Customer Rating: 
Summary: The best of the lot 2008
Comment: I purchased this for my wife, and it is excellent in nearly all ways. I bought the 800 predecessor for my daughter last year and she is very happy with it. The most important issue perhaps is the wide angle. You can not back away far enough from many subjects indoors with a 35 mm equivalent lens. Yes, you sacrifice the long telephoto end (without digital zoom) but unless you are photographing your daughters competitive event, you can walk closer to most subjects.
My serious camera is a professional 4 x 5 view camera, and my semi serious camera is a 5D with 3 lenses. However this is a great camera as a handy reach for on the spur of the moment.
I shouldn't even comment on image quality, it is good for nearly anything the above average shooter needs (or wants?). I have even included some shots from this camera on a wedding set.
The one complaint is that the on/off switch is too easily pressed accidentally, the predecessor 800's power button was flush with the body, this one protrudes and an accidental turn on when the lens isn't able to extend wouldn't be the best for it. I glued a small half inch foam rubber furniture protector around it after punching a small hole in the middle to solve the problem.
A side note of advice for a camera case is that the Tamrac T4 is a perfect fit for this camera. (I must have looked at least 20 cases, that one is simple without an overload of extra compartments and the camera fits smoothly in and out without any excess slop. Don't buy the Canon leather wallet for this camera, you will find it is like getting in and out of tights, and you will press the power button for sure, which will make the lens try to extend . . . .
