If you are looking for a camera that is powerful, but compact, you should take a look at the Canon Powershot SD 11001S. This is a casual camera (not designed for professional photographers), but it is still very powerful. It takes photos at 8 Mega Pixels, which is the current “big” for your average camera. 10 megapixel cameras are also cropping up, but of course are going to cost more. It is small and compact, and very easy to use. Having only a small experience using digital cameras, basically if you understand how to turn one on and how to take a picture then you should be able to use the Canon Powershot SD 11001S. It really is that simple as point and shoot with this camera in your hand.

One of the biggest benefits to this little camera is that it has advanced digital technologies that allow a beginner to take stunning photographs. It can work in any situation, spanning from a warm sunny day to a dark night (especially with the help of the built-in flash). The camera is fast to startup, so if you need to take a quick shot you won’t miss anything. If your kids and pets are as quick to run away when you grab the camera as mine are on their particularly cute days, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

The Canon Powershot SD 11001S is built out of sturdy aluminum, so it can survive a bit of a rough trip around town in your purse or bag. The bright 2.5” LCD screen is great for viewing what you are photographing or viewing photographs taken in the past. Most digital cameras these days have around a 2.5” LCD screen, so this feature probably isn’t that exciting.

Although this camera has many high points, it isn’t a perfect camera. It is, though, a great camera for the price tag it wears. If you are more than the casual photographer, it probably isn’t the camera for you. It doesn’t offer the extreme control that some photo experts may desire. However, if you’re just snapping photos for fun and to keep up with the family then you shouldn’t have a problem.

You may need to purchase an SD card to go along with this great camera – it can only hold around 240 images with the built in memory. This is a decent amount, but if you plan on taking many photos before exporting them to your computer you may want to expand. The camera also might have trouble taking images of high-speed situations, such as sporting events. Photographs taken may appear blurry, as with any other camera.

Overall, the Canon Powershot SD 11001S is a powerful camera at a great price. As always, you might seek something more powerful, but this camera should fulfill the needs of a casual photographer.