I'm ready to buy a new digital camera. Mine is really getting on now, and I've never been all that happy with the colours it produces anyway.

I've narrowed it down to two cameras:

Canon IXUS 950 IS which is 8mp with 4x optical zoom and 'image stabilizer'

or

Canon IXUS 900 Ti which is 10mp with 3x optical zoom and no image stabilizer

Now firstly, what is image stabilizer? And, combined with the better optical zoom of the 950, is it better to have this, or an extra 2MP?

Thanks

Image stabillizer helps reduce the effects of camera shake at slow shutter speeds.

I'd need to see the full specs to make a decision, but going on what you've given I'd get the 950IS

10mp is nothing over 8mp really.

Thanks ZootyRS, I was leaning towards the 950 too. I'll see if I can get some full spec lists.

I've got the Spec' from eBay. I've tried to copy and paste into here but it ended up as a mess so I'll put the links up

This is the 950IS NEW!~ CANON 8MP DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA~ IXUS 950 IS + 4GB - eBay, Digital Cameras, Photography (end time 14-Oct-07 18:33:10 BST)

And the 900TI 10MP CANON IXUS 900 Ti DIGITAL CAMERA~SD900+5 BONUS~4GB - eBay, Digital Cameras, Photography (end time 12-Oct-07 19:11:04 BST)

Thanks

I have a Cannon S3is.

Canon says -

Vibration sensors within the lens system automatically detect and compensate for minor jitters, ensuring that images remains crisp, clear and shake-free. The benefits are obvious and enormous. Optical IS reduces image blur at slower shutter speeds, allowing you to continue hand-held shooting for longer in low light situations. It also provides rock-steady reliability when zoomed in, so you can capture up close with confidence.

The image stabilizer function allows you to minimize the camera shake affect (blurred images) when you shoot distant subjects that have been magnified or when you shoot in dark conditions.

links to the relevant pages on the Canon UK site -

950is -

Canon UK - Digital IXUS 950 IS

900ti -

Canon UK - Digital IXUS 900 Ti

As for the difference in 8mp or 10mp.

My camera is a 6mp and the photo's can be printed off at full A4 size without any quality loss.

This is handy for those action shots where you don't have to zoom in as close to take the photo then you can crop the image on the PC and still print it out at large size without any noticeable degradation.

I took a Canon Powershot S1 IS on honeymoon to Kenya, and I think the image stabilisation made all the difference to my photos. Often, I was shooting at 10x zoom, and 99% of the photos taken (even whilst actually on the move) were crystal-clear. If you want big zoom, and don't want to take a tripod everywhere, the IS is worth more than the extra pixels IMHO. For example, all of the pics below were taken at full-zoom; the first two from a moving van, the third from a boat, and the fourth from a hot air balloon (they're wildebeest a couple of miles away, not ants on the floor!):

The problem with any image stabilisation system, is its electronic. Software is used to compensate for the shake using artificial sharpening. I much prefer the results from a camera without IS and a proper tripod.

I'd argue that the quality of picture of the 10MP is no better than the 8MP one.

When you look at the size of the lens, and the small area through which the light enters, I'd be controversial and say the CCD will have a smaller dot pitch to get the extra 2MP and that means that there's less light hitting each pixel, so although your resolution is higher, it's technically noisier.

The combination of the better light/pixel ratio and image stabiliser would make me go for the 950. The best would be if there's the ability of whether to use the IS or not, as Manny says

The best would be if there's the ability of whether to use the IS or not, as Manny says

You could switch it off on my (relatively low-end) camera; I don't see why a 'posher' one shouldn't have the option... I believe some actually have a damped, movable CCD (but that might just be camcorders...?)

You could switch it off on my (relatively low-end) camera; I don't see why a 'posher' one shouldn't have the option... I believe some actually have a damped, movable CCD (but that might just be camcorders...?)

The Sony range of Alpha digital SLRs have damping / image stabilisation built into the camera body.

Thanks everyone. I've read your advice, and read lots of reviews and I've decided to go for the 950 IS. I take the point about the down side to the stabilizer, so it will be a bonus if it can be turned off, but if not then I'll just live with it. 99% of the time I won't be using a tripod anyway so I think it's the best all rounder for my needs.

Whenever I need a new camera I find this site the best for reviews, it lso as a good forum where users can post their views. well worth a look.

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