Summary: I purchased this camera 6 weeks ago. It is my fourth digital camera, but my first (and last) Canon product.
After purchasing it I noticed the "Spotlight" review on Amazon.com for this product which says:
“-The LCD is very fragile. Read the SD200 and SD300 reviews to see lots of unhappy people whose LCDs broke. Canon's warranty does NOT cover this either.”
The reviewer is absolutely correct. I'm yet another one of those unhappy people. The LCD on this camera is a ridiculously delicate. Despite incredibly careful handling and very limited use the LCD broke within weeks. Again, I've had four digital cameras before this one (two by Kodak, two by Olympus) and have never had any of them break or malfunction in any way. In fact, I still have no idea whatsoever what "incident" caused the Canon LCD to break.
In addition to the shoddy construction of the camera, dealing with Canon customer service was a complete nightmare. They were utterly indifferent and unwilling to help. They just kept saying that if it the LCD was broken then it must automatically mean that I did something to it, oh and by the way “your warranty is now voided.” To them there was absolutely no possibility that they are selling a sub-standard product, or that the LCD might have been damaged before I got it.
What they did tell me—over and over again—was how fragile the LCD on this camera is and how you must take "extreme" care when using it. Excuse me, but "extreme" care when handling a “point-and-shoot” type camera? What in the world do these people think their customers do with these cameras, leave them in a box somewhere? Apparently this is the only appropriate operating environment for their cameras. I mean, it's a TRAVEL-SIZED camera...you're going to take it places.
Despite the admitted positives of this camera with regard to image quality, I strongly urge that you buy a more robustly built camera if you intend to use it as any reasonable person would.
Strengths: Size, Image Quality, "Cool" Factor
Weaknesses: Poorly Designed: Doesn't Hold Up to Reasonable Use in the Intended Environment for Such a Product, Buttons are Hard to Use, LCD Images Are Soft (even right out of the box)
Similar Products Used: Various Olympus and Kodak compact digital cameras
Customer Service: Purely awful: accusatory and utterly unwilling to provide an adequate level of customer service.
Summary: I purchased a Canon S400 camera for roughly $500 a little over a year ago. The camera recently stopped working for no apparent reason due to an E18 error (lens focus mechanism). The camera was not mis-handled. The warranty is 1 year. The service center indicated it would cost me $150 to inspect and repair this problem. Alternatively, they offered me a refurbished replacement at an even higher cost! Apparently, the E18 error related to the focus mechanism is common and part of a fault design. Needless to say, I communicated with Canon service reps that their repair/replacement options were not acceptable and asked for an exception to replace or repair the camera for free. I also asked Canon to describe their customer dispute resolution process. They could not.
After speaking with their customer service organization all the way up to senior management and corresponding with their tech service via email, it has become evident that Canon really doesn't stand behind their faulty products and is not customer service oriented. The entire experience was a long process of "passing the buck”. I am extremely disappointed and will never buy a Canon product again. I recommend you do not buy a Canon either.
Strengths: Ease of use, compact
Weaknesses: TErrible quality, durability and customer service
Summary: One of the biggest dilemmas in purchasing a camera in this price range is the number of cameras and range of 3 megapixels up to 5 megapixels. Already having a 35mm SLR, I opted for a simple camera full of features. The Canon Powershot S400 is one of the most versatile cameras for a point and shoot. Full auto, manual and movie modes are possible. On full auto there is nothing to do but compose your picture. In manual mode, you have the flexibility of setting white balance, ISO settings, color ranges (black and white, sepia, vivid, etc). In video mode, you are limited to ambient light. You are able to adjust white balance which makes a big difference. Other modes include single shot, continuous and delayed settings. Macro mode is useful for close up photography. Flash can be controlled (off, on, red eye reduction, etc). Battery life is excellent (backups are a necessity). It comes with a 32 megabyte care which holds only 14 high resolution, low compression images but it can save 338 VGA pictures. You are supplied with a video out cord, carrying strap, battery, and memory card.
Software is fairly useless in my opinion and very slow. You are better off with your own choice of software. A memory card reader is a must, unless you want to drain your battery. Interfacing with the camera involves running the software and turning on the camera which seems a little more involved that using a reader.
Quality of the images is great. Metering is limited obviously by low light. Shutter lag is tolerable. Zoom is fast.
Buy a case, though, the LCD screen is fragile.
For the price, it is highly recommended. For the size, there is no excuse not to take it anywhere you go.
Strengths: Size is incredibly managable. Anything smaller may lead to camera shake.
Quality of images.
Ease of use.
Manageable menus.
Nice, attractive finish.
Weaknesses: Software.
Low resolution movies.
No case included.
Similar Products Used: Canon S50 (too heavy and wide)
Fujifilm S700 ($$$ for a 3 megapixel camera)
Kyocera S5R (Unknown reliability. Nice size. 5 MP with VGA movies. Minimal shutter lag)
Minolta Dimage G500 (Poor quality pix for a 5 MP. Slow shutter lag and delayed picture to picture time)
Casio Exilim EX4 (Too small and No video)
Pentax S4 (Too small and light)
Customer Service: None required yet from Canon. Amazon shipped out quickly. Shipped free.
Summary: I have a digital Rebel, which is an amazing camera but too bulky to carry around all the time. I bought this camera to have something that I could always have with me. Image quality is great, size is perfect, the feature set is adequate for point-and-shoot applications. I'm very happy with it, keeping in mind the purpose for which it was bought.
Strengths: - Excellent image quality. The lens is very good, and 4MP is enough for anything but extreme enlargements.
- Menus easy to navigate.
- Size!!
- Uses CF, same as my Digital Rebel
- Very sophisticated stitch mode for panoramic shots. Impressive.
- Price has come down a lot since new, now it's a bargain.
Weaknesses: - Lack of manual controls. No aperture or shutter priority, flash exposure control. Nothing at all. This is the biggest negative of this camera (to me, anyway).
- Camera doesn't even show the shutter speed /aperture used. Not that I need to know, since I can't control it anyway, but it would be nice.
- Flash is pretty weak, no provision for external flash. But then again, I'm looking for portability. If it took an external flash, I'd feel compelled to carry one!
- Batter life not the best
Similar Products Used: Canon Digital Rebel
Olympus C2020
Customer Service: No experience with this, although a friend who has the same camera had a problem with battery draining quickly with camera off. Canon repaired it with no hassles.
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