Canon PowerShot S400 Digital ELPH

...manual

Canon PowerShot S400 has a very streamlined body. The S400 features a 3X (36-108mm 35mm equivalent) f/2.8-4.9 all-glass zoom lens.

The lens, when the camera is powered down, retracted into the body. There is a built in lens cover that slides into place to protect the front of the lens.

Exposure
**Auto mode - by chosing this option, which is the most easiest way to use the camera, it decides ...
...is pont the camera in the direction you want and then shoot the picture. Very simple. The AIAF, which is advanced intelligent auto focus allows it to produce excellent quality pictures.
**Manual mode - this allows you to use only limited user input. However, for experienced users, it still allows you to lock exposure and focus, adjust white balance, select shutter speeds a few other options.
**Metering - this is the camera's default ... more

I bought this camera just under a year ago, and I'm glad to say it's still in excellent working order.

I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I had a normal camera but everyone kept telling me forget that and buy a digital camera. So, I bought it. It was quite expensive at the time as it was a compact model, but I have no regrets.

What is a digital camera?
A digital camera looks just like a normal camera. The difference is, it works by capturing the photo on a electronic imaging sensor instead of a film. It stores all the images in it's memory as a file. The images can then be transfered or downloaded onto the computer for processing.

I'm not very technical so some of the descriptive information is straight from the manual and leaflets that came with the camera.

What comes with the camera
32MB CompactFlash card, NB-1LH rechargeable Li-ion battery, CB-2LS Battery charger, Wrist strap, USB cable, A/V cable, software (Canon Digital Camera Solutions and ArcSoft Camera Suite) CD-ROMs, printed user’s manual and software manual

Canon PowerShot S400 has a very streamlined body. The S400 features a 3X (36-108mm 35mm equivalent) f/2.8-4.9 all-glass zoom lens.

The lens, when the camera is powered down, retracted into the body. There is a built in lens cover that slides into place to protect the front of the lens.

Exposure
**Auto mode - by chosing this option, which is the most easiest way to use the camera, it decides the exposure decisions itself. So all you need to do is pont the camera in the direction you want and then shoot the picture. Very simple. The AIAF, which is advanced intelligent auto focus allows it to produce excellent quality pictures.
**Manual mode - this allows you to use only limited user input. However, for experienced users, it still allows you to lock exposure and focus, adjust white balance, select shutter speeds a few other options.
**Metering - this is the camera's default system. It is very accurate except for very difficult lighting situations.
**Movie mode - video clips can be shop using this mode at 320 x 240 at 15 fps for up to nearly three minutes.

The S400 uses ISAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) to produce brilliant exposures for all types of scenery. It matches the scenes in front of the camera using the database inside it's memory and then compares it with the specific scene’s contrast range, lighting, color, and subject distance to determine the correct exposure.

The camera also has the photo effects mode. This allows you to select spot metering and adjust exposure. You can also effects from software like Adobe PhotoShop to manipulate the photo images. For exapmple, you can sharpen the focus, select the contrast level, or black and white tone. As the image adjustments are built-in already it makes easier than post-exposure image manipulation.

The camera has an auto focus system, but no manual focus.

The camera is versatile and very easy to use. The design for the camera’s controls around the new mode dial. The mode dial improves usability by permitting users to quickly select the desired record mode. That is panoramic, movie, auto or manual. This can be selected with having to use the menu system.

Power
Being a small camera, the batteries are tiny. So, always keep back up batteries with you. It will last about 75 minutes, this is about 180 exposures. This is really dependent on how often you use the camera.

Technical Specifications

Resolution: 4.1 megapixels (2272 x 1704)
Viewfinder: optical (real image) zooming & 1.5" TFT LCD
Lens: f2.8 -f4.9/36-108 mm (35mm equivalent) 3X zoom
Exposure: Auto, Manual (minimal)
Metering: evaluative, center-weighted, spot
White balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H,
& Custom
Shutter speed: auto---15 seconds to 1/2000th of a second
Aperture: Auto
Exposure compensation: yes-- /- 2EV in 1/3EV increments
Noise Reduction: yes
In-camera Image Adjustment: yes
Flash: built-in multi mode (Auto, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Reduction)
ISO Sensitivity: 50 / 100 / 200 / 400 (35mm equivalents)
Image format: jpeg
Connectivity: USB & Video out
Image storage: CompactFlash type I

Conclusion
If you’re looking for a digital camera with point & shoot ease of use as well as ultra-compact in size, high resolution and lots of other features for the perfect photo then the S400 then this camera is recommended.

Also, if you're a keen on the move traveler, for hiking or backpacking, then this camera is ideal due to the size.

It boots up in about 3 seconds, so you can start to use it straight away, as soon as you've turned in on.

No matter how experienced you are, you'll be able to shoot beautiful and creative pictures with the S400.

 

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