(Place your mouse over the image to open the lens
cover)
Review based on a production PowerShot S40, firmware v1.00
The PowerShot S30 and S40 mark a revival by Canon of the higher end 'S' series of digital cameras. Clearly since the S10 and S20 Canon have explored the ultra-compact 'pocket' type digital camera, the S30 and S40 are a little larger but more feature rich. These two new cameras (virtually identical apart from their output resolution S30 - 3mp, S40 - 4mp) now sit between the PowerShot 'G' series (G1, G2) and the IXUS / ELPH (S100 / S110 / S300) digital cameras.
PowerShot 'S' series history
Here's a little history of the 'S' series (note that the S100, S110 and S300 ultra compact's fall into a different category within Canon).:
Date | PowerShot Model | Body | Lens cover | Resolution | Zoom |
Aug/1999 | S10 | Compact | Built-in | 2 megapixel | 2x optical |
Jan/2000 | S20 | Compact | Built-in | 3 megapixel | 2x optical |
Oct/2001 | S30 | Compact | Sliding | 3 megapixel | 3x optical |
Oct/2001 | S40 | Compact | Sliding | 4 megapixel | 3x optical |
The S30 and S40 are also noteworthy because they are the first Canon digital cameras with a sliding front lens cover which doubles as a power switch, this fairly common design feature on other manufacturers cameras has finally made its way to Canon digital cameras. This new cover appears to work well and help to protect the lens.
PowerShot S40 vs. PowerShot G2
Here's a quick breakdown of the primary differences between the PowerShot S40 and G2. Better features or specifications are highlighted in green.
![]() Canon PowerShot S40 |
![]() Canon PowerShot G2 |
|
Street price | US$ 799 | US$ 899 |
Body material | All metal (apart from compart. door) | Metal front, plastic back |
Lens | 35 - 105 mm, F2.8 - F4.9 | 34 - 102 mm, F2.0 - F2.5 |
Lens type | Extending | Extending |
Lens cover | Sliding (doubles as power switch) | Loose 'push-on' |
Add-on lenses | No | Yes, with optional adapter |
Normal focus range | 0.8 m (2.7 ft) - Infinity | 0.7 (2.3 ft) - Infinity |
Macro focus range | W: 0.1 - 0.8 m (3.9 in - 2.7 ft) T: 0.3 - 0.8 m (12 in - 2.7 ft) |
W: 0.06 - 0.7 m (2.4 in - 2.3 ft) T: |
Auto Focus modes | Single AF | Single AF, Continuous AF |
Shutter speed | 15 - 1/1,500 sec | 15 - 1/1,000 sec |
AE Lock | Combination of half-press and meter button | Dedicated button |
LCD | Fixed 1.8" | Flip-out and twist 1.8" |
LCD anti-reflective | No | Yes |
Power switch | Sliding lens cover | Mode dial |
Play mode | Shooting priority play mode | Switch between rec, off, play |
Scene exposure modes | Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Fast shutter, Slow shutter, Color Effect, Stitch Assist | Pan-focus, Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Color Effect, Stitch Assist |
Flash range (ISO 100) | W: 0.35 - 4.8 m (1.1 - 15.7 ft) T: 0.35 - 3.5 m (1.1 - 11.5 ft) |
W: 0.7 - 4.5 m (2.3 - 14.8 ft) T: 0.7 - 3.6 m (2.3 - 11.8 ft) |
External flash | No | Yes, hot-shoe |
Programmable startup picture and sounds | Yes | No |
Voice annotations | Yes | No |
Remote control | None | InfraRed supplied |
Supplied storage | 16 MB Compact Flash card | 32 MB Compact Flash card |
Battery | 7.4 V 570 mAh Lithium-Ion | 7.4 V 1100 mAh Lithium-Ion |
Battery charger | Supplied, charge battery | Supplied, charge battery and double as AC adapter |
Dimensions | 112 x 58 x 42 mm (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.7 in) |
121 x 77 x 64 mm (4.8 x 3.0 x 2.5 in) |
Weight (inc. batt) | 323 g (11.4 oz) | 510 g (18.0 oz) |
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