Finally an image stabilizer.

This is my 5th Canon Elf and I've loved every one of them. The Image Stabilizer is what I was waiting for since this type of camera is prone to movement when pressing the button. The IS is working well and sure makes a big difference, especially in less than average lighting conditions.
The 4 times zoom is a bonus that I wasn't expecting, however not of great value since it gives additional telephoto (which can be easily done with software cropping) rather than additional wide-angle.

I can't believe that Canon went back to a mode-selector-wheel. Just as on a previous Elf I once owned. It again regularly gets moved out of position when storing the camera in it's case and just handling it. I have to remember every time I pull it out to reset the mode wheel to where I want it and have lost some shots because of it.

The 800 ISO might come in handy in certain conditions but as a rule I'll avoid it in order to keep the "grain" at a more exceptable level.

Love the screen!! It's sharper and brighter than on the 450.

I chose the 700 over the Sony T9 mostly because of the digital viewfinder which the Sony sadly is missing thus making it impossible to see anything in low light conditions.
Although the flash in the 700 is again very weak, it is however stronger than the flash in the Sony.

Unfortunately this SD700 is also somewhat bigger again than the SD300 or SD400 and that makes a big difference considering that the small size is the only reason why I keep buying the elfs in the first place.
The Sony is thinner and slicker.

It's all about taking pictures and the pictures are better than ever, mostly due to the effects of the Image Stabilizer.

Bottom line:
Not sure yet if I'm going to keep it as I just can't live with that mode-wheel but also because of the bigger size.