Rating: 
Summary: Compact Camera with Full Features
Review: The Powershot S30 is an easily transportable digital camera that goes far beyond the norm for "point and shoot" cameras that it competes against in size and price. It features a 3.34 megapixel CCD, a 3 x optical zoom, and 3.3x digital zoom, making it comparable to a number of competing products. What sets this camera apart for the serious photographer is the ability to control exposure, focus, and macro modes in addition to the standard full auto modes. While slightly larger than the Pentax Optio 300 (a close competitor in price and basic features), it has both full automatic and manual modes, as well as apereture priority and shutter priority modes and 7 preset adjustment settings. You can use both manual and autofocus, and with autofocus can specify the default averaging focus mode or select an area of the viewfinder to use to focus on an off-center object. It is possible to automatically bracket pictures to prevent missing the "perfect shot". A virtual "motor drive" mode allows taking several pictures in sequence. A full macro mode allows focusing as close as 0.3 meters. For those interested, it is possible to record movies with sound (in contrast to the Pentax Optio, which cannot record with sound). There is also an excellent software package, and included lithium ion battery with rapid (80 minute) charger. All told, the S30 represents a major breakthrough in low cost, high feature digital cameras that should appeal to the serious photographer.
Rating: 
Summary: Canon S30
Review: I have had the camera for one week. It is easy to use, fairly intuitive and takes great pictures. My problem is the horrendous software manual that accompanies the camera. We have spent more than 8 hours reading and re-reading the manual, installing and uninstalling software but have been unable to get the camera to communicate to my Windows98 Compaq PC.
Rating:
Summary: 3 Megapixels doesn't get any better in a package this small!
Review: I picked this camera up a few days ago after doing pretty extensive research online and talking to some people on bulletin boards. I wanted 3mp camera in as compact form as possible that used CF cards and had a rechargeable battery. Then I discovered Canon's new S30/S40. No doubt the S40 is a great successor to the S30, but I have no need for 4mp. I've only had the camera a few days and I'm already very content with my decision. It has a build quality like no other camera I've held. I'd say it has a 95% metal casing, only the battery door is plastic, and they mesh perfectly with the design. The sliding lens cover is great. Works flawlessly as a on/off switch and protection for the lens. Gives the camera a great smooth finish too. The LCD is bright and has good visibility in sun light. The buttons are well placed and easy to work with. My only minor complaint is the rubber door covering the usb and power jack. I question it's durability after long term use, but it should be ok. So how do the pictures looks? Fantastic. If I could sum it up in 3 words, I would say: Sharp, bright and clear. The flash is powerful enough to take great low-light/night shots. Just don't get to far away :) Battery life is average. One of the drawbacks to such a small camera, but the battery recharges fairly quickly. Keep the LCD off for mucher greater battery life! Oh, and get a large CF card. The 16mb that is included won't cut. No problems using the camera with Windows XP Pro through my monitor's USB hub. Canon's software is kind of bloated, but functional. If you prefer, just use XP's built in Digital Camera support. Overall, excellent camera for people who want something portable (like the S110, although not quite as small), and a 3 megapixel resolution.
Rating: 
Summary: GREAT UNTIL IT DIED
Review: For the first 15 months of ownership, I was sure I made the right choice for my first digital camera . Many great pictures, especially available-light stuff, lots of flexibility, rock solid (OK, hefty) feel. Then one day I turned it on to review pictures taken at a wedding the weekend before and nothing happened. No error message, no reaction to replacement with a fresh-charged battery, stone dead. I returned it to Canon Service even though it was a few months off-warranty. They repaired it and returned it very quickly, about two weeks turnaround. I would have called it perfect service except there was no explanation as to what the problem was, what they did to remedy it, and the fact that my MINT S30 was returned with two almost identical, obvious new scratches on top and bottom (clamshell vise?) Now I feel like it is a ticking time bomb that could die again at any time and have migrated back to film and my more dependable 1970s-vintage Rollei 35S.
Rating:
Summary: E18 error
Review: This was my first introduction to digital photography. Wouldn't you know, just out of the warranty period, the camera stops working. I test the battery just before my daughter's soccer game, then hop in the car. Get to the game and....the thing won't work. The lens will not come out. I now own a piece of junk. I think the retractable lens adds needless complexity to the camera. I will look for something simpler mechanically in the future. Maybe it's back to film cameras for me. I'm tired of 60 dollar ink cartridges anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Poor Choice
Review: I have had this camera from about 18 months. It has a horrible redeye problem even with the redeye flash turned on. Now it has stopped working altogether. It has developed the dreaded E18 error which means the lens will not come out when you open the camera. This has happened to a huge amount of these cameras; just search the web for the S30 and E18 code and you will see. Buy a different camera.
Rating:
Summary: More than happy
Review: I've shot hundred of pictures in the rain, at the beach and have never had any issue other than the sometimes slow first shot issue, mentioned else where.
It has been drop off the kitchen counter and lived on with a small dent.
I'd gladly buy a newer model if I needed to, but 3.2 megs I have found to be more than good enough for family shots. In comparing this to my other camera from a computer vendor I'd have to say stick to camera vendors models, they feel and work like cameras, right down to the little mirror/shutter sound that lets other people taking your vacation pictures know that they have in fact taken a picture.
I do think the lcd too small at times to determine some options, like the flash mode (red eye). Perhaps newer SLR digitals will get in viewer features, for when you saving power by not running the lcd display.
Rating:
Summary: Great Quality, Too Complicated for Beginners
Review: I bought this camera about a year ago and am still discovering new features. This camera has so many features that I'm sure I'll never learn all of them (I only use the "auto" and "movie" settings and can't figure out what the rest of them are for).
The good news is that it's incredibly easy to use, even for someone as camera un-savvy as me (and this surprises me because I love electronics). The auto focus works wonders. The 3mega pixels are more than enough to deliver clear and crisp photos from a printer. Photo transferring is a breeze with iPhoto (for Macs) and Picasa (it's free for Windows).
I also want to point out that it is incredibly durable. This camera lives in my purse (along with an oversized wallet, cell phone, keys, iPod and accessories... The list goes on, but the camera has no scratches and after a year I've had zero problems.
No plans to upgrade because all my needs are satisfied with this product... And I've got years of product discovery ahead of me, starting with the functions of the other 11 settings on the formatting wheel.
Rating: 
Summary: Give Me A Break
Review: I have had this camera for over a year now. The camera is great until now. I simply plugged the camera into the USB port in order to download my pictures and all the sudden my LCD DISPLAY turned White. I have tried troubleshooting and nothing is expalined about this mess. I talked to Canon and the only option they left me was to ship it in and get it repaired...for $200.00 What a joke!
Rating:
Summary: PowerShot S30 pros & cons after 1.5yrs use
Review: I've had my Canon s30 for a year and a half now, and it's still at the top of its game. Brushed aluminum. Weighty, but not bulky. Crystal-clear screen. Potentially ridiculously intricate functionality, but simple enough for anyone to use. And yes, the video function is incredibly handy to have around. The cons cited in other reviews hold, of course: the joystick is difficult to use, you'll want to buy a separate 256 MB card, the battery drains fairly quickly, that sort of thing. Except for these aspects of its anatomy, it really is a brilliant camera. But here's one pro I haven't seen anyone mention yet: you can zoom in--really CLOSE!--on a picture you've taken, and then scroll around in it. This is an incredible function, catering to those social settings where everyone gathers around you and demands to see themselves in that last picture you took. Really handy (and sometimes VERY entertaining).
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