Strengths: canon branding quality, general features, IS feature, 8 megapixel resolution, zoom

Weaknesses: body/plastic construction, lcd screen exposed to scratching

Summary: I have been using an A series A85 for some time and love it. I bought this for my brother to replace an older A series as well and used it for a while before handing it over (wanted to keep it actually). Great camera. Most of us will never use the features this consumer grade camera has. However, I take comfort knowing they are there if I need them. This unit takes 2 aa batteries so generally you get few pictures out of them than my A85 which takes 4 of them. Having said that, this camera is slightly less bulky. I like the design as the battery compartnment is the handhold for the camera essentially rather than having a flat box like design where you really have nothing to hang onto. Takes high capacity sd cards or regular cards or other similar cards with adapters. This camera would be phenomenal if done in aluminum bad sadly it is not. Good camera.