Canon PowerShot SD600 Review: The Best Pocket-Sized Vintage Digicam

The quick verdict

The Canon SD600 is my portability pick from the ten camera comparison. It was the smallest camera in that group, its metal body felt solid, and I liked the look of its 6MP photos.

The controls are simple and the 3x optical zoom has limited reach. I would choose it for everyday snapshots in a small pocket, rather than for detailed manual exposure control.

Compare used Canon PowerShot SD600 listings on eBay. Check the condition, total cost, and return terms before buying.

Size and build

The SD600 slips easily into a pocket. That mattered more to me than another feature or setting, because it made the camera easy to bring along.

Its metal body felt more substantial than several of the plastic cameras I tested. On a used example, still check the battery door, screen, and lens area for damage. A solid feel does not tell you whether the camera works correctly.

The photos I liked

I liked the slightly imperfect, organic look of the SD600’s photos. The 6MP files also gave me more usable detail than the earliest cameras in the comparison.

That description is my reaction to the samples, rather than a promise that it will make every scene look like film. Watch the video examples to decide whether the color and detail suit you. Leave room in your expectations for an old compact with limited cropping flexibility.

Zoom, viewfinder, and battery

The 3x optical zoom gives you some framing flexibility, and there is an optical viewfinder as well as the rear screen. Those are useful features in a camera this small.

It uses a rechargeable battery and compatible SD storage. Check the exact card requirements rather than assuming a newer SDHC or SDXC card will work. The battery may also have lost capacity, so include a replacement and a compatible charger in your budget if needed.

The Canon SD600 user guide lists the camera’s storage and battery requirements.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Smallest body in my ten camera comparison.
• Solid metal feel and photos I liked.
• Optical viewfinder and a 3x zoom.

Cons

• Modest zoom reach and simple exposure controls.
• 6MP files leave limited room to crop.
• A worn battery or missing charger can add cost.

Buying a used SD600

Look for a tested example with a working zoom, flash, screen, battery, and charging setup. Ask whether it saves photos to a compatible card and plays them back. Compare the complete setup rather than only the camera price.

Check used Canon PowerShot SD600 listings on eBay.

My verdict

I would choose the SD600 when carrying a small camera was the priority. The size, solid feel, and photos made it a favorite from the comparison. Make sure the used example comes with a practical way to power it and move the files.