Rating: 
Summary: Really good digicam.
Review: This latest PowerShot is really a well balanced effort. Amazingly, even as the features list has grown, the cameras themselves have gotten smaller. As always, the body is a sturdy steel structure that is durable but not too heavy.
The 4 megapixel resolution is more than adequate for anything you can imagine, including shooting images for poster-sized enlargement. In fact, for anything routine, including keeping your options open for 8" x 10" enlargements, you'll probably want to dial the resolution down to 2 megapixels (this will make your digital files smaller and easier to transfer and will take up less space on the camera's memory card and will ultimately use less of the camera's battery capacity). There is a nice 3X optical zoom, as well as a less useful digital zoom. The movie feature has been enhanced, with 3 minutes of good quality video *with* sound now available.
Of drawbacks there are a few. As with all of these digicams, the included memory card is too small to be of much use, so you are forced into an extra purchase right off the bat. The Canon battery, while offering pretty good staying power, is nonetheless a proprietary one, meaning you won't be able to get a back up from anyone but Canon. Lastly, it is a bit late in the game to still be using a USB 1.1 transfer protocol. Were the camera USB 2.0 ready, images could be transferred from the camera directly to your computer 40 times faster. As it stands, you'll want to purchase a separate card reader to handle this task.
All of the above notwithstanding, this is a marvellous camera that anyone would be happy to have.
Rating: 
Summary: Persistent Red Eye
Review: This camera takes fantastic outdoor shots of all types. When it comes to taking pictures of people-- say indoors at night-- you get a lot of Red Eye. There is a Red Eye reduction mode but it does not appear to help much. I wish I could recommend this camera but I cannot on account of the Red Eye problem, especially since a lot of my photography is indoors: casual shots of family and friends. Bottom line: a good camera but beware of the red eye problem if you are taking flash pictures of people.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Snapshot Camera & Then Some
Review: I graduated from a PowerShot S100 to the S400.Between the two cameras I've shot approximately 5,000 images. That's the point. You will carry the S400 with you because it's small, and you'll shoot a lot of images because it's easy to use. Over time you will find the major contributing factor to good images is sheer volume. Simply put, the more shots you take the more likely you'll capture a good image. Sure, you can buy cameras that have more megapixels and more features. Unfortunately they come with more heft. Once you've shoved a camera in your pocket, you'll no longer want one hanging from your neck. You can buy smaller cameras. But for me, this one feels just right. It slips into a pocket with ease. It's easy to hold and shoot. And it's not so small it feels fussy and insubstantial when you're taking pictures; it's just big enough that it won't disappear. Judging by my first camera, which has been dropped and repeatedly sat upon (I'm telling you, it's small) and used so much the buttons are almost worn out, build quality is excellent. The quality of your exposures on full auto will amaze you. White balance has been significantly improved since my S100, and whether shooting indoors or out the camera reproduces skin tones very well. (90 percent of everything you're likely to shoot will have a person in it, and if they look funny, the image looks funny. Skin tone matters.) If you're careful (good light, tripod) you can print enlargements to 8x10. Whether you print your own on today's better printers (use photo paper) or send them off to Shutterfly or the equivalent, in most cases they'll pass for film, rivaling even your best point-and-shoot cameras. Don't forget that unlike film, when it comes to digital photos you get a second chance because you can retouch your digital photos on your computer. You can use the supplied software or whatever came with your computer or pop for Adobe Photoshop Elements and "fix" many common mistakes, like red-eye. You may also find that you'll like shooting high resolution images to make prints from, then use your photo editing software to reduce the image quality, and hence size, for easy emailing. Despite my best intentions, most of my images live on the computer and not in printed photo albums. At 72 dots per inch (computer screen resolution) they look fabulous. By contrast, paper prints are 300 dots per inch, and far less forgiving. It's also cheaper to email an image--no paper cost, no ink cost, no postage. Film is still better than digital for a lot of technical reasons. The non-technical reason is the pictures look better. Especially if you're making big 8x10, 11 1/2 x 14 prints. But if what you're really going to be doing is point and shoot, do yourself a favor. Hang a full gallon of milk around the back of your neck and just reread this. That pain and the image library I've amassed explain why my very nice, very expensive Nikon film SLR, with its very nice lenses and very spiffy flash have been sitting in a closet for the last two years. And why I wouldn't consider carrying a camera much larger than an tin of Altoids. Two final comments. One, after being inundated with my digital photos and then getting their hands on camera, my wife, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law all own digital Elfs. Two, with the three minute movie mode this little camera will likely replace your video camera as well.
Rating:
Summary: prompt refund
Review: Ok, I haven't received it yet, but the anticipation is worthy of four stars. Quite noteworthy: the day following my order (just prior to shipment), the price dropped another 30 bucks. I quickly wrote customer service, and within minutes had a $30.00 refund. Bravo to Amazon's prompt service and attention!
Rating:
Summary: Best bang for your buck, bar none!
Review: I am a US Army soldier deployed in Iraq. I bought this camera just one day before I left the states so that I may preserve my experience for my familly. I've gotta tell ya, of all the things I got in preparation for my year long tour this takes the cake! The 4.0 megapixel pictures are CRYSTAL clear, and the interface is wonderfull. I am a Mac user myself and downloading my pictures is a snap. When I'm not around my computer, but one of my buddies is on his PC - zip, bam, boom, he's got pics just as easy. The video isn't super 8, but it IS a whole lot better than I expected from a digital camera not much bigger than a deck of cards, and three minutes (with audio) goes a really long way! The extras are nice. All the sounds the camera makes are changeable, and you can even record your own right there without hooking up to a computer! It's rugged as hell too. I spend a lot of time in the dirt out here and the camera has yet to fail me, nor has it taken any damage from all the bumping around that happens in my daily desert exsistance. The software included with the camera might be one of my favorite features. There is a photo editor, a video editor, and a zoom browser. I have iPhoto for the mac, but I find myself using the cannon software more often! The video editor is great. My wife sent me a little model tank. When I got it together I had an idea....so I took about 100 pictures and made my own little stop motion animation film, with a soundtrack and everything! The zoom browser is nothing short of awesome. It helps you D/L your pictures fast and easily and will also erase your camera's flash card for you so you can start fresh (out here it's hard to find new ones). It also contains a program called "photo stitch" that pieces pictures together for you to create a panoramic picture. All in all I've got to say this camera is incredible. Whether experienced with digital cameras, or if this is your first, you'll have nothing but fun with it. Spare yourself frustration...BUY THIS CAMERA!
Rating:
Summary: MAN, I LOVE THIS CAMERA
Review: There is absolute no way anyone can find any real fault with this gem. I can not recommend it enough to anyone looking to up grade or to purchase their first digital camera. I have only one complaint and that is that the red-eye reduction is kind of weak. However, that is my only complaint - and it's a small one considering all the features and the ease of use the S400 offers.
Along with instant gratification, the S400 gives you the ability to choose the quality of picture you wish to take; L M1 M2, & Small, as well as Superfine, Fine, and Normal. Setting Small/Normal (good only for emailing, etc) will net you well over 100 shots on the battery - M1 & Fine (very good for printing, framing, etc) gives you over 30 on the battery...not too bad. The quality of the pictures is fantastic and the software pack is really good too - much more than I expected.
This baby goes with us everywhere! Final note: beware of your rowdy friends grabbing it from you to see the pics you have recently taken - despite how great the camera is I'm almost certain that dropping it isn't good.
Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: great but not the flash
Review: I have been using the camera for 6 months and its the ultimate camera for quality and compactness. Only weak thing is the flash, especially red eye function, it just does not work...
I am very happy with it and reccomend it.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best!
Review: This is a biased review! I owned an S100 for over three years. I loved it! The S400 is even better. A lot of nice features, same great form factor, a longer zoom and twice the pixels! The buttons are all in the right places. The menus are easy to use. The camera body, the lens, color fidelity, CCD signal/noise ratio and everything else is of superb quality. Both the LCD and the viewfinder are very bright. The pictures are great! BTW, I have researched and tried all the other brands in this form factor. Casio Exilim perhaps comes in second.
Rating:
Summary: Great Little Camera
Review: I was asked to shop for a 4MP camera for an organization with which I am heavily involved. I recently took over the duties of official photographer. This little camera takes marvelous sharp clear pictures. It easily fits into a shirt pocket. I've only had it a few days and have much to learn about all of its features. I had purchased a digital camera (not a Canon) a few years ago which promptly malfunctioned at the end of the one year warranty. I swore I'd never have another digital. I also own a Ricoh manual SLR 35mm and an auto everything Pentax SLR 35mm camera. This camera will round out my collection. This little camera will cretainly be the most used as it it much more convenient to keep with me at all times due to its diminutive size.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent digital camera....
Review: Amazing resolution, incredible easy to use but at the same time it offers some advanced features.... this camera is very good option for those like me starting in Digital Photography.... Just add more memory (128 at least...) and a extra battery (you will need it!!) and is the perfect companion for your trips...
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