Digital Camera

Review

When I bought this camera 3 years ago, it was the advanced “point-n-shoot” I had been waiting for. While it’s outdated now, it’s successors (the most recent is the just-launched G7) have continued Canon’s tradition of knowing their users. This camera let’s me do nearly everything to which I was accustomed with my film slr. It can be fully automatic, (almost) completely manual (you can’t expose the same frame/file multiple times, as in a film camera). It has a choice of metering modes, though no spot meter – however I’ve rarely found this to be too sore a point). And it let’s me be creative and experiments.

My main gripes:
1. Autofocus is not speedy nor as accurate as as a film slr.
2. Battery life is much less than a film camera (as are most digicams).
3. It only records up to ISO400, and there’s some noise and fringing in the shadows in low light at that speed.
4. Lens does not have a fixed maximum aperature, however, at the lens’ widest angle max aperature is a robust F/2.
5.It now seems a bit clunky, physically.

I’m looking forward to upgrading to my first DSLR shortly. Can’t wait to have the resolution, speed, and lens interchangeability that I so enjoyed on my old Elan.

That said, if you’re looking for an advanced fixed lens point and shot, don’t hesistate to try out the latest in the Canon Powershot line.

Feature

• 4.0 megapixel sensor creates 2,272 x 1,704 images for prints at 8 x 10 and beyond
• 4x optical plus 3.6x digital(for 14x total) zoom lens with autofocus
• Included 32 MB CompactFlash card holds 54 images at Large/Normal resolution; camera is Microdrive compatible
• Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
• Uses proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included)

Overview

It’s all up to you with the PowerShot G3. With its 4.0-megapixel CCD sensor providing amazing resolution images, which stay sharp even when printing up to A3, this digital camera is destined to capture your imagination as well as super sharp images. The secret behind the PowerShot G3 isn’t just one innovative feature. It’s the intuitive way all of its advanced technology works together to make tricky shots look simple. The PowerShot G3 lens is in a league of its own. It is a super-quick, high-resolution 4x optical zoom lens (f2.0 – 3.0) with a focal length of 7.2 to 28.8mm (35 – 140mm equivalent in 35mm format). This gives you a larger zoom range and a faster aperture, especially useful in low light conditions. This camera also features Canon’s new, high-performance DIGIC (DIGital Imaging Core) processor for superb color reproduction, fast operation and long battery life. Combine this with the iSAPS (intelligent Scene Analysis based on PhotoSpace) technology, which allows faster auto-focusing, accurate auto-exposure and precise auto white balancing you can be sure you’ll achieve faithful image reproduction.The PowerShot G3 contains a full set of scene-based and creative shooting modes, as well as a custom mode where you can set and store parameters to suit your photographic style. What’s more, the PowerShot G3 has separate shutter and aperture functions, offering you extensive manual control in a digital camera. Open shutter, closed aperture, less light for longer – whichever you choose, your options are wide open. You’ll also find FlexiZone AF/AE and Focus bracketing, to ensure you can achieve perfect focus and exposure. Ergonomic and comfortable in the hand, the camera has a maneuverable LCD screen, while a jog dial combined with the Function button makes it simple to navigate through the creative options.

Specifications

Few digital camera lines have been as successfully branded as Canon’s Powershot. And the best known in that line was the powerful and fun to use G2. Now, Canon’s following it up with their G3, which has the same four megapixels of resolution but now offers an improved 4X optical zoom and other updated features.

With a revamped body, the G3 feels a bit more comfortable in the hands. A mid-sized camera, you’ll notice it hanging around your neck, but its 14.5 ounce frame won’t weigh you down terribly. With a high-speed CompactFlash card, the G3 can take video clips of up to three minutes complete with sound.

You’ll want to consider an upgrade to one of those cards, as the G3 ships with only a 32 MB standard CF card–not bad for bundled memory, but you’ll be happier with more storage room. Images taken at the highest resolution quickly filled up the 32 MB card, but were highly detailed as well as bright with realistic colors.

The G3 features the same large, bright 1.8-inch LCD as its predecessor, making it easy to frame your shot in anything except direct sunlight. Like earlier G models, the LCD flips out and can be rotated around completely, letting you view it from any angle.

This works well with the G3’s two options for self-timing, 2 and 10 seconds, so you can see what you’re doing from the target viewpoint. And the G3’s above-industry-standard 4x optical zoom lets you get in closer than the G2’s 3x zoom as well.

Compatible with Canon’s Direct Print feature, you can output images from the G3 directly to any of Canon’s Direct Print line of printers. The G3 is a great choice for a 4 megapixel, 4x optical zoom camera with a wealth of features. –J. Curtis

Pros:

• 4 megapixels and 4x optical zoom
• Three minute video clips with sound
• Well designed

Cons:

• Only 32 MB CF card

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Mar 13, 2010 15:20:10

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Filed under: Canon tagged camera, Digital, optical, PowerShot

Review

First of all, I’ve owned several Canon PowerShots, way back to the S10 when memory cards were like for 32 megs. Except for one, the SD450, the image quality has been excellent on all of them. Canon’s are known for their image quality and this one holds true to that. The downside to all the PowerShots prior to this one has been how awfully slow they were in taking shots, especially in low light or at night. The delay from the time you push the button to the camera actually snapping the shot could be excruciatingly slow and infuriating. I absolutely loved my S400 in every way except for how freaking slow it was in snapping shots. I couldn’t tell you how many shots I have of my dog’s butt/tail because I didn’t properly point the camera 10 feet in front of her and take the shot just right to account for that horrible delay.

Finally, a Canon PowerShot that is quick! There are some shots that aren’t quite lightning fast in lower light, but this is expected and the performance is FAR better than any other Canon I’ve owned. The SD450 had decent performance, but the picture quality was subpar.

Another problem I’ve always had is poor battery life. This one can take about 200 shots before needing to be recharged. Compared to my last camera (the SD450), that’s about 3 times as many shots. So the battery life is much improved.

On a side note, another problem I’ve had which most ppl would probably not notice is a few dead pixels showing up over time. Canon seems to have fixed that in the last couple generation of PowerShots and it isn’t an issue with this one.

I like the fact that it has no viewfinder, who uses that thing anyway? The screen is huge but the resolution is not any better than my old S400 with a tiny 1.8″ screen so all shots look kind of fuzzy. I very rarely have a shot out of focus with this camera so I don’t worry about it. Besides, regardless of screen size or resolution it is going to be really hard to tell if a shot is a little bit out of focus and you’d have to zoom in to tell anyway.

All in all, this is a great camera and the best PowerShot I’ve owned to date. I’m extremely happy with in and plan to keep it for a long time.

Feature

• 6.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 14 x 19-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom; 3.0-inch LCD display
• ISO 800 shooting; widescreen (16:9) stills recording
• Fast Frame Rate Movie Mode for shooting high-quality movies at up to 60 frames per second QVGA (320 x 240)
• Powered by a lithium-ion battery (battery and charger included); stores images on SD cards (16 MB memory card included)

Overview

Canon PowerShot SD630 is equipped with 6.0 Megapixels, an optical 3x zoom lens (f/2.8 – f/4.9) with Canon high-performance and high-speed processing “DIGIC II”, which makes it possible to take pictures with up to a maximum of 2816?2112 recording pixels and achieve more comfortable camera operation complying with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed.Blending superb functionalities and exquisitely elegant form into a compact body, Thin and Sharp Design enhanced the excitement of shooting and pleasure of having this camera. Employing a large 3.0-inch LCD monitor and a Touch Control Dial on the rear allows easy operation.Higher ISO Speed that can be adjusted up to 800 equivalent and High ISO Auto that sets the ISO Speed to higher settings than the existing ISO AUTO enable you to reduce camera shake and subject blur, and shoot beautiful images in a dark area where the shutter speed is set to a slow setting.

Specifications

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Mar 10, 2010 21:20:13

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Filed under: Canon tagged camera, Digital, optical, PowerShot

Review

Feature

• Nikon Coolpix P100 10 MP Digital Camera with 26x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD – Black (Includes manufacturer’s supplied accessories)
• 8 Gigabyte SDHC Secure Digital Memory Card – Universal Memory Card Wallet
• Protective Digital Camera Carrying Case with Pockets & Strap
• Lens Care & Cleaning Kit – Package of LCD Screen Protectors
• Flexible Legged Mini Table Tripod – BONUS!! FREE 25 Quality Prints (Promo code# on invoice)

Overview

Zoom closer, shoot faster, and do more with Nikon’s Coolpix P100, with its new CMOS sensor, 10.3 effective megapixels and incredible 26x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens. The cameras huge bright 3.0-inch high-resolution HVGA (460k-dot) vari-angle LCD and Electronic Viewfinder makes it easy to compose and share your pictures. Shoot Full HD (1080i) video with stereo sound as well as high-speed 10fps shooting at full resolution.Nikon Coolpix Digital Camera highlightsNikon’s 5-way VR Image Stabilization System takes incredible pictures, incredibly easy. Nikon’s Smart Portrait System; automatically detects your subjects face, takes a picture when they smile, smooth out skin tones and warns you if they blinked.
8GB Accessory Kit: 8 Gigabyte SDHC Secure Digital Memory Card – Universal Memory Card Wallet – Protective Digital Camera Carrying Case with Pockets & Strap – Lens Care & Cleaning Kit – Package of LCD Screen Protectors – Flexible Legged Mini Table Tripod – BONUS!! FREE 25 Quality Prints (Promo code# on invoice).

Specifications

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Mar 08, 2010 12:20:12

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Filed under: Nikon tagged (Black), Accessory, camera, Coolpix, Digital

Review

Rather than go over every little thing (it has been done) I’m just going to comment on a few main things:

- For whom is this camera intended?
- Image quality
- RAW format with Macintoch computers
- Accidentally bumping rear control wheel

FOR WHOM IS THIS CAMERA INTENDED?
Photographers. The occasional, non-photographer user will not get enough out of this camera to warrant the price tag. Snapshooters and informal shooters will be better served by buying a less expensive SD series camera. Snapshooters will not know how to take advantage of all this camera’s features, and will likely be annoyed by these features being changed. If you normally leave your camera set to ‘AUTO’ or one of the scene modes, you are a snapshooter. If you don’t know what ‘exposure compensation’, ‘aperture priority’, ’shutter priority’ ‘RAW’, or ‘macro’ means, you are a snapshooter and would be better served by a mostly automatic camera, such as an SD series Elph or even an entry level SLR, if you don’t mind a bigger camera for higher quality images.

IMAGE QUALITY
Remembering that this is a small camera, the image quality is outstanding. It handily beats my Canon SD600 Elph. Of course, being something like 1/5 the size of an SLR with a correspondingly smaller sensor, it is not quite up to that level. It is good enough that when I go to Europe in 3 weeks, I will be bringing this instead of my DSLR. The f/2.0 lens is no joke. It really is f/2.0 at 28mm. Of course it would be nice if it were f/2.0 across its entire focal length, but then it would no longer be compact and would probably cost 0 more. At any rate, 28mm is a useful focal length indoors, just not for portrait work. In my dimly lit condo unit the first night, I took a bunch of shots at ISO 400 & 800. The ones shot at 400 were f/2.0 at 1/6 sec. If I zoom way in and get unrealistically critical, of course I can see some noise, and of course I can see that an image stabilized DSLR will be sharper & cleaner. Again, I remind the reader that such is not the point of this camera. The point of this camera is for photographers, who already own & use a DSLR, to have an option of a high quality, fully adjustable camera that is also fully portable, and has a proper wide angle lens setting. The photos are fully printable at up to 16×20 if the photographer does his part.

RAW FORMAT COMMENT WITH REGARD TO MAC USERS
I have a Macbook Pro 13″ with the 2.26 MHz Intel processor, manufactured in 2009. I was happily surprised to see that iPhoto supports Canon’s RAW format. I don’t know if this is because I had installed the Canon software and it just carried through, or if it supported it with a software update. Nevertheless, I was glad to see it. Now I don’t really have much use for the Canon software. I may try it out later to see if any of its extra features warrant my learning about it. iPhoto is not the typical photographer’s choice when it comes to software, but if you’re not trying to do super fancy stuff, it will do the trick. Cropping, highlight, shadow, exposure, rotating, color balancing, blemish removal are all easily accomplished, either on jpg or RAW images with this software. Also, there is a quick fix button that improves the exposure balance on most photos and doesn’t blow out the skin tones in the process. It is really pretty brilliant. Go into it with an open mind.

ACCIDENTALLY BUMPING THE REAR CONTROL WHEEL
I was a bit wary of purchasing this camera for so much money because of all the earlier comments on this. With a little common sense, I don’t see why this should be a sticking point for anyone. Looking at the rear of the camera, a sensible person can tell that one’s thumb is intended to go in the little divot below the main mode dial. After using the camera only a few times, my thumb naturally falls there and doesn’t interfere with the rear control dial at all. Again, I remind the reader that this camera is not intended for ham-fisted individuals who are ready to denounce anything that isn’t an DSLR. I remind the reader that DSLRs are designed to fit the user’s hand. This camera is designed to fit the user’s pocket, with the understanding that the user will need to make some ergonomic adjustment for the privilege of having such a small & highly capable camera. If you go into the purchase with this understanding, you will be a happy customer.

The front control ring has click stops and is not easily turned accidentally.

For me, the choice came down to either this camera or the Panasonic LX3. Although I prefer wide angle to telephoto in a zoom lens, I couldn’t do without telephoto altogether, so I chose the 28-105 of this camera instead of the 24-60 of the LX3. The camera is also notably smaller, which was the whole purpose of using this over my DSLR to begin with.

I’ll update this in the future (if I can find it!) with further impressions.

Feature

• New 10-megapixel High Sensitivity System; DIGIC 4 Image Processor
• Improved low-light image performance, plus a Low Light scene mode for ISO settings up to 12,800
• Customizable control ring for easy access and operation of manual or other creative shooting settings
• Wide-angle 3.8x optical zoom with Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer; bright f/2.0 lens
• RAW + JPEG shooting and recording modes; capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Overview

The pocketable PowerShot S90 gives powerful everyday shooting. Shoot quickly with a lens control ring and get superior low-light performance with a high-sensitivity 10.0 MP CCD and f/2.0 lens.A high-sensitivity CCD sensor gives outstanding image quality in a wide variety of lighting conditions. Even images taken at high ISOs show exceptionally low noise levels and a wide dynamic range.A bright f/2.0 aperture allows exceptional versatility, capturing low-light images and fast-moving subjects at higher shutter speeds. A wide angle of 28mm lets you put more in the frame, while Canon’s optical IS reduces blur caused by camera shake.

Specifications

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Mar 05, 2010 15:20:09

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Filed under: Canon tagged 3-inch, camera, Digital, optical, PowerShot, Stabilized

Review

Feature

• Slim body and 4 bright color options: Gray, Blue, Pink and Green.
• 12.1-megapixel digital camera with 4x Optical Zoom and Optical Image Stabilizer.
• DIGIC 4 Image Processor has evolved Face Detection Technology that tracks the faces of moving subjects and lets the shooter enter the frame seamlessly with the Face Detection Self-timer.
• Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings for the camera based on 18 predefined shooting situations.
• Large, high-quality 2.5-inch LCD for easy on-camera viewing.

Overview

The Canon PowerShot A1100 IS Digital Camera’s 12.1-megapixel resolution and 4x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer ensure radiant, detailed images. An advanced DIGIC 4 Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology and the Face Detection Self-timer for extraordinary control and performance. Smart AUTO lets you handle challenging conditions with ease.

Specifications

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Mar 03, 2010 08:20:08

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Filed under: Canon tagged camera, Digital, memory:, PowerShot, Refurbished, Tripod