Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS Camera Review

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Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS Image Quality

 
Image quality is one of the best things about the Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS. It’s not digital SLR level, but like Canon’s two other HS System cameras, the PowerShot G12 and S95, the SD4500 is as good as it gets for a point-and-shoot. The Canon HS System combines sensor technology with DIGIC 4 processing to minimize noise (digital grain) in high ISO images while still retaining detail and sharpness.

Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS - Kernville, CA

I compared my Canon SD4500 IS studio samples to studio tests I made last year with the Canon PowerShot S90, which has the same sensor and processing as the new S95 and G12. The JPEGs from both cameras look noticeably better than the untouched S90 RAW files due to in-camera noise reduction applied when the JPEG files are processed. The SD4500 JPEGs have a bit more contrast and saturation than the S90′s – probably because it’s designed more for point-and-shoot photographers than pros. The SD4500 IS image quality is generally excellent for a point-and-shoot camera – especially at high ISO settings. I think it’s totally useable at ISO 800 and even ISO 1600 in a pinch. Even ISO 3200 looks ok with subjects that don’t have tons of detail. The only real image quality problem I encountered was photos with really bright skies often end up with some posterization.

Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS - Las Vegas Venetian at ISO 1600 Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS - Jenni at ISO 3200
        Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS ISO 1600 (left) and ISO 3200 (right) sample photos

 
Image quality isn’t all about the sensor and processing. Optics are also a critical piece of the equation and the longer the zoom lens the more difficult it is to keep it sharp and avoid distortion. Canon did an impressive job with this lens. I did brick wall tests at both ends of the SD4500′s 10x zoom range and was impressed with the sharpness and lack of distortion or noticeable chromatic aberration. It’s possible (probable) that’s there’s some processing magic helping out with the distortion and chromatic aberration. Regardless, I’m not seeing these common problems with my SD4500 IS photos and that’s awesome. The SD4500 also benefits from excellent image stabilization, which makes it possible to take sharp handheld photos at full zoom.

I mostly used the SD4500 IS in Program mode with ISO set to auto. The camera’s metering and auto exposure almost always keeps the ISO at or below ISO 400 so noise is generally low. One thing to keep an eye on is shutter speed. In order to keep the ISO low the camera prioritizes slow shutter speeds. If you need to freeze a subject it’s probably a good idea to manually select the ISO to increase the shutter speed or try the Kids & Pets scene mode – the closest thing the SD4500 IS has to a sports scene mode. When your subjects aren’t moving, Canon’s excellent optical image stabilization compensates very well for camera shake with slow shutter speeds.

Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS - Matt - ISO 800 Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS - Funneled Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS - Mt. Superior
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS - Dandelion Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS - Hockey Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS - Fisheye Photo-John

Click on thumbnails to view sample photos.

Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS Studio Test Images
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS Studio Sample Photos
    ISO 125 Sample >>
    ISO 200 Sample >>
    ISO 400 Sample >>
    ISO 800 Sample >>
    ISO 1600 Sample >>
    ISO 3200 Sample >>
    All Digital Camera Sample Photos >>

 

Next – Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS Conclusion >>

 

Introduction Features & Design Camera Experience Image Quality Conclusion

 
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About the author: Photo-John

Photo-John, a.k.a. John Shafer, is the managing editor of PhotographyREVIEW.com and has been since the site launched back in 1999. He's an avid outdoor enthusiast and spends as much time as possible on his mountain bike, hiking or skiing in the mountains. He's been taking pictures for ever and ever, and never goes anywhere without a camera.


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  • thien says:

    Great sample shots! Is that one of the sharks game at full zoom?

  • Photo-John says:

    Glad you like the sample photos, Thien. According to the EXIF data the Sharks photo was taken at 54.2mm and the maximum is 63mm. I don’t want to do the math but my guestimate is that works out to be something like a 300mm equivalent. It’s a lot of lens for a pocket camera :-)

  • gregg says:

    That Kernville shot…is that stroked with PS or is that straight out the camera?

  • Photo-John says:

    Good question, Gregg. I usually indicate in the gallery if the photos have been adjusted and they usually are. The Kernville photo was adjusted a bit in Lightroom and Photoshop to get the contrast and color the way I like them. I also used a masked adjustment layer in Photoshop to lighten up everything but the sky. Like I said in the review, the only problem I had with image quality is highlights – especially skies with clouds – blowing out. That will happen with any camera but it’s a bigger problem with compacts and JPEG files and it definitely happened with the Kernville image. I did have great light for that one. It was early morning with clouds to filter the light keeping the contrast low and color saturation high.

  • Patia says:

    Hmm, that would be a fun little camera for me. Not that I’m ready to replace my TZ4. And I would miss my 28mm wide angle, but the 360mm zoom is impressive.

  • Photo-John says:

    I thought that this might interest you, Patia. I do agree about the wide-angle, though. I wish it was wider. The 360mm telephoto is really cool but there is a price to pay on the wide end. There are pocket superzooms with better wide angles. But I would be surprised if any of them can compete with the image quality of the SD4500 IS.

  • Patia says:

    Well, maybe by the time I’m ready for a new pocket camera, they’ll have a wide-angle version.

  • John McCormack says:

    Yes, there’s no Sports mode, but the Kids/Pets mode is essentially a Sports mode. Use it for action and the camera will use the fastest shutter speed possible. Page 61 of the manual. Note that focus at wide angle will be fixed at 3 feet and beyond and 9.8 feet at the maximum zoom.

    I’d like to have seen some images shot with the digital tele-converter. The respective focal lengths when using [1.4x] and [2.3x] (cropping the sensor, I assume) are 50.4 – 504 mm and 82.8 – 828 mm (35mm film equivalent).

    Prospective buyers should know that the Silver color SD4500 IS is available from some re-sellers. I bought a Silver model from Best Buy.

    Reviewer should have read the manual about the HS Burst mode; the manual was online before the camera was on the market. Pages 67 and 173 specifically state that the image size 1824 x 1368 (M size) – “The recording pixel setting will be fixed at (1824 x 1368 pixels).”

    The image quality is quite good.

  • Photo-John says:

    Thanks for the commment, John. Where did you find the manual online? It’s still not linked on the Canon USA Web site. And even if it is, I think Canon should have been very upfront and explicit about that fast burst rate being a low-resolution scene mode.

  • John McCormack says:

    Photo-John,

    Yes, Canon should have been up front about the HS Burst mode.

    The online manual has been available here for some time (I don’t see it on the Canon USA site:)
    http://software.canon-europe.com/software/0039129.asp?model=

  • John McCormack says:

    Got around to posting some images from the SD4500 IS. Also a video on Vimeo

    http://jpmccormac.smugmug.com/Photography/Canon-SD4500/14733356_PAy7a#1097920717_cJcsR

    http://www.vimeo.com/17041126

  • John Lee says:

    Hey John,
    Can I ask you about something? You seem to rave about the overall image quality. But when I go and see customer reviews about this camera, a lot of them report grainy, blurry pictures. (Some also comment on this camera degrading the Canon ELPH line, indicating they have had previous success/satisfaction using past Canon cameras.) So how might you explain this? Do these people have no idea how to judge image quality? Do they not know how to take pictures? Are they holding this to too high a standard? I’ve asked this to another internet “expert”, and he basically says that those people (who are reporting subpar image quality with this camera) are clueless.

    I wonder if you might amplify your experience here.

  • Photo-John says:

    Thanks for the comment and question, John Lee, it’s a good one. More often than not, I find that complaints about camera quality are a problem with the user’s technique and not the camera. My guess is, that’s the case here. I’m still using the SD4500 IS and I’m still impressed with the image quality. The camera isn’t magic, though. And you can make bad pictures with it. Without seeing the problem photos I can’t really judge. All I can do is point to my own photos and our studio tests as proof of the actual image quality potential.

    Does that answer your question? If not, please follow up and I’ll do my best to give you more information. It is a good question. I think camera marketing departments have convinced a lot of people that digital cameras are magic and that sets them up for unrealistic expectations and disappointment. no matter how good a camera is, crappy technique will result in crappy photos.

  • John Lee says:

    Certainly does John. Right now, I’m waffling between a few cameras, this being one of them. I’m interested in a pocketable P&S that will allow me to grow as an casual/able photographer (not just a clicker if you know what I mean). Here’s a question for you ;), regarding indoor (low-light) shooting, which this camera is purported to be more than able: From what I understand, very few pocket cams like this *actually* produce shots worthy of any premium in price.

    In other words, the “HS System” that this camera boasts is *actually* a lot of hooey, in that no matter what sort of system, these cameras are limited to a few factor (lens, sensor size…) And that this camera’s low-light ablity is sort of disabled due to limitations in it’s own lens and sensor. (BTW, this is not to say I know jackdiddly about all this stuff, but like I said… I’ve really been researching this, and have hit up many knowledgeable people about these topics)

    So how would you say this camera’s low-light ability, John? Despite what I mention above, I’ve actually seen some samples (pics & video) that actually show some good-looking images. Thanks for taking time to answer!

  • Elie Boujaoude says:

    The sensor in this camera is CMOS contrary to the CCD sensor used in the S95 & G12. CMOS controls noise more efiiciently & back illuminated sensors (BSI) are really effective in low light environments. It also helps achieving higher bursts & HD videos.

    However, the sensor size in this camera is 1/2.3″ versus 1/1.7″ in S95 & G12 resulting in higher pixel density which usually translates into inferior dynamic range.

    It’s not easy to find a camera that meets all my needs, but the cameras equipped with BSI sensors do really deliver very good pictures.

  • Photo-John says:

    Thanks for the added information about the sensor size, Elie! That’s really useful. I would like to include actual pixel size in all reviews but that spec is often very hard to get.

  • deenie says:

    I bought this camera on eBay for $249.95. It is to replace a Powershot S1 IS that is getting cranky. I like to take photos of birds (and people too) so I do need that 10x zoom. Thanks for the good camera reviews.

  • Photo-John says:

    Glad you liked the review, deenie. Please write your own user review for your camera after you’ve had it a bit. There’s a link for the user review page up above. How nice is it to replace your old S1 IS with a camera that fits in your pocket, huh?! :-)

  • Joe Magrino says:

    I bought this camera as well just before a trip to Mexico for a destination wedding. It took great shots in well lit situations, but when it got dark and we were in the reception area, it took a while to focus and take a photo. I was the annoying one waiting for my camera to go off. So picture a bunch of people dancing and me trying to get the shot of everyone looking and smiling as a group. It took way too long to focus and flash. I was hoping to talk to someone about it, but I’m sure I’m doing something wrong. The photos is does take are absolutely amazing. i didn’t know about the low res burst mode. that actually could be considered false advertising, no?

  • Photo-John says:

    Low light focusing is tough for any camera, Joe. Add moving subjects and it’s next to impossible. This is where technique comes in. If I were in the same situation I’d pre-focus the camera on a still subject about the same distance as your dancing friends. Once the camera is focused, keep the shutter release button down, recompose and take your shot. That’s standard pro point-and-shoot technique :-)

  • Zach says:

    Can you compare the Canon SD4500 IS to the Nikon CoolPix S8100? According to the specs, these cameras appear to be the same, so it’s hard to decide between the two.

    I have the Nikon now, but my brother and I shot photographs of the same event (a 49ers game) and the pictures shot with a Canon G12 appear to have better colors, i.e. the red of the 49er jerseys and the green of the field are more vivid in the Canon pictures. My other issue is that at 10x zoom, the Nikon is very blurry (both pictures and video).

  • Peter says:

    Hey thanks for the review! I have also just bought this camera. I haven’t gotten the chance to use it much yet but so far it seems to take good pictures and video. I love having the 10x optical zoom and the full HD video at my fingertips.

    One thing is when I took it out of the box I tried using it in the AUTO mode. The camera took forever to shoot the pictures and the pictures often came out blurry. I think this is the problem many people are having and why it gets such negative reviews online. I know its irrational but there are so many negative reviews out there i’m still wary of the camera. But if you say its good quality and takes good photos then I’m going to stick with it.

  • Gina says:

    Hi John,
    Is there a camera with 10x optical zoom and better megapixel burst shooting for around the same price range? How do the burst shots looki?

  • Photo-John says:

    Yes, Gina. Check out the Sony, Casio and Nikon pocket superzooms.

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