Отзывы о Цифровой Фотоаппарат Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

I bought the Canon TX-1 while planning a trip to Yosemite National Park. I wanted a compact, light weight camera (its about the size/weight of a double deck of playing cards) that would take good quality video (it takes 720 HD) and still pictures (it does 7.1 MP). I was also looking for a camera that would be smart enough to have both automatic "point and shoot" settings with image stabilization (for pictures on the fly) and extensive manual control of features like flash (supression/fill), ISO (it does 80-1600), etc. (when I had more time to compose my shots/use a tripod). I also wanted a powerful zoom (it has a 10x mechanical zoom) to bring in distant targets--think Bridel Viel Falls from Tunnel View. At the same time I wanted to be able to take extreme close ups of flowers, water droplets, or what have you (it has an excellent macro mode which operates even for HD video--you should see my inch worm monster movie!). I'm also happy that the TX-1 uses SD picture cards allowing for essentially limitless storage, remember HD video takes up a LOT of memory and a rigid hard disk size would have been to limiting (I like to use 16GB SD cards which hold about 45-50 minutes of video or up to 3000 stills or a proportional mix of each). It has a lithium-ion battery which lasts about 45-50 mins. with normal use of zoom, flash, etc. (conveniently this is about as long as a 16GB SD card will allow you to shoot HD video--note that the codec Canon uses allows you to shoot video in up to 15 minute segments--about 4.5 GB or the size of a DVD). This is not usually a problem, as most videos are much shorter, and if need be you can start recording again almost immediately. Canon's codec is also provides for very good picture quality and color balance even with playback on a 46" 1080p HDTV. Their included software is quick and easy to use especially for downloading images, photo stiching, basic editing, and sending prints to my canon printer. I do have some nitpicks. It has a built in flash which allows still photography in dark conditions, but the video quality does suffer somewhat in low light (try the HI ISO setting it helps). Its small size does take some getting used to, but once you are comfortable with it you'll love its portability. I find it necessary to carry several SD cards and several batteries when out in the field, since the batteries take about 90 minutes to charge (I do this overnight). The camera strap is a sturdy but bulky leather contraption which is totally at odds with the rest of the cameras design--I replaced it immediately with one from an old relic I don't use anymore. Overall this camera is an amazing machine, small, lightweight, versatile and most importantly produces high quality stills and video. Finally, my father-in-law (a fellow techie/gadget monger) was so impressed with (or jealous of?) my new toy that he ran out and bought one too--how's that for an endorsement!

I ordered this as a replacement for the lens cover that came with my camera (Canon SX20 IS). I lost the original cover because it was not attached to the camera. I really appreciate the strap that keeps this cover attached so I can't lose it! Lens Cap with String Leash Strap for Canon Powershot SX10IS, SX10, SX20IS, SX20, and IS Digital Camera - The Camera Hunter Replacement It's a perfect fit, a good value, and worth every penny.

REALITY CHECK! I am a "camera freak," I just love the things. I own the SX10 (and previously a stack of other digital cameras ... starting with that SONY MAVICA with the 3.5" diskettes a LONG time ago), and love it. I previously owned the S5, and it was also excellent. I bought the SX10 for the awesome LENS CAPABILITIES, and have not been disappointed whatsoever. It takes magnificent pics, has that enormous range, is COMPACT, and has that "heft" to it that gives it the feel of a "serious" camera. Now: for the REALITY CHECK: I just bumped into the Canon 40D and 50D models at a local store. You've seen them: big, hefty, big lcd (without the cover the SX10 has ... can already visualize the SCRATCHES from shirt buttons, etc.), big lenses with those ridges on them that seem to beg you to pick it up and zoom in/out. Then I remembered: I bought the 30D some time ago. Bought all the lenses, external flash, cards, batteries, case, etc. Took it home and, after the battery pack was charged, went into the picture taking drill. I was shocked! A cheaper camera that I had took brighter/clearer pics than this EXPENSIVE get-up I just bought! I took a stack of pics with both: same result. I brought that set back to the place where purchased and that was that. There is no doubt that the 30D was worth the price, to demanding pros, but not to me. And this is the point I am trying to make: for the AVERAGE 'JOE' or 'Jill', you probably don't need all the bells 'n whistles these advanced DSLRs certainly deliver. If you are NOT a pro, NEEDING to manipulate a zillion settings manually and exchange lenses to match what you want to accomplish, this SX10 is probably gonna be PERFECT for you! You will not have to buy an array of EXPENSIVE add-on lenses (read the reviews for the 50D, for example, and you will see that super camera is, in the end, "lense dependent" ... that is: the end results will depend on the quality of "the glass" you have attached. This can get to be a VERY expensive proposition for all but the very serious pros). If you, like me, just want GOOD PICTURES without all the fuss, then ... in my very humble opinion ... this SX10 is probably all you will need for the remainder of your time on the planet :-) (I will admit, after putzing with both the 40D and 50D, I found it hard to walk away without buying one/the other. It's almost impossible to not be overly impressed with their great appearance, obvious wealth of options, and "heft" value. But, remembering my experience with the 30D, and the fact I obviously was not ready for multiple lenses, and the complexities involved with high-end cameras, I walked away). You can read the attached excellent reviews on the SX10 to find all about batteries, external flashes, bags, etc.

Wishing to add a comment/two about certainly real concerns that run through these reviews: LOSING THE LENS CAP and DROPPING THE CAMERA. For the initial concern: go to RITZ CAMERA, for instance (AMAZON probably also sells this), and buy the QUANATRAY LENS CAP LEASH. It affixes to the lens cap and the camera body, problem solved for $1.99. As far as DROPPING the thing ... DON'T!! I use the CANON WRIST STRAP (bought mine via EBAY) and really like it. A thin over-the-neck strap came with the unit (which I don't particularly like), USE IT! But, do ensure the LCD SCREEN is COVERED when walking around with that neck strap to not scratch the lcd with shirt buttons, etc.

UPDATE: 2-17-09: I'M BACK ... again. I could not resist the urge to get another SLR. I bought a real GOOD one, bought more lenses, flash, etc. AND, just like the one I brought back before, I BROUGHT THIS ONE BACK! The BOTTOM LINE is: THE PICTURE. This expensive array did NOT take better pics than the CANON SX10IS! I am sticking with this GREAT Canon FOREVER! It does EVERYTHING ... and in a wonderful small package. No lenses to lug around and have to change as the scene demands ... just zoom on from 28mm to 560mm(!) without missing a beat. Super camera!

Regards.

There isn't a better unit on the market in this price range. I bought this over a year ago after using my brothers, and still to this day there isn't a better camera with the features and quality for the price.. Not even close!

This battery fits perfect and has saved me several times. Every photographer professional or amatuer needs at least one extra battery. This one is awesome price and quality.

This is my first digital camera - I prefer film, as I have been a relatively serious amateur since age 13, (now 74), and I bought a digital only for the ability to download to a computer. The technical quality of the images is usually good, but I prefer being able to make my own settings with f-stops, shutter speed and focus.
The A100IS has the options for manual control, but because of the poorly organized instruction manual, and the complex and unintuitive menu organization I have found it difficult to work with this camera with any assurance of success. It is just too complex for me. So - I have pretty much gone back to my film cameras - that way I know I won't miss the important moment that won't come again. (If there was a digital camera that was completely manual and had no more user-controls than the film cameras I would pay a premium for it.)
The world seems to have forgotten the advantages of "simplicite', simplicite', toujours simplicite'

Let's face it ... the point n' shoot digital camera market is saturated with quality cameras that all are capable of delivering good quality photographs. However ... Canon is one of the few that offers some features others don't. First and foremost is a VIEWFINDER. While it may not seem like a big deal ... a viewfinder is critical when shooting outdoors in bright sunlight. (Ever tried looking at an LCD screen when the sun is at your back?) Another feature I prefer is that this camera operates on two double A batteries which are available almost everywhere. If you prefer rechargeable batteries, they are also available but double A's are a nice option when your rechargeables run out of juice. Lastly, I find the Canon controls to be simple and intuitive for most users. The large LCD screen is very crisp and the ergonomics very good with a "grip" molded into the sleek body. This is certainly a top contender if you are in the market.

This camera takes beautiful photos and is so easy to use.
Batteries last a long time.

The only downside is that there is no auto-flash option... well, there is, but you have to remember to manually lift the flash in order for it to work. That's kind of lame. Really lame, actually.

But I still love this camera!

Especially the non-proprietary USB connection and the fact that it takes two AA batteries.

The first one I ordered was broken, the second one I ordered was also broken. (same part was broken; looked a lot like the same camera I had sent back)I am now waiting for my refund. Will let you know if that goes smoothly. Was impressed with the quick response to my emails about the defective cameras so we shall see how the refund goes, but I was not happy with having to pay $13.94 each time I had to send the camera back. That is $27.88 that I should not have had to pay. Update: They agreed to refund my money for the camera. Problem was they only refunded $221.60 but the camera cost me $277.00. So far they have not answered my email as to why they are not refunding the whole amount. Will post more when I know more.

I bought my Canon PowerShot A590 IS about six months ago and I'm very happy with the purchase. My main use for the camera was to take pictures of faces, groups of people, places, and business images for posting on my website [...] Example pictures would be office buildings, conference rooms with chairs, people working at laptops etc. This camera is so easy to use and has so many features that I don't think I can include all of them here so I'll focus on only my top favorites.

AA Battery Power
#1 favorite feature of the Canon PowerShot A590 is that it uses AA batteries. What that means is that I (or you) don't have to stop and plug the camera into a wall outlet and wait for the battery to recharge. No, I can simply carry a few extra AA batteries in my camera case and if I find myself taking 200 or more pictures in one afternoon, I can just replace the batteries and continue taking pictures. The camera warns you of a low battery power situation with an indicator located on the display. If you don't want to keep buying AA batteries, you can use rechargeable AA batteries and keep an extra, fully charged set of those batteries in your camera bag, handbag, or backpack.

Large 2.5 inch LCD Screen
#2 favorite feature is the large 2.5-inch LCD screen with face detection technology and red eye correction. The display is very big. You can easily see what you want to photograph without having to squint your eyes. The image is clear and bright. If you are taking a picture of a person's face, you can clearly see whether or not the person is ready and the picture will be good or if you have to give him/her some coaching to get a good facial expression. (eyes open, etc) You can make the camera focus on a certain face in a group or an object by pressing the picture button down only half way and looking in the display. You will see a square appear around the face/object and if that's what you want the camera to focus on then you press the button down all the way to snap the picture. The camera has three options to fix red-eye but as of yet, I have not had any pictures which came out with a red-eye issue.

No Blurry Pictures
#3 favorite feature is the 4x optical image stabilized zoom. What this means is the camera has a technology that will keep your pictures from coming out blurry even if you move your hands a little or your subject moves a little bit. So far, I have not had any pictures with a blurry image.

Easy Downloading and Printing
#4 favorite feature and maybe the best. Easy printing - this camera features a Print/Share button for easy direct printing to a printer or downloading to your computer.

So to download your pictures from the camera to your computer or laptop, just connect the USB cable to your camera and connect the other end to your computer's USB connection (any of them). Once it's connected and your camera is ON and in the picture review mode, whatever picture software you have installed on your computer will open automatically. Next, you'll select the menu choice to "download" the pictures to your computer. (I use Adobe software for digital photos.) When the pictures are downloaded to your picture directory, you'll see a new folder added with the current date. You can delete the pictures from your Canon camera after they've finished downloading by either choosing the "delete" menu option in your picture software program or by using the menu button on the back of the camera itself. The menu button is easy to see on the back of the camera and is the starting point for pretty much any feature you are interested in using. Just press the menu button and then use the "func set" button to scroll down the menu list which you'll see on the LCD display.

To sum up my thoughts about the Canon PowerShot A590 IS camera, I would have to say it's very easy to use, takes great pictures, and is very inexpensive. I highly recommend this camera.

Desde el 2006 uso esta cámara y hasta la fecha he tomado más de 7000 fotografías... tiene muchas opciones y permite confirgurarla casi de cualquier forma de manera que puedas tomar la fotos como la deseas... simplemente excelente!

I purchased this camera from a pawn shop, while I was trying it out the battery light kept flashing, I thought no big deal it just needs batteries. So I bought it and I have been replacng the batteries ever since, y the 3rd picture it shuts off. It does take great pics though but you just can't take a few and choose your fave cause you can only take a couple at a time.

Great camera in power shot series. Canon A630 is best of the best. Manual exposure controls are very easy to use and it has an attractive design.

I'm not a super-savvy photographer, just somebody who wants to take a decent picture. This camera does all the work for me and makes me look like I know what I'm doing.

Most of the time I keep it set on Auto, so the camera figures out whether a flash is necessary, what the ISO setting needs to be, all that stuff, and makes it happen. I set up the shot and press the button, and the photo comes out great.

I have tried some of the other specialty settings, like Floral, for taking close-ups of flowers, and that does help to bring out the colors without over-exposing them with the flash. I've also tried Nighttime and Aquarium settings, and those both were very helpful. Ones I want to try but haven't only because I haven't been in the right environment yet are Fireworks and Beach. The point is, it's very user-friendly for someone who doesn't know a whole lot about what they're doing.

A friend told me he thought I didn't need 10 megapixels, but I quietly disagreed with him. I do a lot of stuff in print publishing, so I know that the resolution of photos matters. I got 10 megapixels because I figured I wouldn't have to worry about resolution or size issues, and I was not wrong. Every photo I've taken would work just fine in a print format.

Downloading the photos is pretty easy. Sometimes my PC forgets where the program is, even when I have the camera plugged into it, so I have to find the program instead of having it launch automatically. Once I've got the program running, though, it pretty much manages itself. Then it brings up a viewer that allows me to see and edit the photos one at a time, or play them in a slide show.

Here are the few, minor downsides I've discovered so far. Those specialty settings are a little buried in the menus, so the first couple of tries I couldn't remember how to get to them. Same thing with some of the more advanced, do-it-yourself features. I wanted to take a photo of the full moon and I knew there was a way to adjust the ISO settings manually, but I couldn't figure that out without the manual in my hand. Since I didn't happen to have the manual with me up at the top of the mountain, I was out of luck.

The biggest downside (and it's not even that big) is this camera burns through batteries like they're matchsticks. I'll use the camera over a period of a few hours, turning the camera off when it's not in use or letting it "sleep" or shut itself off when it wants to. After three or four of those types of sessions, it tells me it needs new batteries. If I've used the flash a lot or if I've taken movies, the batteries burn up much faster. I haven't tried using rechargeable AA's in there yet, but I think I'm going to give that a go.

The battery compartment is kind of tricky to open. You have to slide a button forward and then slide the cover off to the right. It's hard to hold the button forward and push to the right at the same time, so I usually have to work at it a few times before I can get it open.

You'll also want to purchase a case to carry & protect this, and a memory card with lots of capacity. I got an 8 MB memory card, which in this camera can hold 2500 photos at a time. I haven't even come close to filling it up yet.

Overall, the camera was definitely worth the price. I've made a point of noticing when I've been at stores that sell this camera, and nobody else has had it available for a lower price.

This is a nice camera with a solid feel to it. It was a replacement for my previous camera, a Canon SX130, which was stolen and which was very good. The SX 150 has been upgraded for zoom and megapixels and has now probably reached the limit of what ordinary users like myself will need. Most people will not use all the features but it is nice to know they are there. I wish it was a bit cheaper but it is still good value for a camera of its performance.

Bought this camera for my daughter, so she could have fun taking pictures but also learn the fundamentals of taking excellent pictures. There is no other camera out there that has this cameras combination of simple point and shoot and sophisticated control. And that's why this camera - which retailed for $100 new is still worth that much now.

The lens cap does snap in place on my SX20 somewhat, but it doesn't not snap into place completely because the plastic hole for the tether string hits against the lens frame before the cap snaps in all the way.

At least the lens is covered now (which I appreciate, since I lost the loose original Canon cap with 10 camera uses!), but I'd feel more satisfied if the cover snapped in completely and properly.

I'm a fairly serious hobby photographer and have used the previous model Canon SX100 in addition to the latest SX110. Everything about it is slightly better than the older model, so all the past reviews on the SX100 and praises still apply. The SX110 is like the cheaper version of the Canon G10 (minus RAW, wide angle, flash hotshoe, and build quality), but the CHDK mod could close the gap even more with advanced features. Here's my summary of likes and dislikes:

Likes:

- Superb image quality for a compact camera, lens corner to corner sharpness, minimum color fringing, and detail vs noise tradeoff are all better than other cameras in its class.

- Manual controls (PASM), exposure compensation, contrast/saturation/sharpness adjustments, custom white balance, flash intensity are all adjustable.

- 3" LCD screen with 230k resolution, average specs for new generation cameras today. Viewable from a wide angle, and visible in bright sunny conditions.

- 9 Megapixels is good for most large prints, more megapixels would've meant more noise without much improved detail due to physical light diffraction limits.

- Good 10x zoom all the way to 360mm equiv.

- Macro mode focuses all the way close to 1cm (less than half an inch).

- Fast lens, meaning the aperture doesn't get too small as you zoom in so a fast shutter speed can still be used to freeze action far away or in dim conditions.

- Optical image stabilization works well giving about 2 stops advantage.

- AA batteries are great, get the pre-charged (aka hybrid) NiMH and you can get consistently 400-500 shots per recharge. Also don't have to worry about lost charger on a trip. Better for the environment long-term than proprietary batteries that only fit one camera.

Dislikes:

- Wide angle not wide enough (28mm would've been better than 36mm)

- Minor barrel distortion at the wide angle, only noticeable when there are straight edges in the frame, they look curved.

- The zoom setting is not displayed, it only pops up briefly when you change the zoom, and it's not exact. A better solution would've been to always display the 35mm equiv value. Also a zoom resume or preset would be nice, so when camera is powered off and on, it resumes the zoom it was in before. This does happen when the camera powers off to save battery, but not all settings are restored in that situation, such as the drive mode or macro focus settings.

- No optical zoom during video recording and HD video, only 640x480 30 fps highest quality.

- The software interface is outdated and unintuitive sometimes. Turning auto ISO shift on should AUTOMATICALLY shift the ISO (like older SX100), not requiring the press of the "print" button after half pressing the shutter. Some of the features require a lot of button presses. Also auto-power off mode only has option of off or 3 mins, and lens retract in playback is either immediate or 1 min, there should be values in between.

- Image noise is noticeable at ISO 800 & higher, not unexpected for a small sensor camera. Maybe if Canon used a slightly bigger sensor like 1/1.6" instead of 1/2.3"...

- No live histogram. For a serious camera with manual controls, live histogram should be an option instead of only available after the image is taken.

- The command wheel is only good for scrolling through a long list, but I would've preferred a less finicky button interface. Sometimes it's easy to accidentally scroll a value when you meant to press the button or vice versa.

- Flash recycle can take 7-10 seconds after a full power discharge, but not a big deal since I don't use the on-camera flash much (I use natural lighting with higher ISO sensitivities, or an external slave flash triggered by the camera's flash). It's one of the tradeoffs of using AA batteries.

I admit the dislikes are very nit-picky, overall this is a great camera, but I'm writing them here so that either Canon or one if its competitors can pick up on these issues and improve on them in future models.

I bought the Canon Powershot TX1 in September 2007 to replace both a 3.2 MP Canon S30 still camera and a Sony DV camcorder. I selected the 720p/7 MP TX1 over the 720p/7 MP Sanyo HD700 and 1080i/4 MP Sanyo HD1000 because the TX1 (1) is a digital camera first (with Canon's reputation for photo quality) and a camcorder second, (2) has the smallest form factor (slightly thicker than Digital Elph), and (3) has excellent build quality.

Having used the TX1 now for 7 months--photographing/videoing my new baby daughter on a daily basis, on weekend trips, and on our 2-week Mexico beach vacation--I rate the TX1 a solid four stars and give Canon a thumbs up for a strong first effort.

Here's how I break things down:

Video:
The TX1 records its 720p video using the same inefficent Motion JPEG (MJPEG) codec that Canon uses in the rest of its cameras (in the AVI container/file format), as opposed to the modern H.264/AVC or AVCHD codec. The result are huge file sizes: an 8 GB SDHC flash card only hold 28 min of 720p video in the TX1 (though each file itself can be no bigger than 4 GB; this is a limitation of the FAT32 file system of SDHC and not the fault of the TX1), while an H.264/AVC or AVCHD camcorder can compress some 80 min of *1080i* video in the same 8 GB card (it's bitrate-dependent, of course). There is, however, the option of setting the 720p recording to 'LP' mode, which doubles the recording time, giving 56 min of 720p video on an 8 GB card--but I haven't tested how noticeable the degradation in quality is.

Still, huge file sizes are not a deal breaker--just buy a couple of extra 8 or 16 GB flash cards or, better yet, an external travel hard drive with a built in flash card reader such as the Digital Foci Photo Safe (which worked great on our Mexico trip!). A tip: buy fast SHDC Class 6 cards (not Class 2 or 4)--you'll need it for smooth video recording. What the MJPEG codec does have going for it versus H.264/AVC or AVCHD is that virtually any Pentium4-class PC can play it using virtually any media player (Windows Media Player, Real Player, or Quicktime). And MJPEG can be edited by most video editors. This isn't true of H.264/AVC or AVCHD files, which, while efficient, requires significantly more computing power special software to decode/play back and, in particular, to edit.

What kind of video quality do you get in these huge files? In well-lighted environments (daytime outdoors, mainly), the quality is quite good--definitely better than 720x480 DV. Having been stuck in standard-def camcorder land up until now, I found myself smiling with satisfaction at the new-found clarity and detail in the TX1's 720p video and marvelling at how Canon managed to pack HD resolution into a pocket cam. Still, I have to confess that the resolution, despite being nominally 720p, looks softer on my 50-inch 720p Panasonic plasma than what I expect true 720p video to be. It's certainly not as good as a dedicated 1080i HD camcorder (video from my friend's JVC 1080i Everio camcorder of the same beach shots looks crisper and has more detail). And in low-light (evening indoor situations without good lighting), forget about it--the TX1's video becomes grainy, and much detail is lost. Because of its small lens and CCD, low light performance is even worse than my old Sony DV camcorder.

Nevertheless, with the TX1, these days, I no longer lug around both a camera and camcorder (plus all the requisite extra batteries, chargers, and big DV tapes) when I travel. I know full well the TX1's video limitations, so I accept the trade-off for portability.

Photos:
I'm no photography expert so I won't go in depth. Suffice it to say that the TX1 photo feature set and photo quality appear equivalent to current-generation canon Digital Elph cameras with Image Stabilization and Face Detection, but with the added bonus of a 10x optical zoom somehow shoe-horned in. Once the camera is turned on, the lens extends out of the body about 3/4 inch, and regardless of zoom, it doesn't extend any further. This 10x zoom lets you boldly go where few other pocket cams dare go and IMHO is almost enough to justify the TX1 price premium over a Digital Elph even if you don't use the HD video.

The manual controls are limited to basic exposure and a white balance calibration mode; there are, of course, various canned shooting modes like 'night,' 'portrait,' 'beach,' 'snow,' etc., and various useless canned color schemes like 'sepia,' 'B&W,' etc.

It's worth noting that the TX1 allows you to take photos while recording video without switching modes, though with a brief 1.5-sec pause in the video for each photo taken. This is a killer feature that regular cameras (that I know of) don't have. No more 'mommy takes photos with the camera while daddy holds the camcorder' or figuring out whether to grab the camera or camcorder when the baby decides to try out a new trick sh

Unfortunately the battery didn't fit on my wall charger, very disappointed. Waist of my time and money. I trashed it once I realized it wouldn't work as I was not up to the whole returning/exchanging/complaining, etc exercise.

I would not recommend it to anyone.

I bought my Canon Powershot A550 to replace my A530. I gotta say, I'm not impressed. I miss the full manual controls my A530 had. One thing I've noticed with this camera is if you don't have brand-new batteries (Or fully charged NIMH), it won't take low-light pictures. The flash just won't work. Also, the default ISO settings for video recording are very grainy and look horrible. If you're looking to replace the A530, I wouldn't recommend this camera. However, it would make a pretty good camera for someone who is just getting into photography. The increased resolution and screen size are the only things I really like.

I researched for a long time on the different brands out there. I have had Canon products for many years (was a professional) and decided to stick with them.
This camera is absolutley amazing. The PQ is outstanding as is the video quality. I was blown away by that.
We recently had a snow storm and I took night photos (tripod) and the photos were excellent. I then took more photos the next morning and they were outstanding. The photos were of trees with heavy snow on one side. Great contrast between the snow and the bark. The trees were about 30 - 200 feet away. And all photos were taken through a window! They almost appeared to be HD quality. If anyone doubts this, I will gladly email you some samples.
The camera is feature packed and some have complained about this (too many settings). My advice would be to get a cheaper digital that you may feel is easier. But for a novice it is still a great camera since you can put it on full 'auto' and get exceptional photos. Then you can learn at your pace. But I would recommend this camera just for the PQ alone.
A friend of mine had a new Olympus and after seeing this camera and it's PQ, they returned the Olympus and bought this one.

Pros: - Everything
Cons: - None

Let me address some other users "cons".
* Poor battery life - This camera has excellent battery life. I had an older HP digital and the batteries kept dying after about 30 shots, then 20, then 10 then nothing. I thought it was the camera. Turns out it was the batteries. I was using a fast charger (30') and that killed them. I educated myself about batteries and found that you need a good charger that is capable of charging at different rates. The fast chargers are harmful and will prematurely end the batteries life.

My friend who had the Olympus had the same problem. New batteries and was only getting about 30 photos. She thought it was the camera. I took her batteries and charged them in the Maha C9000 charger and after the first charge, she got over 180 photos (test) with the same batteries.
GET A GOOD BATTERY CHARGER AND YOU WILL SEE A MAJOR DIFFERANCE WITH ANY DEVICE.
Another 'con' mentioned was about poor indoor shooting quality. The camera has an 'indoor' mode that takes away the tungsten lighting effect and gives great PQ. Of course you still need the flash. I took photos of Grandchildren moving indoors and the PQ was great again. Even without the "indoor" setting the PQ was great.

As mentioned, I was blown away about the PQ of video. It was THAT good. Granted, if you put the setting on "320" which is the setting for emailing, then you will see some PQ degradation. But on the upper quality settings it is outstanding. With a 2GB memory card, you can get about 18' of video on the highest quality setting. About 45' on the lowest setting.

Of course, the camera, will have features you will never use, but it's merits are the PQ and overall features. The macro setting is excellent also. You can get within a 1/2" of the object. The detail it shows is terrific also.

As you can see, I can't rave enough about this camera. I do NOT work for Canon or have any affiliation with them. It's just that I am that pleased with this camera.

A word on their customer support. Great!
I emailed them with a question AFTER I bought the camera (locally). Their Web site says they will get back to you within 24 hours. I was skeptical. Were talking CANON, not Mom & Pop.
They answered me in 12 hours!

Great camera... just remember to educate yourself on batteries. This is important. It's the batteries that are failing BUT it's the CHARGER thats making them fail, prematurely.
Go to a site like "Thomas Distributing" and you can get a lot of information there. STAY AWAY FROM THE CHEAP FAST CHARGERS.

I bought this camera in Febuary 2009. It takes amazing pictures. The picture quality was always really clear and sharp, even when at the maximum zoom. By far the best Camera I have owned to date. (I have had olympus and nikon cameras previously) I have used it in both extreams as far as temperature and weather and have always been satified with the results. When I was using it hiking in the mountians this past Febuary, it was about -20 outside and in the middle of a blizard, the camera functioned properly and never failed me. It also took great pictures even in the low light conditions and also in the extream light conditions with the fresh snow all around. The manual functions are a lot better to use than the auto focus, which I loved because it was easy to use. I have also used this in the middle of the desert in dry heat of about 110 and in the jungle with temperature of 90 and 80% humidity. Every time it worked well and I had no problems. The only complaint I have is the 2 AA batteries that power it do not last very long. I ended up purchasig some rechargeable batteries for it and it extended the life of the camera to shooting all day instead of a few hours. It is small enough I can fit it in my packpack when hiking, and I have no problem accessing it. I love the abilty to take clear photos even when my hands are shaking. Overall I am really impressed with this camera and would suggest anyone who wants to buy a good camera this one.

The camera was better than described and my boyfriend loves it. So far the camera works excellent and description very accurate. Very speedy shipping!