Canon PowerShot S30 3MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
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- 3-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create prints up to 11 x 14
- 3x optical plus 3.2x digital (for 9.6x total) zoom lens with autofocus
- Included 16 MB CompactFlash card holds 16 images at default resolution; camera is Microdrive compatible
- Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
- Uses proprietary NB-2L lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included)
Product Description
If it’s possible to do in digital photography, it’s possible to do with the PowerShot S30. Packing 3.2 million pixels and a range of features, this versatile camera fulfils any requirement. A dedicated all-rounder, the camera is just as at home indoors as it is outdoors, in brilliant sunshine or low-level light. Special advanced technology means you’ll still get high-quality images whatever the conditions. And once you have that perfect image, printing it couldn’t be simpler. Forget the PC, plug your PowerShot S30 directly into the Canon CP-10 Card Photo Printer or the Bubble Jet S820D and enjoy brilliant color prints at the touch of a few buttons. Other features include the My-Camera function – customize your PowerShot S30 with unique sounds and images to make it truly your own.Amazon.com Review
Canon’s 3-megapixel S30 hits the marketing sweet spot between features and ease of use, making it ideal for a wide range of photographers. It offers point-and-shoot simplicity while still providing advanced settings for more experienced photographers. Features like video capture, stitched panoramas, and continuous shooting offer a huge bonus in terms of fun and versatility for photographers at all levels of experience.
Getting started with the S30 couldn’t have been simpler. We just slid open the lens cover and started shooting. Setting the camera to automatic mode, we were able to take vivid photos with accurate colors and outstanding detail. The 3x optical zoom–10x if you factor in the digital enhancement–made all the difference in our outdoor photos, letting us frame our shots perfectly.
A quick look at the options dial of the S30 shows that its capabilities extend well beyond quick snapshots. Even novices can take advantage of the camera’s video mode, which can capture short videos. Though nowhere near camcorder quality, these videos are perfect for putting on a Web page or sending via e-mail, and the built-in microphone records sound for videos or notations on individual photos.
A bit more complicated is the photo-stitch mode, which lets you take panorama photos by lining up multiple pictures to cover vast areas and then stitching them together into a grand panorama on your PC. The handy continuous-photo mode enables you to shoot up to three images per second, ideal for capturing sporting events or wildlife.
The camera comes with only a 16 MB CompactFlash card, and you’ll definitely want to purchase an additional memory card as a 16 MB card only holds approximately 16 3-megapixel images. Beyond that quibble, there’s not much fault to be found with the Canon S30. It combines the ease-of-use novices require with the advanced features serious photographers expect.
Pros:
- 3-megapixel resolution
- 3x optical and 3.2x digital zoom
- Captures short videos with sound
- Excellent picture quality both indoors and out
Cons:
- Only comes with 16 MB of CompactFlash memory
Amazon.com Product Description
Canon’s S30 and S40 cameras fill a gap in the company’s digital lineup. Nestled between the ultra-tiny Elph models and the feature-packed PowerShot G and Pro models, the S30 and S40 combine most of the portability of the former with nearly every advanced feature of the latter.
With the exception of their CCD sensors (the S30 is a 3-megapixel model, while the S40 is 4-megapixel), the cameras are essentially identical. Each features a brushed aluminum body with a sliding clamshell lens cover, a 3x optical zoom Canon lens, and a 1.8-inch LCD on the back of the camera for previewing and reviewing shots.
For beginners, the cameras are point-and-shoot simple. Just twist the dial to Auto and start snapping pictures. For more experienced photographers, both models include aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual modes, plus manual focus, exposure compensation, slow-sync flash, spot metering, and adjustable ISO (from 50 to 400 on the S40, and 50 to 800 on the S30).
Movie mode lets you capture video clips with sound. At 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels, the movies aren’t camcorder quality, but they’re fun and convenient, and they’re perfect as e-mail attachments. The cameras also include an unusual voice-memo feature, which lets you record up to 60 seconds of audio with each image.
To provide maximum battery life in the smallest possible space, the cameras use a proprietary lithium-ion battery (both the battery and a charger are included). The battery charges quickly and holds a reasonably long charge, but if you’re planning to use the camera for extended outings, a spare NB-2L battery is a good idea. A larger-capacity memory card is also advisable if you want to shoot more than a dozen photos at a time or if you decide to really take advantage of the Movie mode. The cameras use Type I or Type II CompactFlash cards, including the Microdrive. To print your photos at home, the S30 and S40 connect directly to Canon’s CP-10 and S820D printers for easy printing–you don’t even need a computer.
If you’re looking for a camera with the sleek, compact style of a point-and-shoot with the extensive manual controls of an advanced amateur camera, the S30 and S40 are both great choices.
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April 30th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
I have been playing around with my Powershot S30 for a couple of weeks now, and I must say I am very impressed. This is my first digital camera. 35mm photography has been a hobby of mine for over 10 years now, so I wanted to get a digicam that wouldn’t let me down. And the S30 hasn’t. It has almost all the features of my Canon Rebel 2000 (except interchangeable lenses, filters, and a hotshoe), but with a fraction of the size. The pictures are great. I have noticed that indoor flash pics tended to be a little too bright, but that was easily fixed by adjusting the flash exposure compensation down by 1/3 or 2/3. The camera takes pictures quickly (not as fast as my SLR, but that’s to be expected) and the pics are of high quality. The battery life is relatively short, but a fully charged battery was more than enough to get me through over 100 shots, using the LCD screen for all of them, the flash for most, and spending a fair bit of time reviewing the photos. I *love* the fact that the camera records all the settings you used along with the shot.
The camera is small and rugged, so it can easily be taken everywhere. Even the battery charger is fairly small. I definitely recommend getting a 256MB card (check out newegg.com) and a USB reader. At highest resolution and least compression, I can fit 157 pics on the 256MB card. The only thing I’ve used the 16MB card that comes with the camera for was to transfer some pics to it so a friend who wanted “doubles” could go to Ritz camera and print them out for herself. Definitely recommend!!!!!!!
Rating: 5 / 5
April 30th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
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: 5 / 5
April 30th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
This is my first digital camera and I am so happy with it.
This is what you get…
A heavier weight than most digital cameras. I wanted to know that I was holding a camera, not a plastic toy.
Nice, easy to use software. The stitch assist software that comes with the camera is fantastic!!
The ability to take mini movies (if a little small and short) The microphone picks up the ambient sound pretty well.
Multiple choices of picture resolution, but why not use the max resolution if you have the memory (see below).
Fully automatic to fully manual settings, so you you can practice your photography without wasting expensive film.
Uses standard compact flash memory (no expensive proprietary memory or limited to 128MB)
This camera will pay for itself (in terms of saving money on picture development) in about a year.
A LOT of fun using it and recording some great memories!
Using it…
I took about 400 shots over two days at Sea World at various resolutions. The high speed picture mode captured the action perfectly under many different light conditions.
It’s great for taking long exposure shots (use a tripod).
The 3x zoom doesn’t sound a lot but really helps to get better pictures at lower resolutions.
The stitch mode on the camera really helps you line up the next shot for panoramas and completely takes the guess work out of it.
The flash seems pretty strong (much better than my old standard compact camera)
Downsides
It really drains the battery. I went through three in one day. Which is why I recommend getting two more when you purchase (if you can afford it)
The cover for the USB port on the camera looks a little flimsy, so I wouldn’t use it too much
What I would recommend.
128MB, or 256MB memory cards
At least three batteries
A dedicated card reader for the PC
Rating: 5 / 5
April 30th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
This is my second camera so far. I recently bought an Olympus C3020 and realized after a few days that I really felt ripped off for the money I spent. I returned it and got the Canon S30 after doing some more thorough research on reviews of cameras.
So far I like everything about this camera. The metal case, shape and weight feel good in your hands.
Not having to deal with a lense cap is another big plus.
the videos are short and lo-res, but for me it’s an opportunity to at least get SOME stuff of my kids on video before they grow up. Certainly getting a digital camcorder is on my wishlist, but personally until I can get an hour of good quality video at a reasonable price, I’m not ready to spend the money.
The battery is GREAT and the fact that it came with both the rechargable battery and the charger was a big plus. When I was looking at cameras, I really liked the Nikon 885, but when I discovered they sold the camera with a disposable lithium battery(excuse me, disposable??) and no charger, I just could not accept that. I’m sorry, if I’m spending 500-600 dollars, don’t poor-boy me. I’ve found that a lot of the cameras in the field out there all have one or more “gotchas” like the Nikon did that unless you really look over the specs, it’s easy to miss. The canon does not have any “gotchas” that I have found. Aside from a larger storage card, you really don’t need to buy anything else to enjoy this camera.
The battery so far seems to have a very long lifespan. I’ve been using mine throughout the day and charge it overnight. I’ve not run out of juice yet, and I always have the screen on when I use it.
There is only one minor things I found about this camera, I wish were included and that is a battery meter so I would know when the battery is getting low.
Overall, my advice is if you looking for a 3.x MP camera you really need to look at either this camera or a sony (which I considered, but did not like the higher cost of media and card readers since I don’t own a sony laptop :(
Rating: 5 / 5
April 30th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
If you’re looking for dozens of image, flash, zoom, and exposure settings, in a small package, you’ve got the right camera. The Canon Powershot S30 camera is clearly not a camera intended for photography professionals who want to take hundreds of pictures at different resolutions, want to play with the lighting and other effects, as well as have the ability to zoom into the object many times over. However, it is a complete package. The S30 offers features found in much larger cameras at twice the price for half the price at a much smaller size. The S30 is a compact camera, widely acknowledged as the best bang-for-your-buck camera in its size on the market.
The S30 is virtually identical to its cousin the S40, with several minor differences. The S40 shoots at a slightly higher resolution, has one additional shooting mode, and is 4 megapixels as opposed to the S30′s 3.2. However, the S40 is commonly found for over [$$$] more, and these features, in my opinion, are not worth the investment. The S30 shoots images at the maximum resolution of 2048×1536 pixels, at a 3.2 Megapixel resolution. Similar cameras of similar sizes offered by competitors top off at around 2.1 Megapixels, without paying premium prices.
The S30 offers thirteen different shooting modes, all of which can take advantage of its 3X optical or 10x digital zoom from the automatic, where the ISO speed, flash, and shutter speeds are calculated by the camera, to the movie mode, which can record up to 30 seconds of full-audio AVI film at 320×160 resolution, and approximately 20 frames per second. Other modes include portrait, speed, and slow modes. These can be used to shoot pictures of objects up close, where the foreground recieves more exposure than the background, as well as to capture objects, whether fast or slow, in motion with little blur (fast/slow shooting modes). The camera also allows you, with additional settings, to set the shutter speed, ISO settings (up to 800) and lighting setting with a touch of a button.
The S30 accepts both Type 1 and Type 2 compactflash cards, including the IBM microdrive, which comes in sizes up to 1 GB – more than enough space to store approximately 600 pictures, shot at the maximum quality and size on the S30. Because of the camera’s size, it might be expected that the battery, card, and all other “removable” parts would be hard to access and would require large fingernails. However, Canon has made a small slot on the bottom with several spring mechanisms which allow easy access for the card (when ejected) as well as the battery.
The LCD is brilliant, and captures much of the color in the viewfinder. Upon moving the pictures to my computer, I found that they looked virtually identical in thumbnail form as they did at their maximum resolution. You can also set the LCD to turn off or on, in order to conserve battery power.
Right out of the box, the camera is very easy to use. The on/off switch is built right into the lens cover, so simply popping in the rechargable battery and flash card and sliding open the lens cover allows for virtually instantaneous use. The “AUTO” mode allows for simple point-and-shoot use, with the camera selecting the right settings, auto-focusing, and taking the picture with a fake shutter “click” sound. (Installing custom software allows you to customize this shutter sound to a soundbyte of your own creation or choosing). Once the pictures have been taken, the camera also can be connected directly to certain Canon printers to print images directly out of the camera.
The camera does have some weaknesses, however. Because of its size, the flash is rather weak, and is quite sensitive if your hand is accidentally cupped over part of it – the image exposure will increase in the top left hand corner. Also, the control pad is sometimes difficult to operate as some operations require that you push it in. I found myself several times pushing the left or right accidentally as I tried to depress the button evenly to produce the desired result. Also, the S30 is a battery hog. An extra battery is a requirement for this camera, as its batteries rarely last over 70 pictures – although I have heard otherwise.
All in all, the S30 is an excellent camera with many benefits that far outweigh its negative points. With the ability of both the novice and the professional to take advantage of its 3x optical zoom, manual or autofocus, and its 13 different shooting modes, the S30 is a camera for everybody…at an affordable price.
Rating: 4 / 5