Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Review

The Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Digital ELPH has a retractable lens and a tiny, elegant housing that makes it ideal for carrying in a pocket. The edges of the cover have been rounded off. The Canon SD950 features a built-in imager with a resolution of 12.1 megapixels and a size of 1/1.7 inches, as well as a 3.7x optical zoom lens manufactured by Canon. It has a very normal range, going from a moderate wide-angle to medium telephoto, and it has an equivalent focal length of 35–133mm.

The camera has a completely automated exposure mode. Still, the user can adjust it with 2.0 EV exposure correction and four different metering modes to tackle challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, the camera has a generous 11 Scene modes, making it user-friendly for novices. The Canon SD950 IS features a long-exposure way that allows you to manually set exposure times up to 15 seconds.

Additionally, the camera features a large 2.5-inch LCD and an optical viewfinder, which is relatively uncommon on digital cameras but is a convenient alternative for framing images.

Canon PowerShot SD950 is Digital Camera

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 5:46 am

The Canon ELPH SD950 has a rather extensive ISO sensitivity range, ranging from 80 to 1,600. It also has a specialized scene mode that provides an equivalent of ISO 3,200 for improved performance in low-light conditions.

Canon produces not only cameras but also a line of photo printers. As a result, the company dramatically enjoys the high synergy between its cameras and printers. In addition, because it has PictBridge capability, the Digital ELPH SD950 can print directly to any printer that supports PictBridge, eliminating the need for a computer to act as an intermediary in the printing process.

Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Design

It may be constructed like a brick but does not feel like a brick. Instead, the PowerShot SD950 IS feels as smooth as silk when you palm it and slide it out of your pocket, even though it is somewhat more substantial than the sliver-like ultra compacts some of its rivals offer. Additionally, it is slightly more compact than it appears to be.

The PowerShot SD950 IS highly similar to the design of the PowerShot SD900 in terms of the body, except for the door that leads to the battery compartment on the bottom. Instead of being hinged along the front edge of the case, that door is now hinged near the mount for the tripod.

The Canon PowerShot SD950 IS shell is curved slightly differently, notably at the bottom. In addition, it has one more button on the back due to the Playback mode being relocated off the Mode dial and onto its control.

Why? You may set it up to automatically switch to Playback mode (which is the default), run a slide show, or record a voice memo. The last two are only transient advantages; permanently, they are a source of more significant disadvantages. On the other hand, to my utter joy, I discovered that pressing the Playback button may power the camera off in addition to turning it on. There’s some genius at work there.

A handful of points to remark on (or dispute over) with the PowerShot SD950 IS’s design. The first issue is that the standoffs on the shorter end are a little thin, making it easy for the camera to shake when placed on an uneven surface (like bricks). It’s a good thing the outside is made of durable titanium. Another issue is that the chrome rubber lid that covers the USB port on the Canon 950 IS does not open all the way, making it impossible to attach a USB cable to the device. You will need to be persistent.

Although it isn’t the lightest ultra-compact available, we like having a little bit of weight in a camera that’s this size. In addition, when you click the PowerShot SD950 IS shutter button stabilizes the camera.

It is comfortable to carry and shoot with and can be readily operated with just your right hand. This is similar to earlier ELPH models. The Canon SD950 maintains the same mode dial design as the Canon SD900, which features a sculpted face that makes it simple to switch modes with only your thumb.

In addition, the Touch control dial’s sensitivity may be adjusted to respond to only a slight touch on any of its control points, making use with one hand somewhat simpler. That is something that is appreciated by not everyone, but I do.

The Display button on the PowerShot SD950 IS has been relocated to be located below the Touch control dial with the Menu button. In addition to the Share and Print button, there is now also a Playback button located just above the Touch control dial.

Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Performance

The Canon SD950 IS, much like its predecessor, boasts remarkable performance numbers. Compared to other entry-level digital cameras, it had better than average startup and shutdown times, combined wide-angle and telephoto autofocus lag (both relatively close), pre-focus lag, and download speed (both of which were pretty close), pre-focus lag, and download speed (due to USB 2.0 High Speed), LCD size, and overall performance.

The flash had a slower recycle time than usual, which was 7.4 seconds, but consider this to be nothing more than an indication of how intense the moment was—the optical zoom, which is just 3.7 times, and the weight received only middling evaluations.

Those are powerful results across the board, the kind of report card I’ve anticipated from Canon digital cameras, and the fact that our shooting expertise was uninteresting to them.

When I go through my collection of photos taken with the PowerShot SD950 IS, I realize that I was very demanding of the camera when shooting from an airplane, in the dim light of a restaurant, in broad sunlight but with an ISO of 1,600, when it was completely dark (and Macro mode). What was I pondering at the time?

I had the impression that this lightweight camera could tackle any task. So I will ignore everything I’ve learned up until now, enjoy myself, and watch to see what develops.

Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Image Quality

Regarding the image quality provided by the Canon SD950 IS, I do not have any significant concerns. I sincerely wish that every digital camera was as excellent as this one. I was thrilled with how the colors were captured in intense settings, including anything from glowing signs to a storm brewing in the distance.

“That wraps it up!” So, after reviewing the photograph on the LCD, I would say that. And then, later, when I looked at it on the monitor, I’d nod in approval, which doesn’t often happen.

However, I picked up one thing: the outcome might be unpredictable depending on your chosen ISO setting. For example, when I was photographing the interior of a chapel using Auto High as the ISO setting, the camera was tricked into trying to capture detail in the shadows when I wanted to capture detail in the stained glass’s highlights.

To achieve the desired results, I had to turn the exposure compensation dial down to -2 on the Canon SD950, and even then, it increased the ISO to 400. As a result, I could get the color I wanted, but I think I could have done better if I had used Auto ISO, which would have limited the ISO to 200.

Even though I was pleased with the color, the luminance was different. However, I suppose you could argue this about any sensor with an excessively high megapixel count whose data is handled automatically within the camera.

You may see what I mean by looking at the file named SD950IShSLI0100.JPG. The white braided fabric doesn’t have that much attention to detail (bottom right). Contrast that with the shot taken with the Canon G9, which retains much information.

The chromatic aberration in the corners may be seen in the test photos labeled SD950IShMULTIW.JPG and SD950IShMULTIT.JPG, respectively. At least in the laboratory, that is a grave concern. Are you able to recognize it in a live setting? If you look at YIMG 3710.JPG, you’ll notice that the upper right corner has a lot of purple fringing around it. Is that anything that genuinely presents a problem, though? In my opinion, that is not the case.

Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Appraisal

Anyone who doesn’t want to concern themselves with shutter speeds and apertures to take excellent images should look at Canon’s Digital ELPH series of cameras. If the Auto mode does not adequately address the situation, there are 11 Scene options available to choose from. In addition, white balance and exposure value compensation are basic controls that may be accessed through the Camera M mode.

This simplicity of use is also represented in the finely carved titanium shell of the PowerShot SD950 IS, which gives the appearance of having an unseen grip, and in the camera’s straightforward control arrangement. In addition, it has functions such as optical image stabilization, face detection autofocus, and a unique scene mode that operates at ISO 3,200.

The Canon PowerShot SD950 is an exceptional performer in every regard; it has superior focusing capabilities, good performance even in low light, and an intense flash, all of which work together to make it a standout. In addition, you couldn’t ask for a finer traveling buddy than one with a battery that lasts a whole day.

Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Specifications

Sensor• 1/1.7″ Type CCD
• 12.1 million effective pixels
Also known asPowerShot SD 950 IS Digital ELPH
Image sizes• 4000 x 3000
• 3264 x 2448
• 2592 x 1944
• 1600 x 1200
• 640 x 480
• 4000 x 2248
Movie clips• 1024 x 768 @ 15fps
• 640 x 480 @ 30fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30fps
• 160 x 120 @ 15fps
• Time Lapse (640 x 480 @ 0.5/1fps, playback @15fps)
Maximum clip length• 1024 x 768, 640 x 480, 320 x 240: 4GB or 1 hour
• 160 x 120: 3 mins
• Time lapse: 120 mins
File formats• JPEG (Exif v2.2)
• DPOF 1.1
• AVI (Motion JPEG + WAVE)
Lens• 36-133mm (35mm equiv)
• 3.7x optical zoom
• F2.8-5.8
Image stabilizationYes (Lens-Shift)
Conversion lensesNo
Digital zoomup to 4x
FocusTTL
AF area modes• Face Detection AiAF
• 9-point AiAF
• 1-point AF (center)
AF lockYes (on/off selectable)
AF assist lampYes
Focus distanceThe closest focus distance is 5cm
Metering• Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame)
• Center-weighted average
• Spot (center)
ISO sensitivity• Auto
• High ISO Auto
• ISO 80
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600
AE lockYes (on/off selectable)
Exposure compensation+/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments
Shutter speed15-1/1600 sec (longer than 1 sec available in Long Shutter Mode only)
Modes• Auto
• Manual
• Digital Macro
• Color Accent
• Color Swap
• Stitch Assist
• Movie
• Special Scene
Scene modes• Portrait
• Night Snapshot
• Kids & Pets
• Indoor
• Foliage
• Snow
• Beach
• Fireworks
• Aquarium
• Underwater
• ISO 3200
White balance• Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Tungsten
• Fluorescent
• Fluorescent H
• Custom
Self-timer2 or 10sec, custom
Continuous shootingApprox 1.5fps until the card is full
Image parametersMy Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color)
Flash• Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Slow Sync, Red-eye reduction
• Face Detection FE compensation
• Flash exposure lock
• Range (Auto ISO): 50cm – 4.6m (wide) / 2.4m (tele)
ViewfinderNo
LCD monitor• 2.5-inch P-Si TFT
• 230,000 pixels
• 100% coverage
• 15 levels of brightness adjustment
Connectivity• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
• AV out (PAL / NTSC switchable)
Print compliancePictBridge
Storage• SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus compatible
• 32 MB card supplied
Power• Li-Ion battery pack NB-5L
• Optional AC adapter ACK-DC30
Weight (no batt)165g (5.8 oz)
Dimensions95.9 x 59.9 x 27.6 mm (3.8 x 2.4 x 1.1 in)

Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Conclusion

Canon PowerShot SD950 is Digital Camera

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 5:46 am

The Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Digital ELPH is a compact digital camera with a body design ideal for traveling and features a 12.1 megapixel CCD, a 3.7x optical zoom lens, and a user interface that has been thoughtfully created. The exposure is kept under automated control, and the camera has 11 different scene settings that might assist when photographing brutal scenes.

It is a susceptibcamera, with a minimal shutter lag in daylight circumstances and great shot-to-shot rates. The Canon SD950 IS is available now. Additionally, it has a great battery life, an effective Movie mode, and a fast download speed. Lathe st but not least, Canon produces various accessories, including a slave flash and even an underwater casinsuitablehe camera, giving you access to a broader range of alternatives than you would often anticipate from a tiny digital camera.

The general design and structure of the SD950 are user-friendly and hassle-free, and the bright 2.5-inch color LCD panel is perfect for framing and evaluating photographs. In addition, the SD950 offers a high resolution. The printed output is astoundingly fantastic, creating stunning pictures at 16 by 20 inches, and even images taken with ISO 400 look decent at 11 by 14.

Canon PowerShot SD950 IS FAQs

Is a Canon PowerShot SD950 IS a professional camera?

There is a common misconception that the Canon PowerShot SD950 IS is a professional camera. On the contrary, it is a lightweight, pocket-sized digital camera that is ideal for casual photographs and general use.

What is the price of Canon PowerShot SD950 IS camera?

Because it is an earlier model, the Canon PowerShot SD950 IS may be challenging to track down in its brand-new condition for purchase. On the other hand, it had a selling price of approximately $449 when first made available to the public.

Is A PowerShot SD950 IS better than a DSLR?

A digital single-lens reflex camera, also known as a DSLR, and a compact digital camera, such as Canon’s PowerShot SD950 IS, perform distinct functions. Each comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

A DSLR will generally have superior picture clarity, quicker autofocus, and the ability to change lenses; however, a compact digital camera such as the PowerShot SD950 IS will be more straightforward and portable.

Is Canon PowerShot SD950 IS good for wildlife photography?

Because its lens is stationary, the Canon PowerShot SD950 IS is not necessarily the most suitable option for photographing wildlife due to its restricted zoom capabilities.

It also has a comparatively small sensor, meaning its performance in low-light environments may not be as good as it could be. However, despite this, it is still feasible to take photographs of wildlife with the PowerShot SD950 IS so long as adequate lighting and cautious composition are employed.

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