Amazon.com Review

The Canon PowerShot A300 offers the entry level solution to digital camera users new to the field. Packed with a host of features and a 3.2 mega pixel CCD sensor, this little camera produces great pictures.

Like Olympus digital cameras, the camera is turned on via a sliding lens protector at the front that forces the camera into life. Two AA batteries and the CompactFlash compartment are housed behind a sturdy door that will easy take a beating over the lifespan of the camera without snapping or falling apart. The other side the camera offers a DC and USB port, but unfortunately no video-out to watch your pictures on the TV.

On the rear of the camera, the user is offered a 1.5" TFT screen that is sharp and responsive to changing lights and focuses, as well as, a host of buttons - most of which are self explanatory and you can easily access flash modes, picture review and other options like this without having to plough through plenty of menus.

The camera offers a 33mm f3.6 fixed focal length lens with a 5.1 digital zoom option that offers the equivalent of a 33mm - 168mm lens in a 35mm camera. This combined with shutter speed range of 1-1/2000 sec and ISO ratings of 50 - 400 and a range of pre-programmed settings to cope with landscapes and portrait shooting makes for a nice little camera for beginners. For the more adventurous there is a macro mode up to 5cm, as well as, the option to record up to 3 minutes of movie clips with sound.

For an auto focus fixed lens camera with a digital zoom the quality is quite good. Detail is captured well and greens are differential when it comes to photographing landscapes. The digital zoom is useful for getting into the action, but should not be replied upon for crisp images. Overall as a starter's camera this is an okay place to start. If you are starting out and need a camera that will get you going, this is as good a place as any to start, just don't expect the world. --Jason Denwood, Amazon.co.uk ... Read more

Features

• 3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• 5.1x digital zoom
• Up to 3 minutes of video with sound
• Compatible with CompactFlash Type I cards; 16 MB card included
• Powered by 2 AA batteries (alkalines included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Reviews (74)

Not perfect, but a great value for the price.
The jury is still out on this one. I purchased this with high expectations of Canon's experience and reputation for digital cameras. I grew up in a family of professional photographers so I am fussy.

PROS:
1) You can't beat the price considering this is 3.2 megapixel camera.
2) Picture quality is excellent.
3) This can take short movies, with sound. Again, excellent quality.

CONS:
1) No optical zoom. The 5.1x digital zoom is fine if that's what you want. However, there is a huge difference. If zooming is not important to you, then this is fine.
2) The button choosing between still pictures and the movie setting is a hair trigger and can be easily shifted by accident. Both my father and I inadvertently took movies when we wanted to take stills. We didn't know it until we downloaded the images.
3) Buy stock in a battery company. At least you'll get some of your money back in dividends when you become the company's best customer. Digitals consume batteries like water, but this one devours batteries like Niagara Falls. In fact, this is probably the single biggest limitation of this camera. Getting a rechargeable package is the way to go, and you'll be using it a lot. Also, be careful of battery consumption when connected to the computer -- it's a killer.
4) The instructions in the manual, and the controls on the camera itself, are very complicated. Plan to spend a lot of time reading the manual over and over again, and practicing with the camera to get the hang of things. This is far from a "take it out of the box and start taking pictures" kind of camera. The function and display controls on the camera are, in my opinion, very frustrating. If you have patience and can spend some time concentrating and practicing, you can master it.

All in all, while you may never use half of the cameras capabilities (either because you don't need them, or will never understand how to use them), you can take great pictures. The primary decision making factor here is price. Why spend $500 when you can get this camera for less than half?

Absolute beginners, step right up!
We got this camera as a Christmas gift so for the price WE paid it's great, but I would never have bought this camera!

What good is paying $159 for a camera that is only half decent AFTER you pay $100 for 128mb card and $50 for a battery charger and 4 batteries?

Sure, the camera takes fine pictures in good light with little or no digital zoom, so it's great for parties or close range, if that's what you need.

I took the camera on a trip to Europe and was sooooo disappointed with the battery consumption. I was forced to buy batteries in all the most tourist-trap places, three times a day, for top dollar! Then, the enemic memory card it came with filled up in one day, so I had to buy a bigger card in an equally tourist-trap store. And yes, I bought a battery recharger on my trip as well. How much does my entry-level $159 camera cost now????

And just a word about digital zoom. NEVER use digital zoom if optical zoom in available, and NEVER buy a camera that has didn't bother including ANY optical zoom!

Save up a little money and buy yourself a better camera.

Great Entry Camera
I bought this camera as a spare for taking pictures while on vacation. It is nothing like my 10D or Pro 1, but I only paid $150 for the A300. The pictures are very decent, and much better then most, if not all cameras in this price range and class. Simple to use, readily availble AA batteries, and it shares the same Compact Flash cards with my other cameras.

Not happy
It takes good pictures, but I have absolutely no patience for this camera . . . it eats up batteries like CRAZY (I think one time a set of batteries ran out only after TEN minutes, ahhh!!). The other issue I had with it was that it takes FOREVER to snap a picture . . . everybody is sitting there smiling and waiting for the picture to take, and IT DOESN'T SNAP! I discovered quickly that I must be an impatient person, because I just don't have the time or money (on tons of batteries) to deal with this camera. I'm actually going to try to sell it on ebay or something, because it's in perfect condition, but yet I can't return it to the store anymore (anybody want to buy it?). I usually only buy canon and think it's an excellent brand and have some really nice higher-end cameras, but I just don't like this one very much and can't wait to get a different one . . .

Nothing past 20 feet
I wasn't expecting a lot from this camera, but I've been disappointed with two aspects of it. Even with a higher resolution setting, I couldn't get sharp pictures indoors from more than 20 feet away. I've also found the controls slower and more complicated than most other digitals I've owned. I wish I had put this money towards a higher-quality camera (which I ended up doing anyway). ... Read more

Features

• MiniDV camcorder and still camera with 1.33-megapixel CCD
• 14x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 280x) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch LCD with 180-degree rotation
• Capture low-light recordings with Night Mode
• Record for up to 225 minutes on one battery charge

Features

• Fully automatic, compact 4.7x zoom (38-180mm) 35mm camera
• Zoom-coupled smart autofocus system
• Automatic light guide zoom flash with red-eye reduction
• 6 programmed image control modes
• Stylish aluminum alloy finish in compact design

Features

• MiniDV camcorder takes stunning video and connects effortlessly to your computer, TV, or VCR
• 18x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 360x) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch LCD with 180-degree rotation
• Capture low-light recordings with Night Mode
• Record for up to 2 hour and 5 minutes on one battery charge

Reviews (11)

Canon ZR80 makes fine video
Optics, the ability to deal with lighting conditions, and hand-held stability were the important factors in my buying decision. I edit my works on the computer, so effects were not important (and should be used sparingly!) The Canon ZR-80 is lightweight and well-balanced. The ability to return to 'easy' mode with the flick of a switch from anywhere in custom settings is a great feature. The camera turns out nice-looking video with practice. Another plus: I was able to train a cameraman for a family event in less than one minute. I showed him the zoom and the pause, and off he went. As with most digital cameras, there is no video noise between pause and record. If you don't want to edit on a computer, the pause-record method makes for clean segues. Finally, as a previous reviewer writes, you'll need to purchase a firewire cable separately - a $20 to $40 item!

Good Value for the Money
After reading the reviews, I was a bit leery of purchasing this camera. Because it fit my needs without paying for a lot of features that I didn't need (memory stick, S-video output, etc.), I decided to get one anyway to try it out. The result is that I will keep it. One concern was image quality under low light conditions. It's OK. The depth of field is not great under low light which might account for reports of fuzzy images, but I found that it did focus on the item of interest pretty well. For low light, regardless of the camera, if you want good images, you should consider supplemental lighting. The night mode works reasonably well. Audio quality is fine. I had no problem at all with picking up sounds and voices from 15-20 feet away without them having to raise their voices. It doesn't have a mic input which wasn't a drawback for my purposes, but is, nevertheless, something that this camera should have. The biggest disapointment, for me, is that the image stabilization is a long way from what my old Sony Handycam was capable of. Even so, it's adequate for the purposes that I will be using this camera. All in all, this camera will suit most people's needs.

so cool camcorder- a must read why
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Good for your $$$
I bought this particular camcorder a week ago and after two parties, and it's held up. For the mid-300s, I had a choice of the ZR80, a samsung, and a JVC. I chose this camcorder because of its informative online ratings, good specs, and Canon name.
Now i have to say that I don't have much point for comparison as this is my first digital camcorder but I's like to think I know good quality pictures from bad.
So, let me start off by saying, this is an easy to use camcorder (point-and-shoot, basically) and it was no trouble to load the tape, playback on the camcorder, and show on the T.V.
But, the body of the camcorder, while secure, has some very fragile parts. For example, both the coverings for the audio and DV wire were held together by a thin piece of plastic and could easily break. Watch out for that. Other than that, the LCD is great and flexible and the body is compact and attractive.
And about the DV firewire (which connects and transfers videos from camcorder to computer), it is not included in the box. Thus, know that you have to get that too if you plan on transfering and editing on the computer. That was a downer because the Samsung included a USB cable in the box and while that can be slow, its at least an option.
Also, the quality of the picture. It does indeed have poor viewing in low light. Believe me, I read the book cover to cover (skipping the French, course) and while some things can be adjusted, the camcorder has its limits. For example, in regular household lighting with some sun, the picture was distinguishable on the LCD and blurry at best on televison. WHile the focus button and mightmode helped, I strongly suggest supplement lighting if you want clear pictures indoors.
Lastly, the camcorder has a camera mode and can snap pictures but can only store it on its DV tapes which is of little use since you cann't transfer to your computer to print them out. I asked the salesperson what, then, was the use and he said it was for slide shows. That, to me, is pretty lame but camcorders don't take that good of pictures anywayd so I don't really care.
That's about it, good luck.

Excellent Value
We use Canon in general because of their amazing compatibility with a wide rage of formats. The ZR-Series is no exception. You are able to achieve high quality with ease. The VIC chip makes a big difference when you are importing a lot of video to edit on your PC/Mac. From importing DV to edit content on a Mac, to hooking it up to a high-end video recorder or even using it as a web cam, the features are unbelievable at this price. For Mac users there is a program you can download to make this camera work as an iChat web cam via Firewire.

I also recommend that you visit Canon.com, there you can view videos about each of Canon's camcorders that will help you find the camera that is right for you. Sony, Sharp, Panasonic and most every respective brand has similar videos on their sites to help you compare. Of course Amazon.com has the best prices.

Also I find it very odd that nearly every negative reviewer ends up mentioning Sony as an alternative. One would think someone would mention JVC or Sharp. You would have to spend at least $450.00 to find a Sony that compares.

If you are serious about sound you really need a boom/shotgun microphone no matter what brand of camera you use. An external mic will help you capture directional sound. For voices, wireless microphones will always give you superior results. You can then mix both boom and wireless feeds to create dynamic sound. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Quite simply, the Canon PowerShot G2 is an elegant, easy-to-use joy of a digital camera that boasts impressive 4-megapixel resolution, a 3x optical zoom, a bright LCD monitor that swivels off to the side of the camera and tilts up and down as needed, and maximum overall creative control in addition to a fully automatic mode. Of course, none of this comes as much of a surprise to anyone familiar with its popular predecessor, the PowerShot G1. Both of these cameras have features and picture-taking modes similar to Canon's EOS cameras, which means they have what Canon calls a "very camera-like feel." Some of the G2's more obvious improvements over the G1 (besides higher resolution) include a champagne gold finish, larger grip for easier handling, improved image and color quality, new photo-effect shooting mode for various effects, including black-and-white and sepia, and a new high-speed selectable three-point autofocus.

The G2's 4-megapixel CCD captures images at user-selectable resolutions of 2,272 x 1,704, 1,600 x 1,200, 1,024 x 768, and 640 x 480. This range allows for detail-rich 8-by-10-inch prints that match the results of film cameras as well as easy-to-upload images for the Web and e-mail. Choose between three varying degrees of JPEG compression or store images in the 10-bit RAW data file format for faster transfer without any image quality loss. Your computer easily translates the RAW files into TIFF files using Canon's included software.

The telescoping, 3x optical zoom lens (34-102mm equivalent on a 35mm camera) with 3.6x digital zoom, offers both automatic and manual focus control. The improved, high-speed, selectable three-point autofocus system allows flexibility in composition over the single focus point of the G1. A distance scale has been added on the LCD monitor for precision focus adjustment that works best for extreme close-ups. Improved circuitry allows the G2 to perform these advanced functions with faster image capture times and longer battery life than the G1.

Like the G1, the G2 has point-and-shoot settings that take the guesswork out of almost all situations, but the manual controls and creative options are where this camera stands out from the competition. Twelve EOS-style shooting modes allow for a wide range of creative possibilities, with manual focus zoom, adjustable aperture priority at 50, 100, 200, and 400 ISO, selectable shutter speed, and six preset white balances--sunny, cloudy, tungsten, etc. Canon has provided four presets for professional results when shooting for maximum depth of field, portraits, landscapes, and night scenes. Other creative controls include the photo-effect mode that allows four possible variations of the normal color saturation: vivid color, standard color, sepia tones, and standard black-and-white.

Two video formats have also been included, allowing for 30 and 120 seconds of moving images with audio. Slow shutter-speed mode allows extended exposures in low-light situations. Autoexposure bracketing allows you to intentionally over- and underexpose two extra shots to help capture the best picture possible. Five different flash modes, including red-eye reduction, handle after-dark challenges. The TTL hot shoe is fully compatible with all Canon EX-series Speedlite flashes. The included software package goes beyond standard image processing with a remote capture function that allows complete control and manipulation of the camera functions from your computer keyboard. Canon's Stitch Assist program allows you to combine up to four images into one, seamless, panoramic view.

Exterior design features include the highly versatile LCD monitor from the G1 that needs no improvement; its 270-degree rotation allows all angles of image composition from around corners to self-portraits. Changes in ergonomics, as requested by the users of the G1, include a contoured grip for better one-handed shooting and a more streamlined look. Photographers new to the digital market will find the G2 as easy to use as previous PowerShot models, while professionals will be pleased with the improved selection of creative options for capturing the best possible images.

The G2 comes complete with USB port and cable for connection to PC or Macintosh computers; Canon's digital camera software package for downloading, processing, and organizing your images; a NTSC cable for connecting to a television set; a rechargeable BP-511 lithium-ion battery pack and AC adapter for charging the battery in the camera; a generous 32 MB CompactFlash card; infrared remote control; lens cap; and neck strap. The camera weighs about 14.8 ounces, and its dimensions are 4.8(W) by 3.0(H) by 2.5(D) inches. ... Read more

Features

• 4.1 megapixel sensor creates 2,272 x 1,704 images for prints at 8 x 10 and beyond
• 3x optical (plus 3.6x digital) zoom lens with autofocus
• Included 32 MB CompactFlash card holds 24 images at default resolution; camera is Microdrive compatible
• Movie mode captures variable amount of video depending upon memory card size
• Uses proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included); connects with Macs and PCs via USB port

Reviews (150)

Canon G2 -The BEST digital camera for under $1000US! Period!
The Canon PowerShot G2 is a digital camera consumer's dream come true, and a nightmare for other digital camera manufacturers.

Make a list of features you'd expect and not expect to find from a "prosumer" digital camera, and chances are you'll find them on the G2. This is a little camera that was designed to act a lot bigger than many other digital cameras in its class.

You only have to pick up a G2 to realize that there's a lot more to it than meets the eye; this camera's significantly heavier and feels sturdier than any other camera in its class! The extra weight means better camera stabilization. The G2's sturdiness inspires confidence and makes the camera feel like a photographic tool, not an electronic gizmo.

From the tilt-and-swivel LCD, the magnification loupe for manual focusing, dedicated and fully functional flash hot-shoe, evaluative metering, IR autofocous assist mechanism, ISO 50, RAW image format, etc., etc., this camera has it all!.

Many photographers will argue that the real measures of any camera lie in the controls and results. The G2 doesn't disappoint in either of these respects. Although you'll have to familiarize yourself with the camera's controls initially, you'll soon find them very intuitive and actually use them more often than not.

The quality of images captured with the G2 is nothing short of superb! You'll get clean, detailed, very high-resolution photographs with the G2, especially if you use the camera's RAW mode at ISO 50.

The Canon PowerShot G2 is still a point-and-shoot digital camera. Anyone who's ever used an SLR will miss the optical viewfinder, true manual focus, and lens selection not available in the G2. However, this can be said for any other digital camera in the G2's class. In every other respect, the G2 rises above its inherent limitations and really challenges its competition to try and keep up!

Beyond the camera itself, Canon has really done the consumer proud by offering most every accessory that you would want included at no extra charge, i.e. an remote control unit, high-capacity rechargeable Lithium Ion battery, and remote capture software.

If you're in the market for a capable digital camera at a reasonable price, thank Canon for making the choice really very simple.

Positives:
- extensive feature set
- excellent build and design
- superb results, especially in RAW mode at ISO 50
- Excellent lens produces very little distortion and chromatic aberrations
- extremely reasonable price
- All the accessories that should come standard do come standard.

Negatives:
- Certain exposure adjustments, i.e. flash compensation, aren't available in full manual mode.
- The fact that the G2 isn't an SLR.
- Not much else.

One of the Best on the Market
After months of exhaustive searching, I finally decided to purchase the Canon Powershot G2 (it's a wonderfully re-designed upgrade to the Powershot G1). The clarity of the images that this camera takes is spectacular. Combine that with the list of outstanding features that aren't included on any other digital camera: ISO 50, RAW image capture, a flip out LCD screen (which is much more handy than you would think), an infrared remote for long exposures and self-portraits, and easy menu functions -- this camera is without equal in it's price range.

It's definitely not for the beginner, but, if you're familiar with photography, you'll be able to take sharp, beautiful pictures with this camera. Skin tones are perfect and the built in flash with exposure compensation does a good job for portraits. And, if you're considering a Sony, this camera uses the more inexpensive Compact Flash memory storage system. Compact Flash memory cards are cheaper than the Sony Memory Stick and are compatible with more peripherals than Memory Stick.

All in all, if it's in your price range, you will be very pleased with the Canon Powershot G2.

The Digital Camera with the je ne sais quoi!
There is something about this camera, and its hard to say what exactly, that makes it a joy to use and its owners fiercely loyal. I bought the black body in a kit that came with a sporty real leather wrap-around case and a 96Mb compact flash card to go along with the 32Mb card the camera body came with. This was a great deal at only about fifty dollars over the normal camera price.

To begin with, the camera looks and handles like a classic camera, which is what none of the other 4 or 5 megapixel cameras can boast, with the exception of the Leica Digilux 1. It has heft and controls which please the eyes and fingers of dyed in the wool 35mm photographers like myself.

Secondly, it delivers on image quality. Check the stats from the photography magazines and online camera reviews. The G2 comes out on top every time in its category, period. Sharpness, color accuracy, and contrast are all excellent.

Thirdly, Canon delivers superb software with their product. Zoombrowser EX is a well thought-out program that allows the user to group, sort, modify, print or show slides of images with ease. It also coordinates well with Adobe Photoshop (a full version of which Canon also supplies!).

Lastly, there are the little things that make a photographer happy if they are present in a digital camera and sad if they are absent. Happily they are all present in the G2: long, long battery life; excellently sharp and fast autofocus; accurate evaluative metering; manual override of autofocus; manual exposure control; the ability to add filters and other lenses (close-up, wide angle and tele); the truly wonderful swiveling LCD screen; and the ability to attach an accessory flash.

Is this camera perfect? Of course not, but I think it is the closest thing to an instant classic the digital world has come up with and will still be used by its happy adherents when its contemporaries have hit the ash can long ago.

I am a faithful Nikon 35mm camera buff (using the F5 and N80 bodies extensively), but I crossed the line on this one baby! Check out all the reviews of its competitors. None of them compare.

What we all NEED! Better than it's descendant the G3
I have had this camera for more than a year and I am just now getting to write a review. Which means I have had much time and practice to test this camera.
This camera is very much in the middle and by that I don't mean just ok. It is not to hot and it is not too cold, it is "just right!" It has features and manual controls for those who like to manipulate their shots, but in the same respect if you are used to just snapping a picture with one button and letting the camera do the work, then this camera is for you too! The image quality is great! You can buy accessories and extra lenses for it just like those hot shots with expensive film cameras! I have 3 lenses and two filtering lenses(polarizing and UV filter.) One of my extra lenses is a macro lens which really is wonderful. Which brings me to the point that the camera's macro capabilities are wonderful as is! If you don't know what macro means, I can take a picture of those unsightly pores it gets so close. I have taken some wonderful nature photographs with the macro. I love up-close, detailed pics. This camera has a little bit of everything but not too much it is overwhelming. If you want to use it, it is there and if you don't keep it on automatic! The best part is that there have been two cameras in the "G" line that have been introduced since the G2 but they aren't as good as this one(in my opinion.) So the price has dropped dramatically you can get one for less than 300 if you know where to look.

I just cannot stress enough how much this camera has been in service to me. I never even used a regular film camera before I got this camera because I never had the money to get a really good one. Sure I took the occasional pic with my aunt's point and shoot film camera at Christmas, but that wasn't much fun. When I got this camera I just experimented and took soooooooo many pictures. I am really enjoying photography. I guess the reason I never got interested in photography before was the expense of film and then developing, as well as not being sure the pictures were even any good until you got them back from the drug store. With this camera you just look at the shots and if they stink you delete them and take another shot. No wasted film! IF you don't have a printer at home then you can easily take them to Walgreens or upload them to Walmart's site and get prints from your digi pics. So simple.

I have experimented with many consumer valued digital cameras when I took my photography class last year( which was the reason I bought this camera) and let me tell you, it was the best in the class. We had Kodak and Olympus and so many other brands and they all stunk compared to mine. Olympus C something was pretty comparable but still not as good as my G2. I would recommend this camera to the new aspiring photographer as well as to the family photographer who wants to capture all the good things. I am sure once we become professional photographers we will have a SLR digital camera but for anyone less than a professional who is actually getting paid for their pictures, this is the best quality at the best price. When printed on photo quality paper my digital pictures are as good as if not better than other film photographer's pictures. I have been told my shots are good enough to be in National Geographic! Have fun with this joyful contraption.

excellent photo qualtiy with this Canon GS2
I have had my canon for almost a year now, and I just want all to know who are looking for a camera, that there are a lot of cameras out there that you will not be satisfied with if you are looking for excellent photo quality.. this camera creates beautiful pictures, and they are easy to load on the computer with included software, and when I order prints, they look like they were done professionaly. this camera is not for someone who wants a camera you can slide in your pocket, it is an amatuers camera and is made for good quality picture taking, it can be attached to a tripod, and is intened for light duty amatuer photos, however, if you dont mind the weight of it, it is great for all your picture taking needs, and it really isnt that heavy, just not as slender as the little pocket cameras, same with the G3 by canon, anyway defientely an A+ on this one. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Canon has taken the features of the highly successful Optura 100MC and expanded them on the Optura 200MC, adding digital still-photo capabilities to this MiniDV digital video camcorder. Some of the new features are video streaming with Windows XP, extended range of digital special effects and fades, and the ability to record video to a memory card. The camcorder itself has joined the growing trend of vertically oriented design, making the Optura 200MC a true handheld model.

Lens
At the heart of the Optura 200MC is a CCD image sensor containing 1.33 million pixels. The Optura 200MC incorporates a bright zoom lens that uses a special glass originally used in Canon digital still cameras. The 10x optical zoom lens (4.2-42mm) is the 35mm focal length equivalent of 48-480mm. The digital zoom, which works by electronically enhancing the optical image, has 200x capability.

More Features
For storage of digital still images, you can use either MultiMediaCard (MMC) or Secure Digital (SD) memory cards in the Optura 200MC. An 8 MB MMC comes with the Optura 200MC, which stores up to 17 fine-quality still pictures or 32 standard-quality images. You can save both video and digital still images to the Optura 200MC's tape cassette, and high-resolution still images as well as motion JPEG to the memory card.

The Optura 200MC has a built-in, pop-up flash for taking digital stills. The Optura 200MC will fire one flash (a preflash) to check the exposure, then fire a second time to make the correct exposure. The flash has four modes: auto, on, off, and red-eye reduction.

For greater imaging variety, you can switch on one of several digital effects: negative picture, art, black and white, sepia, mosaic.

Inputs and Outputs
The standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also called FireWire) is present for a lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines. The common RCA AV connections are used for direct viewing on a television or VHS dubbing. You can also plug in an external microphone via the mic jack for better quality sound.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV digital technology delivers clear, sharp video with up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution--far superior to the 240 lines of resolution offered by 8mm camcorders. You'll get minimal color noise interference for a more stable picture. You'll also get excellent sound quality, recorded in either 12-bit or 16-bit audio recording modes.

Specifications and Contents
The Optura 200MC measures 2.4 by 4.63 by 4.6 inches and weighs just under 19 ounces. This package contains the Optura 200MC camcorder, power adapter (model CA-560), battery pack (model BP-512), wireless controller, S-video cable, stereo video cable, 8 MB MMC memory card, and USB cable.

... Read more

Features

• Part camera, part camcorder--MiniDV camcorder with digital still photo capability
• 10x optical, 200x digital, zoom with Canon's optical image stabilization
• 2.5 inch color flip-out LCD and tilting viewfinder
• 1.3 megapixel CCD captures 1280 x 960 digital stills--records onto both tape or MMC/SD card
• Includes 8 MB MMC card and wireless remote control

Amazon.com Product Description

The smallest Digital Elph yet, the petite and undeniably chic Canon PowerShot SD10 packs a lot of digital photography power. It features a 4-megapixel resolution, movie mode with audio for up to 3 minutes of video, 5-point AiAF, and a fixed focus lens with 5.7x digital zoom. This model comes in stylish bronze, but the SD10 also comes in white, black, and silver.

Optics and Resolution
The PowerShot SD10 offers a 4-megapixel CCD sensor that produces images up to 2272 x 1704 pixels for photo-quality 11 x 14 inch enlargements. Other resolution modes include 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. The fixed focus lens has a focal length of 2.8mm. The SD10 enables you to get closer to your subject with its 5.7x digital zoom. The SD10 also features Canon's nine-point AiAF system for focusing accuracy and shutter speeds of 15 to 1/1,500 second.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the SD10 can also record up to 3 minutes of video with sound. It has two resolution settings: 320 x 240, and 160 x 120. You can record for up to 3 minutes per clip in either resolution. Note that you cannot use the optical zoom when in movie mode. The included 32 MB memory card can hold 85 seconds of video at the highest setting.

More Features
The SD10 features a fast start-up time of just 1.4 seconds, and a shot-to-shot speed of 1.5 seconds. The Quick Shot feature lets you activate the shutter immediately in one stroke after you press the shutter release button; the SD10 even optimizes the focus automatically.

Canon's DIGIC (DIGital Imaging Core) processor ensures excellent color rendition and white balance for every shot, as well as super-fast auto focusing, noise-free imaging, and advanced flash exposure performance. Even before the shutter release is pressed, the built-in iSAPS (intelligent scene analysis based on photographic space) technology is analysing the scene and making camera adjustments to deliver fast focusing and perfect exposures.

Other features include:

• 1.5-inch LCD monitor (no viewfinder)
• Built-in flash with Auto, Red-eye Reduction On/Off, Slow-sync modes
• Shooting modes: Auto, Manual, Slow Shutter, Quick Shot, Stitch Assist, Movie
• Photo effects: Vivid Color, Neutral Color, Low Sharpening, Sepia, Black & White
• Metering: evaluative, spot, center weighted average
• Continuous shooting of 1.6 frames per second, up to 8 frames
• Self timer with 2 and 10 second options

Storage and Transfer
The SD10 is compatible with Secure Digital (SD) MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards; a 32 MB SD card is included. When shooting in Large/Normal mode, you can store 26 images on the included memory card. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NB-3L). It measures 3.6 by 1.9 by 0.7 inches and weighs 3.5 ounces (excluding battery).

What's In The Box
This package includes the PowerShot SD10 digital camera, 32 MB Secure Digital memory card, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NB-3L), battery charger (CB-2LU), USB and AV cables, and wrist strap. It also comes with ArcSoft Camera Suite and Digital Camera Solutions CD-ROMs with imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac. ... Read more

Features

• Super-sleek Digital Elph with 4.0 megapixel sensor--up to 2272 x 1704 pixel images for 11 x 14 photo-quality prints
• 5.7x digital zoom, 5-point artificial intelligence auto focus (AiAF), DIGIC Imaging processor
• Capture up to 3 minutes of 320 x 240 video with audio; on-camera video editing capability
• Included 32 MB Secure Digital (SD) card; also compatible with MMC cards
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NB-3L ); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Reviews (36)

UTTER FABULOSITY in the form of a Camera
*OK so this bad boy is TINYYYY. You will never have to worry about carrying a bulky camera again, plus its really ultra chic and trendy looking. HUGE PLUS.

*Unlike a lot of other digital cameras that take forever to take a picture, this thing is faaaaast. The time between each snap shot is fast too. VERY impressive.

*I'm not a professional photog but if your just about quality photos without all the technical craziness then this camera is perfect for you. Right out the box its super easy to work with without having to first read the lengthy manual(s).

*The digital zoom on this thing is more than cute enough to accomodate you and I find that it doesn't distort the photos or comprimose the quality of the pic. I understand there are a lot of people that don't care for this dital zoom feature but It hasn't been a problem for me.

*Its so tiny you feel like its the most fragile thing in the world. Its roughly about the size of a credit card!

*There's no optical viewfinder on this camera (for the lay person its the little hole most people look through on any other camera before taking a picture). I thought that it would be wierd having to look through the screen before flicking it up, and surprisingly its not. In fact taking pictures is easier now,

* I havent used the camera's included software because my computer allows me to download my photos by inserting the memory disk directly into it so I can't comment on that particular aspect.

*I'm in loooove.

*The ONLY bad thing about this little camera is that its so cute people want to hold it all the time and the belt clip is secured only by a leather velcro strip so it doesnt feel as secure as I would have liked.

*This camera is soooooo worth the money. Click that "BUY NOW" option immediately and stop fooling around, you know you want it. = )

Excellent Camera, No Regrets!
This is perfect for you if you are looking for a small, portable digital Camera. You can take this thing anywhere.

Pros:
1. Size and weight - I love the fact that you can just drop it in your pocket and head on out. It's small, sleek, and light weigt.
2. Picture quality - At 4 megapixels, this is not a technological lightweight when it comes to picture clarity. The pictures I have taken so far have come out excellent.
3. Canon Quality - Canon makes great digital cameras that feel sturdy and are well - built.

Cons:
1. Digital Zoom/Lack of optical zoom - The zoom feature of this camera is not good at all. It's a trade-off for its compact size. When using the digital zoom, the pictures dont come out very sharp.
2. Red-eye - You will note a tendency for images to have a bit of red-eye in the subjects. That's not much of a problem if you have image editing software.

Suggestions:
1. Buy a bigger Memory Card - the one that the camera comes with is too small. At the very least, get a 128mb card, 256/512mb is my recommendation.
2. Buy an extra battery - this way when you are out, you can just swap batteries without having to worry about how much power you have left.
3. Buy a USB 2.0 memory card reader - If you take a good number of digital pics and your computer has a USB 2.0 port, then a reader is excellent for downloading pictures and transferring it to your computer. USB 2.0 is very quick and where a typical transfer may take approximately 5 minutes, with USB 2.0 the same transfer will take 45 seconds.
4. Get image editing software- This affords you the opportunity to brighten images, sharpen images, take the red-eye out, crop images. I use adobe photoshop, but any image editing software should do. It just gives you a greater sense of control over the output.

Conclusion:
You know that there will be a trade-off in some camera functions for its small size, and for me, I have no regrets about it. I simply can't get over how small the camera is. It excels in close to medium distance images in daylight. At 4 megapixels, the resolution of the pictures is very satisfying. This camera delivers as promised.

WOW
I just got my camra today! It's the cutest thing ever. It's smaller than the rest of the camra's on the market. The 4.0 mega pix is a plus too! WOW I love it. It's smaller than my cell phone. You should get it too!

REALLY IMPRESSED!!!
From the moment I recieved this product I knew I had made a great desision in this purchase. The packageing was impressive and it came with everything which I think is a total plus, the case, battery, battery charger and the cords. I recently purchased a more expensive digital camera and had to put more money into the rechargable batteries and charger and the AV cord and the case, and the product packageing was no where near as good as this little camera. Also this camera has an awesome orange light ( don't know the Tech. term )that totally suprises whoever your taking a picture of and can take a picture in a competely dark room, my big camera cant do that. I take it everywhere it is so small, I love it.

Canon SD10 (simply the best)
The Canon SD10 has to be one of the best cameras out there for its price. I only have a few things that I don't like about this camera. One of the things is that some of the pictures show a little bit of red eye but when you go to print it out you just click red eye and it takes it out for you so that really isn't that big of a deal. Another thing has to be the digital zoom. When you take the picture it is fine but when you are looking at it on the LCD when you want to take the picture it shows blurry. But if you want to use the zoom... just take the picture and zoom in and print it on the computer. This camera takes excellent pictures and let me tell you is it ever TINY! It is seriously the size of a credit card but you don't want to drop it because you know it will break. I think that anybody who is looking for a camera get this one because it is great! You won't be disappointed... ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

A friend's frantic note sends teenage super-sleuth Nancy Drew on the trail of a mysterious pack of dogs, whose glowing eyes and mournful howls threaten to chase her and her friend away forever. Locals say the ghostly pack are risen from the grave to protect the secrets of their master, Mike Malone, who lies buried next to his beloved dogs. Long dead, Malone, a notorious gangster, once lived in the lakeside cabin recently purchased by Nancy's friend. Now it's up to players, as Nancy Drew, to dig up clues and find a flesh-and-blood answer to the haunting howls in the night.

To solve the case, Nancy ventures into the deep, dark woods that surround Moon Lake. Like a search dog hot on a scent, she hunts down clues. Along the way Nancy meets a variety of characters--all with something to hide--and searches through creepy old houses. Dodge danger, flush out secrets, and solve cryptic puzzles. Interview a cast of suspicious characters and adventure through more than 30 activities to sniff out the truth behind the Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake. ... Read more

Reviews (436)

Not the best Nancy Drew game there is
I have been playing Nancy Drew games for over two years and I've now played all seven. "Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake" was not my favorite. In fact, I feel that it could have been better in so many ways. Don't get me wrong. The Nancy Drew games series is great. In each game, you, as Nancy Drew, gather clues, interview people, solve puzzles, explore secret passages, and find the culprits. The games are engaging, fun, and even educational. And they're fun for both kids and adults alike. The first game in the series, "Secrets Can Kill," was well-intentioned but the character graphics (and the fact that you had to switch back and forth between two CDs) left much to be desired. However, after "Secrets," the games began to significantly improve. You would think, then, that by the seventh game, the games would be stellar. Not true. I think they peaked at game three ("Message in a Haunted Mansion") and four ("Treasure in a Royal Tower"). It's almost as if, by game seven, the designers/creators have run out of ideas. I don't mean for the plots -- I mean for puzzles, for character's wisecracks, that sort of thing. Things that move the game along and make it fun. Most every puzzle in "Ghost Dogs" was eerily similar to a puzzle we've seen in a previous Nancy Drew game, the only exception being the one you have to play when Nancy is in peril toward the middle of the game (this is not a spoiler; in just about every Nancy Drew game, Nancy is in peril about halfway through the game.) That puzzle was fun. But the others could have been better. Also, in each Nancy Drew game there is some sort of educational element. You learn things as you go along, from books, computers, newspaper articles, or signs. But in this game, there was a HUGE amount of information on parks on one single computer. Most of this information wasn't even important to the game. Why is it there? Who's going to sit there and read it? With all due respect, I was just slightly bored with "Ghost Dogs." My last complaint (and I really don't mean to sound like a picky grouch; I love Nancy Drew, really, I do) is Nancy's personal data assistant that she carries with her now. She puts all her clues in there. She even carries maps around with her now! One of the most fun things about the Nancy Drew games, for me, has been that you have to write down clues (on paper, in real life), trace maps, etc. If I happen to not notice a clue in "Ghost Dogs," well hey, Nancy (but I thought *I* was Nancy?) has already jotted it down for me. And this was on the senior level! I guess I could just NOT look at the PDA, but come on, it's too tempting. Where's the challenge? I really hope the next game will be better; from the promo, it looks very intriguing. And I *do* have faith in the designers to make this next one a winner. In conclusion, me just say this: if you've never played a Nancy Drew game before, you'd be safe to start with this one, since all the puzzle concepts would be new to you. But it's not the best. Still, if you're a Nancy Drew fan, it's still pretty amusing and so I give it 4 stars.

Great for all ages
I confess. I'm 20 years old, and still a Nancy Drew Fan. On the hunt for a new Riven-esque game, with a 'solve a mystery while exploring various locales' type theme, I stumbled across the Nancy Drew games from Her Interactive. I decided to try Secrets Can Kill, the first game, and see what they were like. I was instantly hooked. Although designed for younger people, I still found this game challenging and enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the different puzzles that turn up throughout the game, from the standard 'read the words backwards' ones, to the more confusing puzzles requiring you to find different bits of info in several places, and then combine them for a solution. My only gripes with this game are that the cursor is not quite versatile enough - it changes to an upside down arrow when you are both turning around or exiting a building, which was confusing the first few times it happened. I also didn't like that some of the hallways in the High School were nearly indestinguishable. I spent a lot of time going back and forth trying to find my way to the library or some other location. Last, the conversations with the students didn't always run the way I would have liked - if you choose to ask the wrong question first, you lost the opportunity to ask a more vital one later in the same conversation. This can be annoying, and time consuming, as you have to go back and forth to the same person trying to use up all your conversation options. Overall, though, I would highly reccomend this game to any fan of a challenging, fun, exciting computer game. This game is great for kids and adults alike, and may even provide some good family time in front of the computer (something very rare these days), as the whole family can certainly sit down and work out the puzzles together or just have fun while exploring the different places within the game while searching for clues.

Very interesting --- Another good mystery
I thought it was very good, only it was a little too complicated. I liked the usually good graphics (for Nancy Drew games) but I didn't particularly like the way you couldn't easily get around. Really well done ghost dogs, very scary. The mystery was a creepy one, and the villain was certainly unexpected. That's all I'll say. Anymore would spoil it.

My favorite ND game so far!
Treasure in the Royal Tower is one of the best computer games I ever played. This is a great starter Nancy Drew game for starting off because it's not too hard nor too easy. If you want a really easy game try the Haunted Carousel.
The story goes that you, as Nancy Drew, are snowed in at a ski resort in Wisconsin with an interesting history. In this game you learn about the French Revolution and Marie Antoinette.
"So, what's the mystery?" you ask. I'm getting to that.
There is a tower shipped over from France and was put back together on Wickford Castle, the ski resort you are staying at. The library at Wickford has been vandalized, and it takes a lot more than barging through the front door to investigate. Later, you hear about Marie Antoinette having a crown worth millions and somehow you figure that the library and treasure are connected. Your job is to find out the story behind the treasure and library.
This game took me about four days to beat. It's quite challenging in parts, like the ski lift, but you can get through it. It's also a little frightening, like the banging noises, but not too frightening that you never want to play it again, like the Final Scene. All in all, Treasure in the Royal Tower is a great game and everyone should buy it.

Not the Best
I've played all of the Nancy Drew Games (except the Final Scene) and this one was pretty good. It was well-written, but I didn't think it was as interesting as some of the other games. I would reccomend the Haunted Carousel or Treasure in the Royal Tower instead. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

It's the coolest party toy since the Polaroid: the new Canon CP-200 Photo Printer. Connect it directly to your Powershot-series Canon or other PictBridge-supporting digital camera, and you'll be printing snapshots and stickers faster than you can say "cheese." PictBridge is an industry standard that lets you print images by directly connecting your compatible digital camera to your printer, regardless of the brand or model, without using a computer. The included USB cable adapter also lets you connect the CP-200 to your camera or your computer for access to images stored there.

This printer can connect directly to select digital cameras.Learn moreabout PictBridge.

Each wee image features 256-level color and 300 dpi resolution; the dye-sublimation process provides results similar to traditional photos, with rich detail and accurate skin tones. Supported papers include a variety of sizes, as well as bordered and borderless options. Whatever you choose, your images print in seconds--about 85 seconds for a postcard size, 40 for tiny labels or credit card size, when printing directly from Canon PowerShot cameras.

For added portability, the CP-200 supports an optional car battery adapter (model CBA-CP100). Canon provides a one-year warranty covering parts and service.

What's in the Box:
Card Photo Printer CP-200 body, paper cassette (4-by-6-inch size), ink cassette, compact power adapter, CD-ROM driver, trial standard paper (4-by-6-inch size) ... Read more

Features

• 300 x 300 dpi resolution, dye-sublimation technology for rich color
• Prints 4-by-6-inch snapshots in as little as 85 seconds
• Supports PictBridge for direct digital-camera printing, no PC required
• Portable pocket-sized convenience, weighs less than 29 ounces
• USB interface, PC and Mac compatible; 1-year warranty

Reviews (14)

Great Photo Printer
We bought this unsure of what results we would get....We first purchased a Canon A70 digital camera and then this little photo printer. We are very impressed. The prints are as a good as any print shop photos. Its portable and its fun to print out pics for your family and friends on the spot.

The main reason we stayed away from inkjet for family pics is lifespan (25yrs). These pics are coated with a protective layer good against UV and moisture.

I was so excited, and then ran into so many problems....
I got the Canon powershot A60 for christmas, so i got this afterwards to go along with it. There are alot of hidden things not mentioned that made me waste almost 40 dollars. The camera to the printer...is a great print. But when i purchased the printer, i purchased canon 4 by 6 paper, that is not "postcard paper" and it does not work. It says the printer is out of paper. there's 12.99 wasted. then i bought "card size" paper and ink....and found out you need a "card size paper cassette" to print with that paper, which is not included, and i cannot find it for purchase. there's another 19.99 blown.

I loaded the software on my laptop, an HP pavillion. Since i purchased, on 12/30, i have not been able to print via my computer. Once i finally got my computer to recognize the printer was hooked up, it still wouldnt print. It says to check the power. I've done all the troubleshooting and used all the "help" options. I've had my father fiddle with it, to no avail. i can still not print from my computer.

All in all, even though i get pretty good prints(which sometimes have ink splotches) ...this is more hassle then 179.00 is worth. I think it was too expensive and they didnt put enough thought into what was included(i had to drop another 20 bucks for a USB hook up, to attach the printer to the computer), and were not specific about the paper and ink. if i could i'd return it and get something a little more user friendly...

convenience vs. price
so what if you pay a little more for the prints?!!i usually have get togethers on the weekendsand for the convenience of sending a photo home with my guests, it sure is worth it!!my guests don't have to wait UNTIL to receive a copy of the photos taken!!for just regular prints, i take in for developing, cd, or connect my canon powershot to the computer and print there.the manual says that an ink cartridge must be replaced with each new pack of paper. so, i plan ahead.people, quit complaining about a simple inconvenience!!we live in america, do you really have anything legitimate to complain about??but i digress. this little printer is sure handy dandy!!i received both for my bday!! ( we upgraded technologically this year )VERY COOL!! LOVE IT!!have had no trouble whatsoever!!ENJOY!!!!

Love this little toy!!!
We bought this to go with us on vacation. thought it would be more fun for the kids to send postcards home that actually had them in the picture. We love this. We did have to search a bit to find the creditcard size paper tray (this add on was about 13 bucks). the pic quality is SOOO much nicer than than an inkjet. It is fun to watch it layer the colors and end up with a picture. I thought we would like it but was surprised at how very much fun it is (really fun with a bunch of drunk girlfriends!!!). Yes, there are cheaper ways to get pictures, but we really like how immediate it is. We use it with a canon A75.

Canon Card Photo Printer CP-200
The printer itself is wonderful, you could almost fit it in your pocket. The problem is, you have to plug it into the wall, and you have to plug it into your camera. It cost a lot less than the battery powered canon photo printer. So for me, it is worth having to plug it in. Next, it really does print in 90 seconds, once it starts to print, but figure up to another 90 seconds to get the data from your camera into the printer. Next, you can give the photo a bath in water and it will come out just fine. But don't be tricked into thinking that a $129 printer is going to do as good as the $129,000 developing machines. Sometimes, the photos will surprise you at how good they are though.

Having said all of that, once you get it plugged in, and the photo into the printer, the party does begin. The photo goes back and forth three time, first yellow, then red, and then blue. That makes you wonder, how did they do that. How do they know just the right amount of color to use.

Then if you can get over the fact you paid about fifty cents for a print, it is sort of a nice print. On borderless prints it does flatten the photo a bit. Canon says it stretches the photo out to the border. The solution for this is to print with a border. The photo will not go to the edge of the paper, but you will not have a photo that is stretched or flattened to fit the 4 by 6 size. SLR camera of course are already 4 by 6, my point and shoot is 4.5 by 6. I would rather they cut or crop the .5 off, rather than to "stretch" or flatten the photo.

This printer it is pretty solid, it looks like it will hold up pretty good. As if Cannon is hoping to be able to sell you lots of paper and ribbons. I am sure that you will pay Cannon $500 to $1000 for supplies before this printer would ever start to get old or wear out.

They are durable photos, I am sure 100 people could handle them and they would not show to much wear and tear. This is a party trick, there is no doubt about it. If your looking for a WOW effect for your next get together, go for it. If you want to keep feeding your money into this little gem, I am sure it will keep giving you photos to pass around to your friends.

I would like to see the price of the photos come down closer to the 29 cents it cost to get digital photo's developed at the online servies where we can set up our photo albums. Or at our local Target or Walmart store. I just wonder if the WOW effect is worth paying the extra price. But I hear there are people who sell these photos out in the clubs for $10, so I suppose you could turn it into a profitable business.

The technical support at Canon is very good, if you need any help getting your cp-200 set up with your computer or camera. Their software is reasonable to work with, I have seen a lot worse photo software out there. It works with your computer just fine, if you want to hook it up to the computer. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With the Canon PowerShot S230, you've got the best of both worlds--the compact size and high style of the digital Elph series plus the higher resolution of a 3-megapixel camera. Updating the popular 2-megapixel PowerShot S200, the PowerShot S230 also features a 2x optical zoom, an improved 3.2x digital zoom, movie mode for videos up to 3 minutes, and more--all in a stylish, compact package.

Optics and Resolution

S230's nine-point autofocus lets you sharpen the image on your subject, no matter where it is in the frame.

Featuring a 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor, the PowerShot S230 delivers a wide range of detail and color (with images up to 2048 x 1536 pixels) and prints up to 11 by 14 inches. Canon's high-quality 2x optical zoom lens allows you to close in on the action, while the 3.2x digital zoom allows for a combined 6.4x zoom, letting you capture intimate details that might have been missed with another camera. The PowerShot S230 is also one of the few digital cameras to feature wide-area nine-point autofocus for taking crisp, sharp images no matter where the subject appears in the image frame.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on CompactFlash memory cards, and a 16 MB card is included. When shooting images at the medium or fine setting, the 16 MB card will store approximately 26 images. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB storage-class connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the S230 can also record movie clips of up to 3 minutes. You can choose from three different video formats: 160 x 120, 320 x 240, or 640 x 480 pixels. Both picture and sound quality have been improved, and an editing feature allows you to delete unwanted scenes during playback. The S230's photo-effect mode lets you do more with your still images. Choose from low sharpening, vivid color, sepia, neutral, and black and white.

More Features
Though it's primarily designed as a point-and-shoot, the S230 includes several advanced features for photographers who want more creative control, including exposure compensation, low-light manual shutter speeds, manual ISO and white balance, and stitch assist, plus black-and-white, sepia, vivid, and neutral modes.

The PowerShot S230 uses highly advanced technology to make your digital photography experience simple. DIGIC enhances image definition and processing speed, while the sophisticated iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology assures faster and more accurate autofocus, autoexposure, and automatic white balance. The intelligent-orientation sensor ensures your pictures are always right side up, on the LCD or even while downloading.

Horizontal	Vertical
S230's Intelligent Orientation Sensor knows which of your images were shot horizontally and which were shot vertically.

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by a proprietary Canon rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included). It measures 3.4 by 2.2 by 1.1 inches and weighs 6.4 ounces. This package includes the PowerShot S230 digital camera, 16 MB CompactFlash card, lithium-ion battery (model NB-1LH) and battery charger (model CB-2LS), USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac. ... Read more

Features

• 3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• Autofocus lens with 2x optical/3.2x digital (6.4x total) zoom
• Included 16 MB CompactFlash card holds 26 images at default settings
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Uses proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included)

Reviews (139)

Canon PowerShot S230: Pocket Hercules
WHY I PURCHASED THE POWERSHOT 230:
I was never really a fan of Canon cameras, especially Canon digital cameras. It wasn't until recently that a few of my friends were sending me pictures via email that were taken with a Canon Powershot camera. I was pretty impressed with the results and decided to check out the newest Powershot; the S230. This camera packed a lot of features, but kept the bulk to a minimum. Producing images at 3.2 megapixels, the S230 was definitely appealing.

WHAT IT COMES WITH:
- Canon PowerShot S230 Digital ELPH camera
- NB-1LH Lithium-ion battery
- 16 MB CompactFlash (CF) Card
- USB cable
- A/V cable
- Wrist Strap
- CD with Canon software suite
- Users Manual

POCKETABILITY:
The first thing you notice about this camera is that it's small. Probably the smallest digital camera I've seen in the 3 megapixel category. You can truly put this in your pocket and not have everyone stare at the bulge...

DURABILITY:
I've already dropped this camera once on my hardwood floor. Amazingly, it still works like a charm. The S230 is encased in stainless steel with a few chrome accents and a couple of plastic parts (mainly the switches & dials). I expect this camera to last several years without any problems, if not longer. A buddy of mine has owned his Powershot S100 for over two years and he still loves his to death.

EASE OF USE:
The S230 was as easy to use (if not easier) as my previous Sony digital cameras. Before selling my Sony DSC-S75, I had the chance to compare the two, side-by-side. The size alone, gave the S230 an overwhelming advantage. The picture quality is very impressive with the S230. The indoor photos that I took without the flash turned out great. The auto-exposure, as well as the auto-ISO settings works fine, but if you want to manually set those on your own, it's easy to do. There are other cool features on the S230 such as picture effects (black and white, sepia, soft, sharp, etc.). The 1.5" LCD is very useful and is very clear, even in bright sunlight.

ADVANCED FOCUSING:
AiAF (Artificial Intelligence Auto-Focus) is a new feature found on the S230 that was not present in the earlier models of the Powershots. This function allows the S230 to select from one of the nine focus areas within the frame to capture the sharpest shot. It's pretty amazing how this works. This feature can also easily be turned off in the settings. This feature is found on the new Canon G3, as well, and is the flagship of the point-and-shoot digital camera line for Canon.

PICTURE QUALITY:
As I mentioned, I was quite impressed with the photo quality. I managed to print some of them on photo paper using my HP 960c deskjet printer. Printing them in 5X7 produced brilliant, almost photolab quality pictures. I might add that my Sony DSC-S75 also produces some of the best photos, as well, but I expect that from a camera that boasts a Carl Zeiss Sonar lens, 3.3 megapixel resolution quality.... If you own a Canon printer, you should be able to directly print off of your S230 using the supplied cable. I just ordered the Canon i850 printer, so I'm anxiously waiting to try it out.

VIDEO MODE:
The ability to capture 30 seconds of 640X480 AVI video (20 frames per second) with sound is awesome! My father was surprised at how clearly it captures motion video. Although you're able to capture the video with sound, you won't be able to play it back with sound on the camera itself, as it is not equipped with a speaker. The S230 is capable of capturing more than 30 seconds if you use smaller resolution. After visiting the Canon Powershot website, I learned that if you use a high-speed CompactFlash (CF) card, you should be able to capture more than 30 seconds of 640X480 video. Canon expects to market the high speed CF card soon.

BATTERY STRENGTH:
This is where I'd say that my Sony DSC-S75 shines. All of Sony's digital cameras display the remaining life of the battery in minutes. The S230 goes strong until there's about 5% or less power left. I've read a few articles and reviews stating that the battery life is the weakness of this camera, but it's not all that bad. It all depends on how much you use the LCD display, the flash, and how often you turn on/off the device. I quickly ordered an extra battery from buy.com and I'm perfectly happy now.

The S230 comes with a separate battery charger. This is very convenient, as you don't have to charge the battery using the camera, like most of the Sony cameras do (Sony sells the battery charger as a separate accessory). From a fully discharged battery, the charger is able to completely charge it in about two hours. There is an LED which displays in 'red' when it's charging and 'green' when it's complete.

OVERALL WEAKNESSES:
Some people will say that the small size can be a weakness, but I'd say that the size is definitely its strength. The optical zoom capability is only 2X, so you won't be able to zoom up very closely from afar. It does offer a digital zoom, but this may result in grainy photos. The macro mode of the S230 isn't as crisp as my Sony DSC-S75, but I can live with it. Also, the flash on the S230 isn't as effective as it should be. The flash tends to white out (too bright) close-range subjects, but is very weak for any subjects more than 6 feet away. I'll have to play around some more with the settings, I guess. Finally, the tripod mount is not positioned in the center of the camera. It's actually placed on the side, causing it to be off-center and hard to balance.

SUMMARY:
I mainly purchased this camera for its size, but it's turned out to be a much better camera than I anticipated. In terms of photo quality, it may not beat the higher-end digital cameras, but it will sure give them a run for the money. We have to hand it Canon for developing a truly pocket-sized 3.2 megapixel digital camera.

Excellent buy
I started out with a s200 6 months back, only after doing extensive research on available small digital cameras. Small size was most important to me as I had been using a SLR full size before this, and found that for the money i had spent on that camera, it was not being used to its fullest potential- simply because it is not the type of camera for the amateur photographer- too large and not practical.

The elph range seemed the most appealing, especially when considering the features. My only gripe at the time was that it was without a higher MP range.
As soon as i found out the s230 had come out, it was certain that this was the upgrade i wanted. The Elph is a fantastic package, with its small size and solid build being its greatest advantages (among so many others). As most other reviewers have stated, it has a rather weak flash, and its low-light pictures aren't as good (as with the s200)- but its when those quick "point-and-shoot" moments come along that this camera shines its brightest. There's no fidgeting, and no long start up. Just turn it on and take the picture.
Now, if only Canon can squeeze a higher optical zoom into this little wizard.....!

Strongly recommend this camera for the amateur/start up digital photographer. Many moments of photographic fun guaranteed!

Greatest little camera!!!
What a work horse, plus the great size, just fits in my shirt pocket. Battery life is outstanding, but get a backup, plus this one uses compact flash so I was able to get the Sandisk II 512meg CF card also at Amazon for about $100. It's so good I bought a camera for everyone in my family.

Great Camera
I got this camera after looking around and comparing it with others. I'm glad I decided to go with the S230 for many reasons.

Pro's
Small and can fit in your pocket, great quality pictures, excellent movie mode with sound, comes with battery and charger, not complicated to use, all around excellent camera, and again the 3.2MP makes the pictures very pleasing to the eye.

Con's
Zoom isnt the best buts its alright, it takes good pictures when its dark out but you have to edit with a program such as photoshop to make it brighter. These cons should no way bother you much and should not deter you to buy this camera.

I suggest you buy a viking 256MB memory chip because the one that comes with it will leave you able to only take a few pics. With the 256MB chip you take long videos and take well over 1200 pictures. All in all excellent camera and as usual amazons shipped it fast and got the camera in a few days after making the order. I look forward to buy from amazon and cannon again.

compact, strong, and powerful all in one
I purchased this powershot s230 from Amazon in Dec 03. Before the ordering I did certain amount of research and had experience with a powershot s200. After 2 months of using, I feel that my decision was definitely right. Because:
1. The 3.2 MP is sufficient for most of daily photo need, either regular 4 by 6 in, or enlargment to 8 by 11 in. I persoanly don't see any necessaty of having a too high MP camera.
2. Extremely compact and strong. This camera has a size smaller than a cigarette pack; and realy stainless steel case. It can be easily put in your pocket and bring anythere, and don't worry about the possible scratches and pressure.
3. Long standing rechargable battery which can at least take 100 flash shots. this is a great advantage over those using AA batteries.
4. Movie with sound, resolution up to 640X480! you check this, Even the s400, s40, s50 don't have such a high movie quality. Plus instant play back on TV, compete with a camcorder.
5. It is peace in mind shopping at Amazon. I enjoyed timely, free shipping, confirmations of every step from order to shipping.
6. the only short coming of the s230 is the software.It seems too complicated. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Canon's update to the PowerShot S100, the PowerShot S110, packs a high-quality digital camera into the tiny, elegant body of Canon's Digital Elph series. The idea behind the Elph line is simple: create a camera small enough to slip into a shirt pocket, so you can take it anywhere. To improve upon the impressive specs of the original, Canon upgraded the image processor, making it both faster and more effective in maximizing color fidelity and saturation. Additionally, the S110 has the ability to record QuickTime movies. A new, tiny microphone is embedded in the front of the camera.

The basics include 2-megapixel resolution (1,600 x 1,200 image resolution) for high-quality photos and prints up to 8 by 10 inches; an all-glass aspherical 2x zoom lens (and a 2.5x digital zoom as well). A 1.5-inch LCD monitor displays most camera settings with easy-to-understand icons and minimal text. The built-in flash uses a light guide and does not need a Fresnel lens or a large reflector, making the camera even more compact.

The PowerShot S110 stores images on an included 8 MB CompactFlash card. Adobe PhotoDeluxe and PhotoStitch control image management, editing, compositing, and printing, while ZoomBrowser EX or ImageBrowser produce self-running screen slide shows, automatic e-mail preparation, and auto layout. The camera uses a high-speed plug-and-play USB interface, plus it has NTSC-out so you can view your photos on your TV. It's fully compatible with both Mac and PC platforms. ... Read more

Features

• 2.1 megapixel sensor captures 1600 x 1200 stills for prints up to 8 x 10
• 2x optical plus 2.5x digital zoom lens with autofocus
• Included 8 MB CompactFlash card holds 12 images at default resolution
• Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
• Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery included

Reviews (155)

What a FANTASTIC little camera!
I was a bit skeptical at first - I don't know why, maybe because of it's unbelievably tiny size, but I've always relied on Canon for quality cameras. This one hasn't disappointed me one bit!

I can see where it might be a problem for some men, since the tiny size could be completely lost in a large hand. If you need a comparison, this camera is the *exact* size and shape as a pack of cigarettes.

After years of lugging a big camera bag on vacation & to family events, carrying this camera is a huge relief! I added a 64MB compact flash card, and set at the highest resolution (1600x1200), I can take ~65 photos on one card. And the quality is wonderful - I can print an 8x10 (using an Epson Stylus Photo 820) that the average eye would never know was digital.

This camera is also very "user friendly". I'm the type of person who will only resort to reading the manual when all else fails. I've not needed the manual AT ALL with this camera, other than to confirm what I was able to figure out on my own and to make sure I wasn't missing anything (I wasn't).

Some recommended accessories:

1) A spare battery. Using the digital display alot will burn through a battery rather quickly.

2) If you'll be using the higher resolution and/or video capture, get a high-capacity compact flash (64MB recommended).

3) Canon Soft Compact Case PSC 100. It holds the camera, a spare compact flash card and spare battery and still fits right in my purse.

Bottom line: Money well spent for an excellent quality point & shoot digital.

Powerful, stylish and easy to use - what else can I say?
I will just give a brief technical review based on my experience for non-techy person. Here's the Pro:
- Battery last for 90 mins (about 100 pics with LCD + short review) after 130 charge (from fully discharge).
- LCD refresh rate is excellent
- Flash good until 3m (about 9.8 ft), good for outdoor (very good for camera this size)
- Small size yet has 2x optical zoom & movie capture capability (very good quality) - its so convenient comparing to my other experience using 5 other digicam (I'm a photographer)
- Lots of features (very usefull), too long to be listed here

Contra:
- Charging battery is longer than it's good for
- Flash not promising on indoor environment

Conclusion:
- Best point-and-shoot digicam ever for novice/teenager
- Get 2nd battery ... - its worth [it]
- Use at least 128MB CF to get the most

Lights. Camera. Action!
I've had this camera for almost two years and I love it.

It's the perfect first camera for users who are comfortable with technology. There are simpler (and cheaper) cameras for people who are less compfortable with technology.

This one packs the right amount of sophistication in features, and simplicity in usage - and all that in one small little bundle!

It's strong points:
* small.
* light.
* solid (dropped mine a couple of times and its still going strong).
* good zoom.
* good battery life.
* auto-flash - which is so helpful for amateurs like myself who are never sure about how much light is enough.
* some more advanced ones (manual flash, timer, etc.) if you want to experiment and improve your skills.
* comes with software to download and retouch your photos, rendering the process relatively easy.

All in all, this camera and Canon's Powershot line are an excellent choice for most people.

s110 digital camera review
This little camera packs a big punch. The picture quality seems better than 2.1MP. There is only one thing i can complain about, and that is the battery which barely lasts at all.

best for the price
this camera is great for the price. for someone who loves taking leisure pictues, this camera is great. it's small and durable enough to put in your pocket of purse, made with a metal strong casing. this camera is light-weight and easy to use. some other cameras are hard to figure out and not user friendly, this camera is easy to use, you can figure out how to use it in just a few minutes of playing around with it. This camera does a lot, what's the point in spending more on another camera, 2.0megapixels lets you take clear photos up to 5x7 or 8x10, what more do you really honestly need? you'd be wasting your money if you would be buying a digital camera with features you don't even use. This is the more practical camera. It has a great zoom, easy to use and carry around design, great flash. takes wonderful pictures. ... Read more