Testing / Performance

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To test the color representation of the Canon PowerShot S410, we use Imatest Imaging Software and a GretagMacbeth color chart. The test measures the extent of variance in each tone from its ideal hue. Below is a copy of the chart with the outer square representing the camera’s produced color, the inner square being the camera’s corrected color, and the small inverted rectangles as the ideal tones.****

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The graph below is a depiction of the Canon PowerShot S410’s color production. The circles represent the actual colors produced by the camera, while the squares are the ideal tones. The line linking the two is the margin of error for that color. The greater the length of the line, the farther the camera’s produced tone is from the color’s ideal.****

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The Canon PowerShot S410 earned an 8.08 overall color score. With a 116.6% mean saturation, the colors produced by the S410 are quite over-saturated. The benefit of over-saturation is more vivid and lively colors. This is a common trend in the digital camera world, as often manufacturers create cameras that inherently over-saturate colors to achieve richer tones, particularly with skin tones. The S410's saving grace is that while many of its colors lean towards over-saturation, they do not stray too far from the color's naturalistic roots. The 7.44 mean color error the Canon PowerShot S410 scored attests to the camera's overall color accuracy and sets the camera apart from many of its point-and-shoot peers.****

****Still Life Scene
****This is a shot of our evocative still life scene taken with the Canon PowerShot S410.****

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Click on the image above to view a full resolution version (CAUTION: The linked image is very large!)](../viewer.php?picture=Canon_S410-StillLifeLG.jpg)**

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****Resolution / Sharpness ***(2.9)*
**We evaluate the resolution of each camera by taking exposures of an ISO resolution chart and running the results through Imatest Imaging Software. The imaging software reads the image and produces a "real resolution" score based on the actual pixels within the frame. While each camera has stated megapixel capabilities, these numbers are often inflated and will vary greatly from the actual resolution within the images themselves. Therefore, a camera that can capture over 80-89% of the manufacturer’s marketed megapixel count is considered a good performer, while over 90% makes it regarded as excellent.

 

The Canon PowerShot S410 scored a real resolution score of 2.9 megapixels. This is 74% of the marketed megapixel count. Although this may seem like a steep decline, the score itself is not all that bad. While the ideal would be to surpass the 80% mark, the 74% the S410 received is respectable and will provided adequate images for most point-and-shoot users.****

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****Noise Auto ISO (5.13)
**The Canon PowerShot S410 is similar to most point-and-shoot cameras in that it offers both automatic and manual ISO sensitivity settings. When in automatic mode the range is the same as in manual (50-400), but it is controlled automatically by the camera. The Canon PowerShot S410 has an impressive ISO range on the lower end, making it very useful in outdoor situations. However, when the lighting gets dimmer the noise levels get larger. Noise is the appearance of monochromatic dots on the surface of an image (similar to grain on film images). Noise levels get larger as light decreases and ISO sensitivity increases. Even though the appearance of noise is unavoidable, some cameras handle it better than others. The Canon PowerShot S410 is unfortunately is not one of those cameras. The overall automatic ISO function produced a score of 5.13, which is mediocre compared to other cameras in this range. However, it performed better than the camera’s manual function, allowing for the user to be lazy (and opt for automatic) without sacrificing image quality.**

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****Noise Manual ISO (3.95)
**To test noise levels we tested the Canon PowerShot S410’s performance at each manual ISO setting under fixed lighting conditions. Using the GretagMacbeth chart and Imatest Imaging Software we gauged the variance in image quality as ISO levels increased and used a regression analysis to determine an overall noise score. The following chart displays the performance of the Canon PowerShot S410.**

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As you can see above, the noise increases dramatically in the 400 ISO setting on the Canon PowerShot S410. This is to be expected, but not to this degree. With a manual score of 3.95 I was very disappointed in the S410. In low light situations this camera will have to be used with a flash to preserve image quality, but it will do well when out and about in the sunlight.**
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****Speed Timing**
***Start-up to First Shot (7.6)*

The Canon PowerShot S410 took almost 2 and a half seconds to start up and take its first shot. This is a pretty fair start-up time comparatively, but won’t be especially useful if you need to quickly capture a scene.

 

Shot to Shot (8.0)

There was an average of about 2 seconds in between consecutive shots on the Canon PowerShot S410. This enough to be noticeable, but few digital point-and-shoot cameras are devoid of this annoying lag time.

 

Shutter to Shot (8.2)

Similarly, the time between pressing the shutter button and capturing an image had a small lag time of 0.4 seconds. Although this time seems minuscule it is enough time for your desired image to move slightly or blur. However, the Canon PowerShot S410 performed well for its range.

 

 

Physical Tour

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****Front*****(8.0)***

The Front of the Canon PowerShot S410 features a 3x optical zoom lens located on the left side of the camera face. Above and to the left of this is the in-camera flash, which sits flush with the body and is constantly covered by my left hand, making its design placement a continuous aggravation overall. To the right of the Flash and above the Camera Lens is the multi purpose AF-assist Beam/Red-eye Reduction Lamp/Self-Timer Lamp, with the Viewfinder Window located beside it. All of the features for the front of the Canon PowerShot S410 are located primarily on the left half of the camera body, a sometimes aggravating layout when two hands are being used in the process of image capturing.**

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****Back***(7.5)*

**The back of the Canon PowerShot S410 has a 1.5-inch LCD screen located in the left center of the camera body. Above the LCD screen is the mode dial, an awkwardly shaped controller about the size of a Tums. With the mode dial, the user can choose between Movie, Panoramic, Manual Camera, and Automatic Camera modes. All of these Modes are designated in a small section of the dial, and consist of small red symbols that are impossible to differentiate when in low light or fast shooting situations. Beside this is a circular viewfinder, an anachronistic feature with little to no functional purpose. It seems to exist on this camera as a relic, meant to remind the user of simpler, analog times.

 

Between the viewfinder and the Mode Dial are two small LEDs, which act as indicators for camera function. For the Upper Indicator: if green, the camera is ready to shoot; if blinking, it is in the process of processing data commands; if orange, it is ready to shoot with flash on; and when blinking orange it is ready to shoot, though the camera is shaking. The Lower Indicator: when Yellow the camera is in Macro Mode/Infinity Mode/AF lock, and if blinking yellow there is focusing difficulty (if blinking once). You may ask, dear reader, why I have detailed these aspects for you--was it for intellectual improvement, or does my list highlight the absurdity of their functionality? Few people using point-and-shoot cameras will remember these settings, their corresponding feature, or even, dare I hazard to suspect, ever even notice even the presence of these two lights. Anyway, moving along the top of the back of the camera, the user will find on the right side the Mode Switch, allowing the user to select between Camera and Playback Modes. Beneath this Switch is the CF Open Switch that can be slid upwards to open the Memory Card slot on the right side of the camera body.

At the bottom of the camera, in the lower right corner, the user will find the Print/Share button, which allows for Direct Print and Sharing capabilities. To the left of this button, and traveling along the bottom of the camera, is the four-way controller. The four-way controller allows the user to move in the cardinal directions when in certain modes, including playback, and also has a multiple use capability. The Up arrow also doubles as a light metering control, the Right arrow as a Flash button (allowing for transitions between Flash settings), the Down arrow controls Continuous Shooting Modes and the Self-Timer button, and finally, the Left arrow also functions (when in regular Camera mode) as a Macro/Infinity button. To the left of the four-way controller is the Function button that also works as a Single Erase button. Besides this is the Disp. (display) button, which allows the user to set the amount of information to be displayed on the LCD screen both during regular Camera Mode and Playback Modes. The Menu button allows instantaneous access to the onscreen Menu controls available on the Canon PowerShot S410. And finally the Set button allows for specific portions of the Menu to be accessed and altered.****

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****Left Side*****(8.0)***
The only feature available on the left side of the Canon PowerShot S410 is a port cover, which conceals the A/V out and Digital Ports. When removed, it's distinctly fragile and flimsy, and it’s hard to replace the cover into the small slot. Given two months of use, the cover will most likely be ripped off during casual use.**

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****Right Side*****(8.0)***
The right side features the Memory Card slot for the Canon PowerShot S410, which is formatted for CF Cards, and is opened using the switch located on the back of the camera body. The wrist strap eyelet is located in the center of the camera body at the front of the right side.**

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****Top*****(8.0)***

**The top of the Canon PowerShot S410 has its controls located on the right side of the camera body. The shutter button is farthest right, and has a zoom slide ring circling it. When the camera is in Playback mode, this doubles as a Multi-Up format selector. Beside the shutter button, towards the back of the camera body, is the On/Off button, with the Power Light Indicator slightly in front and to the right of this button. To the left, and indicated with a small dot in the center of the top, the user will find the utterly useless in-camera microphone. If a user wants any sort of audio quality, it would be highly recommended to invest in a camcorder. A microphone on the top of the camera body immediately means poor audio quality when paired with its monaural setting. The speaker for the camera is located in its back left corner.

Components

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****Viewfinder*****(4.5)***
The viewfinder is a comically small real image optical zoom viewfinder, and the most amusing aspect of it is that it’s even there. The image seen through it will not be the same as the final image, and even the manufacturer suggests using the LCD if close-up shots are being taken. I suggest using the LCD screen all the time, unless you really want the eyestrain.**

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****LCD Screen*****(5.5)***
The LCD for the Canon PowerShot S410 is placed on the back, and sits slightly above the rest of the camera body. It is 1.5 inches diagonally, with 118,000 pixels, and is a low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD.**

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****Flash*****(6.5)***
The Flash for the Canon PowerShot S410 is an in-camera flash, which rests flush with the rest of the camera body in the upper left corner on the front. Flash settings are controlled via the right arrow button on the four-way controller. The settings available to the user are Auto, Auto with Red-Eye, Flash On, Flash Off, and Slow Synchro.**

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****Zoom Lens*****(6.5)***
**The Canon PowerShot S410 has an f/2.8-4.9 7.4-22.2mm lens (36-108mm 35mm film equivalent). The zoom on the Canon PowerShot S410 is a 3x optical/3.6x digital, for a total zoom of approximately 11x. This is a pretty standard zoom for a camera of this stature and will sufficiently fill the needs of the average point-and-shooter.

Design / Layout

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****Model Design / Appearance*****(8.0)***
**The Canon PowerShot S410 has a metallic silver finish that coats the camera’s rectangular surface. The rounded edges allow for a certain amount of visual interest; however, its overall design relies heavily on the straightforward rectangular cube, familiar to the traditional digital camera design format. Its controls, while small in size, are clearly labeled and allow enough space for smooth functionality. The Shooting Mode dial needs to perhaps be reconsidered, as it feels a bit awkward and has a generic finish. All of the modes are detailed in red. This choice of color, along with the small overall size, makes changing modes in dark conditions a guessing game for the user.

 

The viewfinder is a moot point, as it often is with most small digital cameras, although the S410's has the distinct attribute of being circular, providing ideal placement to rub my face on the LCD screen below. The flash is also too close to the upper left corner of the front of the camera body, positioned directly below where the index finger naturally falls and is sure to get obstructed each time****

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****Size / Portability*****(8.0)***
The Canon PowerShot S410 is small, compact, and easily held in the palm of the hand. The camera is light enough to be portable, while remaining substantial enough so that it does not feel cheap or fragile. However, if you desire a camera that will fit into a pocket, the S410 may be a bit too heavy; after all it does weigh 6.5 oz. It’s a solid camera when held, extending 3.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 inches, for a total cubic volume of 8.228 inches.**

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****Handling Ability*****(8.0)***
The camera is pretty straightforward to handle when utilizing complete automatic mode settings. It is completely feasible to hold the camera and shoot with one hand when using the Canon PowerShot S410, though often images were blurred and out of focus. Even with digital image stabilization, it is recommended with most digital cameras to try to shoot with two hands, allowing one to be an added stabilizer. Most of the buttons are flush with the camera body and easy to access. The minuscule viewfinder, as mentioned before, is completely useless, a pet peeve of mine. The small 1.5-inch LCD monitor is set slightly above the rest of the camera body and solarizes when turned at all in any direction.**

****Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size*****(6.0)***
For the most part, the Canon PowerShot S410’s controls are strategically placed and remain consistent throughout the frame, allowing for enough space to exist between controllers. However, the Mode Dial on the back of the camera, located in the upper left corner, is small and awkward both in placement and in the illustrations used for each specific setting. Also due to the lack of Mode Dial height, the user will find that switching between these settings is a bit cumbersome. Also, some of the symbols used to designate control feature capabilities are a bit arcane, and will require most users to invest a fair amount of time familiarizing themselves with the user manual.**

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****Menu*****(7.0)***
The regular menu settings for the Canon PowerShot S410, which are accessed via the Menu button, allow for changes such as Quick Shot, Slow Shutter, and so forth. The Manual Control settings are located in the selections found via the Function button, and allow the user to control the Exposure Compensation, Photo Effect, Long Shutter Mode, Compression Rate, White Balance, Resolution, ISO Speed, and Movie Resolution.
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****Ease of Use*****(8.0)***
**For the most part, the Canon PowerShot S410 is a straightforward camera with functions laid out in a logical format for fast access. One small irritant for me as I used the camera was the fact that, unlike most other digital cameras, the Menu button controls features unrelated to the actual frame shot, leaving those to the Function button. Time and again, as I used the manual control on this camera, I’d find myself pressing the wrong button and searching for the White Balance setting among the LCD brightness controls. Otherwise, this camera functions well with both its manual onscreen control options and its automatic settings. However, it should be noted that a fair number of the supposedly manual control features are actually only partially manual controlled, with the rest of the final image quality dictated by the camera.

Modes

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****Auto Mode*****(7.0)***
To engage the Canon PowerShot S410 in Automatic Mode, the user must turn the Mode Dial located on the back of the camera body to the unadorned red camera icon. This mode is geared towards the point-and-shoot user who prefers to have the camera take care of exposure, metering, white balance, and flash settings.
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****Movie Mode*****(6.0)***
**The Movie mode for the Canon PowerShot S410 is entered by turning the mode dial on the back of the camera to the film camera symbol. Once done, up to three minutes of movie footage can be captured at 15 fps in either 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels. The audio on a digital camera will not be able to compare to that of a similarly priced camcorder as a general rule, due to their reliance on a monaural microphone, unlike the camcorder with its stereo mic setup.

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****Drive / Burst Mode*****(6.0)***
The two settings for continuous shooting modes are Standard Continuous Shooting and High-Speed Continuous Shooting. These are accessed via the down arrow on the four-way controller, and are identified on the LCD screen. The continuous shooting speed has a frame rate of approximately 1.5 frames per second, with the high-speed setting at a frame rate of approximately 2.5 frames per second. It isn’t possible to review images when shooting in continuous modes, for obvious reasons.**

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****Playback Mode*****(7.0)***
Once playback mode has been established, the user can scan between individual pictures by pressing the left and right portions of the four-way controller. It is also possible to view images in Multi-Up format by pressing the zoom slider ring on the top of the camera to the right, allowing the user to scan multiple images at once, using all of the quadrants on the four-way. One can also review movies and digital magnification of images; however, the quality on these magnifications will become indecipherable and compromised.**

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****Custom Image Presets*****(0.0)***
**The Canon PowerShot S410 has none of the preset modes for handling night, daylight, snow, backlight, and so forth that are available on similarly priced cameras, perhaps as an attempt on the manufacturer’s behalf to allude to its manual control.

Control Options

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Manual Control Options
**The Canon PowerShot S410 has most of the standard manual control options offered by the point-and-shoot camera on the market today. The majority of these manual settings are accessed through the Function button in conjunction with the Four-Way control keys, both located on the back of the Canon PowerShot S410’s camera body.****

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****Focus***
****Auto (8.0)*

The Canon PowerShot S410 employs AiAF (artificial intelligence auto-focus) technology along with Focus Lock, which allows for focusing to occur under a variety of detrimental conditions, such as in low light, near bright objects, with low contrast, and so forth. By pressing the shutter halfway, the user engages the camera in focusing the shot. If a shot is changed, the user merely needs to depress the shutter button again to adjust for any alterations. In dark lighting situations, or other times when the camera has difficulty focusing, the camera may engage the AF beam assist, which will emit a red light upon the scene. This feature can be turned off in the settings accessed through the Menu button under AF-assist beam.

 

Manual (5.0)

To use Manual Focus on the Canon PowerShot S410, the user must switch the Mode Dial to the red camera followed by the capital M, and then press the shutter partially while pressing the left arrow of the four-way controller (the Macro/Infinity dual control) until the proper focal length is chosen. When the green AF frame appears, the image is locked and the frame can be shot. This quasi-manual focus control is just that: a melding of both automatic and manual control, neither truly one or the other.****

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****White Balance*****(8.0)***
White Balance is controlled on the Canon PowerShot S410 by entering the Function Menu and scrolling down using the four-way controller until the White Balance settings are highlighted. It is important to note that there are no manual control settings for White Balance available when the camera is in Automatic Mode. The settings available are Automatic, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent/Fluorescent H, and Custom, allowing the user to engage their own specific White Balance parameters.**

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****ISO*****(7.0)***
The ISO settings are also accessed, like the White Balance controls, via the Function Menu button. Also, as with White Balance, this setting is not available in Automatic Mode. Once this subsection is highlighted using the four-way controller’s up and down arrows, the user can then engage the left and right arrows to scan between Automatic, 50, 100, 200, and 400. The higher the ISO speed, the more noise will appear in the image, and the user should make sure to always use the lowest ISO speed possible for the scene. To return to shooting the scene once the proper setting is selected, the user must press the Function button.**

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****Exposure*****(7.0)****
Exposure settings are also available via the Function Menu on the Canon PowerShot S410. Once highlighted, the user can choose exposure compensation settings of -2 to +2, controlling the amount of light available to the overall image while the shutter is being engaged. To exit, depress the Function button, and proceed with shooting. To reset the Exposure Compensation setting, return the scale to zero. The user can also control Exposure by using the AE lock feature by setting the Camera to Manual mode, and pressing the shutter halfway. Once these two steps are completed, the user then presses the up arrow on the four-way controller until the AEL symbol appears on the LCD screen. At this point, the Exposure is locked and the image can be captured. This setting, like the Manual Focus setting, is only partially manual.*

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****Metering*****(7.5)***
By pressing the up arrow on the four-way controller, the user can choose to switch among three preset metering modes. These settings are Evaluative, Center Weighted, and Spot. When in Evaluative, the camera divides the scene into multiple sections and adjusts for multiple lighting situations. When in Center Weighted, the camera meters light for the entire frame, but gives the most weight to the subject found at the center of the image. Finally, Spot Mode allows the camera to focus the Metering solely on the exact center of the image.**

****Shutter Speed*****(6.0)***
It is possible for the Canon PowerShot S410 to shoot at a selection of slower shutter speeds, allowing for brighter or darker images to be captured. The longer the shutter is open, the brighter the overall scene will be, and vice versa. To enter into the longer shutter speeds, the user must enter the Function menu and scroll down until Exposure setting is highlighted and selected. When the setting is at +/-0, the user can then press the Set button and choose from among the following shutter settings: 1,1.3, 1.6, 2, 2.5 3.2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, and 15 seconds. It is important to remember that, if a longer shutter speed control is to be engaged, the user must first enter the menu brought up by the Menu button, and scroll down until Long Shutter Speed is highlighted, and the setting changed from Off to On. It is only then that the Function Menu settings for Shutter Speed are accessible.**

****Aperture*****(0.0)***
**There is no manual control available in regard to Aperture on the Canon PowerShot S410. These settings normally appear as F-stop settings, a holdover from SLR cameras.

 

Image Parameters

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****Picture Quality****/ Size Options*****(6.5)***
For still images, the Canon PowerShot S410 is capable of capturing in the following formats: 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480, with quality settings of Fine, Normal and Superfine. With Movie Mode, the formats available are 320 x 240 and 160 x 120, with approximately 15 frames per second.**

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****Picture Effects Mode*****(8.0)***
**Picture Effect settings are also available within the Function Menu. They allow the user to choose from a plethora of semi-cheesy effects. Enjoy them, but please do so in moderation and taste. They are as follows: Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia, B/W, and Effect Off.

Connectivity / Extras

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****Connectivity**
**Software (6.0)

The PowerShot S410 comes with ArcSoft Camera Suite and Digital Camera Solution CD-ROMs.**This software gives more image control choices, along with printing and reformatting options for both movie and still images.

 

*Jacks, ports, plugs (6.0)
*The Canon PowerShot S410 has a USB port for computer connectivity, a Video Out NTSC/PAL jack, and a CF Memory Card Slot for up to 512MB of memory.

 

*Direct Print Options (5.5)
*It is possible to print directly with the S410 by plugging the camera to a Direct Photo Printer using the connection cable, which is included with the camera.

 

Memory (6.5)

Images and Movies are recorded onto the CompactFlash Card. These cards can be changed for greater or lesser memory level, but there is no internal memory available on the Canon PowerShot S410. A 32MB CF card is however included with the camera.****

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****Other Features*****(5.0)***
**Nine-point AiAF focusing allows for the camera to change its focusing parameters to different configurations based upon the composition of the shot via nine boxes that are highlighted when engaged and focus is set.

The DIGIC Image Processor allows the Canon to establish and shoot images at a faster rate with automatic digital Noise Reduction engaged during situations with overall adverse lighting.

Panorama Shooting allows the user to compose image frames into a 360 degree view of a scene. Entering the stitch mode carefully establishes a common object within overlapping frames for realignment during editing on the user’s computer.

Overall Impressions

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****Value*****(7.0)***
At its price of US $399, the Canon PowerShot S410 comes with a large 4 megapixel CCD, 3x optical zoom, and a 1.5-inch LCD, along with its sleek and spartan design. This camera serves as a stepping stone to higher-end models with more manual control. It’s a great size for day trips, and can capture video with simultaneous audio, both advantages for this consumer grade camera.**

****Comparisons**
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****Olympus** Stylus 410 - This camera retails for US $349, putting it slightly below the price level of the Canon PowerShot. It has a 1/2.5-inch 4.23 megapixel CCD, making images of slightly higher quality possible. It has a 3x optical / 4x digital zoom, as well as the standard 1.5-inch LCD screen. Most of this camera’s settings are automatic, and it does have audio and video capabilities, along with Image Presets and Panorama mode, like the PowerShot 410.***

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Fujifilm FinePix F700 - This camera lists at the same price as the Canon, with a 1/1.7-inch, 6 MP CCD allowing for a higher quality image. It also has a 3x optical zoom, but a slightly smaller 2.2x digital zoom. Video recording is possible, along with audio recording for up to 30 seconds of audio. It also has more manual control options, including manual focus – an important aspect for the manual control user to consider. The LCD is slightly bigger than that of the Canon, rating at 1.8 inches diagonally.***

*Nikon Coolpix 3700 - *This Nikon, like the aforementioned Fuji, retails for the

same price of the Canon at US $399.95. (A manufacturer’s mail-in rebate is available online.) The CCD measures 1/2.7 inches, with a total 3.34 MP CCD, smaller than the other comparison cameras. It also has only two image quality settings, and a 3x optical zoom. However, it does have three different movie modes and audio capabilities, along with a 1.5-inch LCD monitor.****

Konica Minolta DiMage Z2 This camera has a list price of US $449.00, making it slightly more expensive than the Canon. It comes with an image sensor of 1/2.5 inches and a 4.2 MP CCD, making it comparable in

image quality to the Canon PowerShot. This camera has seven separate movie settings, with multiple choices available with regards both to image format and frames per second. It has direct print capability, and four still image formats available. This camera also has a highly impressive 10x optical zoom and a 4x digital zoom, along with a body more reminiscent of a film camera or a higher-end digital camera. The LCD screen measures 1.5 inches, and the whole camera weighs 10.8 ounces, making it much heavier than the other four cameras.****

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****Who It’s For**
***Point-and-Shooters-- *This camera is a good candidate for the point-and-shooter, especially one looking for some manual control without the fear inherent in being given complete control.

*Budget Consumers-- *With its image quality and price tag of US $399, this may be a camera best suited for the budget consumer who is looking to upgrade in manual control and features, but who doesn’t wish to give up the ability to revert to basic point-and-shoot photography at times.

Gadget Freaks-- This camera has a great look, which I’m aware is an incentive for the gadget consumer. However, the overall layout and design of the camera reveals that this product isn’t exactly overwhelmed with hidden and bonus features. For those, I suggest watching "Labyrinth," starring David Bowie, and paying careful attention to background scenes and dialogue.

Manual Control Freaks-- The fact that some manual control settings exist, but aren’t completely controlled by the user, may aggravate the manual control freak that feels he or she has the ability to choose their own settings with confidence.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists-- There isn’t any real reason to recommend this camera to the pro or serious hobbyist, unless a standard point-and-shoot camera is desired for occasions when you want to deny your profession or obsession.**
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Conclusion

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****Conclusion**
**For a user looking for more than a simple point-and-shoot camera, but who perhaps isn’t ready for a fully manual digital camera, this compact model by Canon steps in as a solution. The manual control available often has automatic aspects built in, which may be frustrating for those who want complete control during shooting. The CCD is sizable for the price, and its 3.0x optical zoom is largely standard for cameras within this price bracket. Its AiAF focusing allows for more automatic focusing features, and its DIGIC processing system allows for faster in-camera adjustments. This camera is able to capture up to three minutes of video footage through its hybrid options, and play it back on a 1.5-inch LCD. For US $399.00, this camera ends up being a strong candidate for a user needing both automatic controls and basic manual manipulation.

Specs

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****Specs Table**
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