The Canon PowerShot SD880IS and the Canon Powershot SD990IS were announced yesterday and are now available for pre-orders.

Of the two I would recommend the less expensive SD880IS over the SD990IS. This is because the SD880IS has a much larger CCD and less pixels. This means it should be less noisy than the SD990IS; pics should be more sharp and detailed even in less light. The SD880IS also has faster frame rate so you’ll miss less pictures, a wider angle lens, a closer minimum shooting distance for macro shots and a larger LCD. It even weighs less and is slightly smaller.

Press release:

Exquisite style and intelligent technology:
the Digital IXUS 980 IS and Digital IXUS 870 IS

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 17 September 2008: Canon today re-energises its Digital IXUS compact camera range with two new models: the Digital IXUS 980 IS and Digital IXUS 870 IS, which replace the Digital IXUS 960 IS and Digital IXUS 860 IS respectively.

The flagship 14.7 Megapixel Digital IXUS 980 IS brings several exciting ‘firsts’ to the IXUS range –including manual control, and a striking design available in stylish, head-turning black, as well as traditional IXUS silver.

The 10 Megapixel Digital IXUS 870 IS features a 4.0x wide-angle (28mm) optical zoom, a high-resolution 3.0” PureColor LCD II, and comes finished in gold or silver. Both cameras use Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor, for fast performance and richly detailed, clean images in a huge number of shooting situations.

Creative shooting options
For those looking to take their photography to the next level, the Digital IXUS 980 IS offers a first for Digital IXUS: a Manual Mode that allows control of shutter speed and aperture. This is ideal for unusual lighting situations or expressive, experimental shots. For split-second photo opportunities, a second new mode – QuickShot – uses the optical viewfinder for framing and focusing, virtually eliminating shutter lag.

The Digital IXUS 870 IS features a wide-angle (28mm) 4x optical zoom, ideal for large group shots, atmospheric interiors or architecture. Both cameras feature Canon’s optical Image Stabilizer technology, for blur-free shots throughout the zoom range and in low-light conditions.

DIGIC 4: intelligent processing for better photos
The Digital IXUS 980 IS and Digital IXUS 870 IS both feature Canon’s new DIGIC 4 image processor. As well as ensuring ultra-fast operation and superb, low-noise images, DIGIC 4 drives several intelligent technologies that make great photos easier than ever.

People shots benefit from improved Face Detection Technology, which even detects faces positioned at an angle to the camera, or in profile. Face Select & Track tracks a specific subject even more accurately, while a new FaceSelf-timer function – which automatically triggers the shutter shortly after a new face enters the frame – makes group shots and self-portraits easy.

Canon’s improved Motion Detection Technology delivers fantastic, sharp results by registering camera and subject movement, then automatically adjusting ISO to prevent image blur. Blur is further guarded against by new Servo AF, which continuously adjusts focus on subjects moving towards or away from the camera.

DIGIC 4 also powers Canon’s new i-Contrast feature, which brings out great, natural-looking detail in dark areas of pictures – without blowing out lighter areas.

High-quality movies for longer
Both cameras offer smooth, 30fps VGA video shooting. Superior compression technology allows the Digital IXUS 980 IS and Digital IXUS 870 IS to store up to 40% more footage to memory card than their predecessors – with no reduction in video quality.

“The Digital IXUS 980 IS and Digital IXUS 870 IS offer a perfect blend of technical innovation and classic IXUS design,” commented Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. ”These cameras are equally striking inside and out.”

Features at a glance:

• 14.7 Megapixels (Digital IXUS 980 IS), 10.0 Megapixels (Digital IXUS 870 IS)
• Colour variations
  1. Black or Silver (Digital IXUS 980 IS)
  2. Gold or Silver (Digital IXUS 870 IS)
• 3.7x optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer (Digital IXUS 980 IS)
• 4x wide-angle (28mm) optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer
  (Digital IXUS 870 IS)
• Manual control (Digital IXUS 980 IS only)
• DIGIC 4 for outstanding images and fast response times
• Great people shots with Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB, FaceSelf-Timer and Face Select & Track
• Targets all the main causes of blur with High ISO Auto, optical Image Stabilizer, Motion Detection Technology and Servo AF
• Auto Red-Eye Correction in shooting and playback
• i-Contrast boosts brightness and retains detail in dark areas
• 2.5” PureColor LCD II with wide viewing angle plus optical viewfinder
  (Digital IXUS 980 IS)
• 3.0” PureColor LCD II with wide viewing angle (Digital IXUS 870 IS)
• Multi Control Dial and customizable My Menu
• Smooth, 30fps VGA movies

Printing
The Digital IXUS 980 IS and Digital IXUS 870 IS feature a dedicated Print menu for quick access to direct print options. Full PictBridge support means users can print directly to any PictBridge compatible printer without the need for a PC. A Print/Share button allows one-touch printing and easy uploads to Windows or Mac systems.

Language

The Digital IXUS 980 IS and Digital IXUS 870 IS feature a user interface that supports 26 languages: English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Greek, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, Romanian, Ukrainian and – new for Autumn 2008 - Farsi.

Memory Card Support
In addition to SD, SDHC and MMC memory cards, the Digital IXUS 980 IS and Digital IXUS 870 IS support MMCplus and HC MMCplus card formats. Both cameras are supplied with a 32MB memory card.

Software and CANON iMAGE GATEWAY
The Digital IXUS 980 IS and Digital IXUS 870 IS come bundled with the following Canon Software:

• ZoomBrowser EX 6.2 (Windows), ImageBrowser 6.2 (Macintosh): For organising and editing images, movies and slideshows, or creating and printing digital photo albums.
• PhotoStitch 3.1 (Windows), PhotoStitch 3.2 (Mac): For creating panoramic photos from multiple images.

The bundled software supports Windows Vista (including SP1) / XP SP2 and Macintosh OS X v10.4-10.5. Both cameras support PTP for driverless transfer to Windows XP and Macintosh OS X, along with MTP for image and movie transfers to Windows Vista.

Purchasers of the Digital IXUS 980 IS and Digital IXUS 870 IS are eligible for free membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, 100MB of online ‘personal gallery’ space for sharing stills and video with family and friends.

Optional Accessories
The Digital IXUS 980 IS and Digital IXUS 870 IS can be combined with the following accessories:

• Soft case (DCC-70) – Digital IXUS 980 IS
• Soft case (DCC-75) – Digital IXUS 870 IS
• Waterproof case (WP-DC27) – Digital IXUS 980 IS
• Waterproof case (WP-DC26) – Digital IXUS 870 IS
• Waterproof Case Weight WW-DC1
• High Power Flash (HF-DC1)
• Digital IXUS metal strap
• Digital IXUS leather strap
• AC Adaptor Kit (ACK-DC30)

Get the Canon PowerShot SD880IS with Two-Day shipping for FREE or Overnight shipping for $3.99 with Amazon Prime or get FREE Super Saver Shipping on qualifying orders over $25.

Pricing, rebates, free super saver shipping, and other promotions maybe subject to availability and restrictions.