The SD850 IS was first announced in May 2007 as a replacement for the Powershot SD700 IS. It constitutes only a relatively subtle upgrade.

Visually the SD850 is virtually indistinguishable from the older model, and there are only a handful of modifications to the specification of the camera. Most notably the sensor now records 8MP images instead of 6 and the resolution of the 2.5″ screen has been increased to 230,000 pixels. The ‘digital heart’ beating in the SD850 is now the latest generation of Canon’s imaging processor, the DIGIC III. With the new processor there come a couple of new features too: Face Detection and the useful Auto ISO shift option.

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The 8-megapixel Canon PowerShot SD850 IS combines several classic features of the Digital Elph line with new perks garnered mainly from a new image processor. The Digic III image processor brings with it face detection technology that can recognize up to nine faces at once, as well as technology that reportedly keeps pictures cleaner. The SD850 IS had an initial price of $399, but can now be found online for about $50 less.

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