and reduction in size, can't we move the optical viewfinder to the upper left (rear view) corner, and increase the peephole size to maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inch diagonal view. Both Elphs run in the 1/4 to 1/3 inch range, the older one being the bigger one. This shouldn't require a serious increase in the size of the camera, nor should it require a decrease in the size of the 2.5in LCD. Of course, the optical viewfinder should continue to adjust with the optical zoom. A little more accuracy would be nice here too. The seemingly impending death of optical viewfinders in small digital cameras will harm photography more than the best OIS systems will try to correct it.
Both the old SD110 and the new SD1000 feel solidly built and slightly heavy, in a good way. The lens surround, with its brushed chrome look, and engraved markings, of the SD110 are more attractive than the seemingly sprayed on treatment on the newer camera. Access to the battery and memory card is nearly identical in both cameras, meaning easy. Access to the USB and AV/OUT ports are more difficult with the new camera, but the door is flush with, and matches the surrounding trim. The older camera has a rubber like cover, which snaps over the jacks. After several thousands of shots, the SD110 still works fine, and holds a respectable charge on the original battery. I expect the SD1000 to perform as well. Viewed from the top and sides, the newer camera looks tighter and better built. The fact that is almost 1/4 inch thinner than the older model dosen't hurt. This does not make the new Elph any more difficult to hold properly for shooting than the older one. Holding any very small camera in low light without using the flash requires practice, especially with larger hands. The rewards are worth it.
I bought the SD1000 in the quest of higher resolution, higher ISO speeds, and its dazzling LCD monitor. The glossy, flush surface of the monitor is said to be highly scratch resistant, according to Canon. So far, so good. It should be said that the smaller, matte finished, recessrd screen of the SD110 is still in fine shape.
If you own an older Digital Elph, or you bought one without an optical viewfinder, you'll probably like the SD1000. It is small enough to be carried anywhere, it will do 90% of what your DSLR does most of the time you're shooting, and with the controls properly set, allows a pretty good degree of manual control. A very good daily driver indeed.
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