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Summary: buy direct
Review: should have bought direct from Tech Depot and saved the freight charges.a c slonaker
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Summary: EXCELLENT CAMERA
Review: Easy camera to use. Bonus is the 30 second AVI's that you can film. Easy to down load. Software interface is easy to use. Recommend buying the 256 memory card and longer lasting battery. takes fantastic shots. Excellent camera for the amature photographer who wants to take professional looking pictures. Most excellent buy!
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Summary: Seems great, but didn't work out of the box
Review: I only have had the camera a week and I am returning it. It doesn't power up when I press the "display" button like the manual says it should. However, it is working fine in "Auto" mode and it seems like an excellent camera. I am not a very experienced photographer, but I am very impressed with the quality of the pictures. Besides being a dud (don't they test these things before they leave the factory?), my only other complaint is the lens cover feels flimsy. The rest of the camera seems sturdy and like it will last beyond the warranty.
The ZoomEx software that comes with it is adequate but weak. Windows XP camera and scanner wizard is much easier to use and faster.
Bottom line: I can't wait to get a fully functional camera. Its an excellent buy.
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Summary: Excellent camera, but I do have one problem
Review: Now that the price is dropping, this is an even better deal: Pros:
- Easy to use, but has many advanced settings for when you are ready to move beyond the auto feature
- Good zoom
- EXCELLENT high-resolution pictures. I've downloaded all kinds of shots taken in all kinds of light, and then proceeded to crop, blow up, etc. The results have been uniformly excellent
- Resonably easy and useful software. By this I mean it's not Photoshop, but is very user-friendly and can handle all the basics.
- Small and lightwieght. Cons:
- The viewfinder is TINY, so if you want to shoot pictures without using the lcd screen it can be difficult.
- Does not come with a carrying case (I got a decent on for less than $20 at a local store.
- I had to send mine in to the maintenance center for a serious, mysterious problem- the lcd screen suddenly died on me. It's not been dropped or mishandled, so this sudden problem is very baffling. I could still take pictures and download them but could not see the pictures as I took them, and could also not delete pictures from the camera after downloading as you need to use the lcd screen for this. I am now waiting for the verdict (haven't gotten the camera back yet).
- You really need a bigger flashcard than the one it comes with. I take a ton of pictures of my baby with this and quickly had to upgrade my flashcard as it runs out of room fast. All in all, with the exception of the lcd screen problem, I've been very satisfied with this camera and recommend it.
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Summary: Canon S40 v. Olympus D40 Compared
Review: I own an Olympus E10 for my "professional" stuff. But I missed my Olympus pocket type camera when I gave it to my daughter. I immediately keyed on the Olympus D40 but kept my options open. I am concerned about color and so forth, but the important things in THIS camera were shutter lag time, ease of use for others, 4 meg results, speed and battery life. I had the chance to side by side compare. Sorry Olympus, but you need to work on some things in pocket cameras. 1. Shutter Lag Time: This is the time from pressing the "button" to getting a picture. Though neither is extremely fast like the E10, the Canon is much faster than the Olympus. You still need to pre-focus if shooting a moving target but with the Olympus, you still won't catch them in movement. 2. Write Time: The write time of the Canon is superior, especially using a microdrive--which it does. Either I or II (microdrive). I really prefer compact flash to SmartMedia, which is the like Beta to VHS in future I think. It has it's place, but not in 4 meg cameras. 3. Ease of Use--Both cameras utilize one of the most user friendly systems around. Equally impressed with both. 4. Batteries: I did like the idea of AA batteries in the Olympus--but my very good rechargables were drying up like crazy while I played with it. The Canon's lithium rechargable isn't cheap and you need two, but I am greatly impressed so far. The charger is light and plugs right into the outlet--no cord. Canon wins, even with the propriatary battery...P>5. Zoom: Neither is going to bring the world in like a true telephoto, but the Canon is much better here also. 6. Startup Time: When you pull open the lid, how long does it take to get a shot off? That's why I have the pocket camera--spontaneity. Canon again comes in first on time to ready. Not alot, but faster. Bottomline is Canon easily won this Olympus photographer hands down. I'd rate the Olympus D40Zoom a 4 plus, but the Canon Powershot ... a clear 5 for its class of camera.
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Summary: Aidan's review
Review: Great camera awesome resolution I loved it
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Summary: Tossed my Pentax 6 x 7 for Canon S40
Review: Great camera. With Pentax 6 x 7 kids always manage to close eyes with flash photography. S40 has no moving and loud clapping mirrors like medlium format SLRs that gives plenty of time to close eyes at the time flash fires up. S40 is immune to this problem. Great portraits up to 11 x 14". Sorry it does not have PC sync for external flash.
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Summary: Great Little Camera
Review: The pictures are as good if not better than my expensive 35mm slr. Color saturation and sharpness are very impressive. You have to get the 128mb flashcard for over 60 pictures at full quality. The camera is as easy or as complicated to use as you want to make it. We went on vacation the second day I had the camera and I didn't have to delete any of the picures I took.
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Summary: Solid choice
Review: Packed with professional features, this camera will benefit medium to good photographers.
The great thing about this camera is that it will help you make better pictures by giving you feedback on overexposure, light distribution and sharpness. Minor points and I DO mean MINOR, are not-so-solid sliding door for the lens, battery latch that doesn't hold perfectly and weak flash (maybe that's a good point so you don't use it). Major points for solid design, lots and lots of features, great colours, fast response times, RAW format, excellent picture reviews features and more more more. Also include at least a 128MB flash card and extra battery when taking a longer holiday.
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Summary: A full-featured, compact 4MP that produced quality photos
Review: This is my 5th digital camera and, by far, it's my favorite. I've been through an entry level HP Photosmart, 1.3MP Canon A50, 2.1MP Canon S10, 3.34MP Nikon 995, and now the Canon S40. First of all I believe the Canon interface is far superior to Nikon's. It's cleaner and more simple. What I like:
1) It's compact but not too small. You can't take a picture if your camera is too big to lug around.
2) Its metal construction is quality to the nth degree. At a time when consumer electronics feels flimsy as far as I'm concerned (too much plastic), it's nice to own something that's built so well with good material.
3) The picture quality is excellent. Like I said, this is my 5th digicam and the image quality is the best, by far. The colors are rich and the detail amazing. Everyone who has seen my photos are amazed.
4) The video feature is nice. You might not think it's necessary but I find the ability to capture up to 30 seconds of video (albiet not of the best quality) very useful.
5) Battery life is much improved vs. the older Canons and the Nikon. Without LCD on, you can take well over 100 shots. What I don't like:
1) The macro performance is poor. The Nikon 995 did an amazing job in the area.
2) Low light situations results in poor shots. What you'll need:
1) A larger memory card, at least 128MB. I went with a 256MB Viking which works really well. It's fast and holds up to 120 shots on the highest resolution setting.
2) A bag to protect your investment, I recommend the Lowepro 10AW. It's VERY well padded, has slots for an extra battery and memory card, and is lightweight. Some may opt for a smaller bag. It's a matter of preference.
3) I got an extra rechargeable battery. It's a safety net actually since battery performance is pretty good and you can always bring your charger along.
4) A LCD protector because the screen is prone to scratches. You can buy ones meant for color PDAs or try purplemoo.com and/or daprotector.com. I am very happy with this purchase and consider the S40 the best overall 4MP digicam in the market for me.
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