Rating: 
Summary: I love this camera!
Review: This is my second digital camera. The first was a Sony Mavica, which my husband bought me one Christmas. I learned from that camera what was important to me: high resolution, long battery life, an optical viewfinder, and a small size. This has all of those things and more. The Mavica writes to a floppy, and the mechanical process severely limits the speed at which you can take pictures and drains the battery rapidly. There is no way you can get thru a day of being a tourist with it. We had to buy an inverter for the car to compensate for the battery drain. The Sony also had no optical viewfinder. That mean you had to use the LCD, which was terrible in bright sun and also was another battery drainer. The floppy disk drive also meant that the camera was bulky.This camera is the perfect size, easy to carry, but not so small your fingers feel fat all the time. The size of the battery pack is great and I bought a second to put in my pocket which means I have no worries for a full day of shooting. I used this recently at a ski race and the "motor drive" was terrific! It really tracked the athletes well in its focussing ability and produced INCREDIBLE pictures. I used the "fine" setting and the largest picture size and the motor drive was pretty much able to keep up with what I needed in spite of the large file sizes it was writing (around 800k apiece). There are tons of different settings on this camera -- you might want to take a class in photography to get your use out of them! I took classes and was a serious photographer years ago and needed to draw on that knowledge to understand all the settings. You really need to read the manual -- I am normally not one to do that, but had to on this thing. I also bought a 256Meg CF card and an adapter so I could just shove the thing into my laptop and deal with the files directly without the Canon software utilities. This makes it as easy as the floppy disk feature on the Sony. One beef is that the motor drive setting must be re-set every time you close and re-open the lens cover or it will revert to a single shot mode. This was a pain on a snowy day as I was closing the cover frequently and each time had to select the motor drive feature again. Also, if the digital zoom is not turned off and you are using the optical viewfinder, you will not be aware that you have zoomed in closer than you can tell. I got a view skier-derriere shots by accident this way.
Rating:
Summary: A loveable camera
Review: Great ergonomics, wonderful image quality and lots of control - a loveable camera!
After lusting after a digital Ixus at a party I upgraded from the Fuji Finepix 2800 I bought recently to the Canon Powershot S30, which at the moment is well-priced compared with the S40 (the 4 mpixel model) and the other 4 MP models. Reviews suggest image quality of the S40 is a fair bit better than the comparable compacts around like the Olympus C-40Z and the Pentax Optio 430 models.
I am delighted with the camera. The images are clear and sharp and colours are deep and beautifully natural. The number of modes give you almost full control over things like aperture priority, time priority, and ISO from 50 to 800, which gives you fantastic flexibility, as well as Canon's photostitch mode which lets you make panoramas easily with the supplied software. All this is readily accessible with all buttons easy to use (except the rocker selector which can be fiddly). It is comfortable and can fit into a coat pocket reasonably comfortably, unlike the bulky and unergonomic Fuji, while being strong (metal body). Despite a couple of weak points this is a great camera that I've basically fallen in love with already.
A couple of minor drawbacks as follows: 1. noise in very long exposure shots (night photos) 2. my camera has a dead pixel in the LCD screen 3. the visual viewfinder only gives you 85% of the shot 4. the viewfinder is not electronic 5. rocker menu selector fiddly to use.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic buy
Review: After spending a couple weeks researching & reviewing digital cameras, I was interested in the Canon G2 but didn't care for the price on something that becomes obsolete faster than computers! Liked the digital Elph but not enough features. The S30 looked like the right one for my first digital camera. I'm totally impressed with all the functions which many cameras don't have. The LED screen is bright and clear and takes great pictures in low light conditions, indoor or outdoor. Canon's printed manual is very easy to read. Ended up buying an extra battery & 256mb card. No problems with running low on either yet and if you want to save the battery, you can turn off the LED & sound functions. You can manually operate the flash too. Forget about buying Canon's camera bag. I ended up getting a different bag that was advertized and Canon's manual even states that bags do vary depending on location. When you slide the camera into the bag, it's so tight that it opens up the front lens cover. Threw it into the trash and ordered a Case Logic. Canon's software package is very useful but I find using Microsoft's PhotoDraw 2000 much easier to use for web editing. I highly recommend this camera and I'm pleased with every detail. Buy it and you won't regret it. I know if I would have chosen one of the other brands, I'd still be thinking if I made the right decision over the S30!
Rating:
Summary: I love this camera!
Review: This is my second camera so far. I recently bought an Olympus C3020 and realized after a few days that I really felt ripped off for the money I spent. I returned it and got the Canon S30 after doing some more thorough research on reviews of cameras. So far I like everything about this camera. The metal case, shape and weight feel good in your hands. Not having to deal with a lense cap is another big plus. the videos are short and lo-res, but for me it's an opportunity to at least get SOME stuff of my kids on video before they grow up. Certainly getting a digital camcorder is on my wishlist, but personally until I can get an hour of good quality video at a reasonable price, I'm not ready to spend the money. The battery is GREAT and the fact that it came with both the rechargable battery and the charger was a big plus. When I was looking at cameras, I really liked the Nikon 885, but when I discovered they sold the camera with a disposable lithium battery(excuse me, disposable??) and no charger, I just could not accept that. I'm sorry, if I'm spending 500-600 dollars, don't poor-boy me. I've found that a lot of the cameras in the field out there all have one or more "gotchas" like the Nikon did that unless you really look over the specs, it's easy to miss. The canon does not have any "gotchas" that I have found. Aside from a larger storage card, you really don't need to buy anything else to enjoy this camera. The battery so far seems to have a very long lifespan. I've been using mine throughout the day and charge it overnight. I've not run out of juice yet, and I always have the screen on when I use it. There is only one minor things I found about this camera, I wish were included and that is a battery meter so I would know when the battery is getting low. Overall, my advice is if you looking for a 3.x MP camera you really need to look at either this camera or a sony (which I considered, but did not like the higher cost of media and card readers since I don't own a sony laptop :(
Rating:
Summary: POWERHOUSE!
Review: What more can I say? I got the S30 after doing much research. Canon has done it again. I loked at the S300, but the S30 was more muscle. It rivals my best $2500 SLR camera. I am an old shutterbug from the old school so I was sceptical of a high end digital camera that can carry it's own weight. If you shoot alot, have plenty of hard drive space on your PC.
The camera takes fantastic shots.I had a 20 x 30 photo printed with near perfection. The Auto mode is true point and click, so those who are afraid of a high learning curve, forget it. There are so many features in this camera. I love the Sepia and B&W setting. It has settings galore. Cloudy weather, Sunlight, Incandescent, etc..... a true marvel of a camera. A nifty feature is the ability to add custom sounds, such as .wav files to the camera to customize each sound it makes. You can even download an image that the camera will display when it turns on.
The camera is a bit heavy, but I like that. It reminds you you are carrying a REAL camera, not a disposable toy. It fits in the jeans pocket just perfect. I had to turn down the flash quite a bit. It is a pretty powerful flash. I got sick of my Sony Mavica and it's notoriously horrible low light photo's.
The software that comes with it is adequate. Nothing all that great, as with most bundled software. Novices will enjoy the features. The battery life is short and the memory card is small (16mb), but that is common with every manufacturer. Get a 128mb or 256mb if you want to have plenty of room. The movie mode is pretty cool too. the AVIs are clear, not like MPEG's. GET THIS CAMERA! You will not be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Ultimate Camera For Anywhere, Anytime
Review: I recently purchased the Canon S30 and have been more than happy with. Although a bit pricey, it is definetly the best buy of all the cameras in its class. The camera has loads of features, some of which I am still figuring out. Although it can be used as a fully manual camera, it works excellent as a automatic camera as well. The coolest features this camera has that many lack is the sitch mode. This mode allows the user to take panoramic pictures and an included program makes it easy to put it all together. Another great feature this camera has is the burst mode which takes multiple shots continuously. Great for action shots. Besides the numerous features the camera comes with, the camera takes amazing pictures! The details and colors it captures is top-notch. The LCD is also a little bigger than other cameras its size and works great in all lighting conditions. I have done extensive research on Digital Cameras and this came out to be the best in the 3 megapixel class.
Rating:
Summary: It must be close to perfect in it's class!
Review: OK...I had a Digital Elph, which I loved, until it fell out of my pocket on a ski lift. :| The S30 outperforms it hands down in every category except size. A few of the things that weren't toally obvious to me from the advertising: You can do manual focus with this guy. Also has a Macro mode. You have complete apture priority, shutter priority, manual, or several program modes to choose from. 1/1500th shutter on the fast side, ability to pick emulated ISO from 50 up to 800(if I remember right). Raipd fire shutter mode is cool, I haven't seen this on a digital camera before. Basically it snaps off about 3 shots/sec until the camera's buffer is full, then it starts writing to the CF. The 16MB CF card is a joke..c'mon Canon...you're giving me a camera that I can take 14-16 shots with? Get real. I agree with everybody else saying you need extra batteries. Only other thing I'm still getting used to is this selective focus area - Canon's had this on their film cameras for a few years, but I've been a Minolta guy for years. Overall, due to the creative control this thing lets me have, I'm considering shelfing my film based gear for a while. The only thing this camera is missing for me right now is interchangable lenses(I'd love to go wider than it lets me). Great camera. I'd highly recommend for the intermediate+ photographer. For a beginner it will work great, just the extra features might be a little overkill.
Rating:
Summary: Even better than I expected
Review: I've always seemed to have good luck with Canon products so when I decided to dive into digital photography, my short list of manufacturers included Canon. I liked the compact design of the S30 and the features for the price over others I was considering, so I went with it in the end. Now that I've had amonth to fiddle with it I have to admit that it exceeds my expectations in almost every way. The camera is very easy to use and the photo quality is better and more consistent than any automatic 35MM I've ever used. The software included is also intuitive with features and easy editing capabilities that make it a snap to enhance a less than perfect shot. When I print the photos I like, the clarity is exceptional even though I am only using an inexpensive HP932C printer. Crop a shot and put it on glossy photo paper and a routine snapshot becomes an incredibly clear photograph. I am really enjoying this camera. There are some drawbacks to digital photography. Some are more universal than others, and most are about cost. The camera isn't especially cheap to begin with and you need at least a 64MB card to get a reasonable number of shots. The other additional cost is the extra battery which you should have handy when the one you're using goes dead. If you're thinking about a digital camera and you've done a little homework, you probably already know that it won't be a cheap hobby. So, cost aside and considering the ease of use as well as the quality of the photos, the Canon S30 is an excellent product that I feel provdes more than it advertises.
Rating:
Summary: Just received as Christmas present
Review: Although I am still experimenting with this camera, I am enjoying the flexibility of it. The design also makes it very easy to use. The manual is organized well with easy to use instructions. It is a good camera for a beginner or an intermediate photographer.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent camera in small form factor
Review: This is my first "true" digital camera. I have a basic one included on my VHS-C panasonic camocorder, but that is nothing compared to this Canon unit. I was initially attracted by the metal look, solid feel, size, and when I looked at the feature set, said wow! Have not been dissapointed. You will love the features (many pre-set modes and full manual control for the photo-buff), excellent photo quality, and it looks so cool :). Something you will want to buy: a larger CF card, it comes with a 16MB but you will outgrow that after about 7 shots at the highest resolution. Excellent camera, enjoy!
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