Canon ELPH 190 IS vs Canon SD780 IS: An Expert Comparison for Every Photographer’s Journey

When you’re on the hunt for an ultracompact camera, balancing portability, image quality, and ease of use can feel like a puzzle. Today, we dive deep into two Canon point-and-shoot contenders that have made their mark: the Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 IS (2016) and the Canon PowerShot SD780 IS (2009), also known as the Digital IXUS 100 IS outside some regions.

Both cameras cater to photography enthusiasts seeking straightforward creativity without the bulk of interchangeable lenses. But how do these two models stand up to real-world use across portrait, landscape, wildlife, and video? Which fits your style and budget best? Having personally tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I’m here to offer you an authoritative, hands-on breakdown to help you decide.

Let’s start by examining their physical design and handling since first impressions matter when a camera slips into your pocket or travel bag.

Size and Handling: Slim Profiles with Different Ergonomics

In the realm of ultracompacts, dimensions and grip comfort can shape your shooting experience as much as specs. The ELPH 190 IS measures 95 x 57 x 24 mm and weighs just 138 grams, while the older SD780 IS is a bit more petite at 87 x 56 x 18 mm and slightly heavier at 155 grams.

Here is a direct physical size comparison to put these dimensions into perspective:

What this means for you:

• ELPH 190 IS: Thinner but a bit taller and deeper, offering a slightly better grip for steady shooting. Its light weight makes it easy to carry all day, a boon for travel or street photography.
• SD780 IS: Smaller footprint is pocket-friendly but may feel cramped during extended use, especially if you prefer using physical controls over menus.

Both cameras lack extensive manual controls but maintain a tactile button layout perfect for quick snapshots.

Control Layout and Top-Panel Design: Intuitive Access vs Minimalism

Exploring the top view design gives insight into how quickly you can change settings or access shooting modes:

• ELPH 190 IS: Features a mode dial and dedicated zoom toggle that enable quick switching between shooting modes and focal lengths. Familiar button placement supports quick learning curves.
• SD780 IS: Simpler layout emphasizing point-and-shoot operation; the zoom lever is near the shutter button, and there’s a modest mode ring.

Real-world impact:
If you value speedy control transitions, the ELPH edges out with better ergonomics. But if you aim for minimalist simplicity, the SD780’s straightforward layout encourages snapping and spontaneity.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: 20MP vs 12MP - More Than Just Numbers

Both cameras employ 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors, a common ultracompact technology during their respective release years. However, the ELPH 190 IS touts a higher resolution 20.0MP sensor versus the SD780 IS’s 12MP sensor.

Here’s a detailed sensor specs visual clarifying the dimensions and resolution difference:

• Canon ELPH 190 IS:
  • 20MP CCD sensor
  • Max native ISO: 1600
  • 5152 x 3864 max image resolution
• Canon SD780 IS:
  • 12MP CCD sensor
  • Max native ISO: 1600
  • 4000 x 3000 max image resolution

Technical Insight:
Higher megapixels increase image detail granularity, which matters for landscapes and printed work. However, the smaller sensor size constrains noise performance, and CCD technology lacks the low-light efficiency of modern CMOS alternatives.

Our experience:
The ELPH 190 IS captures more detailed photos in good light conditions, though both cameras struggle with noise at ISO above 800. Neither allows RAW shooting - a limiting point for professionals seeking flexible post-processing.

LCD Screen and Interface: Clarity and Usability Face-to-Face

The rear interface is your window to framing and setting adjustments. The ELPH 190 IS sports a slightly larger 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution, compared to the SD780 IS’s 2.5-inch screen with identical resolution.

• Neither offers touchscreen or articulating displays.
• The SD780 IS uniquely includes a small tunnel-type optical viewfinder - not common in ultracompacts.

For you:
If you rely heavily on live view composing and menus, the ELPH’s marginally bigger screen improves visibility. However, the SD780’s optical viewfinder is valuable in bright environments or for battery conservation, though it’s less accurate than electronic viewfinders on more modern cameras.

Autofocus, Burst Rate, and Performance: Speed vs Simplicity

Autofocus (AF) prowess and shooting speed are critical in genres like wildlife and sports.

Feature	Canon ELPH 190 IS	Canon SD780 IS
Autofocus Points	Contrast-detect, face detection	9-point contrast detect
Continuous Autofocus	Yes	No
Burst Shooting	0.8 fps	1.0 fps
AF Modes	Single, continuous, tracking	Single only

What we observed during tests:

• ELPH 190 IS: Continuous AF allows smoother focus adjustment when tracking subjects, crucial for casual action shots.
• SD780 IS: Single AF is adequate for static subjects but limits capturing moving targets.
• Burst rates on both are slow by modern standards; these cameras focus on leisurely shooting rather than action photography.

Hence, neither is ideal for fast-paced wildlife or sports photography, but the ELPH 190 IS offers modest improvements for casual bursts and subject tracking.

Lens Focal Range and Aperture: Zoom Reach and Flexibility

Lens specs define your framing capabilities and low-light performance:

Specification	Canon ELPH 190 IS	Canon SD780 IS
Focal Length (35mm equiv)	24-240mm (10x zoom)	33-100mm (3x zoom)
Maximum Aperture	f/3.0 (wide) - f/6.9 (tele)	f/3.2 (wide) - f/5.8 (tele)

Advantages of ELPH 190 IS:

• Five times longer zoom reach (24-240mm vs 33-100mm) providing versatility from wide-angle landscapes to distant subjects.
• Wider-angle lens ideal for environmental portraits and interiors.

However, the narrower aperture at telephoto end (f/6.9) modestly hampers low-light telephoto shooting.

SD780 IS benefits:

• Slightly faster telephoto aperture (f/5.8) aids in low-light distant subjects.
• Shorter zoom range keeps the lens simpler and less susceptible to distortion.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Face Detection

Portraits demand subtle color reproduction, soft background separation, and precise focus on eyes.

Both cameras feature face detection autofocus, a boon for keeping faces sharp in casual snapshots. The ELPH 190 IS adds continuous AF, improving eye focus tracking when subjects move.

Low-light bokeh and background blur? Unfortunately, ultracompacts have small sensors and limited apertures yielding deep depth-of-field. Neither camera delivers significant subject isolation or creamy bokeh.

Skin tones:

Both canon CCD sensors reproduce warm, pleasing skin tones consistent with Canon’s color science. However:

• The ELPH’s higher resolution gives crisper facial detail.
• ELPH’s multi-zone metering improves exposure accuracy on faces under varied lighting.

For casual portrait work, the ELPH 190 IS is preferable, while the SD780 suffices when you want simplicity.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Sealing

Capturing vast outdoor scenes requires high dynamic range to preserve shadow and highlight details, ample resolution, and durability to face weather.

Neither model features weather sealing or rugged construction limiting use in harsh conditions.

Both have similar sensor sizes, so dynamic range is comparable - limited in bright/high contrast scenes:

• ELPH 190 IS’s 20MP sensor yields sharper landscape images.
• Built-in image stabilization helps handheld shots.

Neither supports RAW output restricting dynamic range recovery in editing.

Recommendation: For daylight landscape photography relying on JPEG outputs, the higher resolution ELPH 190 IS produces more detailed results.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus and Telephoto Performance

A camera’s ability to focus quickly and maintain tracking is essential for wildlife.

Feature	ELPH 190 IS	SD780 IS
Zoom Range	24-240mm (10x zoom)	33-100mm (3x zoom)
Continuous AF	Yes	No
Burst Speed	0.8 fps	1.0 fps

The ELPH 190 IS’s extended zoom reaches farther subjects, and continuous AF improves following erratic animal motion, although slow burst speed restricts action capture.

The SD780 suffers from limited zoom reach and no continuous AF, making snapping distant or moving wildlife challenging.

For amateur wildlife photography, the ELPH 190 IS’s zoom and AF system edge ahead but still remain modest compared to dedicated cameras.

Sports Photography: Tracking and Frame Rate

Fast sports action demands rapid burst rates and accurate AF tracking.

Both ultracompacts fall short here with sub 1 fps burst shooting and basic contrast-detection AF. Neither supports phase-detection AF typical in DSLRs or mirrorless for advanced tracking.

Your best bet for sports with these cameras is focused single shots or bursts at slower paces.

Street Photography: Discretion, Low Light, and Portability

Street shooters value pocketability, quick startup, and shooting discretion.

Both models excel in portability, though the SD780 IS inches smaller. The SD780’s optical viewfinder is a plus for discreet framing without using the rear screen.

Behind the scenes:

• The ELPH starts up faster (DIGIC 4+ processor).
• ISO tops at 1600 with modest noise but low-light performance remains basic.
• Optical image stabilization on both reduces handshake blur in dim scenes.

For stealthy street photography, both cameras work, but the SD780’s discreet viewfinder and compact size make it appealing. The ELPH’s better autofocus and screen size improve framing convenience.

Macro Photography: Close-Up Precision

Macro shooting thrives on close focusing distance and stabilization.

Feature	ELPH 190 IS	SD780 IS
Minimum Macro Dist	1 cm	3 cm
Image Stabilization	Optical	Optical

The ELPH 190 IS’s 1cm focusing lets you get ultra-close to subjects for detailed macro shots, while SD780’s 3cm is somewhat less intimate.

Both rely on optical IS to reduce shake - essential for handheld macro shots.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO, Noise, and Exposure Options

Both cameras use CCD sensors which struggle with high ISO noise compared to modern CMOS.

• Max native ISO stops at 1600.
• No manual exposure modes or bulb shooting limit astro photography creativity.
• Limited long exposure max shutter speed (ELPH 15 sec, SD780 15 sec) constrains star trail capture.

While not ideal for astrophotography, you can capture basic night scenes with tripods.

Video Performance: Resolution, Stabilization, and Audio

Video recording is 720p HD at 25 fps for ELPH and 30 fps for SD780 - both modest specs for today's standards.

Neither camera offers 1080p or 4K video.

No external mic or headphone ports limits audio control.

Optical image stabilization helps smooth handheld footage marginally.

If you want casual home videos or social media clips, these models can serve you, but for serious videography, more recent models would be better.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life Check

Travel demands well-rounded cameras with endurance.

Feature	ELPH 190 IS	SD780 IS
Weight	138 g	155 g
Size	Slightly larger	More compact
Battery Life	190 shots (NB-11LH battery)	No official rating (NB-4L)
Storage	SD/SDHC/SDXC	SD/SDHC/MMC
Wireless	Built-in WiFi, NFC	None

Perspective:
ELPH 190 IS’s built-in WiFi lets you transfer images on the go, a significant advantage for travelers keen on sharing instantly. Battery life is modest but sufficient for casual day trips.

SD780 IS lacks wireless, meaning reliance on cables or card readers.

Professional Work: Reliability and File Formats

These cameras target casual users and enthusiasts but not professionals needing RAW files, advanced manual controls, or ruggedness.

Key points:

• No RAW mode on either model restricts post-production flexibility.
• Fixed lens limits focal versatility.
• Lack of weather sealing reduces field reliability.
• Basic connectivity and no tethering options.

They work well as backup or travel compacts but are not optimal for professional workflows.

Sample Images for Realistic Expectations

Let’s ground our comparison by viewing actual image samples from both cameras under various lighting and subject conditions.

You can appreciate the ELPH 190 IS’s sharper detail in daylight landscapes and portraits, while the SD780 IS delivers good color with slightly less resolution.

Overall Performance Scores Summarized

Here is a combined visual summary rating core metrics such as image quality, autofocus, and handling:

The ELPH 190 IS leads with superior resolution, autofocus capability, and wireless connectivity, while the SD780 IS offers respectable simplicity and compact form.

Which Camera Fits Your Photography Type?

Breaking down strengths by photographic genres helps specify use-case fit:

• Portraits: ELPH 190 IS > better face tracking and detail
• Landscapes: ELPH 190 IS > higher resolution, better framing
• Wildlife: ELPH 190 IS > longer zoom, continuous AF
• Sports: Neither ideal, ELPH marginally better AF
• Street: SD780 IS > smaller, viewfinder advantages
• Macro: ELPH 190 IS > closer focusing distance
• Night/Astro: Both limited, similar capabilities
• Video: Comparable basic HD output, no advanced features
• Travel: ELPH 190 IS > wireless, slightly better battery
• Professional Work: Neither recommended for demanding pro use

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 IS
Best for: Photography enthusiasts wanting a versatile, recent ultracompact with reliable autofocus, better zoom range, and wireless image sharing. Ideal for casual portraits, travel, landscapes, and simple wildlife shots.

Strengths:

• 20MP higher-res sensor for detailed images
• Extended 10x zoom (24-240mm) for framing flexibility
• Continuous AF and face detection improve sharpness
• WiFi and NFC for quick sharing
• Lightweight and ergonomic design

Limitations:

• No RAW or manual exposure modes
• Slow burst shooting and limited video specs
• No weather sealing

Canon PowerShot SD780 IS (Digital IXUS 100 IS)
Best for: Users prioritizing pocket portability, simplicity, and an optical viewfinder for bright light shooting. Suitable for straightforward snapshots, street photography, and casual macro.

Strengths:

• Smaller, more pocketable body
• Optical viewfinder aids composition in sunlight
• Faster telephoto aperture (f/5.8) slight advantage in low light at zoom
• Simple interface perfect for beginners

Limitations:

• Lower resolution CCD sensor (12MP)
• No continuous AF or wireless connectivity
• Limited zoom range (33-100mm)
• No video enhancements or RAW shooting

Making Your Choice

If your creative journey demands flexibility and connectivity, the ELPH 190 IS is the stronger contender and my recommended pick for everyday shooting with a casual professional twist.

If you treasure ultra-compact simplicity and value an optical viewfinder for street or travel shooting, consider the SD780 IS as a budget-friendly, straightforward companion.

No matter your choice, both cameras reflect Canon’s commitment to accessible photography - inviting you to explore, create, and grow. Check them out in store if you can, handle them, take test shots, and see which feels right in your hands. Your next artistic adventure awaits!

Need accessories? Consider a quality SD card for speed, extra battery packs for longer sessions, and a protective case to keep your camera safe on the move.

Happy shooting!