Is this just another lackluster compact zoom, or will that killer Canon color push this 10-megapixel camera ahead? Find out in our comprehensive Canon SD770 review.
Review summary of the Canon PowerShot SD770 IS:
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 The Canon SD770 will suit the needs of most advanced tourists and beginner shooters who want to expand their photography knowledge. You won't find many external controls on the camera, other than a circular directional pad and round shutter button zoom toggle. The LCD screen is even on the small side. All of the action happens when you power on the Canon SD770, including various color modes, a strong set of manual controls, various d-pad quick adjustments and a killer playback interface. For a 10MP camera on the cheap, the 4x optical zoom Canon SD700 could be your next weapon of choice. Thats if image quality is not on the top of your priority list. Release: April 2008. Price: $215.
Pros: Great menus. Excellent color options and manual controls. Good low light.
Cons: Overall compression issues and/or blowouts in most images. Small LCD screen.
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Full Canon PowerShot SD770 IS Review:
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Design - Good
Architecturally, the Canon SD770 is just a rectangular box with a circular lens, a petite design in Canon's Digital Elph family. The tapered edges and sleek metallic body add to its overall hotness factor and port enclosures are well concealed. This is the type of compact you can pocket with ease, weighing in at just under 7 ounces and measuring under 3 1/2 inches across. The camera also feels like a miniature brick that can take a decent walloping, thanks to its rugged plastic and metal construction.
The 2.5" LCD screen on the Canon SD770 is comparatively small when pinned against other cams in its price range that feature 3" screens. On the bright side, the more diminutive screen produces a crisper display because the pixels are crammed into a smaller space. Canon opted for a zoom control that encircles the shutter button, which we prefer to a rocker switch or toggle.
A minute optical viewfinder rests above the LCD screen of the Canon SD770, which will come in handy when the battery is low. Keep in mind that what you view is significantly cropped along all edges compared to what the LCD displays, so it's best not to rely on the viewfinder's accuracy. Contrary to the decent structural integrity of the camera, the battery/SD card door is very flimsy.
Interface - Good
For navigating the menus, the Canon SD770 is equipped with a circular directional pad located in the back and a few additional buttons. This is not a highly advanced interface, but it's fairly intuitive and easy to get the hang of. All four points on the directional pad double as quick adjust functions, such as Flash and Macro settings. The Canon SD770 has a Mode switch that allows you to toggle between Photo, Video and Playback modes. The simplified nature of the Mode switch is a lot less foreboding than a giant Mode dial with an overdose of options.
Canon's menu system is nice and simple, with options that are easy to access and organized in a logical order. All manual controls can be found in the Function menu, including Exposure, White Balance and Color Schemes. Most administrative tasks, such as LCD brightness and Sounds, can be found in the Main menu. The directional pad offers rapid menu selection and is very sensitive, allowing you to configure options in a matter or seconds.
Features - Good
Despite its basic architecture and minimal external buttons, the Canon SD770 offers an exciting set of automatic and manual controls. For the shooter whose only wish is to power the camera on and hit the shutter button, Auto mode is the ticket. Keep in mind that everything is automatic, so the flash will fire depending on how dark the shooting environment is. The camera has great automatic adjustment from Focus to Exposure. The ISO reading will also appear when the shutter button is pressed halfway, which is a handy feature for advanced shooters. One caveat is that in exceedingly dim environments, the shutter speed will drastically drop, requiring a tripod.
You won't see the typical parade of Scene modes on the Canon SD770, as Canon is geared more toward advanced shooters. The Function menu allows you to shift from Auto to Manual mode, in addition to a handful of other shooting settings including Night Snapshot and Kids and Pets. In Manual mode, shooters have complete control over Exposure, White Balance, ISO and Focus, which are essential manual controls for nearly any scene. If you know how to operate these image adjustments, you'll be very happy with the Canon SD770.
The camera is also equipped with Color Accent and Color Swap filters, allowing you to apply Photoshop-style effects to your shots. Canon excels in color, and the Canon SD770 also offers a small army of color settings including Vivid, Positive Film and Sepia. This is definitely a step beyond most cameras in its class, though these intricate color settings will require the discerning eye of a seasoned photographer. For most shooters, Auto will do just fine.
Like most digital cameras we're seeing these days, the Canon SD770 can capture standard-definition video at a max resolution of 640 x 480. Though this is nothing special, the highlight here is that the Color Accent and Color Swap filters are also available in Video mode. If you can live with the YouTube-bound quality, the artistic film potential here is vast.
Playback is smooth as canola oil with the Canon SD770. The LCD screen will rotate the image horizontally or vertically, based on the position of the camera. Furthermore, each image can be displayed with all of its information including shooting mode, ISO, aperture, exposure and white balance.
Hardware - Good
The Canon SD770 has a 10MP imager, which is an exceedingly common resolution across a broad spectrum of entry to mid-level cameras. There's nothing particularly fresh here. The 4x Optical zoom gets the job done, but then again, it's just a 4x optical zoom. It's enough to catch a squirrel mid-nut chomp. Check out the samples below.
The battery life is one of the best features on the Canon SD770. With all of the zooming and menu operations we chucked at it, the battery was about 1/3 full by the end of the day. But it still wouldn't hurt to carry an extra pack or two. The Canon SD770 also powers on within one second and can snap a shot about a half second later. This is crucial for catching quick action.
Image Quality - Good
The Canon SD770 stands in line with a plethora of other temperamental cameras who refuse to perform to the best of their abilities unless the shooting environment is a digital-friendly utopia. So, even in perfect light you'll detect some flaws. With the Canon SD770, it's ghosting, blowing out and compression artifacts. In low light, noise takes the place of the compression, but the camera actually held its own when the lights dimmed. Color is spot on, as Canon aces that subject every time. For most tourists and beginners, the Canon SD770 is an excellent camera. Those looking for more detail will be starving for bigger resolutions within a month.
Scene Test Vacation Life
It's hard to screw up a scene like this. The lighting is perfect and the subject matter makes you want to ditch work and grab a pina colada. The Canon SD770 nailed the colors in this image, but if you look closely, you can see tiny specks of compression artifacts mainly in the ocean and some slight ghosting along the white pole on the left side of the screen. These are minor issues, as the image looks great overall, but advanced shooters will nitpick till the cows come home.
Contrast Test Sea of Chrome
What a tall order for a 10MP compact zoom! This is the definitive glare showdown, and the Canon SD770 suffers from serial blowouts. Look at all that ghosting and overexposure! Detail within the focal range is stellar, but even the color feels washed out due to the abundance of radioactive motorcycle parts. Sadly, this image looks fake.
Macro Test Faux Leaf
Now that's Macro at its finest. Look at the thatched pattern of the leaf's fabric. We were able to get up close and personal with the leaf, and the Canon SD770 had no problem capturing the essence that is fake holiday joy.
Motion Test Evil Town
This image was taken while traveling on a motorcycle at around 35MPH on the Manhattan bridge. Surprisingly, the foreboding scenery held up nicely, as you can see most of the buildings in Evil Town are in focus. The car is blurred, but not to an unrecognizable state. Colors are as vivid as they can be on such a drab day. For the most part, the Canon SD770 plays nicely with motion.
Color Swap Pool
Color Accent Pool
Vivid Green Pool
Ever wonder what it would be like to bask in the glory of pool filled with pink lemonade? How about take a swim in Black and Whiteville? Or the Village of Green? Here's a taste of the color options available on the Canon SD770.
Sunset Test Ocean
This classic sunset is represented well, despite the overbearing noise. The color is beautiful, and the camera pulls this particular scene off nicely.
Night Test Times Square
Here the noise isn't as heinous as it should be, but it's the exploding neon signs that really toss a stick in the spokes of this image. The bleeding color lines and electrifying illumination of the signs really put a damper on the overall feel. Otherwise, this is a pretty damn good image, and certainly one a tourist would be proud of.
Low Light Test Desk and Lamp
Here the Canon SD770 displays minimal noise based on the demanding environment. The exposure is brighter than most comparable cams we've seen in this test, but there's more blowing out underneath the lamp. It's official. The Canon SD770 is a blowout champion. Color retention is great for the dimly lit environment.
Candle Test - Auto
Candle Test Full Exposure
This is an exhibit based on how well the exposure on the Canon SD770 works. The first image was captured in Auto. You can see the excellent gradation in the color levels of the candle, but there's an overall darkness within the surrounding area. When the exposure was boosted to the max, the color flourished and the rest of the image was brought into light. Noise is slightly agitated, but barely noticeable. We also steadied the Canon SD770 on a surface to prevent blurring, so a tripod is a must during serious night shooting.
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