Canon SD600 / IXUS 60 Digital Camera

Canon has long been the leading actor in the ongoing ultra-compact digicam drama. Canon's product development folks have consistently created tiny stylish digital cameras designed to make taking photos as effortless as possible and the new Canon Powershot SD600/Digital IXUS 60 digital camera continues that winning tradition. Canon newest Digital Elph features a 6 megapixel CCD image sensor, a fully retractable 3X optical zoom, a fast 9 AF point AiAF auto focus system, a 2.5 inch LCD screen, and a very impressive feature set - all stuffed into a stylish metal alloy body that's small enough to be dropped into a shirt pocket (or small purse) and tough enough to go just about anywhere.

The brain of the new Canon Powershot SD600/Digital IXUS 60 digital camera is its second-generation DIGIC II processor. DIGIC (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) technology efficiently combines image processing, power management, and most primary camera functions (Exposure, White Balance, JPEG compression, gain control, and most auto functions) in one chip to more efficiently manage camera operation. DIGIC II images are optimized for sharp resolution, balanced contrast, lower noise, and bright colors. The heart of the SD600 is Canon's new 6 megapixel image sensor - designed to extend sensitivity (ISO 80 to ISO 800) and provide users with the flexibility to shoot indoors (and in dim/low lighting) without flash and to shoot at faster shutter speeds (to freeze action) outdoors.

NUTS & BOLTS

LCD/Viewfinder

The Canon Powershot SD600's real-image coupled (zooming) optical viewfinder is sharp, fairly bright, and imminently useable - but it only covers about eighty per cent of the image frame and it's fairly squinty. There's no diopter correction for eyeglasses wearers.

The SD600's (173,000 pixels) 2.5 inch LCD screen dominates the camera's rear deck. LCD images are bright, sharp, hue accurate, fluid, and the display gains "up" (automatically brightens) in dim lighting - users can also manually boost LCD screen brightness. The LCD screen shows almost 100% of the image frame and is useable (anti- glare coating) in bright outdoor lighting. The LCD info/status display provides all information (shooting mode, exposure compensation setting, white balance setting, ISO setting, flash setting, the light metering option selected, and resolution/compression data) the SD600's target audience is likely to need.

The LCD screen is a bit grainy, but it is still sharp enough to get the job done. In Playback mode, a histogram display provides a graphic readout of the tonal distribution range of captured images which is helpful in determining over or under exposure (allowing the image to be re-shot), but a live histogram would have been better.

Zoom

The SD600 features an f2.8-4.9/5.8-17.4mm (35-105mm – 35mm equivalent) all glass 3X optical zoom. When the camera is powered up, the lens automatically telescopes out of the camera body. When the camera is powered down the lens is fully retracted into the camera and a built in lens cover slides into place to protect the front element of the lens. The SD600's zoom exhibits noticeable barrel distortion (straight lines bow out from the center) at the wide-angle end of the zoom range, some minor softness in the corners, and very minor pin cushioning (straight lines bow in toward the center) at full telephoto. Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is slightly above average at the wide-angle end of the zoom range and I also noticed some very minor vignetting (darkened corners). Colors are hue accurate, but slightly over saturated. Minimum focusing distance (in Macro mode) is 1.2 inches. Zoom operation is fast, smooth, and relatively quiet.

Auto Focus (AF)

The SD600 utilizes Canon's proven 9 focus point AiAF (Advanced intelligent Auto Focus) system. The SD600's AF system instantly analyzes what's in front of the camera and the automatically decides which of the 9 AF points is closest to the primary subject (closest subject priority) and locks focus on that AF point. More advanced shutterbugs can manually line up a specific AF focus point with the most important element in the image (like the face or eyes in a head and shoulders portrait). Users can also turn AiAF off and default to the center AF point for traditional looking landscapes and classic looking portraits. The SD600 also provides an AF assist beam for quicker and more accurate focusing in dim/low light. AF is consistently fast and accurate.

Manual Focus (MF)

The SD600 doesn't provide any manual focus capability

Flash

The SD600's built-in multi mode flash is adequate, but somewhat underpowered. Flash options include: Auto (fires when needed), On (fill flash), Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Synch, and off. Canon claims the maximum flash range is 12 feet (3.3 meters), but realistically anything beyond 9 -10 feet is going to be fairly dark unless shot against very light colored backgrounds with lots of ambient lighting (and at the High ISO Auto setting). Canon's optional HF-DC1 auto (slave) flash extends maximum flash range to about 30 feet.

Memory Media

The Canon PowerShot SD600 utilizes SD/MMC memory media to save captured images. Canon includes a 16MB SD "starter" card in the camera box.

Image File Format(s)

JPEG

Connectivity

USB 2.0 (HS) out, A/V out, DC in

Power

The SD600 draws its juice from Canon's newish (first seen in the SD450/SD550) NB-4L (3.7v 790mAh) rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack. Canon claims a fully charged NB-4L is good for up to 160 exposures (full time LCD use) or 600 exposures (full time optical viewfinder use). I didn't keep precise track of exposures so I can't quibble with Canon's numbers. Realistically Micro-cam batteries (since they must be very small) can't store as much power as larger batteries. Based on my admittedly unscientific tests a fully charged NB-4L should be good for something like 120-125 exposures (full time LCD use) 400-450 exposures (full time optical viewfinder use). Many micro-Cam users set the flash to auto (lots of flash use will dramatically lower battery life), rarely use the optical viewfinder, and review every image they shoot - so power duration can vary considerably. Shooters who plan on taking the SD600 along on extended trips or long weekend outings should probably purchase a back-up battery. The included charger (which plugs directly into the wall) needs about 90 minutes to fully charge the battery.

EXPOSURE

The SD600 is an AE (auto exposure) only digicam and permits only limited user input. Canon's micro-cams are very popular with a broad range of users due (at least in large part) to the Digital Elph mystique (the cameras are stylish, small enough to be dropped in a pocket, incredibly easy to use, and provide dependably excellent results). The SD600 continues that tradition - offering users a useful range of exposure options including Full Auto, Manual mode (which is actually Programmed AE mode), and Movie mode. Canon's exclusive iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology produces consistently excellent exposures in all scene modes. The camera instantly matches the scene in front of the lens with an on board database of known scene types and then compares that information with the specific scene's subject distance, white balance, contrast range, lighting, and color (just before the image is recorded) to determine the best exposure. The SD600's auto exposure system does more than just average exposures - images are consistently and noticeably better than average.

Movie Mode

Canon PowerShot SD600/Digital IXUS 60 users can record video clips (with audio) at 640x480 @ 30 fps with duration limited to 1GB (about 8 minutes at maximum resolution). The SD600 can also record up to 60 seconds of fast frame rate QVGA (60 fps) video clips and several lower resolution video options. Focus and (optical) zoom setting are locked at the first frame. Movies can be edited in-camera (in Playback mode) and then previewed – users can then opt to save the edited video clip, the original video clip, or both. The SD600 also provides a voice-notation mode that allows users to add audio notes (up to 60 seconds) to their image files.

Metering

The SD600's (default) evaluative metering system is dependably accurate in all but the most challenging lighting, novice photographers shouldn't have to worry about metering at all. The camera's evaluative metering system divides the image frame into zones and separately evaluates each zone to determine the best overall shutter speed/aperture combination. More experienced photographers can opt for either Spot metering or Center-weighted Averaging metering. The Spot metering mode allows users to bias exposure on a small area at the center of the frame (useful for back lit, off center, and high/low contrast subjects) and the Center-Weighted metering mode allows savvy users to create traditional looking landscapes and classic style portraits.

White Balance (WB)

Canon PowerShot SD600/IXUS 60 provides users with an adequate selection of white balance options. WB settings include TTL Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Underwater, and a custom (manual) mode that allows savvy shooters to use a white card (or white wall or ceiling) to insure accurate color. At the auto WB setting the SD600's native color interpolation is bright, a bit warm, and slightly over saturated.

Sensitivity

Like its siblings (SD700 IS, SD630, etc) the Canon PowerShot SD600 provides an excellent range of sensitivity settings including - Auto, High ISO Auto, and user selectable settings for 80, 100, 200, 400, and 800 ISO.

In-Camera Image Adjustment

The SD600's target audience probably won't utilize this digicam's in-camera image adjustment capabilities much, but more advanced shooters will appreciate the useful range of creative photography options since in-camera image adjustments are always easier than post-exposure image modifications.

Very light or very dark subjects can trick light metering systems into underexposing or overexposing images. The SD600's Exposure Compensation function allows users to subtly adjust exposure parameters over a 4 EV range (+/-2 EV in 1/3 EV increments) to compensate for difficult lighting and subject/background reflectance/non-reflectance problems or to compensate for environmental exposure variables (by quickly and easily lightening or darkening images).

The Canon Powershot SD600/Digital IXUS 60 digital camera's My Colors mode provides several creative color options: Positive Film (mimics slide film color, saturation, and contrast), Neutral Film (mimics print film color, saturation, and contrast), Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Color accent (shifts images to B&W, except for one user selected color), color swap (allows users to switch one color for another), custom color (users can adjust color balance for red, green, blue, and skin tones +/-2 arbitrary steps in 1 step increments), and Photo effects (vivid or neutral color saturation, low sharpening, sepia, and B&W).

DESIGN, CONTROLS, & ERGONOMICS

The Canon PowerShot SD600 is a stylish, ultra compact, metal alloy bodied, P&S (point & shoot) AE (auto exposure) only micro-cam that can be taken just about anywhere and used easily by just about anyone. The SD600's user interface is intuitive and uncomplicated. All controls are logically placed and easily accessed. Most users will have no difficulty using the camera right out of the box. The SD600 (like it's predecessors) will appeal to casual photographers, snap-shooters, travelers, trekkers, mountain bikers, and backpackers who value style, compact size, fast operation, and point & shoot ease of use.

Technical Specifications

Resolution: 6 Megapixels (2815x2112)
Viewfinder(s): Coupled optical viewfinder and 2.5 inch LCD
Lens: f2.8-4.9/5.8-17.4mm (35-105mm – 35mm equivalent) all glass 3X optical zoom
Auto Focus: 9 AF point AiAF
Manual Focus: no
Flash: Built-in Multi-mode
Exposure: Auto and Program AE
Metering: Evaluative, Center-weighted, & Spot
White balance: TTL Auto, and 6 user selected pre-sets
Sensitivity: Auto, Hi ISO Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, & 800 ISO (35mm equivalent)
Image Storage Media: SD/MMC cards
Connectivity: USB 2.0 and AV/out
Power: NB-4L Li-ion rechargeable battery pack
Price (MSRP) $349.00

Included

Wrist strap, A/V cable, USB cable, 16MB SD memory card, NB-4L lithium-ion battery pack, Battery charger, Software CD, printed manuals

In the Field/Handling & Operation

My friend (who sells new and used digital and analog cameras and photographic equipment) finally managed to get his hands on a Canon Powershot SD600/Digital IXUS 60 digital camera for us to evaluate. We started off by shooting some color tests using a homemade macro stage and a selection of brightly colored (red, green, yellow, orange, blue, and purple) plastic children's beach toys arrayed against a white background. This test allows us to check not only color accuracy but also the precision of the white balance system. The SD600's colors were slightly warm, bright and typically (for Canon digicams) over-saturated, but consistently hue accurate.

After we finished our color tests, we headed for nearby Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville's unofficial arboretum. The last month here in the Ohio Valley has been blisteringly hot, tropically humid, and there's been lots of rain. Cave Hill is the Derby City's oldest graveyard (chartered in 1848) and one of the best remaining examples of 19th century U. S. landscape architecture. The old cemetery's 300 acres are home to an almost dizzying variety of native and exotic plant species. For our visit, skies were blue with puffy white clouds and the temperature was in the low 90's.

Cave Hill is very popular with local photographers because there is always something to shoot. In addition to all the plant life, there are thousands of 19th and early 20th century headstones, adjacent U.S. and Confederate Civil War military cemeteries, dozens of ornate mausoleums, and a rustic old groundskeeper's cottage. We spent about two hours shooting a wide variety of subjects including the ducks, geese, and swans around the little lake at the center of the cemetery. The resident waterfowl are fairly tame (since most of the folks they see have bags of stale bread in hand) making them very easy to photograph. After we had exhausted our photographic options at Cave Hill we drove over to nearby Cherokee Park and hit the scenic loop to shoot some outdoor "people" pictures. Driving along the twisting deeply shaded two lane road it was hard to believe we were in the middle of a large urban area, rather than out in the country somewhere. We spent about an hour shooting runners, skaters, bikers, and dog walkers having fun in the hot sun before calling it a day.

The following morning was beautiful; warm with blue skies and wispy white clouds when we got together at Louisville's landmark Twig & Leaf Diner. When you step through the door of this old neighborhood diner it's like you've stepped into a time warp -- there's a counter lined with red naugahyde covered revolving stainless steel stools (and a few booths), a menu heavy on grilled items and upper-south comfort foods, and a very laid back blue collar ambience. We grabbed a booth in back and ordered breakfast and coffee. The Twig and Leaf is popular with Douglas Loop shoppers, local workmen, and young Goths and skateboarders. While we waited for our eggs and Twig Taters we sipped our coffee and took turns sneaking shots of our fellow diners by placing the camera at the edge of our table on a folded newspaper (after surreptitiously adjusting the zoom setting) and using the LCD screen to frame our shots.

After we finished breakfast (and our indoor camera tests) we headed for Old Louisville, an architecturally diverse area of late 19th and early 20th century Victorian houses along shady tree lined streets. By the time we got parked (near Central Park) it was blisteringly hot again, but the dappled light under the trees was working nicely for us. We shot flower filled front yards, a couple of colorful locals, and all sorts of unique architectural details. After we finished up in Old Louisville, we headed for the Extreme Park to check out the SD600's action shooting capabilities.

The Extreme Park is the go to place for local photographers looking capture action shots of boarders and bikers who are drawn to the park to hone their techniques in the industrial sized full pipe, 4 interconnected bowls, and twelve foot half pipe. We focused (no pun intended) on the bowls so that we could get closer to the action with the SD600's fairly short 3X zoom. Our local daredevils actually line up politely and zoom directly at you, one at a time, making it much simpler to capture decent action shots. We spent about three hours shooting skateboarders - trying to get the elusive optimal framing/timing (centering the subject in the frame and stopping the action in mid air) just right. The SD600's 9-point AiAF auto focus system (pre-focused) was pretty fast, so we were able to capture a couple of decent mid air shots.

PERFORMANCE

Image Quality

After we finished up at the Extreme Park we reviewed the images we'd shot over the course of our tests on a NEC 19" CRT monitor). The Canon PowerShot SD600/IXUS 60 Digital Camera does a very good job in decent light, rendering virtually any sort of outdoor scene beautifully

Our interior shots at the Twig & Leaf (with High ISO Auto sensitivity) came out pretty good - resolution was sharp, colors were acceptable, and highlight/shadow detail was pretty good, but they were noticeably noisy.

The SD600's auto exposure is generally accurate, but highlights are sometimes blown out in contrasty scenes. Images were consistently sharp in the center of the frame, but corners were slightly soft. ISO 80 and ISO 100 images are basically indistinguishable and essentially noise free. Noise levels begin to rise noticeably after ISO 100. ISO 200 images are pretty good, but show negligible noise and some minor loss of detail. ISO 400 images are noticeably noisy and look a bit soft, but they do seem better than the ISO 400 images from earlier digital elphs. ISO 800 images are very noisy, but they should probably be OK for 3x5 prints and e-mail photos.

Timing/Shutter Lag

The Canon PowerShot SD600 is surprisingly fast for an ultra-compact P&S digicam. The boot-up cycle, shutter lag, shot to shot times, and write to card times are all faster than average. With pre-focus shutter fire is virtually real time and from scratch the SD600 needs less than half a second to lock focus and trip the shutter.

A Few Concerns

Actually, I don't have any serious concerns with the SD600. Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is higher than average at the wide-angle end of the zoom range (especially at the maximum aperture) and corners are a bit soft across the board. The SD600 (like all ultra-compact digicams) has red-eye issues. With cameras this small it is not possible to physically separate the flash and the zoom sufficiently to avoid having them on the same plane. Battery life is only acceptable and ISO 800 images are too noisy.

Conclusion

With the introduction of the S100 (the first digital elph) in 2000 Canon created a whole new class of innovative, capable, and feature rich digital micro-cams. Canon's Digital Elph digicams have been best sellers since the S100 first hit store shelves because they have consistently delivered impressive ease of use, snappy performance, tough as nails durability, and very good image quality - the SD600 continues that winning tradition. The SD600 is an excellent choice for snap-shooters, casual photographers, or first time digital camera buyers who want a camera that can be taken along just about anywhere and used easily by just about anyone. This camera (like it's predecessors) will appeal to casual photographers, travelers, snap-shooters, and family photographers who value style, compact size, fast operation, and point & shoot ease of use.

Links

For definitive advice on How to Choose a Digital Camera please see my (updated) review:
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-2E46-17B174E2-39A418E3-prod1

If you would like to see a selection of images that are typical of the sort of test pictures I shoot for my epinions digital camera reviews, click on the top link under Favorite Links on my Epinions profile page (to get to my EPS profile page from this review, just click on my name under about the author above). The Favorite Links link will take you to my forum page at DCR. Click on the Find all posts by Howard Creech (under Forum Info). My DCR reviews each feature a selection of my images.

The observations, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions provided in my digital camera reviews are based on more than 30 years experience as a photographer and extensive hands on testing of each of the cameras reviewed. I receive no compensation from DCR.com for your visit or any subsequent purchase you may make. You can return to epinions at any time (either open the link in a new window or hit your back button). The Canon Powershot SD500 and the Canon Powershot A520 posts were submitted as text only reviews and the images that illustrate those two posts were shot by a DCR.com staffer.