s100
this camera is really amazing! It's the size of canon's elph series with all the benefits of a digital camera. It even supports usb interface which means you can hook it up without restarting your computer... i really like this product.

Amazing
The S100 is simply amazing. If the camera were any smaller, it would be difficult to use. And the price is very reasonable, especially when you consider that it comes with a rechargable lithium ion battery and a charger. In the past, you would have to spend around $100 for just the battery and charger.

IBM MicroDrive Not Fit in
Too Bad This one does not like S10 which could adapt IBM MicroDrive...

However, the other features are exciting...

Amazing
It's small (fits in your pocket). It's light (you can forget you have it). It's digital! I have waited for some time before getting into the digital craze and I am glad I did. However, the accessories are not yet available. If you are looking for a easy to use digital camera that doesn't require a photo bag or a Phd to use, this is it.

A nice pocket camera
The first camera can easily carry when traveling. Recommend to buy 1.

Pros: 1. Nice outlook, solid and compact, but the 6oz weight still let you feel it is there in your pocket. 2. Longer battery life than S10&S20. Still better to carry a secondary battery (...) with you. 3. Fast image compression and large memory buffer to quickly allow the next shot. 4. In general, satified image quality.

Cons: 1. Not like the S20, won't support CF-2, ie.,not compatible with microdrive. 2. The camera cannot record the right color in some condition, e.g., the flash light may cause the non-red surface to be distorted into red color. 3. The usb connection cover is made by plastics, which is easy to break off. 4. If you want to review the photo right after shot. 1. Your finger needs to remain on the shutter button right after the shot.(can be locked with another button). 2. Or you have to switch from the record mode to the play mode. This is kind of awkwards. Should have a dedicated options for shot review. 5. Each battery takes two hours to fully charge. You may not get it in hurry. You cannot buy the equivalent disposal battery in 7-11 store.

Three Quibbles
I agree that this is an amazing camera for its size, but I wanted to add some caveats:

1) The quality of the photos is slightly lower than that of top-of-the-line 2.1 megapixel cameras (e.g., the PowerShot S10). This is due to the extreme miniturization of the lens and CCD. Keep in mind that this camera trades some image quality for convenience.

2) Only three image resolution/quality combinations: 1600x1200 hi-quality JPEG, 1600x1200 compressed JPEG, and 640x480 compressed JPEG. I would have liked a mid-range size between 1600x1200 and 640x480 (1280x960?), and the ability to choose image quality settings (hi/low is enough for me) on a per-resolution basis, for a total of six combinations.

3) Colors are not quite as bright/saturated as on the Nikon CoolPix 950/990, Olympus 2020z/3030z, or even the Canon PowerShot S10 & S20.

These three quibbles are relatively minor, but seemed worth mentioning.

Convenience is more important to me than absolute image quality, so I am extremely happy with this camera. Image quality is still remarkably good, and it is by far the most convenient (and cutest!) digital camera currently available.

Sam

First impressions
First; To the Bay Area Electronics Fan who posted an Email on 13 June. The S100 has an Compact Flash Card type I slot and will not accommodate the IBM Microdrive. To My review. I paid full price at Frys and don't regret it a bit. The lack of features as compared to say the Oly 3030 Zoom or the Nikon 950, or the Ricoh 5000 all of which I own is more than made up for by the S100's small size and ease of use. The quality of the S100's output is impressive. The only negative comments I have are the "Icons" used to define the camera's different modes, ie; B&W. The Icons are small and not very readable for someone with less than 20:20 eyesight. Not only that, they don't seem to make much sense. All in all, for the money in my opinion it's the best camera in it's class.

Small, delightful and well-designed
My last digital camera was an Apple QuickTake 200, which shot 640x480 pixel images. The Apple was actually better in two repects: it turned-on quickly and it showed you what you just shot right after you shot it. The ELPH will do the latter but you must hold down the shutter button to view it. But this DOES work even if you turn off the LCD viewing -- great battery saver.

The larger the CompactFlash card that you use, the slower it takes for the ELPH to turn on. It takes about 2-3 seconds of pressing the on button plus 2 more seconds till you can shoot a picture. I understand this is to prevent automatic turn-ons but sometimes I want to immediately take a picture.

That aside, this is a great camera. I bought a 32mb CompactFlash to go with it and shoot in Fine mode (1600x1200 compressed) and get about 50-60 images. It takes about 4 seconds to transfer each picture via USB to my Apple G3 PowerBook.

The QTVR (panorama) generating software is great. It eliminates much of the hard work for the user. But you really need to keep it on a stable surface to do this well.

I also have an ELPH Jr. APS camera. (With a black body before Canon changed it.) It got it because it was so portable (i.e. usable). This is every bit as enjoyable. I rarely ever use the flash. The zoom works perfectly fine, though I'm not much of a zoom user. My friend has an S10 and his pictures are a little better, but the S100 wins out for its tremendous portability.

Great Camera
After waiting a few years for digital camera technology to mature, I bought the Canon S-100. The Canon S-100 is so easy to use, I haven't bothered to open the manual. The pictures are excellent, and the light weight makes for a great traveling companion.

Take it everywhere, it's so small, you will use it more!
As many of you, I have been holding out until the prices were more reasonable. The size of this camera alone, and the reviews above told me it was time to buy. You will be impressed with how Canon has squeezed so much into such a small space. The camera comes with a quick charger and one battery pack. Time to charge about 2 hours. Setup was so simple that as a first time digital camera owner, I had little trouble after a quick scan of the manual setting up for my first shots. The LCD display is bright and though small, very easy to see. Controls are well laid out and simple to understand. I am so impressed with this camera, because it is so simple to use and due to it's size, I know I will take it along more often than my old 35mm monster. Suggestion, order a larger flash card (the included 8mb card is almost useless for high resolution photos). The only negative, no medium resolution such as 1024x768. You are stuck with 1600x1200 or 640x480, but this won't be a problem if you have a larger flash card. If you're a graphics artist, you will probably want a 3megapixel camera, but for the average user, this small camera will get used more due to it's size and takes great photos. Very happy with my decision to buy this camera.

The World's Smallest and Cutest Digital Camera
I'm a writer and new to digital photography. I've owned a few 35mm cameras over the years, including one SLR and two point & shoots. I had been waiting for the prices of digital cameras to come down before taking the plunge. This year, with a cruise to Nova Scotia coming in August, I decided the time was right and just purchased a Canon S100 Digital Elph. I must say, I think this is the coolest camera I've ever owned! First, it really is tiny; the size of a pack of cigarettes, maybe a scooch deeper. The included battery charger is larger! Second, it is incredibly easy to use. I just went on a quick photo shoot in NYC's Central Park today, and what a bunch of beautiful photos I took, if I do say so myself (and I do!) The camera is as easy to use as a point and shoot, and with instant review on the LCD screen, you can retake any flubbed shots on the spot. The two-times optical zoom operates smoothly and quietly, and lo and behold, a two-piece shutter-like cap automatically slides closed over the lens when you turn the camera off. I also had no problems installing or running the camera software on my PC. I'm still learning about file sizes (and how large is too large to email), and I did erase one photo I wanted to keep as I was getting used to the menu system. But otherwise I am thrilled to have taken the plunge into digital photography. And there are two more advantages to digital photography which I hadn't anticipated, beyond the lack of film and developing. One is the lack of censorship of your photos -- time for some, uh, fashion photography of your wife or girlfriend, if that's something you both would enjoy! Another is the ability to upload images from your PC to a memory card in the camera. This is a great source of personal entertainment for travelers, if you catch my drift, and you can zoom in on the LCD images! I would also recommend Canon's soft case for the camera, which has a slot to attach to your belt along with a second nicely finished compartment to hold an extra battery or memory card. As other reviews have noted, you will definitely want one or more additional memory cards. I've found I can get from nine to twelve compressed 1600 X 1200 photos on one 8MB card, or 28 images uploaded from my PC. At any rate, if you have been interested in digital photography but the price and confusion have held you back, consider the Canon S100 Digital Elph. It really is the perfect travel camera, plus it offers the convenience of digital photography.

I Upgraded from the Canon A5 Zoom...
My last digital camera was the Canon Powershot A5 Zoom, which I liked quite a bit. But I was ready to upgrade and when I discovered that Canon was going to come out with an even smaller digital camera with a higher resolution, I had to have the S100.

The S100 is very small, and easily fits in a pocket. It is much easier to use than the A5 Zoom was (there are only 2 main camera modes: take pictures or review stored pictures), and I haven't had to consult the manual since the day I bought the camera. Picture quality is excellent, in my opinion. The S100 comes with a USB cable to download pictures to your PC, which provides a massive speed improvement over the serial connection of the A5 Zoom. The software supplied with the camera is also a major improvement, IMO, over the software supplied with the A5 Zoom. I found it much easier to browse & access my pictures with the new software. The S100 has an optical/digital zoom which isn't terribly powerful, but is a nice feature, and as with the A5 Zoom, the LCD display is excellent. Unlike the A5 Zoom, the S100 comes with a battery charger in the box (Yes!).

About the only negative thing I can say about this camera is that the 8MB CompactFlash card supplied with the camera only holds 12 pictures at the "Large" (1600x1200) setting. So you'll most likely need to purchase a larger CF card if you want to take this camera on trips.

Overall, I'm extremely happy with the S100.

Amazing
I was shocked when I saw it in CompUSA although I had read many previews before it came to market. It's so tiny and easy to use. As an advanced amateur photographer, I think the only two weak points of S100 are: 1. No Aperture Priority program mode. 2. A little more color noise compare with Canon S10, Nikon 950 etc. Some body say S100's green color is not fidelity but you can fix it in any imaging editor. Besides these two, every thing of this camera is: EXCELLENT.

I need to emphasize one thing: What is the most important thing in photography no matter you are a pro or snapshot taker? The answer is: "Bring the camera with you". I used to have 3 SLR cameras (2 Nikons and 1 Canon) and 10 lenses. They are great but the problem is I cannot always take them with me. For the Canon digital camera, guess what, I take it with me every day. I can shot picture at any time that I want. Isn't that great?

Who says size doesn't matter!
It's the same body as the popular ELP2 APS camera (take a look at a standard credit card from your wallet and you'll have an idea of the front profile!). A 2X optical zoom (you can pretty much ignore any time a manufacturer refers to "digital zoom")

Size naturally means pricey - [and] may seem a little bit much for a point and shoot camera but but it has one feature which sets apart from all others: it's small enough that you'll have it with you! Being a gadget guru - I've owned about a dozen cameras and this is the first one that I always carry around.

The next two features which are equally important in any digital camera you're considering:

2. Compact Flash Support - Smart Media memory is too expensive, in short supply, and doesn't seem to be growing in capacity as quickly as Compact Flash. So CF seems to be the way of the future in "digital film."

3. USB support. Sure, there are floppy adapters and serial cables which are cheaper - but they're SLOW! Imagine copying a 2MB picture through your floppy drive - it would take several MINUTES vice a few seconds via USB! If it's cumbersome, you're not going to use it. Not only does this have built in USB support (great for sharing files w/ other PC's), but Compact Flash USB readers are getting cheaper and that'll save you battery life when downloading to your own pc.

The rest of these features are all on the same level.... 4. Rechargeable battery. While it's more convenient to have a camera that uses generic batteries (AA or AAA) that usually means bulky and not as efficient. This camera has a proprietary rechargeable Li-ion battery that comes with a little device so you can plug it right in the wall and recharge it. Very compact, recharges in about 2 hrs, if you're just taking shots using the viewfinder and letting the camera show you the shot for <2 seconds (best method) then you can average over 250 shots per recharge! If you're using the camera's LCD to take shots then you'll drain the battery in about 85 shots (not recommended)

5. Built-in lens cover.

6. All metal housing - very durable. Except for the Compact Flash door - which is plastic (why! ) it's a very durable casing - unfortunately I'm a little worried about that CF door!

Comments:

**No LCD to view memory status, etc... However, the LCD window is used to display information. Can hardly blame Canon, this thing is so small there's no place to put an LCD panel!

**Very few manual controls, and image quality settings. There are 3 settings and on the 8MB included card you can store 4 / 12 / 46 photos depending on which resolution you choose. I'd recommend buying a 64MB card asap, and just take all photos at the highest resolution - you can always decide later to scale down photos on your pc...

**Playback mode. I had my first camera for nearly a year before I realized what a benefit it was. On the fly share your photo album in anyone's house in their living room, vice computer desk - makes it easy for sharing with a lot of people. The Canon has a unique feature which allows you to flip Vertical pictures (when you take shots with the camera held vertically).

**Very Quick Camera. The Elph has an large image buffer so you can take rapid series of photos quickly. Depending on image setting, anywhere from 3/9/45 shots before it dumps to CF Memory (which takes 3 seconds). Other cameras don't have this feature and you might have to wait 3 seconds per shot!

**Image Quality. On a scale of 1-10 I'd give it a 9. Highest resolution prints decent 8x10's which is about all I'd ask from a digital camera. It's fixed at ISO 100, so it's not exactly a lowlight camera, but it does fine with flash.

That's about it - I hope you enjoy yours!

Convenient, convenient, convenient!
I travel all the time so size matters. This camera is super solid (metal body) and will fit anywhere! I use it for business with my laptop (PCMCIA slot adapter for the compact flash card-- about $...) and personal (USB speed). The camera is easy to use and allows very good picture quality. The only negative was finding a small case-- most compact cases in department stores are too big. I settled on a hip neoprene case made by CaseLogic for MP3 players. I also added a 32MB memory card which allows about 50 pictures in the regular 1600x1200 mode. I love this camera!

Excellent package. Everything is in this tiny camera.
This camera is perfect for me. The size is incredible. I'd had an APS ELPH and was fairly happy with the pictures it took so I bought this when I first saw it. I love it. I can carry it in my pocket anywhere. I bought a 128MB CompactFlash Card that holds over 200 pictures at the intermediate setting (I compared this setting to the high setting and honestly have to enlarge the photo to 600% before I can barely tell the difference). With this card, I don't need another. They have a 192MB Card out now. If your going to travel, you'll want an extra battery also. No other camera on the market is even close to this for the best all round package. I've printed out pictures at different sizes with Yahoo/Shutterfly and at 8x10 you can't tell the difference from a 35mm handheld. It is still not as sharp as my 35mm SLR - but that likely has a lot to do with the physical size of the lense.

My favorite toy!
I purchased this camera for daily use and I use it everywhere. It's simply awesome and the quality od pic's are incredible. Another great thing about it is that it's so compact and easy to use. You can carry it with you anywhere and just take a shot. The menu functions are easy to read and the lcd monitor is sharp for it's size. The only thing I would recommend is that you upgrade the 8mb compact memory card since you can only take 11 pictures at 1200 x 1600 resolution and 46 at the lowest resolution. The software is super easy to use and once you connect the USB port to the camera, the sofware automatically opens up with the pictures right in front of you. It's a great buy and no one will be disappointed.

slick little digicam
i researched and researched between getting the canon s20 or the canon s100, and of course i got the latter! and i'm glad i did!

this is my third digital camera, the first two were sony mavicas which used disks and were a big bundle to carry around compared to s100's put-in-your-pocket ease.

also, the pictures are wonderful! shooting only takes a second, and the display is very clear and crisp. very sturdy feel and weight to this small camera. easy to use and understand mostly, a bit hard to press the buttons sometimes. the camera does tend to heat up but nothing too hot to handle. the battery is small and not heavy.

negatives are the unclear digital zoom, but it's expected. you will find yourself carrying this little baby around everywhere! and never miss that oh!suprising! shot again. overall, wonderful! glad i spend the money, very worth it!

What a great camera, with only minor flaws
I saw this camera in a showcase at the Wiz, and was impressed with how small it was compared to the competition. Given that I have an infant crawling around my house now, I found that I wanted to take instant pictures more and more, rather than taking 35mm and then sending them off for development. I have a Canon Rebel-G, which I love, but is a bulky SLR and I found that I didn't just carry it around. A digital camera was exactly what I had been looking for.

Now I take this little camera everywhere I go. For an ameteur, this camera is all you will ever need. I use the medium quality (1600 x 1200 compressed) and the pictures are outstanding, especially for email and digital processing. I haven't even tried taking pictures in high resolution (1600 x 1200 uncompressed), the quality is so good. Friends and family are blown away at the clarity.The limitation on the quality would be the printer, which now I think maybe its time to buy a photo printer with higher resolution.

Disadvantages:

1) The flash card that comes with the camera is too small. A second 8MB or one 16MB would be better. That gives you an equivalent roll of film (20 shots or so on medium resolution). I need to buy one.

2) The battery supplied with the camera does not last long enough, especially with the LCD display enabled. A second battery is a must, especially if you want to take the camera with you, and you don't want to lug the charger. Fortunately, the battery is recharged within an hour.

3) The camera gets surprisingly warm during extended use (a small nuisance).

4) Switching to digital zoom mode feels like it takes too long, and the camera does not stay in digital zoom mode when switching between reviewing pictures and taking pictures.

5) Red-eye reduction really doesn't help at all.

6) I wish a power adaptor to run the camera was standard. It needs to be bought seperately.

7) A camera case should come with the camera and doesn't. I highly recommend one be bought with the camera as the elegant stainless steel finish is likely to become scratched when carried about without a case. (I'm a bit fanatical about my electronics when I like them).

8) When flipping through pictures previously taken, the camera closes its lens. Not only is this a waste of battery life, it is annoying to wait for the lens to reopen for new shots.

Advantages:

1) Small size is fantastic! You can take it everywhere.

2) Powerful flash. Brightens images even 10 feet away.

3) Super-clear image quality. It feels like you can reach into the picture when you see it on the screen.

4) Awesome software. The camera comes with a USB cable, and when it is plugged in, the computer wakes up and downloads the images. The software is very easy to use, and highly intuitive. It makes digital editing a pleasure. A great feature.

5) Viewfinder or LCD display are both available for use, and the LCD can be disabled to save battery life. Very nice.

6) Optical and digital zooms work very well (though a bit slow). Image centering seems perfect in viewfinder.

7) Image processing is quick. You can snap a picture every two seconds without waiting for the image to process.

8) The lens is protected when not in use, and is self-stored.

Overall, I am thrilled with this camera, given the misgivings of many others. Canon is a trusted name in photography, and I highly recommend this unit.

Excellent for travel
I've been incredibly happy with this camera. This camera is great if you're used to a high-end SLR. It's overkill for simple snapshots, unless you've got way too much money to blow. Exposure compensation in 1/3 stop increments (I leave it set on +1/3 stop to brighten up the default exposure, which goes a bit dark for my taste). Slow-syncro flash, macro/infinity mode, etc. The zoom range is a little narrow (35-70mm in 35mm film equivalent), but given that the camera is the same size as my wallet, I can't think of any real complaint. The SS body is wonderful, feels high-quality.

Little camera that could!
I bought this little baby two weeks after it hit the market here and I have had a little time to put it through its paces. In fact, it has even been to Israel with a friend and he has the same reaction that I have. As a travel companion, it is great. The color saturation is pretty good, though not quite as good as Olympus. However, remember that you can correct that in software if you know how to use it. The images are sharp and well balanced. The optics are exception for a camera inn this class! Learn to use the white balance settings and your photos will improve.

Use the high-res mode (1600x1200), the images are not that large and the image is much better. At the same time, buy yourself at least a 64meg card, I use a 128meg card and that is good for around 80 shots. If you need to squeeze more on, the hi-res compressed mode is not bad at all; just remember that the images are not going to be as detailed when enlarged.

The battery lasts a lot longer than average. I suspect that that is partially due to the lighting of the LCD screen coming from a white LED rather than a more conventional source. It is not uncommon for a battery to last the whole day of shooting. For me that is about 60-70 Hi-Res pictures. While there is no disposable option, the spare battery can be had for a reasonanble price (litium-ion batteries are very expensive, trust me when I say Canon's price here is reasonable!)

The down sides? No type II slot for Microdrive or high capacity cards. Thus, you are probably limited to 192meg cards. The macro is limited. I'd like to focus down a little more. The zoom is fine for me, but for nature shooters, it could be limiting. The preview is awkward and the camera defaults out of the box to low res (640x400) be sure to reset the defaults to the high setting (1600x1200).

These are all nits! Given the size, quality of construction and the images that you can produce with this camera, the down sides are minor and can be ignored by the average snap shot photographer.

Too cute for words
There are several things I especially like about this camera: It's fast - you can quickly browse through shots in memory, and the time between shots is very short. Much faster than the Olympus D320L I used previously. While the LCD screen is small, you can zoom in on shots in memory (effectively 9x) so it's possible to get a good idea of the quality of any shot. The panoramic mode is incredibly cool - the camera fixes the exposure settings and lets you view the previous shot before you take the next one over. The camera comes with software that aligns and stiches the shots together to form a panorama. I did one set of 12 pictures to form a 180 degree circle shot - amazing. Overall, it's a great little camera.

This little camera is nearly perfect
The controls are easy to understand and big enough that they are easy to see and use. I would recommend spending a little money and this will be the perfect digital camera. I added a second battery (about $69, recharges in about two hours) and a large (192Mb for less than $400) CF module. Now I can take over 300 1600 x 1280 shots (or for the webshot fanatic, 1,141 pictures at 640 x 480). The optical and digital zooms combine to give an effective 4x zoom. This is enough capacity and capability to do a complete household inventory, for example. While this might seem pricy, I have been spending $27 for 25 APS images, with prints and a CD, so this camera will pay for itself in a year.

The included software works with a unique feature of the camera: "photostitch" lets you pan left or right to build a panoramic shot, or even wrap it completely into a 360 degree image. The LCD monitor works to let you see 1/3 of the last picture overlaid on the current one, for near-perfect alignment. When you click on the "stitched" images, the software combines them in only two or three steps.

You can also put the camera into a "continuous" (two shots a second) mode for catching a series of events, and you can "mark" images for printing when the CF card is placed in a compatible photo printer. There is also a macro mode available.

The unit is tiny (about 2" x 3" x 1") and feels as solid as a tank. Once the software is installed, downloading images to your PC is initiated by simply plugging in the USB cable on the camera and turning it on.

It can also work well as a pocket spy camera.

Canon Digital Elph S100 USB compatibility stinks
This camera claims to be USB compatible but is not! It is only compatible with computers running Windows 98 or 2000, not NT and then only with computers with the latest USB standard. Most computers built over 6 months ago do not comply with this standard. Before purchasing, go to your PC manufacturers web-site or call them to check on compatibility. As an laternative Canon recommends a [memory] card reader but these have the exact same issue. I have NOT yet been able to load pictures onto my PC so have NOT been able to send or print anything whatsoever. The camera does NOT support serial or any other connections, which I knew when I purchased, however Canon's literature both on the web and in-print is very misleading with respect to USB compatibility.

The mighty little Elph
I just purchase the Power Shot 100 today, had no problem using or installing any of the software. The owners manual is great and the software is fine. I am going to need a larger flash card but the seller was out of them.

The ideal "other" camera. Why did I wait so long?
If you're looking for a digital camera to replace your big Nikon or Canon SLR, forget it - film is still king when exquisite detail and fine color rendition are critical. Before you give up on digital cameras, though, ask yourself a few questions:

Aren't you sometimes annoyed at the size and weight of your big SLR and its collection of delicate lenses? Are you sometimes intimidated by your own gear, and its seemingly built-in expectation that every photo should be worthy of National Geographic or Life Magazine? Do you sometimes leave it home or leave it in the bag, rather than intimidate friends and family with your big paparazzi-like weapon? At a party, a wedding, or just outside playing with the kids, don't you sometimes envy people snapping away with pocket cameras - and wish that taking pictures could be that weightless for you?

In other words, admit it - there are times when all your wonderful camera gear just gets in the way. For years my big Nikon has kept me from taking (and sharing) the kind of family snapshots and casual, experimental pictures that made photography so incredibly popular. Making copies of pictures was a pain, and mailing them to friends took several weeks from beginning to end.

My S100 changed that for me, and I'm having a ball. Technical nit-picking aside, the images are surprisingly sharp, the colors are accurate and the software is impressively easy to use. It's shirt-pocket small, yet the stainless steel body makes it feel rock solid. I've packed it many times to baseball games and a construction site without any fear of bumping something and wrecking the camera. It sits in the palm of my hand, inconspicuously hidden in my lap or a pocket while I wait for a nice candid moment - something my Nikon couldn't possibly manage. It even fits easily in my front jeans pocket. When travelling, the S100 doesn't make me an instant target for purse-snatching thieves or pickpockets the way my camera bag used to. On airplanes, my one carry-on bag can finally contain something other than camera equipment.

As with any digital, I love being able to instantly review my picture, delete it if necessary and re-take it on the spot. I've saved a few key images that way, and the built-in meter is smart enough that I don't find too many poor exposures. I boubght a 128 Mb memory card (much more money but well worth it) and can store two hundred plus pictures before downloading.

The Canon software that stores and organizes your images is surprisingly good - and makes emailing them very easy and intuitive. Far from being an afterthought I find it to be an asset and a true feature of the camera.

One more thing, one that really surprised and pleased me. Put a digital camera in the hands of a responsible child and you'll be amazed at the instant flow of creativity that it unleashes. I did this at a recent party and watched two bored kids go wild for a couple of hours taking fun, bizarre, utterly silly pictures - liberated by the fact that they could be erased at the touch of a button. It's a great family activity and one I can't recommend highly enough.

The Digital Elph at Ephesus
I bought the digital Elph just in time to take it on a 15-day tour of Greece and Turkey, where one stop was the wonderful archeological site at Ephesus. The camera was the hit of the tour. I could have sold a half-dozen at least to my tour-mates. I brought along three 48-MB compact flashes, and filled them, getting 71 or 72 pix per unit.

Using the small screen as a viewfinder helped me compose better photos. I can't say why this worked better for me than the viewfinder of a single-lens reflex, but it did. Previously, my making a particularly well-composed photo came under the heading of "Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in a while." My percentage using this marvellous little camera was much better. Go figure.

I have found that the one feature of a camera that gets me to use it is small size. I seriously doubt that I will ever buy another camera. Now, about my bag of Canon EOS gear . . .

Outstanding
I find this to be the perfect second camera, the one to take EVERYWHERE. (My 35mm SLR kit cannot go everywhere with me.) The Canon has outstanding image quality, easy to use, no disappointments. If, like me, you travel extensively and have the smallest lightest laptop with USB, this is the camera to carry with it. Do invest in an additional 64MB + memory card and a spare battery.

Easy to use. Good quality and fun!
I purchased the Elph s100 mainly because I thought it was cool. I'm a professional photographer using pro digital equipment and I was looking for something to have around the house so that my wife could capture candid moments with my kids. In practice, we've been VERY happy with the results. The camera does a great job with exposure and prints made with my professional printer looks great (not as good as prints from my pro digital camera, but still VERY good).

But the BEST thing about this little camera is that it is being used. It only takes a few seconds to turn on, we take our shot with out having to mess with dials and settings every time and then go on. Then, when the card is full we download it to our computer for viewing, printing and later storage on a CD.

It's so easy, we use it all the time and since there's no film, we don't worry about taking too much. We'll edit bad shots out when we want. I'm just glad that we're saving memories really easily, because that's what cameras are for!

If you're looking for a nice point and shoot digital camera that does all the 'brain-work' for you and will take great shots, and be fun to use all at the same time, this is a very good choice!

Great camera that you can take everywhere!
I bought this camera 2 weeks ago, and by now I've taken more than 150 photos. The only complain I have about it is that the flash is a bit weak. But think about the size of it, that convenience it adds, well it's still a great camera to have.

I take it everywhere with me, and it can capture a whole page of text from a book, very clearly print out into an A4 paper. So, effectively I can 'copy' >200 pages book using my 128M CF card.

I was a bit worry about the night scene ability. But it turns out to be great! I haven't been able to *consistantly* take great night scenes with my EOS 5, and now I can almost be sure that I capture every nightshots! The only worry now is my handshaking :p One can easily capture a great nightscene by using 'red-eye' flash with 'slow-sync'. Too easy for everyone indeed!...I used to carry my Yashica T5d with me, and now S100 is my new buddy. It's so convenient that you don't even need to think whether a shot worth taking or not anymore.

Besides a big CF card, and probably a backup battery, probably you could consider adding a huge harddisk or a CD writer to store your would be albums :-)

Best wishes to your photo-taking!

Tannie Wu

Great Camera
I would like to address a few things that have been mentioned. In one review, someone disliked this camera because of compatibility. First, I would like to say that I work at a software corporation, and am very familiar with how USB works. USB does NOT work on NT4.0. Period. It does work on Windows 2000, 98, and 95 with certain patches. If you want to use this camera with NT4.0, you will need a card reader, or a serial cable. I do believe a serial cable is available for this camera as well. Also, you can get a floppy disk adapter for the memory card.

Secondly, I just purchased this camera, and I am extremely glad that I did. I was deciding between this camera and the Olympus camera. The small size is what pushed me toward this one. After I got it, I realized how easy to use the camera was, and just how convenient the small size is. The Olympus, also, was made of plastic, making it much more fragile than this camera. The stainless steel case makes this camera very sturdy.

Next, the picture quality is great. I've used some digital cameras before (this is the first time I've owned one) and this one by far has had the best picture quality that I have seen. All of the accessories that I need can easily fit in a very small bag if I need to travel, and if I don't, it fits in my jacket pocket.

Lastly, the options that this camera gives you is comparable to every other camera in its price range. The only option that it did not provide that the Olympus camera did was that of Quick Time movies. Although this would be neat to have, I think that I would never use it because of the amount of memory that it would require. Because of this, I think this camera is well worth the money, and a very good buy.

Four Months, Zero Problems; Price break too!
I have had this little gem for four months now. It has given me zero problems, and the more I use it, the better I become at taking advantage of its strengths. I had a regular Canon Elph (APS), as well as a JVC digital camera. I was looking for a blend of the two and so I bought this camera. I'll share some observations that may differ a bit from what other reviewers have noted. 1) It is perhaps too small. I find it a bit difficult to manage the very tiny buttons and impossible to read the icons without my reading glasses on. Its size makes holding it steady for long a bit of a challenge (not enough camera body to grip with more than your finger tips). 2) The delay from the time you fully depress the shutter to the time the picture is taken is too long and may yield some fuzzy shots. This is due to the unusually slow autofocus system. 3) The lack of an intermediate resolution setting, as other reviewers have suggested, is a problem, but that problem is meaningless with a larger CompactFlash memory card (I got a 64 meg card for $... and it holds 105 pics at 1600 x 1200 res). 4) The camera gets really hot when you are busy snapping away. It is hot enough to be annoying. Canon says it's normal. I have found it gets less warm with the LCD off.

These minor carps aside, it's a great little piece of technology, and even better with the recently lowered price.

Very Good Camera
I bought the S100 because of its size and it hasn't disappointed me yet. Its batteries easily last a whole day of touristy shooting and the pictures are crisp and colorful. I'm not a professional photographer nor do I pretend to be, as a tourist this camera is perfect.

I was considering buying the S10 and am happy I bought the S100 - its considerably smaller than the S10 and the S10 requires that you buy a rechargable battery pack, with the total price being approx. equal to the S100 (which already includes a rechargable battery pack).

ps. I've heard some reports that obstructing the lens extension mechanism can misalign parts inside the lens casing, causing blurred photos. I'd put the camera in 'play' mode in case the onoff switch is triggered inside your pocket.

Perfect for me!
The Canon Powershot S100 is a must have for any gadget hound. It takes super detailed shots and fits in a shirt pocket. Obviously, buying extra memory is a must. A 48 MB card is reasonable, holding 70+ large pictures. Having an extra battery is useful, especially if you like to make use the little LCD. The USB connection means pictures download to your computer fast and the included software is reasonable. I think the S100 is an excellent substitue for a regular point and shoot camera. Plus the fact that I don't have to worry about carrying film and developing pictures makes the $500 price well worth it. Digital photography has really arrived!

Nifty point and click camera
The good: Small size; durable-seeming metal case; easy to use; visually distinctive; good picture quality; fast USB connection; mostly intuitive operation; really cool PhotoStitch software that knits pictures together to give wide panoramas.

The bad: Short battery life (about 50 shots with flash and LCD on -- thankfully, it comes with a recharger); no way to take 640x480 pictures in automatic mode (or, if this is possible, manuals that don't tell you how to do it).

The ugly: Adobe PhotoDeluxe software -- utterly useless, as it only saves in a proprietary format; and even if it did save in usable formats, it just doesn't do very much, and it does it poorly.

The conclusion: High wow factor, great toy for the technogeek, but get a second battery and some better software.

An ideal APS camera replacement
I've had this camera for a few days and have put it through it's paces. I bought the Digital Elph to replace an APS camera, and it takes shots that are comparable, if not better than the APS. Even the 8x10's prints (in fine mode 1600 x 1200) look about the same as with my old APS (in superfine mode, they look even better!). With a 4 x 6 print size, (in fine mode 1600 x 1200) you will see little difference in quality when compared to an average 35mm camera.

The advantages of this camera far outweigh the disadvantages. Quite simply, it is easy to use, and the battery life is better than most and it recharges fast. It has a solid feel, a stainless steel case and is really well built. The LCD is easily viewable in daylight. Fine mode at 1600 x 1200, is perfect for most pictures. The software that comes with it is first rate, and easy to use. Taking panorama shots, and "stitching" them together with the provided software is really simple to do. Red-eye correction works well (For a camera that has a flash this small and close to the lens) as long as the subjects look right into the camera. The "Wow! What is that?" factor is difficult to describe. This camera is an attention-getter!

Disadvantages? I can't complain about the small size of things, the buttons are about as good as they can be on something this small. As with all digital cameras you will have to buy extra memory card(s), I bought a 64MB card that hold plenty of pics. You will also have to buy an extra battery, which because it is proprietary, cost .... (but is also lithium-Ion, an advantage.) When going from optical zoom to digital zoom, the transition in the LCD screen is jerky, but who cares about digital zoom anyway (If you need to zoom in more, take your shots in Super Fine mode, and enlarge the picture in software). This baby can get HOT! when you use it.

Other information of interest: USB connectivity worked fine in Win2k, but it did require a reboot before it would function. Pics in all but the brightest light outdoors seem to be slightly under exposed, I set the exposure +1/3 f-stop, and it seems to capture colors more accurately. A video out cable lets you view your photos on your TV.

The Powershot ... Digital Elph is the perfect APS camera replacement.

Exceeds my Expectatios
I too have been checking out digital cameras for a long time. When the price dropped I jumped on this one. I absolutely love it. I've had it just over one month. I've developed pictures on-line several times and have been very happy. Though I have done the exact picture in two different (Kodak and Yahoo) and they both have different skin tone. Can't say which I like better, wish it was somewhere in between. I love to take pictures of my 4 boys, and in the first few days of practice I've taken so of the best pictures I have ever taken before. Fantastic close ups. It's so easy when you don't have to catch a good one by chance. Take several shots and you know if you have a good one. The pictures are sharp and clear. (Almost too sharp and clear f you don't have a flawless face. Thank goodness it is easy to touch up. I highly recommend Photo Suite III. You do take the risk of a fuzzy shot if you think you have enough light and you don't use the flash. The camera itself chooses a slow shutter speed with no flash (p.37). I was also dismayed about not having the ability to use the low resolution with the auto setting, but actually you don't lose any quality of performance in the manual setting. You just have the ability to change and set some settings. If you want to keep the settings when you turn the camera off, you just set the mode in the "saving the shooting" to last (p.62). The only problem I have with this camera is that the on/off button is so close to the shutter button. Many times I've gotten everyone together and smiling and then turned the camera off instead of taking the picture. Everyone gets tired of that real fast, hopefully I will overcome doing that. As far as the camera getting hot. I have left my camera on for an extended time to burn the battery completely out and it barely gets warm. I found an adorable small purse that everything just fits into. I just hate camera looking bags. I would rather wear the camera around my neck to leave my hands free. So I made a black stretchy slipover pouch that just hugs the camera itself, I attached a small elastic cord loop to the pouch corner, and that glides along a black cord that I threaded through the camera's wrist strap hole. The pouch stays on the cord when I slide it out to use the camera, and it gives it a little more protection from scratches. It looks attractive and people don't know it is a camera. And I don't have to worry about setting it down when I don't have pockets. The longer you own the camera and more familiar you become with the manual, the more you'll love this camera. It is very easy to use and gives fantastic pictures. This is a very cool camera and I would buy it all over again. I'm very happy with it.....

Happyt together
I bought this little guy a few weeks back, and I have to saythat I never had so much fun with a new toy as this. You willdefinitly appreciate the small size. You can take it anywhere withyou, unlike other bulky cameras, and capture every moment of yourlife.

This is my first digital camera I've owned, so I wantedemphasis some points to all my felow novice photographers that otherreviewers may have already pointed out: 1) there's no intermediateresolution quality setting; it's either the normal 640 x 480, thebetter 1600 x 1200, or the best super fine 1600 x1200. Which, ofcourse, means the better quality pictures you want to take, the morestorage space you need. I recommend a 32M, or better, Compact Flashcard... 2)Buy an extra battery. The batter will last around 70 or sopictures using a flash, with the LCD turned off, but if you plan ongoing on vacation, you will definitly need one. 3)Image quality isinconsistent. This could be my fault, but under the camera automaticsetting, some pictures come out way too dark, red, or blurry. This isspecially true when taking pictures indoors. But daylight outdoorpictures are truely beautiful. 4) You need to hold the camera verysteady when taking pictures due to its small size. Otherwise pictureswill turn out blurry.

Overall, I love this new toy. I woulddefinitly recommend it to first time digital camera owners. It willtake you some time to learn to operate it but after that it will be apiece of cake. Enjoy!

Smallest digital camera which is any good - & waterproof!
I was looking for a compact, rugged (I carry it hiking, skiing, boating, etc) camera which is easy to use. I wanted standard memory expansion (CF cards), macro mode, and if possible, a waterproof housing (for kayaking). This is the only camera with all these capabilities. Even with the waterproof housing it is small. The lens retracts and has its own metal cover so you don't need to fuss with a lens cap. The metal housing seems very rugged. Turn-on to ready-to-shoot is about 3 seconds. I'd give it 5 stars if the automatic modes were better and if there were true manual focus and exposure modes. For example, in auto mode you can't use the flash redeye reduction, you must be in manual mode for that. The auto color balance is often fooled by dense clouds. You need to use the manual exposure adjustment in backlight or bright light conditions such as with snow in the background. The dynamic range seems not quite as good as the Kodak DC260. The macro mode works well, although it takes some practice since the camera doesn't clearly indicate when it can't focus. The white-LED backlit LCD is very bright and crisp, even in sunlight, and relatively easy on the battery. The panorama modes are wonderful. Buy at least two batteries and you'll never run out in the field. High-res photos take 1-1.5 MBytes each so you want a CF card sized accordingly. It's so small and light, even with a spare battery, you really can take it anywhere. In auto mode anyone can use it as a point and shoot camera. The manual modes give you a lot of control over exposure and white balance (but there is no manual focus or manual exposure). 1600x1200 means really good, cropped 5x7 prints and acceptable 8x10s. There are better cameras but none anywhere near as light and compact. It's a little jewel.

A Terrific, Compact easy to use Digital camera
I purchased this camera recently to replace my Sony Mavica digital camera and to use alongside my Canon EOS 300 SLR camera.

My initial concerns that the camera would not be compatible with my Pentium III 800 running Windows Millenium Edition were unfounded. I had downloaded the appropriate driver from the canon.com.au website and installed this, rather than the driver was on the Canon CD that came along with the camera. There had been mention only of compatibility with W98 and W2K, so I was relieved to find the WME driver available.

Setup was quick and without a hassle. I was able to operate camera, and transfer pictures without having to open the manual at all.

This camera is very much an improvement over my previous digital camera. With super fast transfer of pictures by USB, its ultra compact shape and size, retractable lens system, and its 3-point autofocus system, the Canon Ixus has produced numerous images that I will keep.

I have found the ZoomBrowser software to be very easy to use, although other reviewers have mentioned their dislike of this particular application. The PC will automatically detect the camera when you switch it on and plug the USB cable in, and will launch the ZoomBrowser for you. You can even transfer pictures from the PC to the camera which comes in handy when you want to bring your CF card to a photo developer to produce prints for selected photos.

I bought an extra rechargeable battery to go with it and it turned out to be a good decision. I added a 64 MB Compact flash to the 8 MB one that came with it, as well. The 64 MB card will store 107 1600 X 1200 pictures or over 360 640x480 pictures.

Overall this camera gets 5 stars from me. It is a true pocket-sized camera with its light weight portability being a major plus!

A Terrifc, Compact easy-to-use Digital Camera
I purchased this camera recently to replace my Sony Mavica digital camera and to use alongside my Canon EOS 300 35mm SLR camera.

My initial concerns that the camera would not be compatible with my Pentium III 800 running Windows Millenium Edition were unfounded. I had downloaded the appropriate driver from the canon.com.au website and installed this, rather than the driver was on the Canon CD that came along with the camera. There had been mention only of compatibility with W98 and W2K, so I was relieved to find the WME driver available.

Setup was quick and without a hassle. I was able to operate camera, and transfer pictures without having to refer to the manual at all.

This camera is very much an improvement over my previous digital camera. With super fast transfer of pictures by USB, its ultra compact shape and size, retractable lens system, and its 3-point autofocus system, the Canon Ixus has produced numerous images that I will keep.

I have found the ZoomBrowser software to be very easy to use, although other reviewers have mentioned their dislike of this particular application. The PC will automatically detect the camera when you switch it on and plug the USB cable in, and will launch the ZoomBrowser for you. You can even transfer pictures from the PC to the camera which comes in handy when you want to bring your CF card to a photo developer to produce prints for selected photos.

I bought an extra rechargeable battery to go with it and it turned out to be a good decision. I added a 64 MB Compact flash to the 8 MB one that came with it, as well. The 64 MB card will store 107 1600 X 1200 pictures or over 360 640x480 pictures. I am now on the lookout for a 192 MB card which will easily serve my needs.

Overall this camera gets 5 stars from me. It is a true pocket-sized camera with its light-weight portability being a major plus!

Best Camera Purchase I've Ever Made
I purchased this camera before it went on sale, and while I wouldn't have minded keeping the extra $$$, it was definitely worth it. I have been absolutely, completely satisfied with the product and its capabilities. I am no computer expert, and this is my first (and probably last) digital camera. This is a great product, and Canon has done an excellent job.

First off, the ease of interface with the PC was very good. I set up the camera, followed the brief instructions in the manual and had no problems setting up the camera to interface with my PC (I've got Windows 2000).

Second, the quality of the pictures is fantastic! I have used the amazon.com site to get the pictures developed like a "real" camera, and have been very pleased with what I have gotten back. I have also used the pictures on a Ceiva Digtial Picture frame, and that has worked very well too.

Third, the camera's features are top-notch. The black and white ability, as well as the piece-meal panorama pictures (you put them together with the included software) are great. The ease of looking at the picture immediately after taking it lets you know when to retake and when to keep on traveling.

I do recommend the larger memory card - I've got the 48, and it works plenty well.

S100- An Update
I reviewed the S100 in early July 2000. I would just like to give an update of my experiences since that time. This camera and my printer (Epson Photo Stylus 870) have rekindled my interest in serious "point and shoot" photography.

Over the past 5 months I have taken over 1,000 photos and printed out several hundred. Every person who has seen these pictures have raved about the quality. They all comment on the level of details in these photos which are not seen in drug store quality prints. I have become the unofficial photographer of events within our circle of family and friends.

Since the S100 is so compact and easy to use, you won't mind taking it everywhere. Even the most casual photographer will be able to capture the magical moments of life. For me, that's the most important purpose of photography.

This is the one to get
This wonderfully small digital camera produces fantastically good pictures printed on any decent photo-quality printer (with photo quality paper). It will not replace your high-end 35mm SLR but it's a great toy to keep near you at all times for snapshots.

The only negative comments I have about it is that I personally find the small controls hard to use (my 48-year-old eyes have trouble seeing something this small). I have had some annoying problems with the software on my Windows 98 machine; basically I have to uninstall the driver everytime I disconnect the camera or the computer will look for it, not find it, and crash the next time I restart the machine. I would not recommend this camera for the naive computer user.

AWESOME Camera!
I recently bought this camera and to say Im pleased with it is an understatement. First it is very small and very well built (heavy for its size), it has a beautiful resolution, the photos come out IMPRESIVE. Its very simple to use, if you are looking for quality and impressive resolution on your photos LOOK NO FURTHER! its worth every penny! ENJOY!!

Fantastic Camera For Your Average Photographer
I've struggled for years with supposedly high-quality point and shoot 35mm cameras delivering astonishingly inconsistent results. The Canon S100 destroys this problem. I've had this camera for roughly 3 weeks now and I've taken approximately 250 pictures. The results are superb...both in print and over the computer.

The computer interface (I use Windows ME) was a no-brainer. Absolutely no problems whatsoever with installation or use.

Uploading photos to your preferred online printing shop (OFoto, etc.) is simple and straightforward. The quality of the printed shots is outstanding. So far my prints have all been 4x6 and the clarity is outstanding. I'm NOT a professional but I am pretty picky and to my eyes the quality of the S100 prints live up to the very best shots I've ever taken with traditional 35mm cameras. In fact, the number of "bad" shots is substantially less than with the traditional 35mm camera. Consistency is just outstanding.

I've purchased the Viking 64MB memory card (great price here at Amazon) and find that it works very well and that it is plenty fast.

Low light shots could be better but I haven't found this to be a limiting issue.

Bottom line...buy this camera and prepare to take more quality shots than you've ever taken before. It's a beautiful thing!

Makes taking pictures fun again!
I have a 35mm camera outfit that cost quite a bit of money a few years ago. So, why the small Digital Elph, rather than one of the other cameras with better resolution or picture quality? because, unless it's small, I won't cary it around. If I won't cary it around, I won't use it, and if I won't use it, what's the point?

I've taken the camera to Australia and back, and I've been consistently impressed with the high quality pictures it's produced. I can print out full page pictures (8.5x11) which look great! It's so small and easy to use, you'll find yourself taking a lot more pictures. I highly reccomend the S100 Digital Elph! (I also reccomend an additional memory card, for added shooting freedom - 12 pictures on the included 8mb card is not enough for vacation snaps)

I wanted to love this camera
In the next 8 hours I have to decide if I am going to return my elph. And I am stumped, here's why:

Inconsistent quality control -

I bought one that had a big green dot in the middle of the LCD screen so I returned it. The new one I bought has a big problem with white balancing - caucasian skin tones turn yellow brown indoors with the flash, and black shapes become two dimensional in dim light. In addition - the LCD does not work in dim light.

But on the other hand -

Size- I have taken more pictures in the last 29 days than in the last 6 months. Wow Factor - everyone at every party loves to play with it Digital Convenience - not having to worry about film, you can shoot away at things you never would waste development cost on.

So do I return it and pay 200 more for a Fuji 40i? Or do I wait a year for the next generation and continue to shoot on film.

You decide.

unexpected results
Purchased the S100 prior to an African Safari and Egypt trip to avoid the weight and size of a "good" camera. This camera was the hit of our large group and the 128 falshcard @ 1200x1600 gave me almost 300 photos! I didn't expect much quality so imagine my surprize when I printed photos that were spectacular. Best part is that the camera is so small it attaches to a tiny camera pouch on your belt...so you'll always WANT to carry it with you. Say that with a conventional telephoto set-up.

Consistent quality and always in my pocket
This is a great point and shoot camera. I travel to Mexico a lot and the S100 is just so easy to keep in my little waist pack that reaching for it is second nature. No opportunity gets by me to record where I am or what I see. With the addition of a Viking 64MB flash card, I can capture over 80 shots without even thinking twice about capacity. Indoors, the built in flash is adequate under 10 feet but can overexpose a little close up. Outdoors, images are extremely crisp and detailed without having to go into the superfine 1600 X 1200 mode although overcast provides a little too much blue tinge. While that can be corrected using the accompanying Adobe software, Adobe annoyingly keeps the retouched image in a proprietary format and really increases the file size.

I travel with my little Sony Vaio subnotebook (a great combination at less than 3 lbs.) and the USB transfer using the installed Zoombrowser software is effortless and very quick. My evening ritual when I get back to my hotel room is to download the photos into their own daily folder (about a 3 minute task after a full day of shooting), choose the "keepers", eliminate the duplicates or those poorly framed, rename them for their location and subject matter and then review them using the Zoombrowser's slide show.

When I'm home, I connect my notebook to my television monitor through its S-video input and friends and family enjoy the whole digital experience, kind of like the old days of slides but without the drudgery of trays and the racket of the projector fan. The Canon Zoombrowser works terrific and its installation was effortless.

2 megapixels may not be the end-all for digital photography but the S100's mini size and rugged construction make this the camera you'll keep for a long time. If, like me, you have a drawer full of point and shoot 35mm cameras that have provided profoundly inconsistent results, the Digital ELPH is the one for you. Get a spare battery and you're set for a long time!

Good Device for Fun
You will have a lot of fun with this little gadget. But, some extra peripherals and function improvements are necessary for more interesting in photographing.

1. An extra battery 2. Battery low alarm (I don't want change battery at the critical moment.) 3. An extra CF card (at least 32M) 4. A belt bag or neck strap (You don't want it drop to ground from your shirt pocket.) Enjoy it! Have fun with it!

Great Camera
This is a great camera. I wanted a digital camera to take the place of my point and shoot, and not necessarily my SLR. The Digital ELPH fits that role admirably. It's size is the major plus for me. I take it everywhere with me now and since it's digital, I don't have to worry about wasting film. I just carry it in my front pocket whenever I'm walking around.

The resolution is good enough for a nice 5x7, and 8x10 is certainly possible for anybody not too critical of quality. I have noticed a bit of fringing in the pics on occasion, but nothing significant. The USB port allows fast downloads, and the included software is adequate, though I do most of my work in Photoshop. I have noticed a bit more red eye than I'm used to, but I just have to remember to us the red eye reduction feature on the camera. The included 8 mb flash card quickly became insufficient and I got a Lexar Media 48 mb flash card, which gives me about 77 pictures at medium quality (around 500Kb) and about 31 pictures at high quality (around 1.7 mb). Another issue is the battery life. Luckily, the camera comes with a rechargeable battery, unlike the S10 and S20. I'll probably have to get another one of these if I'm out shooting for an extended time.

Overall a great camera for just shooting around. I've used it to take photos at work during the holidays and everyone wants one now. It certainly has a high "coolness" factor.

Great little camera
I just purchased the S100 and so far it has been great. I am new to digital cameras, but this compact size caught my eye. I don't like bulk and this camera fit great in my pocket or briefcase. I hope to have alot of fun with it.

Always with me
I've been a photographer since the early 70's and have used many small and medium format cameras. I began a journey into digital photography one year ago with the purchase of the Nikon 950. I traded my 950 for the 990 two months ago. I travel frequently and always longed for a small digital camera that would provide good photos. I found the Canon S100 this week and haven't put it down. I have taken more digital photographs in the last four days then in the last year with my bulkier Nikon. I have noticed that the image quality isn't up to the 990's however the S100 is always with me and used daily while the 990 collects dust. Thank you Canon and I can't wait to see what the second generation of this little gem will be.

The perfect camera for the go and beyond
I have used many digital cameras. This IS the best camera you can have for digital images if you want to: - Take quick pictures with excelent resolution - Hate to wait between shots - Download it fast to your computer - Have a great and easy to use bundled software - Travel with it without knowing you have it in your pocket

I use digital cameras for taking great pictures and share it in web pages, or sending emails... This camera is perfect and not complicated to use.

PRO: - Great look and feel, solid, NO plastic - Sexy - Great resolution for MORE than you expect if you are in digital imaging and computer and don't care about final perfect poster-like prints - Incredible PANORAMA stiching feature, where you can make 360 degrees pictures soooo easy.

CONS: - Standard memory (8MB) to small - Battery life could be better but it's ok - Your first days of use might be frustrating because of many menus, but if you use the automatic feature it's perfect

RECOMENDATION:

- I bought directly from canon the ORIGINAL CASE, with the metal Canon Digital Elph logo and the SAME SIZE as the camera, it's the best case, better than any Caselogic around here. This case (wich you can only buy directly from Canon) was build for the camera. - I bought 48 MB Compact flash, but DON'T buy the "original" Canon compact flash memory, because you could pay over 40% because of the brand. I use the Viking Memory and also have some "non-brand" compact flash memory, and it works just fine for a fraction of the price.

Regards,

Big features, small package!
I have had the Sony MVC FD73 and was disappointed at the quality of my pictures. I just recieved the Powershot S100 for Christmas and what a difference!! When compared to other digital options, we found this one to offer more bang for your buck. You do need at least a 32MB card, but the camera is great!

Awesome little camera
Takes great pictures, easy to use with my Mac at work and my PC at home, and it FITS IN MY POCKET. What else is there? If you're in the market for a digital camera that won't break the bank and is about as user friendly as they come - get this one, man.

The secret to getting a great shot
What is the best tip for getting a great shot?

Well, I think it's a non-obvious one: having the camera with you when the shot presents itself.

For years I've had mostly bulky SLRs that I often opted to leave behind rather than deal with and/or risk breaking when hung from my neck. Then I got a Canon Elph. I rarely used anything else - with it's nifty little belt pack, there's no reason not to bring it, and I can "draw" the camera out and shoot as fast as any gunslinger. It was the only camera I brought on a tour thru Italy.

The digital version of the Elph has most of the same advantages: it produces a very high quality photo, with all the essential exposure options in a very very small convenient package.

The negatives about it are: a very non-intuitive interface and a lack of a belt pack (you can buy one of course). Of course, you'll absolutely want a (much) larger memory card too. But if they improved the user interface (I still am confused and I am a gadget guy but I'm figuring it out) it would be as close to a "perfect product" as you're likely to see.

So... if you want a nice handy little cam, and aren't afraid of devoting some time to the manual and experimentation, go for it. If you absolutely need something with an intuitive interface, you might want to fool around with one in the store before you buy to see if you can pick it up.

Great camera but tough setup with NT, here are suggestions
I'm writing this review in the hopes that I can save some time for some other folks who try to download photos from this camera to NT. First of all, contrary to some of the reviews on this site, USB absolutely does not work with NT. And the opitonal Cannon Serial Port cable is not compatible with the S100. So you have 2 options, 1) a PC (pcmcia) CF adapter card or 2) a Parallel port CF card reader. Sand Disk makes both and I've used both successfully.

Options #1 is cheaper (about $15) but it will only work if you have card wizard installed as NT does not dynamically recognize PC cards. Card Wizard comes loaded on some newer model laptops like IBM thinkpad, so if you have card wizard this is the cheaper, faster and easiest way to go. If you have an older model laptop without card wizard then your machine might hang if you boot it with the card seated. If you insert it after boot it will not be recognized. You can purchase card wizard separately but it's about $80 so if you don't already have it I'd recommend options #2

Option #2 is a CF card reader that plugs into your parallel port. It costs about $50 and has a Y connection so you can maintian your printer connection and the disk reader at the same time. It seeam to be a bit slower than the PC card and is more combersome to pack/unpack...

I hope this helps some poor sole as I burned many hours figuring this out.

p.s. Don't count on much help from Canon or SanDisk support

Amazing!
An amazing camera rich in features, quality and output.

Despite this camera's compact size it has a substantial feel of quality. All controls are very intuitive (the zoom surrounds the shutter release & all camera functions are monitored on the LCD at the rear of the camera).

Photo clarity is great at the Large/Fine setting for 5x7 prints, however, anything larger will require the Large/Super fine setting. The standard 8mb compact flash card is only adequate (12 pictures at the Large/Fine setting and only 4 at the Large/Super fine setting). I recommend at least a 32mb card which will increase the storage capacity to a 35mm SLR's with a large roll of film. I also recommend purchasing the Canon accessory kit (leather case, neck chain & spare battery).

Included software is very easy to use and don't forget Canon offers 50mb of storage on their web site to their digital photo customers at no charge. A neat benefit since family and friends can access this site and view your latest photos.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with this purchase!

If you're looking for a moderately priced digital camera (@ $600 including the camera, case, battery, neck chain and 32mb card) this is the one! It's a winner!

Works fine with my Windows 95
I just bought this camera and I LOVE it. It's very small so I can pop it right in my purse. Mostly I want to say in response to the feedback that says this camera wont work with Windows 95 - this camera WILL work. The software that comes with the camera might not be compatable (as stated in the user guide) but if you buy a SanDisk Imagemate USB Compactflash reader it works fantastic. I bought this ... it works great and loads quickly. Sits on your desktop like a mouse but works like a disk drive. At first I thought I was going to have to return my camera- thank God a friend clued me in on this.

Did I say I would never lug a camera around again?
Yes I did and I never will - but you don't lug this gem around. I cant even feel it's there when it's in my shirt pocket and it's so small it slides way down so it doesn't fall out (even when I scrambled around on mountain hikes). Simple and so easy to use that you can forgive any minor deficiencies, such as the LCD screen data being hard to see in a noonday sun in southern Arizona. Get a larger memory flash card. I did get a ScanDisk card reader. Goodbye 35mm reflex with 300mm zoom lenses. Goodbye movie camera. Taking pictures is fun again for the first time in years.

Fantastic Pictures!
I recently bought my Power Shot S100 and am completely blown away by it! I have not owned a camera since my old 35mm, and the pictures I have taken just messing around are UNBELIVEABLE! this camera has fantastic resolution, If you need a new camera and are just a average photographer, this thing is a must! I recommend buying a extra battery and a huge memory card though! Shooting with this thing is addictive!

Small is Good
Just tuck this little buddy into your pocket and you are set to go! You won't miss those frequent opportunities to capture life's remarkable moments again. Photography is a great hobby of mine, and I love my 35mm and APS cameras *but*.. this little digital has opened up a new world for me. I now have a camera with me when I normally would not to catch those special photo opportunities. The Elph doesn't give you all the operations of a conventional SLR, but it does give you the basic settings to compose excellent quality everyday pictures.

I'll start with the "Pro's": The small size makes this camera one to hang out with ALL the time. Excellent quality high resolution output. I *love* taking great panoramic "photostitch" pictures. The macro setting is also fun to play with. You can get as close as 4 inches from your subject. Pretty neat from a fixed lens. It is super easy to set up camera and install the software. Don't lug around those big photo albums! With the supplied video cable (VC-200) you can put on a great picture show for your friends in your house or theirs all from the palm of your hand. The Canon ZoomBrowser software is very intuitive and easy to use. Adobe PhotoShop software stirs your creative juices and I promise will turn you into a digital Picasso.

The "Con's": Battery life is zapped too quickly (about 1/2 hr) (A battery charger is included in the kit and it takes about 2 1/2 hours to recharge the batteries - which which you can expect according to the manual to last for only 300 charges). You'll definately want a spare battery! No camera case is included. The included 8 mg CF disk can only hold a few pictures. I just purchased the Viking CF128M 128 MB CompactFlash Card from Amazon at an excellent price. Red eye only works marginally, you'll need to run many of those pics through Adobe Photoshop. The Elph is not geared for those outdoor night pictures, even if there are lots of city lights. Evening city light pictures I took ended up dim but that could be because I'm still learning how to optimize all the settings.

So, besides the cost of this camera, I have had to fork out another $250.00. Get ready to lay out even more if you want the power supply and CF adapter.

Look at it this way, you won't have any expensive film or photo processing charges. Gratification is instant. Isn't that worth the price of admission?

ITýS EASY!
As a photography student I always had to carry a lot of stuff with me, filters, lenses, flash, batteries, cleaning kit, etc. So what happens when you go to a dinner or to a bar and want to take a good quality picture, or one that you can easily use with photoshop or any other software. Finally, the digital Elph... elegant, ultra small, and easily downloads the pictures into my computer (I own an iMac by the way). The only downside... a minor thing, you have to buy the a/c adaptor if you want to have an option for the batteries.

No longer a skeptic
I was a little skeptical about what people had said about this camera, because it's just so small. After getting one for Christmas from Amazon, I'm now a believer: The Digital Elph is truly the world's smallest digital camera that shoots great pictures.

2.1 mega-pixels (2.02 effective, according to manual) is nothing to write home about -- and the Canon continues to take under-saturated pictures -- but the picture quality is top-rate, besting many 3-mp cameras I have tested. The quality shows when you print the images, even at 5"x7". I use an Epson 875DC and the images are many times better than those taken with my other digicams, even under the same shooting conditions.

This camera is also easy to use; you can start shooting away after you unpack and charge the included LiIon battery. The LCD viewfinder is small but very clear. One good thing: your nose won't touch the LCD when you use the optical viewfinder (unless you have a very small face). Battery life is decent: I get about 50 shots with all flash and LCD on. Obviously you get more if you turn off LCD, and even more if you don't need flash all the time.

This camera turns heads. Every time I take it out I can hear people around me talking about it. Some will ask me if they can hold it. I'm always proud to tell them that it takes great pictures, too. I love this little camera.

So, what are you waiting for?

Canon S100 Great Camera
Hi, I just bought one of these jewels about 2 weeks ago. It is such a joy to have something this compact and versatile. We live in Manhattan and have a 3 year old. So we carry a lot when we go out. This is why the...is such a nice thing for us. Put it in the pocket and go. We added a Sandisk 64MG compact flash card (... after shipping from amazon) and a 2nd battery (...). This will give you the ability to shoot about 43 pictures at the highest quality setting. The camera produces sharp pictures and having a computer to edit and print the pictures gives you a geat deal of creative freedom. It has occurred to me that if you were not computer savvy, that digital cameras might prove to be a challenge at first, but one worth meeting. However, if you have no stomach for technical things, stick with your 35mm. Also one should keep in mind that 2 megapixel digital pictures are not as sharp as good 35mm pictures, however; the quality of the S100 will please anyone but the most demanding, and remember this camera is made for conveniently capturing good snapshots in a digital format. In that regard, I have never been so excited about documenting our experiences and we have already taken more pictures in 2 weeks than in the past year with my old clucky 35mm. I have a HP 932C printer (...) It prints great pictures. Print on HP Premium Plus Photo Paper. It is the heaviest stock, 145lb. (The color cartidges are expensive though)

Great camera! Perfect for serious but not professional user
I bought this camera after looking around for a digital for quite sometime. I looked at so many cameras out there, but I decided on a few things I was looking for. First, I wanted at least 2 megapixels for high quality photos. And this camera delivers! I love the picture quality. Second, I wanted something from a brand known to be high quality. I have been happy with everything I have ever bought from Canon and I hear relatively few complaints about their products. Third, I wanted something small so it's easy to take around. This camera is perfect for the pocket!

The camera has been a joy to use. I found all the functions easy to find and it only took a few hours of playing around with it to get everything down. The only thing I get a little frustrated with is how still you need to be when taking pictures in low light. The camera can take great pics in low light, but you must keep the camera very still. I recommend taking several shots to make sure you get a good one.

The hook-up to the computer was very easy, but you must have a USB port. I found all the software decent, but unless you have someone helping you, the photo editing tools take a while to learn. The software is good though, contrary to what you may have read in other reviews. I suspect that people who knock the software just got frustrated on learning it.

Overall, a great camera. Most everyone will go "wow", great pictures and easy to use. Only thing better would be 3 megapixels, but most people won't need it.

By far the coolest thing I own
This camera is awesome. No one should buy a camera for its size but the fact that this thing is about the size of a deck of cards is hard to overlook. I feel like James Bond with a little spy cam. Aside from that, it takes great pictures. Really good color and great quality. The resolution is good enough to get prints from a service like SnapFish that would not be known as "digital" in your family photo album. This is my first digital camera and I am so pleased with it that I'm pretty sure it will also be my last, because I wouldn't want anything more.

EXCELLENT CAMERA! A LOT OF FUN & EASY TO USE
Don't be fooled by the small package, it is a great digital camera and records excellent pictures. The medium resolution is incredible and the pictures are sharp and clear. It comes with easy-to-use software and is great for those just starting as well as those that are more serious. I highly recommend it!

Size is everything...
OK, not quite everything...but this camera is so compact that you will have it by your side when you need it.

The pics are great and use is very intuitive.

This would have gotten 5 stars, but I've found that indoor flash pics require manual adjustments after they are taken. The pics are good, but the flash seems to be under powered to do well indoors without out a VERY GOOD light source.

My one was defective
I got mine today but it was defective. Whenever I turn on the power it gives me an error code E18. I haven't been able to take a single picture! I can't believe it was made in Japan (I lived in Japan for 14 years and never bought anything that was defective). Anyway, I need a replacement or refund. Do they refund the shipping & handling fee?

Camera and Computer are not talking
I'd like to review the S100, but unfortunately, after a month, I have not gotten a single picture into my brand new whiz-bang Dell computer to view it. The camera shuts down completely whenever plugged into the USB cable. The computer has no pre-loaded S100 drivers. The software bundled with the camera does not seem to include a usb driver. It seems to be oriented towards rs232c ports, but the literature says that the S100 only connects to usb. I downloaded a driver from the Canon web site but nothing has changed. The computer does not even know it has a new "device" connected. I suspect that I might need the optional, Canon ac power kit, but the Canon tech folks advised me otherwise by E-mail. I don't want to shell out the $$ for the ac kit if Canon says isn't necessary. I am at the point where I would return the camera, but it was a gift and that is not an option. If this isn't the right forum to pose these problems, I apologise, but I am getting to the end of my patience. Someone knowledgable please help.

Canon Digital Elph
I have had a Canon Digital Elph for several months and am thrilled with the camera. While it has its limitations - lack of a good zoom, anemic flash and hard-to-see viewfinder, it takes great pictures and is exceptionally easy to tote around. I have not used the highest resolution mode and have been quite satisfied with 8X10 prints printed on my HP 890 or sent to Ofoto. The panorama mode can produce spectacular results and by the way is an easy way around the limitations of the camera's 2.1 megapixel resolution. If you play around with the size of your panoramas, you can print pictures larger than 8X10 that will be as sharp as your 8X10's. If you don't have a large format printer, use a printing service for that special photo. I have been blown away by the instant feedback I get from a digital camera and the Elph has made photography a lot more fun. Often, it's the only camera I carry, but I still lug around an APS SLR with a big zoom when I'm doing serious photography. I have been rather surprised how well some hand-held night shots come out. I've gotten pictures at dusk that are reasonably sharp and show much more detail than I would expect from the camera's ISO 100 rating. It is essential to have a second battery as your battery will always run out when you need it. I use Lexar CF cards, they come with a USB cable and transfer pictures 3x faster than the camera. Set the camera in "manual" mode, which is still basically automatic, as it allows you to choose all the flash modes available. In addition, set the camera to remember the last settings or you will have to put it into manual mode each time you turn it on. Unlike a lot of digital cameras on the market, the Elph is easy to use and carry and feels like a camera. Its menus are a little complex but people who don't find features that are there and complain about difficulty of use just haven't studied the manual. I have recommended the camera to my friends on this basis: in 5 years it will be obsolete but it will still fit in your pocket and you will still be using it for snapshots.

I Love This Camera!
This is a great digital camera! We just got back from Hawaii, where I did my first serious shooting with this camera, and I had to get online to add my review. I had been investigating digital cameras for weeks before selecting the Powershot S100. Basically, the consumer reviews I had read here at Amazon convinced me to purchase this camera, and I'm glad I did. At 2 megapixels, it takes great photos yet doesn't break the bank. It's extremely compact, solidly built, and very easy to operate, especially in the default automatic mode. Learning to use some of the more common advanced features, like other flash or exposure settings, is relatively simple, too. People often comment about the batteries on digital cameras. I bought a spare with this one based on other users' recommendations, but I haven't had to use it yet. I found the battery life to be very good, since I did all my shooting through the viewfinder and only used the LCD to review shots afterwards. I also ordered a 32MB CompactFlash card, which you definitely do need. At the default 1600x1200 setting, this allows approximately fifty shots on the memory card before having to download to the computer. If you plan to shot more than that in an outing, then order a larger capacity card. Bottom line - I'm very happy with my purchase.

My canon s100 review
I did not really like the thought of digital cameras at first. I was set in my ways with my canon rebel 2000. It takes amazing pictures and what more could I want? Well, my rebel is a little to large to carry around with me everywhere I go. I decided to look into digital cameras and bought the S100. It takes great quality pictures and I havent had a problem with it so far. The battery could last a little bit longer, but I heard its a lot better than some other brands out there. Overall, I would give this camera a 4/5. Its lacking in the zoom capabilities, but then again why do I care, I have my other camera for that. Also for people that aren't good with gadgets, all the digital stuff on here can take some getting used to. I think its one of the best, if not the best camera out there for the price. Its very compact and overall a great buy!

Dynamite comes in small packages...
I ordered this camera and received it not even a week ago. I have seen photo's on the internet but believe me..there is nothing like the real thing! This one truly makes you fall in love with it the first time you see it.

When you buy this cam...also get an extra battery, flash card and protective case. Many tips has already been said in these reviews so I'm going to add to it. One review said that the person had tremendous trouble installing the software on a Win98 platform. My first installation was succesfull. I used Win98 second edition to help with the installation. Something you should keep in mind. The SP100 only supports USB transferring of data to your PC. So you need a USB port attatched to your motherboard. The latest boards has a USB port. But the older ones ( which is not that long ago ! ) does not have a port and you have to buy a USB card to plug into your motherboard. I had to do that.

The rest of the installation and connection to the camera is mind blowing easy and quickly ! Downloading photo's to your pc is like saying 1,2,3.

Then something another reviewer said. Sometimes the photo's tend to be a bit dark. Quite true. But you CAN force the flash to stay on. You also can set the flash on Slow-Syncro mode which adjusts itself to the slow shutter speeds. You can also set the exposure compensation and the white balance.

There are a few more things the cam can do. I will name some of them. Shooting continuously, ( 2 images per second until you release the button), a timer ( takes a photo after 10 seconds ), shooting close-ups, stitch photo's together, replay images on your TV (realy cool), and taking black and white photo's.

The software is okay...nothing to rave about ! What would I like to see improoved.....definetely the zoom capabilities !!

But overall...a beauty !

Wonderful Camera but.. there is a new one on the way
The camera is great. The two things I like best about it is the size, which allows you to carry it with you anywhere without being burdened and the quality pictures it takes. Using a 128 Viking Flash, I can shoot over 220 pictures in medium resolution mode. I bought an AC adapter which I do not think you need at all. Just get another battery pack. I also bought the Canon case for it which I did not care for. Canon just gave a press release which states they are going to manufacture the Canon Digital Elph PS300. Although still 2.1 Million Mega Pixels, it will have an optical 3x zoom lens ( the PS100 is 2X ), more efficient use of memory with 9 different resolution ( I believe the PS100 has three ) better battery usage.. and the biggest difference is it will allow you to take video with sound! Maybe worth the wait.

The new model is larger
The new Canon s300 is 33% larger and 26% heavier than the S100. The movie mode can only record a max of 30 seconds at 160X120 per clip and a max of 4 seconds at 640X480. It has one more resolution of 1024X768 and a "Normal" compression mode. And, it has the 3X zoom. The price is $... more.

In my opinion the 3X zoom is nice but it is not worth $.. more and a large increase in size. I also cannot see how such limited movie making capabilities would be useful. I therefore bought the S....

The camera takes very good pictures. The flash has a tendency to cause a slight blue cast on some things indoors. The low-light capabilities are not that great but then I think they are as good as my previous Minolta Vectis APS point-and-shoot (which by the way has a 76mm zoom compared to the S100s 70mm, not much different). The ability to preview shots after taking them is great. Outdoor shots are where this camera really shines. They are great! Overall, I think it takes pictures just as good if not better than my old Minolta APS. It fits easily in my jeans pocket. The battery life is not bad. Get a second battery if you are going to use it on trips.

I deducted a star for the following reasons: they should have either not included a compactflash card and reduced the price or included a larger compactflash card than 8mb, they should have a leather case available in the US like they do in Canada and Europe, I would have preferred a pop-up flash like they do on some of their Elphs, I would have preferred more standard batteries but I understand why they went with the proprietary one, I would prefer the ability to change image capture resolution without having to switch into manual mode.

Overall this is a great camera. Well worth the price. It is going to replace my Minolta Vectis APS 25. I am very impressed with the pictures I have taken with it so far (except for maybe some of the indoor with flash shots). Very easy to use. Well recommended.

A Great Toy
I purchased this camera on a "spur of the moment" type situation, and I can honestly say I am more than happy with this product. The camera fits in the palm of your hand which won big points with me. The 2.1 megapixel resolution is great for those who want to just use the caemra for web page developent, or just a family type camera. The battery life on this camera does drain quickly if you have the LCD on... aside from that, the buttons are a little small... maybe get your little ones to push the buttons for you, and your set.

This Camera ROCKS !!!!
I had been delaying my purchase of a digital camera for years,waiting for the technology, designs, and features for digital camerasto fully develop...

Five years later, the Canon Digital Elf S100cathes my eye, and voila, I'm a picture freak. I take the camera withme EVERYWHERE !!!! It's very compact, but packs all of the higher endfeatures and picture quality that most "full-size" cameraslack.

My camera knowledge is above-average. The S100 satisfied allof my criteria, including the ability to take awesome day, night,still, and action shots. The zoom is great for a camera its size.With one charge, I can take and view pictures of a day trip. It isextremely easy to use, and best of all, the battery life is great aswell.

I am a very picky person who researches his purchasesthoroughly before buying. The Canon Digital Elf S100 is my latestbargain acquisition and my favorite new toy...

I HIGHLY RECOMMENDthis camera to all levels of camera users interested in purchasing adigital camera !!

Enjoy...

Some extra and hopefully useful info.
I've been using this camera for a few months now. A great camera, but here are some points which I don't notice in most of the reviews here, which may be of concern especially to the more advanced amatuer:

1. The 3-point AiAF works great in most situations. But for tricky situations, you'll be greatly disappointed as you can't control the focusing point.

2. Don't have high hopes for macro mode. Forget about closeup shots of flowers and insects. It just can't focus close enough. Also, you'll have to use the LCD for macro cos the optical viewfinder does not have closeup correction.

3. Fleeting moments will remain fleeting moments. The lag between the pressing of the shutter button and the actual picture is very noticable. Common for digital cameras, but if you're used to film cameras, this is something you'd have to get used to (really tough taking sports photography).

4. Don't try taking pictures of people at wide-angle, unless you know what you're doing. Zoom it all the way in, or you'll get distorted faces and enemies if you send it to the subjects.

5. Just a minor point here. The lettering on the camera body comes off real easy, especially if you subject it to rough usage like I do. Like the ON/OFF button on mine is completely gone, so friends can't figure out how to turn it on (which suits me fine). But the body is really rugged. Subjected mine to a good number of minor knocks, but it's not worrying.

6. Last point. Minor for some, major for others. This thing is highly attractive. You'll have to get used to friends drooling in awe. Wait till they see the pictures (provided you're already a decent photographer).

Convenient, Compact, Quality Digital Camera
I researched digital cameras for a month before purchasing the s100... after considering my needs further and researching the marketplace, I decided on the s100.

I wanted a digital camera to replace my 35mm point and shoot - primarily for snapshots of my kids at various events. I wanted something I could easily take with me without having to "lug" around a big piece of equipment. I wanted quality images to email to family members AND to occasionally produce quality prints. I also wanted the ability to transfer the images easily to my PC. The s100 delivers on all points.

Pros

Compact Size. Did you ever go somewhere with your camera and feel like carrying it with you was an annoyance and a hindrance to enjoying yourself? Before I bought the s100, I would usually bring my 35 mm point and shoot instead of my SLR simply because of the size. Now I take my s100 everywhere which means more and better pictures. You can slip it into your pocket and take it anywhere without that "burdened feeling" of carrying around a big camera. The s100 is very small (about the size of a deck of cards) yet comfortable to use. Some other digital cameras like the Sony Mavica are much bigger and to me, carrying them around is a hassle.

Image Quality. This camera takes excellent quality images. Outdoor photos are superb. Images shot indoors using the flash are very good although sometimes a bit under exposed which is the case with most digital cameras in this class. The macro (close up) function works incredibly well. I ordered prints from images produced on the high resolution/fine setting which came out great. Realistically, there is no digital camera substitute (yet) for a good 35mm SLR in terms of image quality on prints. But if you're considering replacing your 35mm point and shoot with a digital, the s100 is an excellent choice.

Video Out. The S100 comes with a video cable that allows you to connect the camera to a TV to display the images. At first, I couldn't care less about this feature as I figured I'd never use it. Wrong. I use this more than I thought - like when I took photos at a birthday party and everyone wanted to see the pictures. Instead of people crowding around the little camera, I connected it to the TV, set it to auto-display, and we watched a slide show of all the pictures! This is handy if you have family members without a PC since you can record the photos to VHS tape.

Con's

Limited Resolution Settings. This camera has only two resolution settings: 640x480 (fine compression) and 1600x1200 (fine and superfine compression). So, you need to decide before shooting what you plan to do with the images. The lower resolution is for online viewing and email while the higher resolution is better for making prints. A medium setting such as 1024 x 768 would be nice since it's acceptable for both online viewing and producing small (4x6) prints.

No Battery Life Indicator. This camera has no indication of how much battery life you have left. You get an indicator when the battery is low but by then it's too late. It would be nice to have an estimate of the time remaining.

Small Optical Zoom. This camera has only a 2X optical zoom which is on par with most of the cameras in this class. This is sufficient when shooting subjects that are fairly close but a higher powered optical zoom would be nice. Digital zoom degrades the image so I suggest turning it off.

Low Light / Fast Action. You really need an adequate light source when shooting indoors to get an optimum picture. Generally, the flash works well if you're within several feet of your subject but further away you need to have sufficient ambient light. This camera is also not a great choice for fast action shots like sporting events. You can use the continuos shoot mode but it is pretty much hit and miss. The low light / fast action issues are typical for most digital cameras in this class. If you plan to shoot a lot under these conditions, you'll need a higher end camera or a good 35mm film camera.

Accessories

Battery. I didn't buy a second battery and so far haven't needed one. It will all depend on your picture taking habits. If you plan to use the camera over a long period such as a vacation, I recommend a second battery.

Compact Flash (CF) Card. You DEFINITELY need a larger CF card than the 8MB included with the camera. I bought a 32MB card which is sufficient for my needs. I typically shoot at the high resolution using fine compression which gives me about 60 shots on the 32MB card. Using superfine I'd get less than half that. If you plan to take many pictures at the highest resolution/superfine compression, you'll need even more memory.

CF Card Reader.... I don't use any of the software that came with the camera.

AC Adapter. If you get a CF Card reader you will not need an AC Adapter unless you plan to use the camera for extended periods.

Summary. I love this camera! It has its limitations like all digital cameras in this category....

Really want a digital camera? You must buy this one.
Positives:

1) Sex appeal. This thing is tiny, and silver, and made of metal. It looks hot, it feels sturdy. Many people have come up to me to ask about it.

2) Portability. I take it everywhere, literally. It's in my purse and goes everywhere with me so I never miss the perfect picture of a gorgeous sunset or my husband doing something funny. The size is also good because it's unobtrusive -- SLRs can get in the way at parties and inhibit "natural" pictures because people are too aware of the camera. The S100 is less invasive -- it's quick, it's small and it's fun, and that's the way picutures of friends and family come out because of it.

3) Quality. The pictures are very good quality. I almost never take my Canon 35 mm SLR out any more because the S100 takes great photos and is so incredibly portable. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this can replace an SLR if you're a serious arty photo buff. But the ease of use and portability of it makes up for the minimal drop in quality. Compared to my friends' digital cameras, the S100 takes superior pictures, even at the middle quality setting. As for prints, I bought a Canon BJ color printer for a couple hundred bucks and the prints are superb!

4) Memory. Compact flash, while still pricey, is the least expensive common form of removeable media. Don't count Iomega's click disks which are cheap but aren't widely used. Stock up on CF -- if you're anything like me you'll need a lot of CF cards because you won't want to stop taking pictures. I have used cards from the major manufacturers in the following sizes with no problems: 96, 64, 15, 8. Removeable memory is WAY better than embedded because when you use up the space, you can just pop in a new card and keep shooting.

The negatives:

1) Weak flash. If you're inside, you had better be no farther away from your subject than 10 feet in a lit room and 5 feet in a dim room.

2) Micro focus. The focus is a little flakey on very small objects. I like close up shots, and if I'm trying to shoot a small insect or flower (maybe half as small as a dime) the focus has trouble finding it. There is no manual override. This is semi-reasonable, but still disappointing. Other than this extreme close up limitation, the focus is great.

3) Short battery life. This problem is not unique to the S100. It's no problem really, just make sure to get 1-2 spares. Mine lasts me about 2 hours of solid use. If you're planning to take it on a trip, just make sure you bring the charger (included) and spare batteries.

Bottom line, the pros far outweigh the cons. I couldn't be happier with the camera. If you're serious about getting a digital camera, you must buy this one.

Extremely cool.
I've owned several digital cameras but this is by far my favorite. It's so tiny that I take it everyplace. Easy to use, elegant design, battery life is great. USB interface is a huge improvement in speed and reliability over the serial interface I had on my previous camera (Olympus). The only thing that really annoys me about this camera is the location of the on/off button. Too many times I've hit it by accident instead of the shutter button when I was in a hurry, and turned off the camera instead of getting my picture!

not bad--for better quality pics get 3.1Mpix or higher
If compact size is your highest priority in a 2-megapixel camera, the Canon PowerShot S100 Digital Elph is a standout choice and aptly named for its diminutive design. The S100's image quality rates in the middle of its class, but it can still be a reasonable choice for students, families, or small businesses looking for an ultra-portable camera that weighs less than half a pound with media and battery pack.

The jury rated the S100's prints in the middle of the pack, but its overall image quality results fell at the low end of the midlle for 2-megapixel cameras. Color balance measured better than average, with a noticeable blue cast in images shot under outdoor lighting conditions. Though the S100 only offers center-weighted metering, we overcame a tough indoor-exposure situation by using both exposure and focus locks. Other 2-megapixel cameras offer a more powerful zoom lens and more image-control settings.

The flash worked fine for shots taken at the maximum-rated distance under indoor lighting conditions, but it overexposed images taken inside at the minimum-rated macro distance. We were impressed with the sharpness of macro images captured outdoors with no flash. Standard shots taken without flash under outdoor lighting conditions showed slight underexposure but accurate color. The S100's panorama mode worked effectively, as did its burst mode, in which we captured one shot per second at the high-resolution and high-compression settings and three shots every 4 seconds at the high-resolution and low-compression settings.

The S100 feels balanced in its shiny stainless steel case and flattens to a smooth, flat box when the lens retracts; an integrated cover protects the lens when retracted. External control buttons are minimal, because you adjust most of the setting through menus, but, unfortunately, the relatively small LCD and small menu font present an operational challenge.

The S100's bright LCD displays a graphical menu system which attempts simplicity, but misses the mark and leads you back to the User Guide to clarify navigation and features at every turn. It can be frustrating to use the small LCD to take advantage of the camera's effective panorama mode, but better that than using the viewfinder in this mode. The S100 can be ready to capture your first shot in 3 seconds and subsequent shots every 7 seconds.

Compared to others in its class, the S100 is well equipped and designed, with both a USB interface and convenient access to batteries and media when the camera is mounted on a tripod. The included software bundles together a valuable mix of applications, particularly the effective image-stitching software for panorama-mode shots.

Simply the best
1- Small. VERY smal. Youýll carry it with you every day. Iýve been taking near 100 pictures per month since I got mine. Iýve had a lot of cameras, but this one is ACTUALLY being used, and not stored in a desk: itýs allways in my shist pocket. 2- Excellent picture quality and so simple to use!!! Fool proof. I started shooting even before reading the manual (not recommended at all). 3- USB kicks! 2 secs to download a 600KB 1600x1200 picture! 4- Looks great. Silver metal case -NOT PLASTIC. 5- Excelent software package. 6- Small but very clear TFT screen. Take shots at angles you thought you wouldnýt. Donýt care about sunlight: itýs TFT. 7- 360ý panoramic pictures are a very big deal. 8- Buttons are little, but If you have steady fingers and dealed with a casio wirst calculator watch, you can deal with almost anything. Buttons size is OK for me, my wife, but not my grany. 9- Cons? Not a single one after 5 months.

Perfect! FYI, Battery doesn't die if you don't use LCD
The color and light I captured with this camera on a 12-day trip to Turkey (gorgeous vividly colored ceramic tiles inside darkened mosques) were far superior to anything I've ever gotten with a traditional 35-mm film camera. I love this camera.

Some hints: I had no problem with the battery b/c I didn't use the LCD. I would turn it on maybe twice or three times in a day just to check if I got the shot I wanted (often, instead of checking, I'd just take several similar shots and sort it out later). Then I still had plenty of juice left at night to run through all the shots from that day, deleting duplicates and total failures.

I did however run out of memory. I took 256 MB but it wasn't enough--I averaged 50 pix / 32 MB a day. Take plenty of extra memory on a long trip--you can always sell it on eBay later.

Buy this camera now and enjoy!

This is one cool cat!
I've been very reluctant to join the digital camera communitysince I've been an avid "legacy" photographer for most of mylife. I received this little jewel as a gift and I can honestly say Iabsolutely love it. I give this product five stars for its usability,performance, expandability, and definitely looks!

Usability - Ihave to admit, I abhor reading manuals, so after charging thebatteries I immediately dove in, pressing buttons and whatnot. I wasalmost instantly rewarded with the ability to shoot very high qualityphotos, browse through the results, and file manage my pictures. Thesoftware install was a snap, and the plug-n-play of USB PCconnectivity is truly a godsend. I remember not that long ago digitalcameras had floppy drives in them, and the "flash" media usedwas 1.44 MB floppy disk drives!

Performance - Again I was verypleased with the features included in this camera. The Macrofunction, in particular, is stellar. I've not had a chance to playwith the various black and white, exposure, and landscaping featuresyet - but the next trip I take this little guy is definitely comingalong.

Expandability - The camera comes with an 8 MB memory flashcard - which can be upgraded to 128 MB card that can store manymore pictures. The 8 MB card stores 16 pictures at the defaultresolution, whereas the 128 MB card can store around 300 (I believe,I'm still waiting for mine to be delivered). Now that's what I callexpandability. Also, the unit comes with a DV connector - oh thepossibilities...

Looks - OK, so beauty is subjective, blah,blah, blah. This camera is a beaut! It's small yet feels verysturdy, and the all metallic shell gives it a very post-modernistic,cutting-edge look and feel (how can a camera be post-modernistic youask? It's a digital camera - the whole paradigm ispost-modernistic!).

I unequivocally recommend this product to anyonewho is looking for a digital camera (and even those who are but don'tknow it yet).

The Future of Photography is here!
The future is here my fellow humble citizens! The days of buying film, waiting in anticipation while it develops(more$), and only then seeing the often disapointing results are over! I waited way too long to go digital, scanning photos,filling boxes with prints that just were a waste of paper, and then along came the elph s-100! My mini-knight in shining stainless steel armor! I really love this camera. The images are superb. I love the things that I can do with them. The canon zoombrowser software is a snap to organize them. And the thing that I love best is the size. I carry the little guy everywhere! I hook the camera case to my belt and away we go! Inside the small caselogic(sold seperate) I hold the camera, 2 spare memory cards and a backup battery(also seperate items). Once I realized that this thing was a keeper I purchased the following items and recommend them: small camera case, backup battery, ac/dc power adapter, and at least 1 32mg(or higher)

memory card. I also recommend a disk reader. I have the sandisk. It was a little tricky installing the driver but it makes downloads a breeze. This stuff adds up fast and that is the only down side, cost. However, it is up-front cost and believe me it is worth it! My favorite way of sharing the images is to hook the camera up to my vcr. This turns the tv into the camera monitor and then I can make video photo-albums by recording the images onto a tape! The camera functions are easy to control and the images are great! It is alot of fun to see your pictures on tv, a 21st century slide-show that is easy & fun to do. Of all the ways that I have used this is the most popular with my family & friends. Of course digital images have so many possibilities. The more you experiment, the more fun it becomes! The only drawback is lack of time for hobbies, and of course hard-disk size. The latter is solved by the many on-line storage sites. My favorite is OFOTO.com. They also offer easy to download software, and competitive prices on developing prints. In summary if you are sitting on the fence like I was about digital photography, the camera you have been waiting for is here! Its size, ease of use, image quality and rugged construction make this the perfect next step into the future!

Great for compact size and picture quality!
I finally bought the Digital Ixus after poring through theconsumer reviews on ... ... This cam is ideal for my purposes, basically as a point and shoot.

the 8M card is not enuff. but in Singapore the Canon package throws in a free 32M CF card to sweeten the deal.

even though u have to juggle a few buttons for the manual features, these are intuitive and u can get the hang of it after a while.

I'm planning to get a spare Lithium batt for lon trips even though the battery life seems to be OKay so far.

Canon S100 - Digital Elph
We bought this in preparation for the arrival of a baby, and it has delivered in every sense of the word. The picture quality is amazing, the camera is very easy to use; and, perhaps most importantly, it interacts seamlessly with my iMac. I shopped very hard for this camera, and it has so far exceeded all expectations. I have only had one problem - - some soda spilled on the battery recharger and rendered it useless. That part is expensive to replace and very difficult to find. The camera itself is very sturdily built, but keep the recharger in a safe place. You can't do anything without it.

One great camera!
Back in the 70's, I had a minature Rollei 35 mm camera with a Zeiss lens. I took that camera everywhere and made tons of great pics, many of which I had blown up and framed. Unfortunately my ex wife got that camera in my 1983 divorce! Over the years I've accumulated several SLR cameras with numerous lenses and tripods. Again I found myself increasingly carrying a point and shoot camera most of the time. When I saw the digital Elph, I knew that this was the Digital cam I wanted, and I've not been disappointed. My current wife carries it in her purse all the time.