Canon Powershot SD500 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

I'll keep it short. This thing is so counterintuitive and difficult to use...It just sucks. The battery goes out so fast that even with a back-up battery in my case I am always out of juice with it. I could never recommend this camera. Make another choice. Peace

I purchased this camera in late June 2005 in hopes of having it to replace my Canon SD30 (3MP, first digital camera) on a trip to Switzerland. Well, the camera didn't arrive in time, but I wish it did. The camera was the best I'd ever used and I was awed by all the new features. I irritated everyone at work constantly taking photos using the color swap and color accents. This is the greatest feature I've seen and my only regret is going through my pictures over the years and not using those features enough.

I immediately put a screen protector on the LCD, so I didn't have any problems there. Unfortunately during a day of puppy kindergarten, I forgot about the keys and change in my pocket and slipped my brand new camera in with them. After the initial shock, I saw the tiny scratches as "war scars" and soon disregarded it.

Start-up time was amazing. I was always ready to shoot upon pressing the power button. I was even able to put my own personal picture on the startup screen so I wouldn't have to look at the generic "birdy" or "Powershot" name. I am sure I could have put my own startup music on there also, but I never took the time to try it. I did it for my Canon SD30, though, so I'm sure it was possible.

My other regrets in picture taking was not taking the highest setting possible. I don't render my pictures immediately, so sometimes months later when I'm editing Christmas pics, I'll see a nice photo that could have been blown up and sent to my family.

The best thing I loved about this camera was its battery life. I can probably count on my hands the number of times I had to recharge the battery. I NEVER lost battery life during a trip or photo event, although most of my trips were 2-4 day weekends. Still, this camera handled any type of pressure I threw its way. I hope my upgrade to the Canon SD950 does all of the SD500's capabilities and more.

So why am I upgrading? Well, I love photography, even though I rarely have the time to really do it as a bonified hobby. I also love gadgets and upgrade electronics. I'm going to finally start taking great photos and the Canon SD950 will take me there! But in no way is it because the SD500 was lacking for anything.

Canon makes great cameras. I especially like the SD line. Most people who use my camera end up buying one of their own. It has the DigicII Chip, 2inch LCD, light weight, and easily fit in you pocket. You don't need 7.1MP unless you heavily crop your pictures. 5MP is more than enough to print a 20x30inch poster. It takes good MPEG movies too. I use a 2GB SD Card and Never run out of space on vacation.

Purchased as a gift and haven't heard anything bad about it since given to daughter.

I've owned for approx 1 year with zero problems, zero complaints. Works as advertised. great little compact camera!