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Canon PowerShot S330 2MP Digital ELPH Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Canon PowerShot S330 2MP Digital ELPH Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

List Price: $449.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Slick Quality 2MP 3x OptZoom Camera!
Review: After a long search, I decided on the PowerShot S330 based on extensive reviews on the quality of the image. It is an excellent 2MP camera! Minolta had an ultraslim 2MP, but avid digital camera viewers have said that the shape does not compensate for the poor image quality. As I have come across other 2MP contendors, the ELPH shape is by far the best. Shortly after I bought the camera, Konica came out with a slightly smaller 3.34MP (Konica KD-300Z) for about the same price. However there are few reviews and little product information available... The s330 has the cool Elph shape, is slightly thicker than its predecessors, but has a solid feel to it.

A few items of note to guide the (first-time) shopper based on 2 months of use:

1. BATTERY. Battery life is very good. I also bought a generic NB-1LH as a back up from SterlingTek; it is purportedly 800mAH, versus the Canon brand 840mAH and previous Canon NB-1L (680mAH)that first came with the s330.

2. MEDIA. Bought a 256MB TypeI CF card, and can now get ~256 photos at the highest resolution (vs. the 8MB that comes with the camera). I rarely take that many pictures at a time before a download, so there is also much room for video clips. Being the TypeA that I am, I also bought an extra 128MB at a good price that may come in handy when traveling for tourist-type photos.

3. MOVIES. The movie clip quality is as others have remarked, only satisfactory even at the highest resolution setting. (I almost do not notice a difference between settings). However, the clips do include SOUND and provide a TON of ENTERTAINMENT! The files are already at about 3MB size. It would be difficult to share larger files. (For better quality, one should consider a video camera.) The clips are best viewed at about the size of the 1.5" LCD screen. *DO* remember to record in landscape format (!) as you cannot rotate the clip for viewing.

4. DOWNLOADING. The software and USB cable method appear to work well. Although downloading directly from the camera will consume batter power, I don't feel compelled to by a CF reader or an AC adapter since I have the extra battery. Others have remarked on the flimsy rubber cover over the A/V out and digital out and speculate that it may not last the life of the camera.

5. IMAGES. The images are excellent. If they turn out substandard, you may be able to clean them up w/the accompanying software. If you're good with the manual settings, you can probably get the quality you are looking for. Definitely comparable to my old 35mm; and I don't see a huge difference from a friend's 3MP (Canon Powershot S30).

6. LIGHTING/OTHER. The camera has excellent compensation for different lighting (natural, cloudy, flourescent, tungsten, etc.) Alternatively, you can adjust this manually. The Elph line appears to have problems with red-eye reduction. Others have remarked that the red-eye reduction setting is less than satisfactory. Thank goodness for software editing (on CD that comes with camera).

7. ZOOM. I think a 3x optical zoom is a MUST for a 2MP camera. Turned off the digital zoom, as I don't want false hope of having quality zoom at the purported ~7.5x total zoom. The zoom is actually slightly better than my old 35mm.

8. OTHER MANUAL FEATURES. I've always been a point-and-shoot user, however, there appear to be many manual features that offer a lot of flexibility. I suggest practicing with these features, e.g. exposure, white balance, shutter speed, iso.

9. CASE. Doesn't come with camera. I bought the Canon PSC-300 case which has a small hole for the wrist stap to pass though and may be worn on your belt. I tried the PSC-20 case. It was just too large for me, I could also stick the USB connector in the bottom. I picked up a cheap case (under ten dollars) by Lowerpro which fits like a glove! It has a zipper pouch without the annoying velcro flap-over of the PSC-300 and PSC20 that would stick to my wrist strap.

I have to admit a bit of "pixel envy", but the 2MP and seems adequate for most of my cropping/enlargement needs, and printing 4x6s to 5x7s, possibly 8x10s. 3MP will likely provide more cropping/enlargement options considering the current optical zoom limits. My criteria were size and image quality for approximately three- to four-hundred US$. When canon comes out with a 3MP I will consider upgrading when the price comes down to current s330 prices. (Since my original writing Canon came out with the s230--I'm not totally sure which I would buy at this point.)

If you're looking for a compact 2MP camera, the s330 is the ONE for you!

Update... i just bought the s400. Love the new processor, smaller size, and 4MP.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This has to be the best camera!
Review: I just got the camera a week ago. I was taking some photos around my house and decided I needed more to shoot. I went to the zoo and I could not believe the pictures this camera took. I just pointed and shot(all in auto) When I got home and downloaded the pictures I was blown away! Now, bear in mind I was using the highest setting (but with an extra battery and a 148 Flash card I didn't worry about it) I never had to change the battery the whole day. I had got images I didn't even think I could. I can't wait to take more pics. I even went as far as to buy the underwater case for the camera, so I guess I have to hit the wave.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fun Camera
Review: I wanted a digital camera that was compact, easy to use with a good zoom capability. This camera is superb. A turn of the dial allows easy movement between picture taking and viewing. The downloading is easy. The camera plugs directly to the usb port so no flash card removal necessary. The battery pops out and has its own tiny charger which charges it up in less than 2 hours. The camera is light and small, easily fitting in a pocket, so easy to carry top baseball games, and any events where I don't want to carry a backpack or purse. I love it.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: My first DigiCam!
Review: I had a difficult time deciding between the S200 and the S330. After reading numerous reviews on websites, I finally chose the S330. As a college student, the price made me cringe a little but I figured that paying for the 3x Optical zoom will be better in the long run. After owning it for about two weeks, I can claim that it is small enough to fit in my purse and takes beautiful pictures. The reason why I only gave the S330 4 stars is that the camera did not come with a bigger memory card or a camera case.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A lot of bang for the buck
Review: A lot of people say this is a great camera but a little too pricey. I say this is a great camera at a great price. Sure there are other 2mp cameras that are a little cheaper but after using this one and its predecessor the S300, the others don't compare in overall ease of use, speed of use and quality of construction.

Although this camera can still give you better results with a little tweaking, the automatic settings are better than almost all others in this price range. And of course this is one of the most Pocketable cameras out there. Don't get me wrong there are some very cool manual features on this great little camera. My favorite is the slow shutter control. You can set the shutter to several speeds from 1 second to 15 seconds. And the camera comes with built in processing to eliminate hot pixels (those bright spots that appear on most long exposure digital pics). I have used this several times always with good results.

Overall there is little to complain about with this package. It comes with a good battery for general use, good software, all the cabling you need to get going and even a fairly well written manual. If you are planning on using this on long trips where you will not have access to an electrical outlet very often, then you will want to get the extra battery. And I highly recomend the Canon PSC-300 Case, it is perfectly sized for this camera and still has room for extra memory and battery.

Do yourself a favor and get a Viking 128MB compact flash card. The reviews I have read tell me this is the best memory for the dollar. Very fast and very cheap.

...These are bar none, the best digital camera reviews on the net.

Buy this camera and enjoy!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: First Dealings with a digital camera
Review: I am an old-school, amateur (hobby / relaxation now) photographer (Canon F1, Mamiya 645, and a 4x5 View camera) 35mm to large format. I did not have the funds to get an interchangeble lense digital.

I had taken a few photographs with friends Minolta, Kodak, HP, and Nikon digitals. The S330 is definitely above them. I would have given the S330 a blazing 5.0, but would actually rate it a 4.5 do to size of my hands vs. the size of the camera and the LCD size( glad I wear reading glasses) and the spot effect of the flash from a distance.

I shot a 12 exposure role of Kodak Gold Ultra ISO 400, after metering off of a gray card and keeping that exposure setting and compared to the same photos with the S330. The S330(on auto) was a little underexposed in the shadows, but not enough to not compensate with a competent graphics program. Landscape photographs out the van window at 60 miles an hour were good. There was some blur, but if you lead the shot as you would in shooting skeet, it was acceptable. Color was acceptable in all cases(not like the overt blue when shooting ektachrome.

When I ordered my camera, I also ordered a 32 meg and 256 meg CF card ( Simple Tech cards and Flash Link CF card reader ). I strongly suggest the average user to order a supplemental 32 or 64 meg CF card when they order this or any other digital camera. I just ordered a spare battery and will order the car battery charger and AC Adapter kit in September. The low battery feature should give an obnoxious warning, but it does not.

I have had no problems with the software that was included with the S330 of the CF Card Reader (running windows 2000). Strongly recommend this digital camera, as I have been well pleased. Point of note: READ YOUR MANUAL.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: S330 Digital Camera
Review: I've had this for a two weeks now. I selected the Canon for its small pocket size and 3x optical zoom. I keep it in my shirt pocket for immediate accessiblilty to photograph items and places at work. The S330 is not as slim as I wanted, but I chose it for its 3x optical zoom over the S200's 2x optical zoom. The all stainless steel exterior is a work of art. A little heavier and bulkier than I wished for, but the controls are simplier to use than my Nikon Coolpix 880 and the LCD display superior to my Coolpix 880. The tripod socket is not centered on the axis of the lens but is located at the far leftside. Sweet little camera. Somewhat bulky for my shirt pocket, so I ordered the Canon PSC-300 Soft Compact Case. Images are good to excellent for a 2 megapixel pocket (sorta big pocket) camera.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: ULTRA POWERFUL SLIM AND STYLELISH
Review: This camara is perfect for people who want performence but don't want to carry a big camera.

Outstanding quality pictures. Comes with everything you need to start taking pictures right away.

The only thing I don't like is that it lets you record only 25 seconds of video clips.

Totaly Recommended.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Great pictures, but...
Review: I was extremely pleased to begin my digital experience with the Canon S330. The pictures were great, and the camera offered such ease in use. A friend of mine suggested this camera, and I had used his camera to take some family shots before purchasing one for myself. Anyway, I speak of the camera in the past, because shortly after using it, I started getting an E18 error on the screen. I have returned it and am now wishing that this camera had worked for me, because of the options it offered, ease of use, beautiful pictures, and especially it fit into my price range. I don't enjoy buying a new product and find it mailfunctioning shortly after the purchase.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: James Bond would be proud to own this one
Review: This camera packs an amazing array of features into one of the tiniest packages you can imagine. The image quality is also outstanding, considering this camera's size. Although slightly larger than its cousin, the s200, this unit comes with a full 3x optical zoom rather than the s200's 2x optical zoom. And it will still fit unobtrusively in your pocket. The build quality is great, too. The whole camera feels like a solid piece of finely crafted aluminum and stainless steel. I was very impressed and you will be, too.


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