At first glance, the Canon PowerShot SD780 EN It doesn’t look like anything from the Canon stable. For one thing, it’s not the signature silver color. It’s also not typically ‘boxy’ like most of Canon’s previous designs. A lot has changed in terms of buttons, look and feel as well. This time around, Canon seems to have gone for the brushed metal look. One thing though, the surface is a scratch magnet. If you decide to throw this camera in a bag with various other metal items, coins, etc., you could end up with more wear and tear than you expected. Alternatively, you could choose an outer shell, although I’m not sure there are any on the market.

Regarding the characteristics, the Canon PowerShot SD780 EN it’s of the standard point-and-click variety. It’s really compact (it’ll definitely appeal to backpackers or trigger happy strains that are always ready for that candid shot) but the compact size and design doesn’t compromise on any of the main features. Its screen, for example, is a decent-sized 2.5-inch LCD. The sensor is 12.1 megapixels. You also have a 3x zoom. The added facet is that this is the first Canon camera to come with state-of-the-art image stabilization technology. Even if on the surface, the camera doesn’t have much to offer, the proof of the pudding lies on the inside. One of the things I liked the most about the SD780 is the fact that it comes with a new technology called ‘Smart Auto’. What this essentially does is identify a scene based on a default set of eight scenes and adjust the settings accordingly. This makes it ideal for less advanced users!

However, the best application when it comes to this camera is the HD capability. In addition to the basics like video recording, the PowerShot SD 780 IS is HD ready for output to an HD display unit. The innovative new movie recording feature provides incredible 1280×720 resolution. However, the flash could have been a bit stronger and currently, the recharge time it takes isn’t the best.

The main cradle one might have with the Canon PowerShot SD780 IS is the fact that for a camera that seems to be loaded with so many features, it feels pretty basic. I don’t really know if this has to do with the looks of the camera or the hyped promise of 12.1-megapixel resolution, but overall the camera really looks like it could have done better if it had tried. But considering the price range and the price/feature ratio, I’m sure enough people will be more than happy with this clicker.