canon powershot s400 digital camera review

The PowerShot S400 Digital Elph is the world's smallest 4 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom (36-108mm in 35mm equivalent) lens and a 9-point AiAF autofocus system that makes focusing quick and easy, even with powerful NB-1LH rechargeable battery. The camera also features a stainless steel body with a new super hard Cerabrite finish to guard against scratching; an improved Movie Mode that captures motion video clips up to 3 minutes in length with sound; and Direct Print capabilities with Canon's Card Photo Printer CP-100 or letter-size S820D, S830D, and S530D photo printers to make prints without the need of a computer.

Canon's proprietary image processor, called DIGIC, was developed specifically for use with its line of digital cameras and combines the jobs of image processing and camera function control into one chip. It handles nearly every digital camera function including JPEG compression/expansion; memory card control; LCD/Video control and processing; gain control (control of CCD signal amplification); Auto Exposure; Auto Focus; Auto White Balance control and most other functions of the camera. The result is a camera that offers faster and more powerful AF than ever before, faster image processing,canon nb-1lh battery,longer battery life, and the ability to record 3-minute movie clips with sound.

Over the past 68 years, Canon has accumulated a vast amount of photographic data and know-how and used it to create some of the most innovative camera products in the marketplace. Now, using that same data and know-how, Canon has developed an exclusive technology called iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) that can predict certain camera settings such as focusing distance, exposure and optimum white balance based on zoom focal length, overall light level and tonal distribution data. Canon refers to this collective data as "Photographic Space." By incorporating iSAPS technology into its PowerShot line, the cameras can analyze a scene just before the image is made and in doing so, increase the speed and precision of the camera's autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance.

Powershot S400 Features

• 4.0 Megapixel CCD imager for up to 2272x1704 pixel images


• 3x optical 36-108mm f/2.8-4.9 zoom, 3.6x digital zoom


• 1.5 inch color LCD with up to 10x playback zoom


• Ultra-compact and durable stainless steel body (3.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 in.)


• Advanced TTL AiAF nine-point autofocus system


• Program AE automatic and Manual exposure modes


• Movie mode w/sound 320x240 up to 3 minutes long


• 2.5fps Continuous exposure mode


• Evaluative metering on focus point or Spot


• Stitch Assist mode for perfect panoramas


• Exposure compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments


• White Balance: Auto, 5 presets or Custom


• Photo Effects: Low Sharpening, Vivid Color, Neutral, Sepia and B&W


• Low-light focus assist illuminator


• Shutter speeds of 15 seconds to 1/2000 second


• Auto noise reduction with 1.3 sec or longer shutter speeds


• Selectable ISO settings from 50 to 400


• Voice memo (up to 60 secs) can be attached to images


• Intelligent Orientation sensor


• Builtin microphone and speaker


• Lithium rechargable battery canon nb-1lh and charger included


• Direct print to CP-100 and other Canon printers


• USB connectivity for PC and Mac


• Optional WP-DC500 Waterproof Case

Package Contents (U.S./N. America)

• Digital Camera


• Wrist Strap WS-300


• Battery Charger CB-2LS


• Battery PackNB-1LH


• CompactFlash Card FC-32M


• Case for CompactFlash Card


• AV Cable AVC-DC100


• USB Interface Cable IFC-300PCU


• Digital Camera Solution Disk


• ArcSoft Camera Suite Disk


• User Guides

Using the camera

Holding the camera you can't fail to notice that it is a solid piece of engineering built to do what it is meant to do - take quality pictures. This 4 megapixel model (2272 x 1704 pixels) comes equipped with a 3 x optical zoom lens equivalent to 36 - 108 mm with a maximum aperture of 2.8 - 4.9. Inside is Canon's DIGIC image processor, which was specifically developed for use in digital cameras. It combines the job of image processing and camera control in one chip, thereby handling nearly every camera function from JPG compression to auto focus, exposure, white balance control and most other in-camera functions. That it works can be seen in Canon's latest series of Powershot cameras, which offer faster and more powerful AF, longer battery life and faster image processing times. Although there are few manual settings and advanced features as opposed to Canon's larger cameras, The ELPH's excellent image quality and convenient size will surely suit a broad variety of snapshooters as well as more advanced photographers.

The Canon S400 comes in stainless-steel with a new scratch resistant Cerabrite finish. Its controls are well laid out and easy to use. On the top you will find the power on/off button together with the shutter release and Canon's by now familiar zoom control around it. On the back there are the mode dial, the record/play mode switch and a 4-way control. Below the 1.5" high resolution LCD you will find 4 further buttons to activate menu settings, display options and certain manual camera functions. What I like is that the 4-way switch is in fact 4 separate little buttons laid out in a circular way. A very nice idea from Canon as it will avoid making the wrong menu choice by pressing the wrong end of the control, as is so easy to do on cameras of this small size. The Canon S400 has a helpful focus assist light to aid focusing in dim lighting conditions, together with a solid metal socket for connecting the camera to a tripod.

It takes a good 2.5 seconds before the camera is ready to take pictures. Press the shutter release button halfway and the camera's 9-point AiAF autofocus system locks focus in a little under one second. Shutter lag times are low and not really noticeable while shot-to-shot speed is excellent as well. After presing the shutter, the camera is ready to take the next shot in just under 2 seconds. When your battery is lost,
canon nb-1lh was recharged in short time.

For anyone who wants a very portable and extremely durable camera it's hard to beat the Canon ELPH Series. Canon was the first to manufacture these small but very functional cameras and they continue to make the best even better. Their Canon S400 is a worthy contender in the compact digicam class, as it is a very stylish camera that delivers almost perfect results at the expense of manual exposure control. Although other Canon camera's (such as the S45) may have full manual control and perform just as well, they are much bigger and heavier. This one has the advantage that it fits easily into the smallest pockets and thus makes an ideal weekend or holiday camera. The Canon S400 may not be the latest Canon ELPH camera anymore, but personally I would definitely prefer this one over the more recent models because of its longer zoom lens and the possibility of using cheap and widely available Compact Flash cards instead of the more expensive SD memory cards. Go out and get one while they are still available . .