Canon PowerShot SD960IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.8-inch LCD (Gold)

When i moved to Korea 6 years ago, I decided to start taking photography a little more seriously.While I am still learning how do this properly, it is important to realize that inspiration and art can come from the most unlikely of places. Thus, I felt that I needed to have a camera strapped to my side 24/7.My serious camera is a Canon S5-IS. Yes, I know, how serious of a photographer can this guy be if that is his serious camera? Well, art is in the eye of the beholder and it does not take a pricey camera to come up with excellent quality shots if you are framing properly and using light in the right ways.While I love how easy the S5 has been to use, it is too big to be carrying around everywhere. Thus, I needed something smaller but that would take the same quality pictures.So, I figured that since I like the S5 that Canon must have something smaller with similar features and menus and lo and behold they have a whole line of cameras. I purchased the Asian equivalent of this model the IXUS 110 IS. I enjoyed it for two years using it to shoot everything and anything.As I said before, I like having a camera on me at all times, so I usually had this in a small belt case that was originally made for a cell phone. Unfortunately, while riding in a cab a few weeks ago en route to a friends wedding, I left it in the cab and never saw it again.I was a little heartbroken as it was such a good little camera. So, I decided, hey, I could buy something newer but I wonder if looking on Amazon.com I might find something that was the same, maybe used or refurbished (refurbished is as good as new by the way) and save a little money.There it was, the American equivalent, the SD960 IS, being sold used (barely) and for a great bargain. I ordered it and had it sent to a friends military box and it arrived in less than ten days time.I am very happy with this new one and will always remember to keep it strapped to my side.For its ease of use, a variety of settings regarding light and color (including black and white and sepia), a decent little flash (which I almost never use) and for its compact size, I highly recommend the SD 960IS.

Sent the camera back to Canon Repair due to a Lens Error message. Apparently, this camera is notorious for having this problem. The Canon repair center initially replied "Based on our initial examination, we will start the necessary repairs at no charge to you.". Then a week later they replied that there was "corrosion detected", which by reading other complaint posts means that Canon can make this claim on any repair to get out of having to honor their warranty and fix the actual defective part. The service manager I spoke to admitted that the specific defect lens error likely had nothing to do with their possible detection of corrosion, but they will only restore a camera to "full spec", not repair a warranty defect. So, if they can detect any corrosion they can refuse the repair regardless if it has anything to do with the defective part. I assume they try very hard to find corrosion.It gets even better... Then they offered me the option to repair the camera at my expense for $266.25. We paid originally $179.95 with free shipping from Amazon, brand new. Who are they kidding? That's a refurb repair with no extention of the (useless) warranty for $85 more than the camera cost new.Needless to say, if Canon does not rectify this, it will be my last Canon purchase and I will vocally share my opinion.

I bought this camera before setting out to Europe. I spent plenty of time comparing and contrasting cheaper point-and-shoots before I finally pulled the trigger on this 960IS. I've been carrying it around for 4 months now, have had the opportunity to put it through the ringer, and now can provide you fellow Amazoner's with a sufficient review!1) You can't expect point-and-shoots to come out with phenomenal images like those you'd capture with a D-SLR. It's just not going to happen. That being said, I have been impressed time and time again with what this camera has been able to pull off. The resolution is incredible, it handles light well, and has plenty of fun little color balance presets to play around with.2) The flash leaves something to be desired. It LOVES to take bright pictures of subjects in the foreground and blacken the background. There is a setting for a slow synchro flash to lighten up the background, just be sure you'll holding the camera steady or using a little tripod. I prefer to shoot pictures with the flash off, though, and this delivers brilliant night images. They don't come out grainy at all and are actually quite beautiful.3) My obsession with the ELPH line has always been the aluminum bodies. This (at least as far as I can tell) is plastic. For this price, I wanted aluminum. It's held up extremely well, though, and when combined with a little case, it shouldn't be a problem.3) I didn't think I would ever use the video feature. But that changed, capturing little snippets to send home of open mic nights, concerts, and other sightseeing adventures. The video is actually quite good and the audio is better than you'd expect. Again, it's not pro-level, but it's very impressive.4) It's quick to start up, making those "oh hold on, let me get a picture!" moments easier to catch. It processes the pictures quickly and is ready to go for the next pic almost immediately.5) I fell in LOVE with the wide-angle lens. It manages to open up the field of vision more than I thought it would. There have plenty of times where I wanted to take a landscape picture thinking I'd have to walk backwards 15 ft, only to realize the camera can pull it off.6) The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars are because of the lack of metal body and it's sometimes incredibly annoying flash.In all, it's a great, compact little camera that has served me dutifully and shows no signs of giving up. If you're looking for a new point-and-shoot, I think this is one of the best money can buy. It's compact, fast, takes great pictures, and is easy to tote around with you. The wide-angle lens is a "must." You won't be disappointed with this AT ALL!