Best Digital Camera

Canon Powershot SD750

Exploring the options for a compact digital camera can be overwhelming with the vast number of models on the market. If you are an amateur photographer or just a shutterbug, avoid the other options and focus on the Canon PowerShot SD750 ($250). This camera will suit your technical needs without breaking the bank. Keep in mind that quite a few people invest in a camera with a higher resolution, believing it to have more value, but higher megapixel counts are generally used as a marketing tool. For example, a camera such as the Canon Powershot SD950 ($350) is priced so high because of it’s 12.1 megapixel resolution, but the average user will never fully utilize feature. On the other hand the SD750 has a 7.1 megapixel resolution which is specifically tailored for the average user.

 What's Good:

One of the disadvantages of owning a digital camera are the long boot times. If you have a photo opportunity where timing is key, the start up of the camera could hinder or completely eliminate the chance that the photo will turn out well. The SD750 is an exception to this rule because not only does it have one of the fastest boot times, but it also has a high processing speed. This particular model is able to take pictures at 1.7 seconds per shot, giving you the ability to capture a specific moment at just the right time. A similar camera, the Nikon Coolpix S610c ($210), takes 3.5 seconds between each shot, making it frustrating when taking a series of photos.

What's Bad:

One feature that the SD750 is lacking is a longer zoom option. At 3x zoom, the SD750 does offer some flexibility when composing your shots, but it is unable to offer the precision such as the Nikon Coolpix S60 which is able to reach a 5x zoom. For the average user however, the zoom feature shouldn’t factor too much in the purchasing decision, assuming the camera’s main use will be taking snapshots and candids.

Why it's the Best:

The SD750 sacrifices some of the more advanced options such as a longer zoom and higher resolution but gains more practical value through its rapid boot time and overall ease of use. If you are an average camera user who wants an affordable camera with fewer, but higher quality features, the SD750 is the best choice.