You’ll notice we focused on Canon cameras, and particularly their ELPH models, considered compact point-and-shoots. Canon is one of the top players in the camera industry, famous for cameras with particularly good quality shots and allowing more experimenting on the part of the adventurous photographer. While they tend to be pricier than some other brands and models, these cameras are ideal for the non-professional teenager; the sizes are unbeatable, slipping smoothly in your jeans pocket without any bulge, yet the features match– if not exceed– the ones on the best in their class.

1T. Canon SD850 IS

Some notable features on this camera include:

• 8 megapixels– for the average teen this should be more than enough for gr8 pix unless you are a professional photographer who likes to make HUGE prints of the pix he takes
• 4x optical zoom– this doesnt include the lesser-quality digital zoom– a standard feature on all cameras (including this one) that essentially functions the same as zoom that is before digital– and is particularly impressive for a camera of its size
• 2.5 inch screen– for viewing and previewing your shots
• Face Detection and Red Eye Detection –for finding the faces of people in your pix and making their eyes appear angelic in comparison to the devilish-looking red eye
• Compact design for easy travel– this camera’s feature are above the average of the standard digital camera– including the valuable, under-appreciated optical viewfinder ( that glass box on the top)–  and for all of it to fit in a camera this size is possibly the most impressive element of the camera.

The price is fair too considering everything it offers: $229.94 from Amazon.com and that is including the Free Shipping.

Very good pix at a very good price.

This Canon received an 8.0 out of 10 from Cnet.com.

Picture of Canon SD850 IS from Amazon.com

1T. Canon SD870 IS.

Another top product from Canon, and a successor to the SD850. Some of you may be thinking, “Eli, why do we need the original when we can get the “latest and greatest?”" The answer to that my friends is something we both love and hate– choice. The SD870 offers somethings that its younger brother/sister didn’t:

• 8.3 megapixel — instead of 8
• Improvements to Face Detection and Red Eye Detection
• Availability in two colors– silver like the SD850, or silver with a black colored ring around the camera (see below)
• 3.0 inch screen– over the 2.5 inch of the SD850
• A decline to 3.8x Optical– instead of 4x Optical on the previous. Personally, its an insignificant difference, but still would’ve been nice to have a little higher zoom.
• Compact design for easy travel– ya, we just copied that from above, but their pretty synonymous in that regard

But add at least another $18 for all this. The Canon SD850 is available at Amazon.com for $247 for the silver version, and a whopping $262.16 for the black (we are really unsure why Amazon has such a big difference as the only difference is the color–which isn’t that diff either mind you). Both versions btw get the Free Shipping from Amazon.

The Canon SD870 IS also received an 8.0 out of 10 from the editors at Cnet.com.

The Canon SD870 IS in both Silver and Black

3T.Canon SD750 IS.

What makes this different from the other 2 Canons above?

• 7.1 megapixels– a more substantial decline from the two above, though your pictures will still be more than fine
• 3x Optical Zoom– repeat above
• 3 inch screen
• availability in 2 colors like the SD 870 IS
• most compact version

The price on this little squirt is far cheaper, as you might have guessed from the decline in standards, at $174.99 for both Black and Silver according to Amazon.com.
The Canon SD750 IS received a 7.8 out of 10 from the editors at Cnet.com.

3T. Canon SD1000.

• 7.1 megapixel
• Face Detection
• 3x Optical Zoom
• 2.5 inch screen
• a small design and form

The cheapest of all the cameras here, $159.88 for the Black version, and $176.60 for the Silver according to Amazon.com, and both with Free Shipping.

The Canon SD1000 received a 7.8 out of 10 from the editors at Cnet.com.

Canon SD1000

5. Canon SD1100 IS

The Canon SD1100 IS is a more colorful version of some of Canon’s cameras, while still retaining some of Canon’s famous photo quality that you see in the other cameras. Some features in this Canon are:

• Multiple colors such as Blue, Gold, Brown, and Pink
• 8 megapixel camera
• Face and Motion Detection
• 3x Optical Zoom
• 2.5 inch screen

The price is $213–reasonable– for any of the colors from Amazon, and they all include Free Shipping.

Canon SD1100 IS in Blue

Those are just some of the top cameras on the market listed at Cnet, but there are plenty of other good brands and models to choose from if these don’t fit your needs. My favorite pick is from here is the SD850. I convinced my sister, who was in search for a camera last year, to purchase that model based on the price and features, and I must say, it was a great choice.

Charlie: “I most recommend Canon SD1000 of all the ones listed here.  It’s as compact as you’ll find while I think it has all that a camera of its class should have. Most photographers–especially teens– who buy a camera will never need any of the fancier features; all they need is a point-and-shoot, a category this particular model best exemplifies. The optical viewfinder is a nice touch, especially at that size, and personally, the price is particularly appealing; the chance of you losing–think at a theme park for example– or damaging it– slip on the rock or dropping in a pool–denies justification for anything more expensive than this. But if you’re one of those types of people who actually cares what color their camera is– I’m afraid I cant sympathize in that regard–I guess the SD1100 is your best bet.”

What are your thoughts, what camera would you recommend? Need help finding a camera? Share your thoughts in the comments.