Editorial Review:Product Description:If it's possible to do in digital photography, it's possible to do with the PowerShot S30. Packing 3.2 million pixels and a range of features, this versatile camera fulfils any requirement. A dedicated all-rounder, the camera is just as at home indoors as it is outdoors, in brilliant sunshine or low-level light. Special advanced technology means you'll still get high-quality images whatever the conditions. And once you have that perfect image, printing it couldn't be simpler. Forget the PC, plug your PowerShot S30 directly into the Canon CP-10 Card Photo Printer or the Bubble Jet S820D and enjoy brilliant color prints at the touch of a few buttons. Other features include the My-Camera function - customize your PowerShot S30 with unique sounds and images to make it truly your own.
Amazon.com Review:Canon's 3-megapixel S30 hits the marketing sweet spot between features and ease of use, making it ideal for a wide range of photographers. It offers point-and-shoot simplicity while still providing advanced settings for more experienced photographers. Features like video capture, stitched panoramas, and continuous shooting offer a huge bonus in terms of fun and versatility for photographers at all levels of experience.
Getting started with the S30 couldn't have been simpler. We just slid open the lens cover and started shooting. Setting the camera to automatic mode, we were able to take vivid photos with accurate colors and outstanding detail. The 3x optical zoom--10x if you factor in the digital enhancement--made all the difference in our outdoor photos, letting us frame our shots perfectly.
A quick look at the options dial of the S30 shows that its capabilities extend well beyond quick snapshots. Even novices can take advantage of the camera's video mode, which can capture short videos. Though nowhere near camcorder quality, these videos are perfect for putting on a Web page or sending via e-mail, and the built-in microphone records sound for videos or notations on individual photos.
A bit more complicated is the photo-stitch mode, which lets you take panorama photos by lining up multiple pictures to cover vast areas and then stitching them together into a grand panorama on your PC. The handy continuous-photo mode enables you to shoot 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 additional memory card as a 16 MB card only holds approximately 16 3-megapixel images. Beyond that quibble, there's not much fault to be found with the Canon S30. It combines the ease-of-use novices require with the advanced features serious photographers expect.
Pros: - 3-megapixel resolution
- 3x optical and 3.2x digital zoom
- Captures short videos with sound
- Excellent picture quality both indoors and out
Cons: - Only comes with 16 MB of CompactFlash memory
Amazon.com Product Description:Canon's S30 and S40 cameras fill a gap in the company's digital lineup. Nestled between the ultra-tiny Elph models and the feature-packed PowerShot G and Pro models, the S30 and S40 combine most of the portability of the former with nearly every advanced feature of the latter.
With the exception of their CCD sensors (the S30 is a 3-megapixel model, while the S40 is 4-megapixel), the cameras are essentially identical. Each features a brushed aluminum body with a sliding clamshell lens cover, 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 point-and-shoot simple. Just twist the dial to Auto and start snapping pictures. For more experienced photographers, both models include aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual modes, plus manual focus, exposure compensation, slow-sync flash, spot metering, and adjustable ISO (from 50 to 400 on the S40, and 50 to 800 on the S30).
Movie mode lets you capture video clips with sound. At 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels, the movies aren't camcorder quality, but they're fun and convenient, and they're perfect as e-mail attachments. The cameras also include an unusual voice-memo feature, which lets you record up to 60 seconds of audio with each image.
To provide maximum battery life in the smallest possible space, the cameras use a proprietary lithium-ion battery (both the battery and a charger are included). The battery charges quickly and holds a reasonably long charge, but if you're planning to use the camera for extended outings, a spare NB-2L battery is a good idea. A larger-capacity memory card is also advisable if you want to shoot more than a dozen photos at a time or if you decide to really take advantage of the Movie mode. The cameras use Type I or Type II CompactFlash cards, including the Microdrive. To print your photos at home, the S30 and S40 connect directly to Canon's CP-10 and S820D printers for easy printing--you don't even need a computer.
If you're looking for a camera with the sleek, compact style of a point-and-shoot with the extensive manual controls of an advanced amateur camera, the S30 and S40 are both great choices.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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This is really a great camera to this day
I've owned this camera since 2002.
I wanted to purchase a really great camera that was next to professional, as I design websites and have an Interior Designing company and wanted to be able to put up professional pictures of my work on my website.
I did an extensive search on the Internet and found that the Powershot S30 was rated in the top 5 cameras at that time for the price range of around $300.00. This rating was consistent with many top rated sites such as Amazon and CNET.
It was not what I was looking for in size and weight as at that time smaller cameras were the rave, but I decided to trade that in for it's features and picture quality. I went ahead and made my purchase over the net.
I have not regretted it. The camera was just as it boasted. The pictures were awesome! I still own this camera to this day and among the sea of 8 mega pixels and all the latest rave, my 3.2 mega pixel pictures sits just perfectly right up there with the rest.
On the downside, the camera has a clumsy way of powering up and down, as you have to slide this piece of metal accross the zoom lens. But this is really nothing to write home about. Also, the delete image button is a little testy as well, but again, you can get around that.
Since my camera is 6 years old now I do have some wear and tear and other problems. when I power up with that sliding metal, the lens sticks and won't open out and sometimes I have to give it a little shake and a thump for it to open out. If the lens doesn't open out the camera won't turn on. And that is all the problem I am having now. I managed to drop my camera a couple of times and even cause some dents on the body but no internal damages... still works perfectly.
I wouldn't bother to buy a new camera until it breathes it's last breath, but now I will have to as I am having problems turning it on. I think it's trying to tell me to let go and move on. But I'm moving on to another Canon though, they are tried and true. Although I must say I own Sony this and Sony that, but the Canon Digital camera to me is much better.
So I'm on to researching again... although I do say I still see Canon in the top 5 so far.
Dione,
Kingston Jamaica
Rating: 
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Junk!
This Camera, the Canon S30 is a piece of junk. Owned it for two years and it has stopped working.
It shows a fully charged battery as low and you can get two pictures before it stops working and tells you to get a new battery.
Even at its best it was a terrible camera. Save your money and buy something else.
Rating: 
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Very good for the price these days
I've had my camera for about 5 years now, I think it takes great pictures overall. Redeye is a problem I've noticed like some of the other owners, even if you have redeye reduction turned on it's still a problem. Aside from the redeye problem with flash, it takes incredible daylight photos. Bright, colorful, amazingly clear with alot of nice manual modes and auto mode is also very good. Very durable also, I've dropped my camera many times and it keeps on working.
Rating: -
Great!! perfect
I have been using it for 5 years now. never had any problem... Night results are not very very good though, you just need to keep camera still if you want to get them perfect.
Rating: -
Nice but not so perfect
My S30 did all it was expected to do as far as imaging resolution and photo quality was concerned.
Downside issues with this camera:
LCD screen - Poor to zero visibility. OK for auto shooting but useless for creative photography,
Auto focus and close-up focus did not work 100% of the time. Continuous focus was hit & miss.
Battery life inadequate - 20 mins to 1/2 hr at best
Camera was returned to Canon during Warranty but none of the above issues were resolved.
Sold the camera after 18 months of serious useage