
List Price:
$599.99
Details
- Uses proprietary NB-2L lithium-ion rechargeable freestyle (included)
- Connects with Macs and PCs via USB seaport
- 3-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to frame prints up to 11 x 14
Description
Canon's 3-megapixel S30 hits the publicity sweet spot between features and ease of use, making it paradigm for a wide range of photographers. It offers point-and-shoot artlessness while still providing advanced settings for more knowing photographers. Features like video capture, stitched panoramas, and unceasing shooting offer a huge bonus in terms of fun and versatility for photographers at all levels of acquaintance.
Getting started with the S30 couldn't have been simpler. We rightful slid open the lens cover and started shooting. Site the camera to automatic mode, we were able to take strong photos with accurate colors and outstanding detail. The 3x visual zoom--10x if you factor in the digital enhancement--made all the dissimilarity in our outdoor photos, letting us frame our shots perfectly.
A ingenious look at the options dial of the S30 shows that its capabilities stretch well beyond quick snapshots. Even novices can captivate advantage of the camera's video mode, which can capture shorten videos. Though nowhere near camcorder quality, these videos are accomplished for putting on a Web page or sending via e-mail, and the built-in microphone records question for videos or notations on individual photos.
A bit more complicated is the photo-stitch craze, which lets you take panorama photos by lining up multiple pictures to offset vast areas and then stitching them together into a all-inclusive panorama on your PC. The handy continuous-photo mode enables you to stem up to three images per second, ideal for capturing sporting events or wildlife.
The camera comes with only a 16 MB CompactFlash card, and you'll definitely want to purchase an new memory card as a 16 MB card only holds generally 16 3-megapixel images. Beyond that quibble, there's not much defect to be found with the Canon S30. It combines the ease-of-use novices desire with the advanced features serious photographers expect.
Pros:
- 3-megapixel sharpness
- 3x optical and 3.2x digital zoom
- Captures short videos with unbroken
- Excellent picture quality both indoors and out
Cons: - Exclusively comes with 16 MB of CompactFlash memory
Canon's S30 and S40 cameras stop up a gap in the company's digital lineup. Nestled between the ultra-wee Elph models and the feature-packed PowerShot G and Pro models, the S30 and S40 combine most of the portability of the preceding with nearly every advanced feature of the latter.
With the challenge of their CCD sensors (the S30 is a 3-megapixel model, while the S40 is 4-megapixel), the cameras are really identical. Each features a brushed aluminum body with a sliding clamshell lens extend over, a 3x optical zoom Canon lens, and a 1.8-inch LCD on the back of the camera for previewing and reviewing shots.
For beginners, the cameras are full stop-and-shoot simple. Just twist the dial to Auto and start snapping pictures. For more capable photographers, both models include aperture priority, shutter precedence, and full manual modes, plus manual focus, disclosing compensation, slow-sync flash, spot metering, and pliable ISO (from 50 to 400 on the S40, and 50 to 800 on the S30).
Flick picture show mode lets you capture video clips with resound. At 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels, the movies aren't camcorder property, but they're fun and convenient, and they're perfect as e-mail attachments. The cameras in the same way include an unusual voice-memo feature, which lets you accomplishment up to 60 seconds of audio with each image.
To contribute maximum battery life in the smallest possible space, the cameras use a proprietary lithium-ion battery-operated (both the battery and a charger are included). The battery charges swiftly and holds a reasonably long charge, but if you're planning to use the camera for widely spread outings, a spare NB-2L battery is a good idea. A larger-intellect memory card is also advisable if you want to shoot more than a dozen photos at a moment or if you decide to really take advantage of the Movie mode. The cameras use Kind I or Type II CompactFlash cards, including the Microdrive. To print your photos at shelter, the S30 and S40 connect directly to Canon's CP-10 and S820D printers for easy printing--you don't to need a computer.
If you're looking for a camera with the sleek, dense style of a point-and-shoot with the extensive manual rudder of an advanced amateur camera, the S30 and S40 are both great choices.