Canon PowerShot S30

	*	3 Megapixel CCD delivers 2048x1536 pixel images
	*	3x optical zoom lens covers 35-105mm equivalent range
	*	Nice mix of high-end features, easy usability
	*	Beautiful, rugged, compact design

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Introduction
(NOTE: This camera is virtually identical to the Canon PowerShot S40, except for the sensor resolution. Thus, this preview is almost identical to the one for the S40. The only significant differences are some of the timing and (obviously) file sizes, etc. There may well be some differences in the image characteristics (tone and color) though, so stay tuned for our test results once we receive units we can share the photos from!)

Canon U.S.A. has long been a strong contender in the film and digital camera markets, well-known for its high-quality optics, technical innovations, and aggressive product development. Since the beginning of this year (2001), Canon has released a full complement of new digital cameras, all designed and engineered to live up to Canon's competitive standards. On the high end, the PowerShot Pro90 IS incorporates a 3.34-megapixel CCD, 10X optical zoom lens with image stabilization, and 12 EOS-based shooting modes. The PowerShot G2, the 4-megapixel upgrade to Canon's popular G1 model, is an SLR style prosumer model that features Canon's popular rotating LCD monitor, an external hot shoe, and broad range of automatic and manual exposure and shooting functions. Among Canon's consumer introductions are two new point-and-shoot digicams for the amateur market -- the PowerShot A10 and A20 -- identical except for their 1.3- and 2.1-megapixel CCDs, respectively. Canon also came through with two new ELPHs -- the 2.1-megapixel PowerShot S300, with a retractable 3x zoom lens, and more recently, the PowerShot S110, with the same high-quality chip, but a shorter 2x zoom lens.

The 3.2-megapixel PowerShot S30, released concurrently with its companion model, the 4-megapixel PowerShot S40, is a point-and-shoot style digital camera that incorporates many of the G2 features, but in a more compact, portable format. Like the G2, the S30 has an impressive range of automatic and manual exposure controls, a 3x optical zoom lens, JPEG and RAW file formats, and in-camera adjustment of image contrast, sharpness, and color saturation. In addition to these features, the S30 also offers expanded ISO options, an additional metering mode, and the first direct-to-inkjet printer connection, enabling the user to make prints not only to the Canon C-10 Photo Card Printer, but also to the company's newest inkjet ("bubble-jet" in Canon's terminology) printer, the S820D. Priced competitively at a MSRP of $599, the PowerShot S30 is sure to be a popular choice among business users, prosumer photographers, advanced amateurs, and even beginning photographers who want a high-quality digital camera that delivers large, sharp, colorful picture files.

High Points

• 3.2-megapixel CCD delivering up to 2,048 x 1,536-pixel resolution images.
• 1.8-inch, color LCD monitor.
• 3x optical zoom lens, 7.1-21.3mm (equivalent to a 35-105mm lens on a 35mm camera) with auto and manual focus.
• Up to 3.2x digital telephoto.
• Full automatic, program AE, shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes, as well as five preset exposure modes.
• Manually adjustable aperture settings from f/2.8 to f/8.0, depending on zoom setting.
• Manually adjustable shutter speed settings from 1/1,500 to 15 seconds.
• ISO sensitivity equivalents: Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800.
• Three metering modes: Evaluative, center-weighted average, and spot metering
• White balance setting with seven adjustment modes.
• Built-in flash with five operating modes.
• RemoteCapture utilities for controlling the camera from a computer.
• JPEG and RAW still image file formats, movies saved as AVI / Motion JPEG and WAVE formats.
• Images saved to CompactFlash Type I or II memory cards, 16MB card included.
• Stitch-Assist mode for creating panoramic pictures.
• Records up to 60 seconds of sound with individual images.
• DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatibility.
• USB cable for high-speed connection to a computer.
• Canon Digital Camera 7.0, plus ArcSoft PhotoImpression and VideoImpression software.
• Powered by Canon NB-2L rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, with optional AC adapter.