Will I Be Disappointed?

[John E]

I have shot pictures with my Rebel XT for a couple of years now and love the pictures quality. However, I want a small P&S to carry in my pocket when I can't lug around my DSLR. Will I be disappointed in the picture quality if I buy the new Canon SD850 IS if all I use it for is some basic snapshots? I mean, is there a noticeable difference in picture quality for smaller prints under 400 ISO? The reason I'm asking is that I have an old Olympus P&S and took some pictures with it the other day and all I can say is "Yuch!" compared to my Canon Rebel XT! Talk about over processed.

[JustShootin']

I guess it would depend on what kind of pictures you plan to take. As for point and shoot quality, I have 8X10 photos on my wall that were taken with an Olympus 3 MP camera that are as good as any pictures I've ever taken with an SLR. But they were taken under conditions that this camera could handle. Same with my S2. On the other hand, if you plan on taking action and/or low light photos, better keep using the SLR. You mention pictures under 400 ISO. I think with the compacts, you'd best keep it WAY under 400. Like 100 or lower.

Gary

[Jerry Klein]

Yes, it will depend on what you shoot, but I have a Canon SD600 for just such situations, and the picture quality is quite good. The SD850 IS looks like a more advanced version. What you will miss the most is the versatility of the SLR as opposed to the P&S. Justshootin' is right on the money about low light or action photos, though.