alaTest UK
>
Photography
>
Digital Cameras
>
Canon PowerShot SD850 IS (Digital IXUS 950 IS / IXY Digital 810 IS)

Canon PowerShot SD850 IS (Digital IXUS 950 IS / IXY Digital 810 IS)

384 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (97)
portability (55)
performance (48)
size (42)
image quality (39)

Negative
focus (3)
memory (3)
energy (2)
exposure (1)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 384 reviews of Canon PowerShot SD850 IS (Digital IXUS 950 IS / IXY Digital 810 IS). The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. People really like the size and performance. The image quality and portability are also mentioned favorably, but many are negative about the exposure and energy efficiency. The shutter and flash get mixed views.

usability, portability, image quality, performance, size

focus, memory, energy, exposure

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Canon PowerShot SD850 IS (Digital IXUS 950 IS / IXY Digital 810 IS) is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 87/100 = Very good quality.

See all Canon Digital Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 384 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(63% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (25% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (5% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (2% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (5% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
Show positive (85%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)

portability
Show positive (90%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)

image quality
Show positive (74%)Show negative (26%)(Show all)

performance
Show positive (91%)Show negative (9%)(Show all)

size
Show positive (88%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)

Show more features

Showing 368 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.

Showing 1 - 245 of 368 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (15)

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Canon PowerShot SD850 IS (Digital IXUS 950 IS / IXY Digital 810 IS)

alaTest has collected and analyzed 235 user reviews of Canon PowerShot SD850 IS (Digital IXUS 950 IS / IXY Digital 810 IS) from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Reviews about the size and performance are overall positive. The image quality and portability also get good comments, but the shutter and flash get mixed opinions. Some have doubts about the memory and energy efficiency.

usability, portability, image quality, performance, size

focus, energy, memory

90% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Tracey Capen (techadvisor.co.uk)

Canon Ixus SD850 IS 8Mp compact camera

Sleek and silver, Canon's PowerShot SD850 IS exemplifies its Digital Elph line: solidly built, beautifully designed and sweet to use. One of three Digital Elphs we've seen, this model has a simpler set of features compared with its siblings.

While the Canon PowerShot SD850 IS may not have the large LCD of the SD870 IS or the sky-high megapixel count of the SD950 IS, it is still a fine all-around point-and-shoot for most shutterbugs, and is a better value than its two siblings.

Nov, 2007

Read the full review

Expert review by : best4reviews.com (best4reviews.com)

Canon Digital IXUS 950 IS

Despite its limitations – the problems with shadows, AF, the noise issues and that new lens – this is an accomplished but flawed step on the IXUS' evolutionary ladder. The camera may not have evolved wings or a way to make a cup of tea in the morning,...

Image stabilisation, build, image quality

No manual control in “manual” mode, noise above ISO 800, lens’ wide end not wide enough, clunky mode dial, shadows fill-in, detail smoothing in some scene modes, plus AiAF not accurate enough

Jul, 2008

Read the full review

Expert review by : What Digital Camera (whatdigitalcamera.com)

Canon IXUS 950 review

The 8-megapixel Canon IXUS 950 IS features a 4x zoom, image stabilisation and 18 shooting modes.

Jan, 2008

Read the full review

Expert review by : Tracey Capen (techworld.com)

Canon Ixus SD850 IS 8Mp compact camera

Nov, 2007

Read the full review

Expert review by : What Digital Camera Magazine (whatdigitalcamera.com)

Canon release Digital IXUS 950 IS

Canon releases the Digital IXUS 950 IS, complete with face detection technology and optical image stabilization.

May, 2007

Read the full review

Expert review by (engadget.com)

Canon SD850 IS reviewed

Canon's SD850 IS may not have caused all that much of a stir when it was announced a few months back, but those still trying to make up their mind about it can head over to Photography Blog, which has just put the camera though its usual review...

Aug, 2007

Read the full review

Expert review by : Concise Review, January 2008 (dpreview.com)

Canon PowerShot SD850 IS

The SD850 IS (IXUS 950 IS in Europe) was first announced in May 2007 as a replacement for the Powershot SD700 IS. It constitutes only a relatively subtle upgrade. Visually the SD850 is virtually indistinguishable from the older model (only the color of...

Good resolution, excellent edge-to-edge sharpness, Useful zoom range (although no 28mm wide angle), Very clean results at lower ISO settings, Fast and accurate focus (although slightly slower in low light), Very responsive, Excellent user interface and...

Battery life when using LCD not brilliant, Slightly underpowered built-in flash, No 'A' or 'S' modes, generally little manual control, Auto White Balance performance under artificial light not brilliant, The usual problems of noise and noise reduction...

The SD850 IS is a typical example of what Canon does so well; a beautifully constructed, well designed and capable compact camera that doesn't break any new ground but does what it does with the refinement that comes from years of fine tuning and a...

Feb, 2008

Read the full review

Expert review by : Tracey Capen (pcworld.com)

Canon PowerShot SD850 IS

Sleek and silver, Canon's $350 PowerShot SD850 IS exemplifies its Digital Elph line: Solidly built, beautifully designed, and sweet to use. One of three Digital Elphs we reviewed together (the other two being the $450 SD950 IS and the $400 SD870 IS),...

Excellent build quality ; Effective image stabilization

Zoom button is somewhat uncomfortable ; Sibling model has wider lens, bigger LCD

The SD850 IS performs similarly to the newer SD870 IS but has a smaller LCD, a lens that isn't as wide--and a better price.

Nov, 2007

Read the full review

Expert review by : Phil Ryan (cnet.com)

Canon PowerShot SD850 IS review

Canon's SD series, also known as the Digital Elph line, is an exercise in slow evolution. Since the company has hit on a very successful design, these compact point-and-shoots typically see only minor tweaks from year to year. This year's follow-up to...

Great performance and image quality; solid image stabilization; face detection.

No manual exposure controls; on/off button a bit awkward; noisy images at ISO 1,600.

The Canon PowerShot SD 850 IS has just about everything you'd want in a point-and-shoot.

Jun, 2007

Read the full review

Expert review by : Steve's Digicams (steves-digicams.com)

Canon Powershot SD850 IS

Physical Views The SD850 compared to a standard CD disc. Continue on to Features & Controls PowerShot SD850 IS Specifications Camera Effective Pixels Approx. 8.0 million Image Sensor 1/2.5-inch CCD (Total number of pixels: Approx. 8.3 million) Lens 5.8...

Jul, 2007

Read the full review