Canon Powershot SD400 5MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
by Canon
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Our Price: $599.95 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $45.00 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon Powershot SD400 5MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
Customer Review: Perfect Point & Shoot
Summary: 5 Stars
Before this camera I was shooting with a Nikon 5200, which was substantially larger. In comparison this takes sharper, more accurate images, fits in my pocket as comfortably as my cell phone, and has more intuitive menus. I took this on a vacation to Africa, it shot very sharp wildlife photos and was unscathed sitting in my pocket for days on end, sometimes in high temperatures. I have used its zoom quite a bit, and it takes very sharp pictures across its 3x optical, and very acceptable quality up to about 8x (combined digital and optical), but beyond 8x and up to the max 12x (3x optical * 4x digital), the quality is almost unusable. So it wasn't the best for distance photography, but very acceptable. There is minor purple fringing as with all point and shoots, but not at all noticeable on an any print 5x7 or less. And negligible even at 8-10 at its worst.
While you will probably not get the quality of photo that you will get with a DSLR, that is not what this product even pretends to offer. It is a fantastic point and shoot, super small, and compared to others that I've seen it takes by far the best pictures (great contrast, colors, and sharpness). Also, its super super fast, unlike my previous Nikon 5200, which I missed quite a few shots with.
For its size, picture quality, and functionality, it is best in its class.
Customer Review: Absolutely the BEST small camera
Summary: 5 Stars
Just finally replaced my old Sony Cybershot 2.1 MP camera. After just a few weeks with this camera it was no doubt the right choice. The features packed into this small size are fantastic. I used a 1GB card I was using with my iPaq in this and now I am set. The software that it comes with is even better then any other digital camera software out there.
PROS:
- Tons of features, including movie mode w/sound, B&W Pictures as well as color accents (B&W with just a specific color showing), many different modes to accommodate all your possible needs.
- SMALL...SMALL, enough said.
- Battery life is outstanding, 2 weeks, tons of pics and still haven't recharged
- Small battery charger that is easy to bring on trips, no wires, just plug it into the wall
- Large LCD for a small camera
CONS:
- Just takes some time to learn how to use all the features, but worth it.
- Average person that just wants to take pics can, but really overkill if you just want a standard point and shoot camera.
Overall, I love it and would recommend to anyone that likes digital pictures, wants something small, but is tech savvy enought to learn how to use all the features.
Hope this helped.
Customer Review: Good Choice for Animation
Summary: 5 Stars
We use these cameras in our clay animation workshops and we have been very pleased with them, even with heavy use. We switch out the memory cards to empty the photos, and allow students to keep filming without moving the camera. The two features that make this camera work well for animation are:
1. Auto power-shutoff disabling. So the camera doesn't turn off while you adjust your puppet. It does go to sleep but a half-press of the shutter button wakes it right back up.
2. Timer mode, 2 seconds. You can set it to take a picture exactly two seconds after you press the button. It beeps repeatedly which reminds the animator to take their hand off the camera (mounted on a tripod or stand) and out of the frame. The result is much less camera movement and accidental hand shots in your animation. Without this, even the pressure of your finger as you press the shutter button moves the camera enough to create shifting frames.
We chose the 3x zoom, which is pretty low as far as zooming capabilities go, since we can always get the camera close to the artwork to get a clear close-up. The macro focus feature on this camera is easy to use, even for kids. A flower graphic on the button and the LCD screen indicate macro-focus is on.
Customer Review: The only camera you need for outdoor photography
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had the Canon SD400 for about 2 months now, and I would like to compare it to my other camera, Canon G3, which I bought 2 years ago.
I am amazed by the advance in technology in 2 years. The Digic 2 chip really is much faster. Startup time, shot to shot time, focus times are all significantly faster. The SD series of course is much smaller than the G series. For outdoor daytime photography, I can't tell the difference between the picture quality of the 2 cameras. They both take excellent pictures but the SD focuses a bit faster.
For indoor flash photography, I have the Canon 420EX external flash for the G3, and hence I can get higher quality pictures by completely eliminating red eye and also by using bounce flash. However, sometimes the G3 has a lot of trouble focusing, whereas the SD400 does not.
One final benefit of the SD400 is that it uses USB 2.0 transfer which is much faster than the G3 USB 1. Also note that the SD200 and SD300 are also USB 1.
I feel that everyone should have 2 digital cameras, a super compact one like the SD400 for take-anywhere outdoor phtography, and a digital SLR for indoor and outdoor when you want more control and versatility.
Customer Review: Sturdy Little Camera
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this refurbished camera about three years ago. I needed a pocket sized digital camera I could use when it was impractical to use my Canon Rebel. This camera has been with me as I sailed along the Florida coast in tropical humidity and motorcycled through Colorado and camped in Minnesota. It has been used in desert sun, rain, and snow. I've dropped it several times and it has been bumped into countless hard things. It never fails to boot right up and take excellent photos, every time.
Initially, I had some doubts about the flimsy, little cover for the cable port but it has held up. I applied a screen protector immediately and no problems with the LCD screen to date. When taking photos in the snow it's important to keep the camera warm between shots or the battery won't be there for you. The flash is weak and too close to the lens to do much good. It has the viewfinder so I can still preview a shot in bright sunlight and the lens is easy to clean with a Q tip. The photo quality sometimes borders on the exceptional.
This camera has met or exceeded all of my expectations for a point and shoot camera and when I've finally abused it beyond repair I'll be shopping for another SD series Canon.