5-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
1.8-inch LCD display; 2.4x optical zoom
Cradle with wireless remote for playback included
17 shooting modes; DIG!C II Image Processor for faster processing, vibrant colors, and excellent image quality
Stores images on SD memory cards; powered by Lithium ion battery NB-4L
This review is from: Canon Powershot SD30 5MP Digital Elph Camera with 2.4x Optical Zoom (Vivacious Violet)I have used a few other digital cameras, and so I will compareperformance when I can.Specific Observations---------------------I programmed the camera to use its lowest ISO setting (50), spotmetering, spot auto-focus, largest image file size, and highest imagecompression quality. The rest of this post assumes these settings.1. The camera is quite fast, faster than my old Canon SD10. Both shutter button response time, and shot-to-shot delay have been improved significantly. Nice going Canon!2. With "spot" autofocus selected, the camera seems to do very well. With my old SD10, I would regularly obtain photos that were grossly out of focus. It does not seem to happen with the new SD30. Thank you Canon!3. The "deluxe" kit features a very nice soft case. It fits perfectly and looks good. I consider this to be a "must" for a tiny, carry-it-everywhere gadget. All of the stores I checked stocked the "deluxe" kit, perhaps there is no other kit for sale. But I suggest that you confirm that you are getting the Canon SD30 soft case with your purchase.4. The flash intensity cannot be adjusted, as far as I can tell. It is therefore difficult to photograph certain shiny objects, such as circuit boards and small machinery. This is giving me fits. The available flash power is not much either. This is no shame for Canon really, since the size of the tube must be small in a midget camera like this. By comparison, the Casio Exilim EX-S500 can produce significantly more light.5. After some practice, I am very pleased with the image quality that I am getting from this camera, at least when there is adequate lighting. The SD30 produces what I have come to regard as the "Canon look." I'm not sure if the photos are especially true to life, but they are extremely pleasing. I see highly saturated colors, sharp focus, low noise, and pleasant "warm" skin tones. I also detect this "Canon Look" in photos coming out of the Sony Cybershot DSCP200. I suspect that Sony and Canon use the same image sensors. I compared photos of the same objects taken with the Canon SD10 and a Casio Exilim EX-S500. The pictures coming out of the Casio are fuzzy by comparison. The side-by-side comparison also makes the Casio pictures look a bit washed out. The Casio pictures have much more chroma noise too.6. The macro capability is excellent. The camera has a feature which puzzled me at first. Now I understand that it is pure genius: the best macro performance occurs when the lens is zoomed to its maximum (2.4x). With the zoom at maximum tele, I can reliably fill the image frame with an object that is 5 cm across (left to right) or smaller. Where does the genius come in? Most other cameras are engineered so that the most extreme macro performance is achieved when the lens is at its full wide angle setting. If the SD30 was designed this way, then the camera would have to be positioned very close to its subject matter. When this occurs, shadows from the camera and the photographer's hands would interfere with the photogaraph. The performance of the flash unit would also suffer. Good job Canon! I have taken some really amazing macro shots of ears, for example. It sounds disgusting, but I was able to discern incredible detail in the subject matter and learn how to use the camera's macro mode. It was almost like working with a microscope. My macro photos were all "hand held," no tripod used. Nevertheless, most of them turned out well. Many looked "razor sharp."7. The camera feels solidly durable. The various buttons and other controls are especially firm. I also like the Casio Exilim EX-S500 in this regard, but the Canon controls are more solid, with no side-to-side play.8. The SD30 is not as amazingly small as the old SD10. I would not want to carry it in the breast pocket of a man's dress shirt, for example.9. You must use the (included) cradle to charge the camera's battery. Although the cradle is reasonably small, it still sucks for travelling light. There is probably an accessory you can purchase that travels better than the cradle and power cable that is included in the "deluxe" kit. I haven't shopped for such accessories yet.10. The camera retains a feature of the SD10 that I absolutely HATE: it resets its metering mode to "evaluative" after ...
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