Rating: 
Summary: Another gadget?
Review: My wife "complained" about me buying one more gadget when I came home with my new Canon S30, but within a few days, I had taken and printed (on my Canon S820D printer) several photos which blew us both away!!! The pure quality of the photos is amazing, even when taken by such an amateur as I.The true beauty of digital cameras is that you don't worry about the cost of taking a picture - it's virtually free. With film, you worry about running out of film, and whether the picture is worth taking; with digital, you just click away and decide later what's worth keeping. Other reviewers correctly pointed out the need for an additional battery and extra memory (128 minimum). And I fully agree with another guy who recommended as the ideal carrying case the Lowepro D-Res 20AW - it fully protects the camera, holds extra battery, memory card, and tripod, and what he forgot to mention, but which I love, it can be worn securely on your belt. All in all, a superb purchase!
Rating:
Summary: Best Compact 3-megapixel on the Market!
Review: I am constantly teased by friends that I am the most thorough consumer they know, so it wasn't unusual when I spent about a month comparing digital camera reviews before buying this camera. (Great reviews can also be found on photographyreview.com and dpreview.com). My criteria for buying a digital camera were that it be a compact 3 megapixel, have a good zoom, have the capability of being manual or automatic, and that it have GREAT image quality. This camera has it all. I took a huge risk using this camera for the first time on a trip to London in February. (I also purchased a 128MB CompactFlash card and extra battery---a necessity). I read the manual on the plane, and set off to take pictures. I took 140 pictures on the 128MB card at highest resolution--even deleted several pictures to fit more. I got home a week later, anxious to see whether the photographs would be a cause to celebrate or to auction the camera on E-bay. I printed the photos myself on a photo printer (more on that later), and they looked like postcards.... the color was awesome, the images were sharp---I was sorry that I didn't take more CompacFlash cards with me! I printed the pics on the Hewlett Packard Photosmart 100, which is a miniscule, portable printer that will print directly from CompacFlash and other media cards (without being connected to a computer)--see reviews on amazon[.com]. The printing quality is amazing, and I now travel with it so I can print my pictures while on vacation. And my friends that make fun of me? Four of them now own this camera and the printer......
Rating:
Summary: Full Featured Point and Shoot
Review: If you used any line of Canon EOS SLRs you will be very comfortable with this little guy. There isn't much the S30 can't do. I bought the S30 with some consideration for others, like Sony(Overpriced), Fuji, Kodak(minimal features) or Nikon. The only down side is it is a bit cumbersome in large hands.
Rating:
Summary: Really good performance
Review: I researched digital cameras at length before I settled on the S30. There were a number of competitors with 3X optical zoom, with compact size, and with sharp display panels. The detail that persuaded me was the battery life - and I am thoroughly pleased. I took the S30 to a party and not only took 70 shots (many of which were moving targets - dancing) but also spent a fair amount of time replaying them for the subjects' pleasure. The Lithium ion battery held up for the entire party. The battery also recharges in only 80 minutes, so I did not feel the need to purchase a backup battery -- a big saving. I did get an optional 128 MB CompactFlash card -- I recommend that. I took all those shots at highest resolution and still had plenty of memory left. I also purchased a CompactFlash Card media reader which reads the card directly into the computer without using the camera's battery OR needing an AC powercord -- another saving. I cropped several of the candid shots, then printed at 8 1/2 X 11, with excellent results. My friends requested reprints to give to their families for Christmas. I have promised to take the photographs for an upcoming family wedding, and I have no reservations about the quality this camera can deliver. Love this camera!
Rating: 
Summary: Good in some areas, fails in others
Review: I bought this digital camera based on the reviews that I found in the Internet. The picture I took with it looked good, portrait, landscape. I started shooting for pictures I need to put on my website, ie, up-close, 18inches. I was so disappointed because I was not able to get a clear and true picture. The white background came out golden brown and the item I was trying to get a picture off was fuzzy and did not show the true color. I tried all the settings (including Macro) available but still cannot get a true picture. I suggest to all the people who bought this camera to try and take a picture of a nice piece of necklace with a white background. I am curious how this would come out. Please let me know. For me, I am returning this camera and getting an Olympus Camedia C-4000. I think Olympus has better digital technology than Canon.
Rating:
Summary: Bought it after months of research......
Review: After reading everything that Consumer Reports magazine had to say about digital cameras "A 3-megapixel camera provides some breathing room: files large enough for enlargements, yet not so gargantuan than you'll have difficulty saving, storing, or e-mailing them." and looking at the various models that got good ratings as well as mid priced cameras this one is the one I chose. The slide cover was a big draw as well since I take my camera with me when we ski, run, hike, backpack, fly fish, etc and have in the past dropped cameras or at least had them get banged against rocks a lot. Having a slide cover over the lens rather than worrying about lens cap covers was a big plus. And for a zoom camera it is one of the best. Having a zoom lens was a must as was a camera that felt at ease in my hands. Although I have bought a sturdy neck strap holder so I don't worry about it falling off a cliff or into a river. I do recommend buying extra card, and will admit the battery could be better, especially if you use the camera a lot. I bought an extra battery so that I always have a well charged fresh one. The price is excellent too for what you get.
Rating: 
Summary: Great camera. Disappointing Mac OS X support.
Review: I purchased this camera about six months ago. I wanted a camera that was simple to use, with metal construction, and that took great pictures--and the camera is all that. Sure, nothing is perfect. The goofy rubber cover on the mini-USB port is an anoyance to open, the port is next to the base where the cover is attached to the camera--a real pain, specially since you have to mess with it to download the pictures to the computer. Another issue is the power adapter. It requires taking the battery out to insert a piece in the shape of the battery. It is not only clumsy, the battery door remains open, and the door is plastic and somewhat flimsy. The serious problem is Mac OS X support. The camera has a "stitch assist" feature to help taking panoramic pictures. The actual stitching is done on the computer using PhotoStitch, which automates the task. This software is essential for taking panoramic pictures. The camera software bundle does not include Mac OS X versions of the programs, and although some of the programs are available for download, PhotoStitch is *only* available by purchasing (for $20 more) the new version of the software bundle CD.
Rating:
Summary: Great Camera, you NEED these accessories.
Review: I've had the camera for about 6 months and could NOT have found a better camera for the money. Picture quality is great, movie mode with sound is an added bonus, plus all the manual features make every picture turn out perfectly. 3.2 meg is the pefect balance between quality and card space used. The ability to use the RAW CCD data sets this camera apart from even more expensive ones.
But enough about the camera. The accessories you MUST get include of course, one or two more batteries (Lithium last longer than Nickel-Cad, and can be gotten on the web... a 128 or larger card (prefer them over the microdrive because the micro can skip while writing if the camera is bumped or when driving); THE camera bag to get is the Lowepro D-Res 20AW. The bag holds the camera snugly in place inside it. It has a shoulder strap or can be worn on your belt. It has an elasticized waterproof cover that comes out of the bottom of it to cover the already water-resistant bag when on your belt or when carrying. However, the real beauty of the bag is on the inside. No scratching of the camera or LCD because it is lined with a soft brushed material. To save the LCD from scratches outside the bag I use PDA screen protector film cut to fit. There is a pouch for holding another CF card, extra batteries in front of that, and the bonus is a pocket along the left side that one of those 4 or 5 inch flexible tripods slides into just perfectly. The bag is also padded all around the exterior. Both the bag and tripod can be purchased at any [local store]... The only other thing I can think of right now is the Canon underwater case for scuba diving or to keep the sand and rain off the camera at the beach. Also would be good for capturing falling rain on the slow shutter setting for that cool effect of streaming water.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent mid-range camera.
Review: This is a fantastic camera. It will take a while to learn the myriad of features, but it's worth it. Get the 128Mb (or more) compact flash card. You'll thank yourself later. My only three grumbles about this camera are that the battery will last about 1.5 hours, digital zoom is a bit blurry (optical zoom is excellent, by the way), and no camera case came with the camera. Hence, the four out of five stars...
Rating:
Summary: Great Camera!
Review: Easy to use, lots of features, excellent price.
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