Rating: 
Summary: The most useful digital camera on the market today.
Review: I see the average consumer having too primary needs for a digital camera. The first and most important in their mind is a tool to record those moments that need to last forever. This translates into a digital versus film because of the unparalled ability of digital to display the recorded image. These are the shots that include family and friends, everyday life. Other important factors in choosing a camera that will handle this aspect would be zoom and flash. From what I have seen of the performance of such a small camera, it does fine. I can't wait until canon makes SLR rangefinder digital cameras similar to the s20, but with the option of extended zoom capability. That would be cool. The second most important need that I can percieve is a camera that is portable enough that it is not a big deal to carry with you most of the time. This would be for those shots that the consumer says "Oh that looks cool". This camera fits the bill perfectly bieng the smallest on the market that is able to support a microdrive. I think toshiba recently released a 5 gig mircodrive. I can't believe how many pictures this translates to. Of course it costs almost as much as the camera, but for people whom are serious about recording a moment in their life, then the investment in the camera / rechargeable batteries / leather case / microdrive goes without saying. Hope this helps!
Rating: 
Summary: Poor ergonomics, mediocre picture quality
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor quality and terrible customer service
Review: 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:
Summary: Brilliant little machine
Review: It's small, light and easy to use and picture quality is superb. I would agree with the other reviewers on this page with one exception: according to one reviewer you can't check the quality of your photo immediately after shooting - this is not true: keep the shutter button pressed in after shooting and the photo appears on the TFT screen until you release the button. The supplied 16Mb flash card is not enough for efficient use, but it does get you started. You can take 44 photos in medium res (1024 x 768) which is good enough quality for screen viewing. Batteries will last long enough to fill the 16 Mb card but I bought 2 extra rechargables with mine and I keep TFT screen and flash use to a minimum when not near a power supply. My biggest niggle with the Canon is that in Auto mode it only takes pictures in the highest resolution, something like 8 or 9 photo's on the 16 Mb card. With maybe a 170 or 340 Mb IBM micro drive and a couple of extra rechargable batteries this is a brilliant little machine suitable for most users, takes great pictures and fits in your jacket pocket too!
Rating:
Summary: Used for almost a year under various conditionsGreat Camera!
Review: My dad bought this camera just under a year ago and he bought the IBM 340mb micordrive and about 3 extra batteries(wise decision). I took it with me to Vancouver,BC this summer and shot over 600 pictures in two weeks all on the superfine,large resolution and the quality surpases 35 mm film by fAR. You can fit over 1000 images on the lowest quality but on the highest you can fit around 90-100. Don't even think about using a digital camera any less than 128mb because you'll run out of room quickly. Although this is the first digital camera I have used, I am an experienced photographer and this camera simply makes taking pictures more relaxing and whats better is that you dont need to freak out if 90% of the photos you shot were useless. I used this camera at altitudes of 9000+feet and under very cold conditions and in total darkness as well as on the back of a motorcycle at 90 miles hour. I had used the camera many times prior but I was concerned with getting the most out of my pictures while on vacation so I utilized almost every mode and option on this camera. Pros: -excellent quality during high speed photography even with low light -small, light, durable. I gave up carrying around a [price] nikon slr and a video camera for this baby. -stitch assist mode actually works great; basically it makes panoramas out of a series of pictures you shot. I used it for overlooking Stanley park, grousse mountain, and the totem poles in capilano as a test and I was amazed that it actually worked. Very easy too. Cons: -Battery power is a major issue especially if you have a microdrive which i recommend for this camera if it is cheaper than a 5oomb flashcard; with the lcd screen off you can shoot maybe 90 pics and the highest resolution with the flash. My sister did it at a party 91shots in under 5 minutes and drained a fully charged battery. -not really manual controls, you cant set aperature and shutter speed but use fast shutter, slow shutter, etc. -flash is good indoors even in complete darkness but outdoors the range is severly limited to about 15 feet at most I'm assuming if you are reading this you are doing a fair bit of research before buying so you've already encountered the same complaints about battery power and memory but really this camera has the same issues as most digital cameras so there arent any major problems specific to the s-20. Definately buy a microdrive or 500mb+ flashcard if possible but be sure of compatibility before spending some big bucks.
Rating:
Summary: Bad color corrispondence
Review: Nice little camera, but with some relevant problem with color balancing. Also Flash is not so performing (or too strong or too weak). The biggest problem I had is that I have to spend hours at the PC to fix color and hue balancing. Sometimes good quality.
Rating:
Summary: Scarey Quaility!
Review: Sometimes when I take a shot, and get it to my PC I look at it and wonder, how such a samll unit can crete such clean pictures. For most applications the S10 will do but the S20 is good value still.
Rating:
Summary: Non-rechargeable batter? No power cord? Ridiculous
Review: The battery included with the S20 camera lasts approximately an hour. At that point you soon discover that a power cord and a rechargeable battery were not included with the product (the included battery is a throw away Lithium). You are apparently forced then to purchase the "Canon Power Supply Kit" (which includes a rechargeable battery) for [$]. Well, it's a good thing I don't need to take pictures anytime soon. Sure, I'll wait two weeks for replacement batteries and/or the [$] rechargeable battery kit to arrive. A rechargeable battery and a power cord are ABSOLUTELY necesary for this product. These items ABSOLUTELY should have been included with the original product (outside the US the "Canon Power Supply Kit" is included with the original purchase). I am returning my S20 camera because of this. I will be purchasing a new digital camera from a company that does not force its customers to pay an extra [$] for something that should have been included with the original product. After you factor in the [$] battery kit surcharge to the purchase price of the S20, there are plenty of other, better, and cheaper digital cameras out there. Also, the S20's image quality was not as good as I expected, though I only had 1 hour to check it out before the battery died.
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC CAMERA - TINY AND EASY TO USE!
Review: The Canon S20 is simply stellar. It takes outstanding photos, yet is very easy to use. Of equal importance, it is tiny, so you'll never have to leave it behind! You simply can't go wrong with this handy, high-end digicam.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Little Digital Camera Out There
Review: The Canon S20 is the perfect combination of simplicity, function, and high technology. The camera takes fantastic pictures that are consistently clear, ungrainy, and in focus, even in odd lighting conditions. The metering system is great, as is the autofocus and the telephoto; all work near-flawlessly. The S20's greatest strengths is its simplicity and its size. Although it does not offer advanced features (such shutter-speed priority, full manual, etc.) that some of the Nikons and more expensive Canons do, even an inexperienced camera user (digital or not) will have no problem taking great photographs. All of the moderately complicated features on the Canon such as macro-mode, toggling the flash, and red-eye reduction are as easy as hitting a clearly labelled, obvious button. Additionally, the S20 is just like a "regular old camera." There are no bizare swivling things like on the Nikons, and more importantly, the camera is small enough to fit easily in a small bag or large pocket. Please note that in addition to the camera itself, you will have to buy the battery recharger and, unless you want to be limited to a few megs, an extra PC card which will both add some money to your purchase. Still, for the camera you get, the extra purchases are not a big deal. Overall, a fantastic little camera. Look no further.
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