Camera Dojo

Canon PowerShot ELPH and SD1000: guide to the 2000s CCD compacts

The short answer

The Canon PowerShot ELPH is Canon's line of pocket digital compacts, sold as the Digital IXUS in most other countries, and the 2000s CCD models, led by the 7.1 MP SD1000 from 2007, are the ones people now buy for the direct-flash digicam look.

A tested SD1000 with battery, charger and card was $199 at Retro Digitals on October 28, 2026, and What Camera Gear put typical used prices at $80 to $150 in February 2026.

SD1000 sensor
7.1 MP 1/2.5-inch CCD
Lens
35-105mm, f/2.8-4.9
Battery
NB-4L, about 210 shots
Used, tested
$199 (Oct 2026)
Check used pricesWhat owners say

Built from 68 opinions from 15 pages and videos. Not yet tested by Camera Dojo. Updated .

Silver Canon Digital IXUS 70, sold in the US as the PowerShot SD1000, seen from the front at an angle with its 3x zoom lens retracted
Photo: Raimond Spekking, CC BY-SA 4.0

The short version

Reviewers liked these cameras when they were new: Imaging Resource found the SD1000's colors rich and accurate and its images sharp, and called its optical viewfinder a rarity in cameras this size. Owners in YouTube reviews say the same about the look and the pocket size, with one caveat: the files do not always look like film straight out of the camera.

The weak spots were there from the start: a tiny flash that barely reaches six feet at full zoom, noise from ISO 400 up, a flat four-way pad and few manual controls. Age adds lens errors after drops, failed CCDs on ELPHs made between 2002 and 2004, and an NB-4L battery that only charges outside the camera.

Good fit if

  • You want a camera that disappears in a pocket: the SD1000 measures 3.4 x 2.1 x 0.8 in and weighs 4.4 oz
  • You like the 2000s digicam look of rich color and on-camera flash snapshots, and JPEGs are fine for you
  • You want an optical viewfinder as well as a screen, which is rare at this size
  • You want point-and-shoot simplicity rather than manual exposure

Think twice if

  • You mostly shoot indoors without flash: Imaging Resource says ISO 800 is the most you want to use on the SD1000
  • You need full manual control or RAW files (RAW only through the CHDK add-on firmware, on supported models)
  • You want USB charging or Wi-Fi transfer: the SD1000 and SD1100 IS have neither
  • You expect film-like photos straight from the camera every time; one owner calls the online hype a bit exaggerated
  • You are buying a 2002-2004 model without a test photo: several were on Canon's CCD advisory list

Which Canon PowerShot ELPH models to look for

Every model below uses a CCD sensor. US names come first, with the Digital IXUS name in brackets for searching listings from abroad.

ModelYearSensorWhy look for it
S100 Digital ELPH (Digital IXUS)20002.0 MP, 1/2.7-inch CCDThe first one: a 35-70mm lens, CompactFlash cards and the NB-1L battery. One kataan.org owner says his S100 is still in heavy use.
SD100 (Digital IXUS II)20033.2 MP, 1/2.7-inch CCDFirst ELPH to take SD cards. On Canon's CCD advisory list, so insist on a test photo.
SD500 (Digital IXUS 700)20057.1 MP, 1/1.8-inch CCDLarger sensor than the SD1000, a 37-111mm lens and the first ELPH with USB 2.0. Takes the NB-3L battery.
SD900 (Digital IXUS 900 Ti)200610.0 MP, 1/1.8-inch CCDTitanium body, 37-111mm lens and a 2.5-inch screen.
SD1000 (Digital IXUS 70)20077.1 MP, 1/2.5-inch CCDRetro Digitals' starting pick for the original 2000s design: a tiny square body, a 35-105mm lens and an optical viewfinder.
SD850 IS (Digital IXUS 950 IS)20078.0 MP, 1/2.5-inch CCDA longer 4x 35-140mm zoom. Uses the NB-5L battery instead of the NB-4L.
SD1100 IS (Digital IXUS 80 IS)20088.0 MP, 1/2.5-inch CCDThe SD1000's successor, with lens-shift stabilization, a 38-114mm lens, the same NB-4L battery and five colors.
SD960 IS (Digital IXUS 110 IS)200912.1 MP, 1/2.3-inch CCDA wider 28-112mm lens, a 2.8-inch 16:9 screen and a Positive Film color mode.
ELPH 180201620.0 MP, 1/2.3-inch CCDA late CCD exception with an 8x 28-224mm zoom and a plastic body; Retro Digitals suggests it for travel and everyday snapshots.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, retro-digitals.com, retro-digitals.com

What owners and reviewers say, topic by topic

We sorted 68 opinions about the PowerShot ELPH from 15 pages and videos on 11 websites and channels. Each row shows how many people raised a topic and how many of them were positive. Open a row to read short quotes, each linked to its source.

Owner voices are thinner than we would like. Most written opinions are 2006-2011 reviews (Imaging Resource, Digital Trends via Digital Home Thoughts) and owner comments on a camera repair blog, plus five YouTube owner reviews. Several quotes are about sibling ELPH models (S100, SD110, SD600, SD1100 IS) and say so, and one video covers Canon's modern ELPH 360 HS A rather than the 2000s cameras.

  1. Image look83% positiveof 12

    Nearly everyone likes the color: Imaging Resource called the SD1000's color rich and accurate in 2007, and current owners on YouTube describe a film-like CCD look. The dissent is about hype and noise: one owner says files still need a small contrast or grain tweak, and Digital Trends flagged noise from ISO 400 up.

  2. Reliability today29% positiveof 7

    Read this before buying. An SD110 owner describes purple streaks from the CCD fault, and an IXUS 70 (SD1000) owner reported a blank screen with working menus, although the SD1000 is not on the lists we could read. Imaging Resource says the advisory cameras were made between 2002 and 2004, and a repair blogger says older ELPHs are hard for Canon to fix. On the plus side, one owner's 2000 S100 was still in heavy use years later, and Canon once repaired advisory cameras free.

  3. Ease of use50% positiveof 6

    Owners find the ELPHs quick, simple point-and-shoots, from the original S100 to the SD1000. Reviewers knocked the flat four-way pad on the SD1000, Canon's menus on the SD1100 IS and the lack of manual controls.

  4. Build quality67% positiveof 6

    Most owners say the metal body feels premium and solid. Two cautions: Imaging Resource called the SD1100 IS battery door fragile, and a repair blogger says the SD600 is not built as tough as the older S230.

  5. Screen and viewfinder67% positiveof 6

    The optical viewfinder that zooms with the lens is the favorite detail, rare at this size and handy for saving battery. The 2.5-inch screen can be hard to read in bright sun, and Digital Trends called it slightly sluggish.

  6. Batteries and charging50% positiveof 6

    Owners say the small NB-4L gets them through a day of casual shooting, and Imaging Resource called the battery life average, fine unless you shoot more than a couple of hundred frames between charges. The complaints are about proprietary chargers in general and the mini-USB port on Canon's modern ELPH 360 HS A.

    • “Fortunately, Canon has used the same battery in other cameras and batteries are available reasonably from Canon and third-party manufacturers.”

      Kurt Weiske, kataan dot orgOwner

    • “Unless you think you'll exceed a couple of hundred shots between charges, this average battery life shouldn't be a problem.”

      Theano Nikitas, Imaging Resource 2007-05Hands-on review

  7. Memory cards and transfer50% positiveof 6

    USB downloads are quick on the 2000s cameras, and even early models fit plenty of shots on small cards. Owners note you need older, smaller SD cards; the two negatives are about the modern ELPH 360 HS A's microSD slot and trimmed Wi-Fi, not the classic models.

    • “I can fit an ungodly number of shots on a 128 megabyte compact flash card.”

      Kurt Weiske, kataan dot orgOwner

    • “Connected to a computer, download speeds are quite fast, so you won't feel a need for a separate card reader.”

      Imaging Resource 2007-05Hands-on review

  8. Size and weight100% positiveof 6

    All six voices are positive. Imaging Resource described the SD1100 IS as about the size of a pack of cards, and owners say the SD1000 slips into a pants pocket and is discreet enough for candid street shots.

  9. Price and value33% positiveof 6

    Opinions split. Some owners still call it good value, and one was happy when Canon swapped a broken camera for a refurbished SD1000, but several say the digicam trend has pushed used prices well above what they were.

  10. Video50% positiveof 4

    Imaging Resource called the SD1100 IS's 640 x 480, 30 fps movie mode excellent, and owners like the retro feel of the footage, but the optical zoom does not work while recording on the SD1000. The one 1080p mention is the modern ELPH 360 HS A, which also lacks a mic jack.

  11. Low light and flash33% positiveof 3

    Mostly negative. Imaging Resource says the tiny flash barely lights a subject six feet away at full zoom, and an owner calls high ISO very noisy; the one positive is an SD600 review that liked flash-off, high-ISO indoor shots for natural skin tones.

    • “At telephoto, it hardly puts out enough light for good exposures six feet.”

      Theano Nikitas, Imaging Resource 2007-05Hands-on review

    • “Instead of blown-out faces and blacked out backgrounds you have nice natural skin tones and detail of the room behind your subject”

      Dan Havlik, Imaging Resource 2006-06Hands-on review

PositiveMixedNegative

What the Canon PowerShot ELPH name covers

Canon sold the same pocket cameras under three names: PowerShot Digital ELPH in the US and Canada, Digital IXUS in most other countries and IXY Digital in Japan. The SD1000 is also the Digital IXUS 70 and the IXY Digital 10, and the SD1100 IS is the Digital IXUS 80 IS. Search every name when you shop, because listings from abroad use the IXUS number.

The first Digital ELPH was the 2.0 MP PowerShot S100 of May 2000, which stored photos on CompactFlash cards. The SD100 of May 2003 was the first to use SD cards.

Every ELPH introduced before 2010 uses a Sony-made CCD sensor, according to Wikipedia's model history. From May 2010 almost all new models moved to back-illuminated CMOS sensors, and the 2016 ELPH 180 is a listed exception that kept a CCD. If the CCD look is why you are shopping, stick to the 2000s models or the ELPH 180.

Imaging Resource saw the 2007 SD1000 as Canon taking the ELPH back to its roots, with a retro look almost identical to the original. Canon's ELPH 360 HS A is a different camera from the 2000s CCD models: a FoxTailWhipz video from November 2025 calls it an overpriced re-release of a decade-old model, with a microSD slot and a mini-USB port. For how these compare with other brands, see our list of the best vintage digicams.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, retro-digitals.com, imaging-resource.com, youtube.com

How to shoot an SD1000 for the 2000s digicam look

These are the settings reviewers and digicam sellers suggest, mostly for the SD1000. For the full technique, see our guide to the Y2K digicam look.

  1. 1

    Switch out of Auto

    Imaging Resource kept the SD1000 in its camera manual mode because only a minimal number of features are available in Auto. On these Canons, manual means extra choices such as ISO, white balance and exposure compensation, not control of aperture and shutter speed.

  2. 2

    Keep ISO low in daylight

    Retro Digitals suggests open shade or late-afternoon light with the flash off, starting at ISO 100-200. Imaging Resource says ISO 800 is the most you want to use, and Digital Trends flagged noise from ISO 400 up.

  3. 3

    Turn the flash on and move close

    For the direct-flash look, set the flash to on rather than auto, stay near the wide end of the zoom and get close. Canon rates the flash at 1.6-11 ft at wide angle but only 1.6-6.6 ft at telephoto, with ISO on auto.

  4. 4

    Warm up the color

    Retro Digitals suggests the cloudy white balance setting on a sunny day for a warmer tone. The SD1000's My Colors menu also has a Custom option for contrast, sharpness, saturation, skin tone and separate red, green and blue, and Imaging Resource notes auto white balance already runs warm under incandescent bulbs.

  5. 5

    Shoot JPEG at 4:3 and edit later

    The SD1000 has no RAW mode. Shoot normal 4:3 JPEGs, copy the originals off the card first and only then add filters; one owner says a small contrast or grain tweak gets the files close to film.

Sources: imaging-resource.com, retro-digitals.com, retro-digitals.com, retro-digitals.com, kataan.org, digitalhomethoughts.com, youtube.com

Batteries, memory cards and getting photos off an ELPH

The SD1000 and SD1100 IS run on the NB-4L lithium-ion battery, rated at about 210 shots per charge by the CIPA standard. You cannot charge it in the camera: the mini-B USB port carries data only, so you need an external charger. A new ProMaster NB-4L was $15.95 at K&M Camera and a third-party NB-4L/NB-5L charger was $12.99 at Focus Camera on October 28, 2026.

Check the battery code before buying spares, because the line uses several (see the table). Every model uses a Canon proprietary battery, but Wikipedia says third-party equivalents are readily available.

Use SD or SDHC cards. SDHC tops out at 32 GB, and Retro Digitals says to avoid SDXC; Wikipedia notes some SDHC devices accept a reformatted SDXC card but compatibility is not guaranteed, so a small SDHC card is the safe choice. Retro Digitals sells a 2GB SD card for $14.

There is no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Use the USB cable (Imaging Resource found downloads fast enough to skip a card reader) or a reader that fits your phone, such as Retro Digitals' $13 USB-C SD and microSD reader. Make sure the reader handles SDHC, since an SD-only reader cannot read SDHC cards.

Battery and card type by model (Wikipedia model table)
ModelBatteryCards
S100 (2000)NB-1LCompactFlash
SD100 (2003)NB-3LSD, MMC
SD500 (2005)NB-3LSD, MMC
SD1000 (2007)NB-4LSD, SDHC, MMC
SD850 IS (2007)NB-5LSD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+
SD1100 IS (2008)NB-4LSD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+

Since the camera cannot charge over USB, pack the charger or a spare NB-4L for a trip.

Sources: kataan.org, retro-digitals.com, kmcamera.com, focuscamera.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, retro-digitals.com, retro-digitals.com, retro-digitals.com, imaging-resource.com

What to check before buying a used Canon ELPH

These cameras are now 17 to 26 years old (2000 to 2009 models), so the seller's testing matters more than the cosmetic grade.

  1. 1

    Buy it tested and complete

    Vintage Camera Hut points out that a cheaper camera with no battery, charger or card is often the worse deal. Retro Digitals' SD1000 and SD1100 IS listings include all three.

  2. 2

    Study the photos and ask what was tested

    Look at the lens, screen, body and battery door in the listing photos, and ask whether the zoom, autofocus, flash, buttons and saving to the card were tested.

  3. 3

    Ask for a white-wall test shot

    From a private seller, ask for a photo of a white sky or a light wall taken with that camera. Camera Market's advice is to walk away if you see any line or spot.

  4. 4

    Be extra careful with the CCD-advisory models

    Imaging Resource lists the S230, SD100 and SD110 as affected ELPH models, and a repair blog's longer list adds the S400, S410 and S500. The same blog gives 2010 and 2011 end dates for free repairs on several of them, so assume the program is over and buy one only with a clean test photo.

  5. 5

    Check the return policy

    Retro Digitals takes back defective or not-as-described items free and deducts a 15% restocking fee on other returns. A return window helps with a sensor fault you cannot see in listing photos.

Sources: vintagecamerahut.com, retro-digitals.com, cameramarket.us, imaging-resource.com, camerarepair.blogspot.com, retro-digitals.com

Canon SD1000 vs SD1100 IS

SD1000 (IXUS 70)SD1100 IS (IXUS 80 IS)
AnnouncedFebruary 2007January 2008
Sensor7.1 MP, 1/2.5-inch CCD8.0 MP, 1/2.5-inch CCD
Lens (35mm equivalent)35-105mm, f/2.8-4.938-114mm, f/2.8-4.9
Image stabilizationNoneLens-shift
BatteryNB-4LNB-4L
Weight125 g125 g
Retro Digitals, tested (Oct 2026)$199$225

Pick the SD1000 (IXUS 70) if

  • You want the slightly wider 35mm view and the classic square SD1000 body
  • You want the lower price: $199 versus $225 at Retro Digitals

Pick the SD1100 IS (IXUS 80 IS) if

  • You shoot in dim light or at the long end of the zoom, where stabilization helps
  • You want a choice of colors: the SD1100 IS came in five

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, retro-digitals.com

Known problems and what fixing them costs

Faults reported for these cameras trace back to drops, sand, aging sensors and old batteries, and no US repair shop price turned up for any of them, so weigh a repair against buying another tested camera.

Lens error or a lens that will not retract (E18)

How you notice
The camera beeps, shows "lens error, restart camera" (E18 on Canon), the lens will not extend or retract, and the camera shuts off. It usually follows a drop with the lens out, or sand and grit in the barrel.
Fix
Try a fresh, charged battery first. Then, with the camera off, look at the gap around the lens and press very gently on the widest side until it clicks back, as iFixit's top answer suggests, and blow out any grit. If that fails, the lens unit has to be replaced; iFixit has a lens replacement guide for the SD1000.
Typical cost
No current US repair-shop quote found. A tested SD1000 with battery, charger and card was $199 at Retro Digitals on October 28, 2026, so compare any repair quote with that.

Sources: ifixit.com, ifixit.com, en.wikipedia.org, ifixit.com

CCD failure on ELPHs made between 2002 and 2004 (Canon CCD advisory)

Raised in 6 opinions

How you notice
Purple or blue distorted pictures, streaks across the screen, or no image at all while the menus still work. Imaging Resource lists the S230, SD100 and SD110 for the ELPH range; a repair blog's longer list adds the S400, S410 and S500. One IXUS 70 (SD1000) owner reported the same blank-screen symptom, although the SD1000 is not on any list we could read.
Fix
Canon repaired advisory cameras free regardless of warranty, but the program was phased out model by model; the repair blog lists the SD100 and SD110 ending 8/31/2011, although the same blog also says some listed models stayed eligible after March 2011. Assume there is no free fix today, confirm with Canon support, and test before buying.
Typical cost
Free program over. In 2007 and 2008, readers on a DIY repair blog said Canon quoted a $99 minimum for a camera not on the advisory list and $137.46 for one it judged free of the CCD fault; treat these as old anecdotes, not current prices.

Sources: imaging-resource.com, old.imaging-resource.com, camerarepair.blogspot.com, en.wikipedia.org

Spots or horizontal lines in photos (aging CCD)

How you notice
Spots or horizontal lines in the image files, sometimes invisible on the rear screen but obvious on a computer.
Fix
No practical fix. Ask a private seller for a white-sky or light-wall test shot, or buy from a seller with a return window, and walk away if lines or spots show.
Typical cost
No repair price found; a sensor fault usually means replacing the camera.

Sources: cameramarket.us

"No memory card" or memory card error

How you notice
The camera reports no card or a card error even though the card works in other devices.
Fix
Check the card's lock switch and try a second SD or SDHC card (not SDXC). On the older IXUS 400 / ELPH S400, a firmware bug caused false card errors, and removing both the main battery and the small internal battery resets the camera. On the SD1000, iFixit users blame bent pins in the card slot, and the practical fix is a main board from a parts camera.
Typical cost
No donor-board price found.

Sources: ifixit.com, ifixit.com, en.wikipedia.org, retro-digitals.com

Dead, weak or wrong battery

How you notice
Much shorter battery life, or a camera that will not turn on. iFixit notes a weak battery may not have the power to retract the lens.
Fix
Charge it in the external charger, then replace it if it still fades. Match the code: NB-4L for the SD1000 and SD1100 IS, NB-3L for the SD500, NB-5L for the SD850 IS.
Typical cost
$15.95 for a ProMaster NB-4L at K&M Camera; $12.99 for a third-party NB-4L/NB-5L charger at Focus Camera (October 28, 2026).

Sources: ifixit.com, ifixit.com, kmcamera.com, focuscamera.com, en.wikipedia.org

White or blank screen after a drop

How you notice
The screen lights up white or stays blank while the camera otherwise seems to work.
Fix
iFixit's top answer names three suspects: a stuck lens, a broken CCD or a broken LCD cable. Rule out a lens error and try another battery first; if the lens works, the CCD or the LCD cable is the likely cause.
Typical cost
No repair-shop price found.

Sources: ifixit.com, ifixit.com

What a Canon PowerShot ELPH costs today

Used Canon PowerShot ELPH prices have climbed with the digicam trend. What Camera Gear put a used SD1000 at $80 to $150 in February 2026 and called prices trending high; dealers that test the camera and include a battery, charger and card ask more. eBay blocked automated checks, so no eBay sold or active prices were verified and the rows below are dealer asks.

  • Retro Digitals

    Used, tested, average condition, PowerShot SD1000, silver, with battery, charger and card (in stock)

    $199

    See listing

  • Retro Digitals

    Used, tested, average condition, PowerShot SD1100 IS, silver, with battery, charger and card (in stock)

    $225

    See listing

  • Retro Digitals

    Used, tested, PowerShot SD500 with battery, charger and card (in stock)

    $185

    See listing

  • Retro Digitals

    Used, tested, PowerShot SD960 IS with battery, charger and card (in stock)

    $230

    See listing

  • Retro Digitals

    Used, tested, PowerShot SD850 IS (sold out)

    $195

    See listing

  • K&M Camera (New York)

    Used, grade u7, PowerShot SD1100 IS, blue (out of stock)

    $149.99

    See listing

  • K&M Camera (New York)

    Used, grade u8, IXUS 60 (SD600), silver (out of stock)

    $209.99

    See listing

  • K&M Camera (New York)

    Used, grade u7, PowerShot SD500 body, silver (out of stock)

    $219.99

    See listing

  • K&M Camera (New York)

    Used, grade u8, PowerShot SD450 body, silver (out of stock)

    $249.99

    See listing

  • K&M Camera (New York)

    Used, grade u8+, PowerShot SD900 IS body as K&M lists it, on sale from $299.95 (out of stock)

    $249.95

    See listing

  • K&M Camera (New York)

    New, ProMaster NB-4L battery (fits SD1000 and SD1100 IS)

    $15.95

    See listing

  • Focus Camera

    New, Third-party quick charger for NB-4L and NB-5L

    $12.99

    See listing

  • Retro Digitals

    New, 2GB standard SD card

    $14

    See listing

  • Retro Digitals

    New, 3-in-1 USB-C SD and microSD card reader

    $13

    See listing

Prices checked on October 28, 2026. They move every week, so treat them as a range, not a quote. Every K&M Camera camera listing was out of stock when checked, so treat those as recent asks. Retro Digitals' in-stock or sold-out status comes from its page code. KEH, MPB, B&H and Adorama prices could not be retrieved.

Video reviews worth your time

  • Canon’s New Camera Doesn't Make Sense. (ELPH 360HS A)

    FoxTailWhipz, 2025

    The reviewer considers the camera an overpriced re-release of a decade-old model with outdated ports and stripped-down features.

    • 0:01 Host introduces the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A.
    • 1:23 Close-up shot showing the mini-USB port.
    • 1:46 Demonstrating the micro SD card slot.
    • 2:25 Testing wireless transfer to a smartphone.

  • is the canon sd1000 worth it? | digicam unboxing, photography vlog, camera review, photo samples

    slice of mi, 2024

    The Canon SD1000 is a great compact camera for discrete street photography, though its online hype is slightly exaggerated as many photos still require minor editing to look like film.

    • 1:46 Unboxing and initial inspection of the Canon SD1000 camera body.
    • 3:22 Side-by-side comparison of unedited and edited sample photos.
    • 4:30 Testing camera settings while taking photos at a local park.
    • 6:01 Final thoughts and verdict on the Canon SD1000 performance.

  • You need a digicam in 2024 | Canon Powershot SD1000

    Caleb Brunkow, 2024

    The Canon PowerShot SD1000 is a sleek, pocketable vintage digital camera that captures nostalgic photos and video, though low-light performance is poor and video zoom is limited.

    • 0:17 Reviewer shows the Canon PowerShot SD1000 camera
    • 1:34 Demonstrating the optical viewfinder zooming with the lens
    • 2:25 Showing the tiny camera battery
    • 7:37 Showing eBay listings with elevated camera prices

  • Why you NEED A Canon SD1000!

    Russell Scott, 2023

    The Canon PowerShot SD1000 is a stylish, pocketable digital camera that offers nostalgic film-like photo quality at an affordable price.

    • 0:17 Presenter introduces the Canon PowerShot SD1000 digital camera.
    • 0:24 Reviewer showcases the camera build and rear screen layout.
    • 0:52 Explanation of the optical viewfinder and zoom behavior.
    • 2:15 Demonstration of the camera fitting easily into a pants pocket.

  • My Daily Driver: Canon PowerShot SD1000 Review

    Vintage Tech Mall, 2023

    The reviewer highly praises the Canon PowerShot SD1000 as an exceptionally compact, convenient, and enjoyable retro point-and-shoot camera for everyday use.

    • 1:34 Showcasing the Canon PowerShot SD1000 camera body
    • 5:17 Demonstrating the optical viewfinder and screen display control
    • 10:01 Showing unedited sample photos taken with the camera
    • 12:46 Playing a video sample shot on the camera

Questions people ask about the PowerShot ELPH

Why are old Canon PowerShot ELPH cameras so expensive now?

Because more people want them. What Camera Gear put used SD1000 prices at $80 to $150 in February 2026 and added "Trending high right now". Owner Caleb Brunkow says the added popularity has made it less of a budget camera, and Russell Scott calls it a solid purchase at around $50 while warning that hype can push prices up. A dealer that tests the camera and includes a battery, charger and card asked $199 in October 2026.

Sources: whatcameragear.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, retro-digitals.com

Is the Canon SD1000 worth it?

For a pocketable CCD camera with an optical viewfinder, the YouTube owner reviews we found mostly say yes. The slice of mi channel calls it a great camera for discreet street photos but says the online hype is a bit exaggerated, since many files still need a small edit to look like film. Expect to pay $80 to $150 for a typical used one (What Camera Gear, February 2026) and $199 for a tested, complete camera at Retro Digitals (October 2026).

Sources: youtube.com, whatcameragear.com, retro-digitals.com

Is the Canon SD1000 the same as the IXUS 70?

Yes. Canon sold the same camera as the PowerShot SD1000 Digital ELPH in the US and Canada, the Digital IXUS 70 in most other countries and the IXY Digital 10 in Japan. Likewise, the SD1100 IS is the Digital IXUS 80 IS and the IXY Digital 20 IS.

Sources: retro-digitals.com, en.wikipedia.org

Which Canon ELPH cameras have CCD sensors?

Every Digital ELPH and IXUS introduced before 2010 uses a CCD sensor, from the 2000 S100 through models such as the SD1000, SD1100 IS and SD960 IS. From May 2010 almost all new ELPHs moved to back-illuminated CMOS sensors; the 2016 ELPH 180 is a listed exception that kept a CCD.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Will Canon still fix an ELPH with a bad CCD?

Probably not for free. Canon's CCD advisory covered cameras made between 2002 and 2004, including the S230, SD100 and SD110 ELPHs, and a repair blog lists the free program ending in 2011 for the SD100 and SD110. The SD1000 is not named on any list we could read, and the same blogger says older ELPHs are particularly hard for Canon to repair, so ask Canon support before shipping one.

Sources: old.imaging-resource.com, imaging-resource.com, camerarepair.blogspot.com

What memory card does the Canon SD1000 use?

SD or SDHC. SDHC cards go up to 32 GB, and Retro Digitals advises against SDXC; Wikipedia says some SDHC devices accept a reformatted SDXC card but compatibility is not guaranteed. A small SDHC card, or a 2GB SD card ($14 at Retro Digitals in October 2026), is the safe pick.

Sources: imaging-resource.com, retro-digitals.com, en.wikipedia.org, retro-digitals.com

Can you charge the Canon SD1000 with a USB cable?

No. The mini-B USB port is for transferring files only, so you take out the NB-4L battery and charge it in an external charger. A third-party NB-4L/NB-5L charger was $12.99 at Focus Camera on October 28, 2026.

Sources: retro-digitals.com, focuscamera.com

Is the new Canon ELPH 360 HS A the same as the old ELPH cameras?

No. The FoxTailWhipz review calls it an overpriced re-release of a decade-old model, with a microSD slot and a mini-USB port. Wikipedia says almost every ELPH introduced from May 2010 on uses a CMOS sensor, so if the CCD look is the point, buy a 2000s model such as the SD1000 or SD1100 IS.

Sources: youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org

What people compare it with

  • Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200

    Another Reddit favorite in The Phoblographer's roundup of vintage compacts: a 7 MP CCD and a Zeiss-branded 38-114mm lens.

  • Nikon Coolpix L12

    A 7.1 MP CCD compact with a 35-105mm lens like the SD1000's, listed by The Phoblographer among Reddit favorites under $100.

  • Canon PowerShot A530 (and the A480)

    Camera Market calls the A530 rough and slow but wonderful: it runs on AA batteries and SD cards, so there is no proprietary-battery worry, and it praises the direct-flash look. It names the A480 as another from the same family.

  • Fujifilm FinePix Z10fd

    Retro Digitals pairs it with the SD1000 as a CCD starting point with a different design; it takes SD, SDHC or xD cards.

Every source behind this page

Read them yourself. How we pick and count them is in our methodology.

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Manuals and references 26

Independent blogs 6

Video reviews 5

Editorial reviews 4