Cant get a clear answer...

Hey all! Ok, its been about 3 years since I was really active on these forums, so I'm not even sure there's anyone still around who remembers me here! Anywho, I've been using my old SD870 IS, and while there's nothing wrong with it,I'm ready to get a new P&S. I've been doing my research and I've narrowed it down to 3 contestants. I'm looking for overall better IQ than my SD870 (which I'm assuming any of these will give me). And the HD video could come in handy.

I'm not expecting earth-shattering results, and functionality means nothing to me (touch screen or buttons) as I've used canons my whole life. But from these 3, which is best for an upgrade? I do casual shooting of friends at bars, restaurants, homes, and hotels so I deal with a lot of artificial lighting.

SD1400: I've heard it produces excellent IQ, but its tiny size bothers me.

SD3500: giant touch-screen, but heard IQ could be shaky.

SD4000: low light performance I hear is excellent, but does its regular shots stand up to the SD1400?

Any help is greatly appreciated. This forum has always been helpful and informative. Thanks in advance! Its good to be back

For your sins, I remember you . . . Drop back by TPBM when you get a chance.

If you aren't ready to spring for the S95, I'd say the SD4000.

Wow Jon, good memory! I'll definitely stop in and see who's still around. I'm definitely not ready for the S95. I just need myself an updated point and shoot. So the SD4000 huh? Wasn't expecting that as the recommendation, I heard people have an issue with consistent quality pictures (could just be inexperienced people talking drivel.) Why the SD4000 over the others? I'm not up to date with the latest in camera tech so I'm virtually a newbie again.

Definitely SD4000 for image quality and, like you said - low light support.

Jon wrote in post #11574976
For your sins, I remember you . . . Drop back by TPBM when you get a chance.

If you aren't ready to spring for the S95, I'd say the SD4000.

Got the sd4000 and s95... s95 all the way.

Yeah, and I'm looking for a good external back-up hard drive and I can't get a clear answer on that, either...

(very often, there is no such thing as a "clear answer")

Haha, I see what you're saying. I'm not necessarily looking for an exact answer, but all 3 of these cameras I've heard amazing in some reviews, and less than stellar in others, so I figured I'd ask the pros (you guys) or at least people who have used the damn things.

stevewf1 wrote in post #11576862
Yeah, and I'm looking for a good external back-up hard drive and I can't get a clear answer on that, either...

(very often, there is no such thing as a "clear answer")

So true. Everything I buy I check reviews and the more reviews I check the more confuse I become. There comes a day that a decision has to be made.

Haha so true! The confusing part is all the "offical" reviews praise the sd 4000 and a lot of user reviews say it sucks so I guess the only way to find out is to use it myself -__-

I owned the SD4000 and thought it was a great little camera. IQ in good light was similar to my SD960 (and any EPLH) which is to say great but provided noticeably lower noise at ISO 400. It shoots in Av,Tv mode and is fast. I eventually sold it and went with the S95 because I like shooting RAW and the additional controls over the SD4000

Quick question: I'm going with the SD4000, but what type of memory card do I need? I heard there's a "class system" now and have no idea what that means. Anyone care to elaborate?

Class rating is the sustained transfer rate the card can handle. Class 6 is what you want for HD video; almost anything will do for just stills, but anything less than Class 6 will choke the camera's video performance.

How's this one?
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1294272​842&sr=1-2

One other thing that bothers me is it records in .mov format. I HATE quicktime with a passion. Is there a way to change this?

I see another 4gb (dont ever need more than that) thats a class 10, but it doesnt have"HD video" written on the card like the class 6, does this make a difference?

august23 wrote in post #11580904
How's this one?
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1294272​842&sr=1-2

One other thing that bothers me is it records in .mov format. I HATE quicktime with a passion. Is there a way to change this?

Look what I ordered for $15.75. 8GB, class 10! Should get it tomorrow.
http://cgi.ebay.com …TRK:MEWNX:IT#ht​_616wt_905