It's a good camera for everyday life. It's also built to withstand abuse, though I cried when I saw my sister had already added some dings and scratches to hers...
<strong>It's a good camera for everyday life. It's also built to withstand abuse, though I cried when I saw my sister had already added some dings and scratches to hers...</strong><hr></blockquote>
I started a thread on this a while back, called "Suggestions on a digital camera," which has TONS of useful information on it due to the generosity of many here.
After looking at both the Elph-S330 and the slightly larger S30, I bought the S30. It has more power, control, etc. for not too much money. It feels like it is really solid, and is 3.2 megapixels.
I couldn't be happier with it. So if they are out of stock of your elph, go try one of those at your local store.
But if it is small size you are looking for, then go for the elph.
I purchased the Elph for my sister, so I looked for the best deal possible, and that was via Dell after exercising two stackable coupons. It came out to $337 tota after shipping...
Dell has a 10% off coupon right now, but that still only brings the price down to ~$360. Check out the link below to see how cheap the S330 has been at Dell.com. $329.10
I just checked the Dell website and it looks like I can get the PowerShot S330 for $399 minus 10% for a Dell discount and free next day shipping for a total of $359.10. Sweet! I didn't even know Dell sold cameras, but then again I've never bought anything from Dell. Thanks.
And I think that I'm going to pick up a 128Mb Lexmark CompactFlash card to go with the camera. This provides 128 to 1,417 photos, depending on the resolution. For the moment I'm going to skip getting an extra rechargeable battery or a carrying case. Canon claims that you can take 120 photos with the LCD on before draining the battery, so I'll try living with that. I can always get another battery later.
A 128 MB card is definitely enough for most people since the S330 doesn't have any of the monster capture formats like uncompressed TIFF or RAW. A small camera pouch and a battery were the other things my sister got immediately.
I don't really mean to rain on anyone's parade but I've had the S330 for the last month and i'm not satisfied and i'm going to return it.
here are the issues that came up for me that warrant it's return:
1. camera can not focus in low low light stituations. forget about using it at night. the AF assist beam is a joke.
2. macro leaves a lot to be desired. manual says foucs range is > 6". my experience is that it's more lke > 8-10" depending on the light.
3. this is the kicker for me. the camera just doesn't meter correctly. camera blows out just about everything. i got the best results stopping camera down 1-1.25 stops on average.
i understand this is suppose to be a an average quality point and shoot. and in my opinion it is just that, average. don't be fooled by the body as i was. if your looking for anything remotely like film when printed, this is not the camera.
Eh, it's way above average as a point and shoot camera, and anybody with a little film knowledge can take good photos with it. The imager is a bit small, so photos will always look a bit softer in comparison to larger cameras but that's the trade-off.
I really don't care all that much about the macro mode. Since it's not an SLR, using the rangefinder will be inaccurate, and will result in bad focus. Try using the LCD for framing your macros perhaps?
I have not had any problems with light metering when I used the camera. The few times I did use it I actually thought it did a better job than my Olympus C-2500 in full auto. The skies were more blue, there was more contrast in shadows, etc.
I bought the S330 with an extra battery and a 64 MB card. With the 64MB card I can get 202 pictures on medium quality and medium size. It's very nice. I recommend getting it besides the 3.2 megapixel. The pictures are huge with the 2 megapixel, most people don't need pictures bigger than that.
Either way, it's very small, very clear and crisp, and it's uncompromising quality-wise. Get the S330, you don't need anything more. <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
I've got the Digital Elph S200 and I love this thing. I have a 512MB CF Card in it so I can take mini movies and large gorgeous pics. The thing is so small and is a breeze to use too.
How do you convert Mega-Pixel to screen rez? Do you just multiply the vertical and horizontal? Like, to get a 1600x1200 image you would need to multiply 1600 x 1200, which means you need a 1.92MP camera.
There's two issues here. Most camera manufacturers attribute megapixels to the number of pixels in the imager itself, so that's why 2.0 and 2.1 megapixel cameras actually create 1.92 megapixel images. It's not necessarily because the imager isn't being used fully, but because images are scaled and processed right in the camera.
I fell in love with Canon digitals when I bought my G1 late last year and I have shot up a storm around the world--now I would like to have a G2, of course, but what I need is a smaller pocket camera now that I snap everything here in NYC and in TYO and London. Got to have it immediately.
Do get the accessories you need when you buy your camera. It is hard to get them later. Actually, I got a 512 and a 128; I use the 512 when I am shooting "microfilm" like documents in the Library, and the 128 for everything else. The 32 that came with it is in the camera case somewhere, I think. The G1 allowed me to get the appropriate lenses and it is wonderful, but the Elf or any other Canon beauty at the high pixel level is Soo convenient.
Comments
<strong>It's a good camera for everyday life. It's also built to withstand abuse, though I cried when I saw my sister had already added some dings and scratches to hers...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Eugene,
Thanks. I read a really good review (see <a href="http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S330/S330A.HTM"; target="_blank">http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S330/S330A.HTM</a>; )about the S330 and would like to buy one ASAP. Supply seems to be short but I found one at MacConnection.com. This is my first foray into digital cameras, and all I really need is a basic camera since I have a pretty snappy 35mm already.
GG
After looking at both the Elph-S330 and the slightly larger S30, I bought the S30. It has more power, control, etc. for not too much money. It feels like it is really solid, and is 3.2 megapixels.
I couldn't be happier with it. So if they are out of stock of your elph, go try one of those at your local store.
But if it is small size you are looking for, then go for the elph.
Mandricard
AppleOutsider
Dell has a 10% off coupon right now, but that still only brings the price down to ~$360. Check out the link below to see how cheap the S330 has been at Dell.com. $329.10
<a href="http://gotapex.com/deals.php?search=s330"; target="_blank">http://gotapex.com/deals.php?search=s330</a>;
I just checked the Dell website and it looks like I can get the PowerShot S330 for $399 minus 10% for a Dell discount and free next day shipping for a total of $359.10. Sweet! I didn't even know Dell sold cameras, but then again I've never bought anything from Dell. Thanks.
Gobble Gobble
[ 07-12-2002: Message edited by: gobble gobble ]</p>
here are the issues that came up for me that warrant it's return:
1. camera can not focus in low low light stituations. forget about using it at night. the AF assist beam is a joke.
2. macro leaves a lot to be desired. manual says foucs range is > 6". my experience is that it's more lke > 8-10" depending on the light.
3. this is the kicker for me. the camera just doesn't meter correctly. camera blows out just about everything. i got the best results stopping camera down 1-1.25 stops on average.
i understand this is suppose to be a an average quality point and shoot. and in my opinion it is just that, average. don't be fooled by the body as i was. if your looking for anything remotely like film when printed, this is not the camera.
I really don't care all that much about the macro mode. Since it's not an SLR, using the rangefinder will be inaccurate, and will result in bad focus. Try using the LCD for framing your macros perhaps?
I have not had any problems with light metering when I used the camera. The few times I did use it I actually thought it did a better job than my Olympus C-2500 in full auto. The skies were more blue, there was more contrast in shadows, etc.
Either way, it's very small, very clear and crisp, and it's uncompromising quality-wise. Get the S330, you don't need anything more. <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
How do you convert Mega-Pixel to screen rez? Do you just multiply the vertical and horizontal? Like, to get a 1600x1200 image you would need to multiply 1600 x 1200, which means you need a 1.92MP camera.
Is this correct?
Do get the accessories you need when you buy your camera. It is hard to get them later. Actually, I got a 512 and a 128; I use the 512 when I am shooting "microfilm" like documents in the Library, and the 128 for everything else. The 32 that came with it is in the camera case somewhere, I think. The G1 allowed me to get the appropriate lenses and it is wonderful, but the Elf or any other Canon beauty at the high pixel level is Soo convenient.