Editorial Review:Product Description:The PowerShot S20 is equipped with a 1/1.8-inch, 3.34 million-pixel CCD sensor. PowerShot S20 allows users to produce 8 x 10 prints boasting a level of image quality that rivals those from 35mm film. The high-performance 32-64mm (35mm format equivalent) 2x zoom lens incorporates three aspherical lens elements to correct for a variety of lens aberrations at all focal lengths and deliver sharp images with reduced distortion, even toward the outer perimeter of the image frame. A Canon proprietary dedicated digital signal-processing integrated circuit maximizes the performance potential of the 3.3 megapixel CCD through high-speed high-precision image processing. The camera's built-in buffer memory realizes a shutter interval of about 2.2 seconds, facilitating stress-free operating ease. The PowerShot S20 offers five picture-taking modes for a variety of shooting conditions and user preferences and includes such features as spot metering, AE lock and ISO equivalency settings.
Amazon.com Product Description:The Canon PowerShot S20 is one of the smallest 3.3-megapixel digital cameras in its class. Its half-inch 3.34-megapixel charge-coupled device (CCD) creates full-color and B&W high-resolution images up to 2,048 x 1,436 pixels. It offers a 2x optical zoom lens and a range of shooting modes. The zoom can be enhanced at the touch of a button with a digital teleconverter (2x/4x) for seamless zooming up to 8x.
The PowerShot S20 features an extremely compact design that is only 4.1 inches long, 2.7 inches high, and 1.3 inches wide. In addition, the PowerShot S20 weighs just 9.5 ounces. Despite its small size, this camera features large easy-to-control buttons. You can take one digital picture after another. With IC signal processing, the camera speeds up the interval between shots to 2 seconds. It also stores and plays back images eight times faster than previous digital cameras. It has complete USB compatibility. Cables are supplied for transferring images to your Mac or PC with either a serial or USB port. You can record at three levels of JPEG compression: superfine, fine, and normal. The camera is compatible with JFIF and CIFF file formats.
The centrally located mode dial makes perfect shots easy. It offers five shooting modes--auto, manual, image (landscape, night scene, B&W, slow shutter, and high-speed shutter), stitch assist, and flash. With these modes you have the flexibility to get great shots at any time of day and in any kind of weather. The PowerShot S20 also offers red-eye reduction, a self-timer, and continuous shooting.
The Canon PowerShot S20 uses CompactFlash type I and II memory cards and also supports IBM's 340 MB Microdrive, capable of storing the equivalent of 10 rolls of pictures at a time. The PowerShot S20 comes with a comprehensive software package that is fully compatible with PC and Macintosh computers. It includes Adobe PhotoDeluxe ZoomBrowser EX, PowerShot Browser, Time Tunnel, SlideShowMaker, PhotoStitch, PhotoRecord, and PhotoAlbum for both Mac OS and Windows. The package includes a wrist strap, a video cable, interface cables, a lithium battery, an 8 MB CompactFlash card, a case for the CompactFlash card, and a user's manual.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
-
Poor quality and terrible customer service
If possible, I would have given the camara some negative stars.
I was glad when I first got the camera. But it did not function at all after I used the camera for less than 10 times within a year. I called customer service and was told to send it back to factory. I was told I would be charged about $160 to fix the camera. I asked what the problem was and was told they did not know what the exact problem was until they took the camera apart and gave a close check!
If you want to find a reliable digital camera, try some other brand but not canon.
Rating: -
Good camera after getting around a few weak points.
I have one of these in my glove box and use it all the time. My other Camera is a G2 and admit the G2 is far better than the S20. As most will agree the battery is flat too soon to trust for more than 20 mins. I've built some Li-ion batteries for this camera and solved the problem. I now can run almost 3hrs. before a charge in needed. Canon made a big mistake powering this with 5 AAA Ni-MH cells, should have been the Li-ion's like my G2. The G2 goes forever on a charge and the Li-ion batteries hold a solid charge with a very low rate of static dicharge.
The S20 is still a valid camera in my bag and many of my local news photos are shots taken with my S20. Its been a solid kick around digital thats hit the floor many more times than any plastic model could ever take, and if its too heavy for some then I guess you'd be crying about why Canon made the case out of plastic. Yes I have dents in my S20 but the case is why my S20 has lasted the many miles and bumps it has. OK so the S20 is a basic camera in todays market but as a used 3.3MP (Amazon's, header incorrectly states 3.2)
Digital its been time and road tested to be an Excelent example.
Rating: -
Everything Wrong!
Bought it 2 years ago for $$$ and $$$$ for battery pack.
POSITIVE:
NONE!
NEGATIVE:
1. OVER PRICE.
2. TERRIBLE PICTURES.
3. BATTERY ONLY LAST 20 TO 30 MINUTES (40 PICTURES).
4. 2X ZOOM ?? CAN'T DO A THING!!
5. NO UNDERWATER CASE
MUST BE BLIND TO SAY IT IS A GOOD CAMERA!
SKIP IT! NOT WORTH A DIME!!!
Rating: -
works really well
This camera works well. The image quality is good. It does not break or malfunction. The CompactFlash card is popular and nearly standard. On the downside, the battery life is quite short, there is no included USB-computer support, and pictures seem to come out somewhat overexposed so an image editing program is a must. Overall I wouldn't hesitate to get this camera again because the good points really outweigh the bad.
Rating: 
-
Poor ergonomics, mediocre picture quality
I've owned this camera for about two years, and I'm generally pretty unhappy with it.
My biggest complaint is the incredible delay between the time you hit the shutter button and the time this thing actually snaps off a picture ... it varies depending on conditions, but usually is a full 2-3 seconds. That doesn't sound like much, but try counting it to yourself ... one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi ... and imagine trying to take any kind of action shot with that sort of delay. Forget about kid pictures, they don't sit still long enough for this thing! I've gotten more pictures of the backs of my kids' heads than I can count.
The digital zoom is hokey and clumsy to use. The optical zoom works well, but is underwhelming at 2x power.
The detail in the full 3 megapixel shots is very nice, but the color balance and exposure are often too dark, too orange, whatever. Outdoor shots in full light usually look good with nice contrast and detail. The flash is weak, as noted by other reviewers.
Nearly all of this camera's functions are dependent on a fragile four-way "joypad" control. Mine broke after a few months, and was replaced free (after another 2 months of delay) by Canon. The knob on the top that selects operating modes feels very flimsy, and sticks out such that it is easily jarred into an "on" setting when the camera is slipped into or out of a pocket or bag.
Canon's lack of inclusion of a rechargeable battery and recharger are inexcusable for a camera that burns through $15 disposable batteries in a few days.
One last complaint -- this camera is heavy for its size! The metal body (aside from the flimsy controls) has a rugged feel, but you will definitely feel the weight of this unit if you lug it around in a pocket.