7. Great Results, No BS—Just BSI
If you followed the iPhone 4 launch, perhaps you heard about the phone’s improved camera sensor. This was actually an adoption of a technology that Sony first brought to consumers in 2009. With the SD4000 IS, Canon delivers the same backside illumination (BSI) technology to its ultra-compact camera line.
The idea behind BSI is that traditional digital camera sensors use several layers of wiring between the sub-pixel lenses and the photodiodes that register incoming light photons. The wires block a fair amount of the incoming photons, but with manufacturing technologies being what they were, it was infeasible to move the wiring behind the photo sensors, in part because it introduced too much interference. However, recent materials breakthroughs and manufacturing improvements have made this backside rewiring not only possible but dependable and affordable.
Between much more light reaching the photo sensor and the improvement to an f2.0 setting, the SD4000 IS is able to take low-light photos that are dramatically clearer than most other point-and-shoot cameras. This also benefits nighttime video shooting, which can now rival some low-end camcorders.
So again, if you want top quality in an ultra-compact, then the SD4000 IS makes sense. If the BSI technology, slow-motion video mode, and an f/2.0 aperture don’t float your boat, then save some money and get beefier specs with a different camera.
Alternatives
Olympus America lists the SP-590UZ on its site for $449.99, but with Amazon and a bunch of other sites showing it for $349.99, we’ll say it’s fair to show the 12 MP camera as an SD4000 IS alternative. We love the SLR-style grip of this unit, even though it clearly excludes the unit as a pocket-ready ultra-compact. On top of dual-image stabilization and 16-face detection, the SP-590 Ultra Zoom gets its name from the massive 26X optical zoom (26 mm to 676 mm equivalent) ability of its lens. That is an amazingly versatile lens for an incredibly low price, although we’d be afraid to even turn the camera on without a solid tripod attached. Olympus also features full manual-settings control and a control system very much like what an SLR offers. For those admiring SLR features but lacking the funds for the higher camera class, check this bad boy out.
What? No alternatives in any of the first 5 price ranges? Is this a Canon sponsored review?
This ain't no "camera guide".. Lame
it's just Canon lent them cameras for review, yet, I see alternative cameras for each range though.
TG, what about a buying guide for users upgrading their cameras for better image quality and performance, specifically, Micro Four Thirds.
I've seen many newbies with heavy and bulky SLR's and can't take advantage of it and thought they just want better images.
Oh come on, this is waaaaaay obviously Canon sponsored...
Tomshardware just lost all their credibility
Nikon D50?
Lol, that camera was launched more than 5 years ago, and is now discontinued for years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_D50
please retain from publishing such articles in the future, or do your homework first.
What? No alternatives in any of the first 5 price ranges? Is this a Canon sponsored review?
This is not a Canon sponsored review. We did have access to Canon products to help us get define what we see as the different categories of non-Pro cameras. Why do you not see the alternatives for the first five price ranges. We've discussed alternatives for each price range (each price range gets two pages so make sure you look at the second page of each).
Thanks for reading,
Rachel Rosmarin
Editor, Tom's Guide
Oh come on, this is waaaaaay obviously Canon sponsored...
Nope, it isn't. Here's exactly what happened. Remember we posted an article recently about how-to for nature photography? Here it is. Well, the writer had access to a lot of different Canon models during that trip. So we figured he should use that refresh--that hands-on time--to our readers' advantage by discussing the breakdown of point and shoot and non-pro cameras in a guide. Canon's lineup was fresh in our minds but we also wanted to make sure we discussed other brands, so we sought out what we consider to be the best options.
Please stop saying we were bought out--we will always be transparent about our coverage.
Thanks for reading,
Rachel Rosmarin
Editor, Tom's Guide
Tomshardware just lost all their credibility
Reconsider your position after reading the other comments on this page. If you still think this article is biased, you're entitled to your opinion.
Nikon D50?Lol, that camera was launched more than 5 years ago, and is now discontinued for years.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_D50please retain from publishing such articles in the future, or do your homework first.
My apologies. I meant to include the Nikon D5000, not the D50. It was a slip-up on my part. The D5000 without lens sits in that $600+ range and makes for a great starter DSLR.
To second Rachel's feedback here, I can assure you my choice to focus on Canon here was done solely for simplicity and expediency. In fact, it was Rachel who insisted that we have the inclusion of other vendors in those "alternatives" sections in order to be fair and more helpful to readers. I know that it can be fun and somehow gratifying to overreact and fly off with accusations about Tom's Guide being bought. In no way is that true, and we all know that such practices would only come back to harm us later. When content is advertorial, we say so. This article looked to educate readers new to the subject, and a single-vendor approach seemed the most effective way for following feature additions up a product stack...nothing more.
I agree, this buying guide was not very in-depth at all. It seems that it is merely a Canon review guide with a couple superficial additions at each price range.
A proper buying guide would at least offer some comprehensive comparisons, perhaps with side-by-side images shot with different cameras. If Tom's Hardware is going to throw a recommendation for purchase without a detailed comparison, then this site's "Recommended Buys" just lost a lot of weight with me.
I agree, this buying guide was not very in-depth at all. It seems that it is merely a Canon review guide with a couple superficial additions at each price range.A proper buying guide would at least offer some comprehensive comparisons, perhaps with side-by-side images shot with different cameras. If Tom's Hardware is going to throw a recommendation for purchase without a detailed comparison, then this site's "Recommended Buys" just lost a lot of weight with me.
Rhys--this was not a side-by-side comparison of models, it was a guide to the camera categories and what you can expect from each one. That said, what do you mean by "recommended buys"?
Hey Toms rocks and I'm glad to see rachel answering questions. I would recommend to add the titbit in the comment about the cameraman's having access to diff models thingy included in the article itself. Well it may not prevent idiots from saying you sold out but atleast we know where you are coming from.
Oh and I think the title is NOT suited to the article. though I myself cannot think of a better title, but you know the title seems a lot more traditional (as in readers would expect more brands, more choices) than what the article offers. It's a good read, unsuitable title though, therefore all this nonsense about SOLD OUT!
I thought of an interesting title "Our Experiences with Canon Cameras". It certainly intrigues me as to what Toms has to say about Canon and it moves away from the unnecessary "Buying guide format mindset" of not only the writer but the reader too. Don't forget us humans pighole ourselves way too much in our thinking.
This would've helped even the writer from unnecessarily shoving in products that he didn't know too much about (atleast not as well as Canon's).
Being a tech editor myself, I know the balancing issues and title mindset appropriateness. But good job nonetheless