Canon PowerShot S200 (Digital IXUS v2)

Opinion: ireally like its cuality!

Opinion: Superb design and ultra-small size make an unbeatable combination for both amateur and pro users. Never leave the camera at home or miss a photo opportunity when you can slip this tiny gem into your pocket with virtually no weight or bulk. Great pictures, with excellent refinements to an already classic predecessor, the S100.

Opinion: The size and good overall quality, value and reputation are the reasons to buy this camera, but you have to accept unnecessary limitations of 2 megapixels and a 2X zoom. Good image color rendition, but images get grainy fast at ISO200 and 400. LCD screen images are very grainy in low light, like a bad TV. Images sometimes show an uneven sharpness in some areas of the picture, not sure if this is a focusing issue or lens quality limitation. I printed an 8x10 at maximum resoluton and was very pleased, except for image softness in some areas. Macro images were very good. Flash photos in medium range were good. The body needs better hand gripping surfaces (pointless to have omitted these). Fast startup and control responses. Quick, workable menu. The video-out still image on a TV shows several odd quivering areas. Thought it was my TV but the same on 3 different TV's and also with two different S200's. Needs to display shutter speed and/or aperture. I hate not knowing. (If the camera can display "long shutter" speeds, why not the others?) Battery life was good, but I don't use the LCD much. This is best as a take-anywhere snapshot and fun camera, but if the limitations bug you you'll need a more sophisicated (and likely larger) camera. Lastly, I was quite disappointed to see the new S200 come out as a 2MP and 2X camera, as I believe Canon could have knocked out the ultra-compact market with 3MP and/or 3X zoom here in this sized body. My prediction is that this camera will sell well then fade sooner than expected, leading to an upgraded 3MP or 3X model on the same size body fairly soon. Until then, I am pretty pleased with this camera.

Opinion: This camera is such a jewel. (Todellinen helmi)