Canon Powershot S60 5MP Digital Camera with 3.6x Optical Zoom

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Product Details

• Item Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00028CECM
• Item model number: S60
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,802 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 26, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Canon updates its popular S-series PowerShot digital camera line with the 5-megapixel S60. It features a number of enhancements over the previous S50 model, including larger optical zoom (3.6x versus 3x), a closer macro zoom distance, larger video resolution, support for conversion lenses, and a higher capacity battery.

Optics and Resolution The PowerShot S60 has a 5-megapixel sensor with a maximum resolution of 2,592 x 1,944 pixels, enough detail for 4-by-6-inch to 20-by-30-inch (poster size) photos. Other resolution modes include 2048 x 1536 (3MP, 1600 x 1200 (2MP), 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. It features a 3.6x optical zoom and 4.1x digital zoom for a total 14.8x zoom. The lens features Canon's new UA (Ultra-high refractive index, Aspherical) lens, allowing for the design of a more compact lens--making the S60 almost 8% thinner than the S50. The 28-100mm focal length range expands to 200mm with the addition of an optional 2x tele-converter.

Canon's powerful DIGIC image processor provides a huge capacity for complex assessment of the scene to be captured. The PowerShot S50 uses information from the zoom position, scene brightness, and other systems to determine what sort of subject is being photographed in order to optimize AF speed, exposure accuracy, and white balance performance.

Movie Mode
The S60's movie mode has been upgraded to a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 (10 frames per second); it also offers 320 x 240 and 160 x 120 modes (15 frames per second). Individual movie clips are limited to 3 minutes maximum per clip (and 30 seconds maximum for 640 x 480 mode).

More Features
For beginners, the camera is point-and-shoot simple. Just twist the dial to Auto and start snapping pictures. The PowerShot S60 offers a myriad of setting options, including three light metering modes, white balance presets with two positions for custom settings, exposure and focus bracketing, manual focus and AF lock, aperture and shutter-speed priority, and adjustable ISO-equivalent sensitivity.

The PowerShot S60 features 13 shooting modes, including subject-based modes and semi-auto modes such as aperture priority. Photo Effects are an easy way to add creative dimension to your photography, with settings including Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia, Black & White and Custom. A fast sequence mode allows a maximum frame rate of 2 frames per second, maintained for up to eight images. A new Macro Function lets you shoot as close as 2 inches with incredible detail: the shortest focal length of any Canon compact digital camera not equipped with Super Macro.

The nine-point AiAF lets you focus your subject no matter where it appears in the viewfinder. For more freedom, FlexiZone AF/AE let you select which part of the frame you wish to focus on without moving your camera.

Other features include:

• Large 1.8-inch LCD monitor
• Built-in flash with auto, on, off, manual, slow-synch, and red-eye reduction modes
• Simultaneous RAW and JPEG file recording
• 15 second to 1/2000 sec shutter speeds
• Intelligent Orientation Sensor displays your images properly rotated during playback on the LCD screen and your computer screen

Storage and Transfer
The S60 uses CompactFlash cards to store images, and it's compatible with Type I or Type II cards, including Microdrives. It also supports the FAT32 format for cards larger than 2 GB. The included 32 MB card holds approximately 21 images at the Large/Fine setting. It connects to Macs and Windows-based PCs via a USB 1.1 connection.

Direct Printing/Sharing
The S60 incorporates Canon's new Print/Share button that speeds and simplifies printing to compatible Canon and PictBridge enabled printers. It also offers one-touch image transfer to Windows XP, Me, 2000, and 98 computers for use with image processing programs, uploading to the Internet, or placement in e-mail. When connected to a Canon Compact Photo printer, a Movie Print mode divides the selected clip into equal parts and prints thumbnails of a maximum 63 equally spaced frames onto a single sheet of Postcard Size Paper.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by the rechargeable lithium-ion battery NB-2LH, which provides approximately 240 shots with the LCD on and 550 shots without the LCD. It measures 4.5 x 2.2 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 8.1 ounces (without battery).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Canon PowerShot S60 digital camera, 32 MB CompactFlash card, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NP-2LH), battery charger, wrist strap, USB and A/V cables, CD-ROM with Digital Camera Solutions, ArcSoft Camera Suite, and drivers, and printed operating instructions.

Product Description
The PowerShot S60 continues the compact and full function legacy of the PowerShot S-series, but is now even slimmer. Compared to the PowerShot S50, the PowerShot S60 is 3.2 mm slimmer. In addition, ergonomically redesigned and repositioned buttons, and a redesigned menu interface combine to improve ease of operation.This camera is equipped with an approximately 5 million pixel CCD. The DIGIC Imaging Processor speeds precise image handling, and when teamed with iSAPS technology, results in the best image control.This camera is equipped with a newly designed 28 to 100 mm, f/2.8-5.3, 3.6x optical zoom lens. Compared to cameras with the usual 35 mm maximum wide-angle setting, the PowerShot S60's 28 mm lens lets you take in more of a scene at the same distance. On the other hand, thanks to the 3.6x optical zoom, telephoto photography approaching 3x cameras is also possible. By incorporating a newly designed, molded, aspherical UA lens - with its ultra-high index of refraction - into the zoom lens composition, high magnification rates with excellent image quality and a slimmer body were achieved.Photographic functions are also being added and improved. The camera can use its macro setting to take photos as close as 4 cm from the subject. In addition, shutter speeds from 15 to 1/2000 of a second can be selected. When shooting photos in the RAW format, you can now select the resolution of the JPEG preview image that is simultaneously saved in the RAW image data. The Tv and Av modes have added the Safety Shift function, which automatically adjusts settings for an appropriate exposure when shooting. VGA movies (640x480) can now be recorded. Compared to the PowerShot S50, start up time has been reduced.The Print/Share button has also been added, letting you easily print your images by connecting the camera directly to a direct print compatible printer and then simply pressing this button.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 103 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great camera, great pictures!, July 20, 2004

By	miket (Palatine, IL USA) - See all my reviews

The canon s60 feature & performance wise, falls somewhere between a point-and-shoot and a pro-sumer level 5MP digital camera. I had originally planned on getting a G5, but the G5's unwielding size and weight (although a great performer) made me consider the newly released s60. I was looking for a portable pro-sumer, 5MP digital camera, that was no bigger than our Canon SureShot 35mm film camera. The s60 (and the ultra compact s400) both have the same CCD imager as the G5, but I chose the s60's 28mm wide angle lens, extra feature set, and longer battery life over the p500's.

From my experience, taking pictures indoors with a flash seems to be the biggest hurdle for any digital camera to overcome, and the s60, while not perfect, is one of the best indoor cameras of its size I have tried. Indoors, in a moderately lit room, the s60 in AUTO mode takes true color, well exposed images within 10 feet of the subject(s). I have found that using "P" mode with the flash exposure compensation set up to + 1/3 or +2/3 works best if you are in a poorly lit room and you also wish to see the background.

While it is true that there is some barrel distortion at full wide 28mm mode, it is not enough of a problem detract from it's overall rating. All compact and ultra compact cameras I have tried have had some barrel distortion at wide field and chromatic aberation on bright objects. As far as one person's comment about the images being blurry because of inferior lens quality, I would have to disagree. The images I have taken are very smooth and have vibrant, true colors. The s60 does apply a sort or internal anti-aliasing to smooth out the images. Most of the professional portraiture cameras (like the Kodak pro cameras) do this either in software or by hardware, as most people do not wish to see every facial pore on their subject. You can chose to "sharpen" internally on the s60, or just use one pass of Sharpen in Photoshop to sharpen the images even more to suit your taste.

I also had the opportuntity to compare the G5 and s60 side-by-side, by taking photos of the same subjects both indoors and out. I could not see any noticeable difference between the two, image quality-wise. I have taken over 200 images within the last 5 days with my s60 and have been very pleased with both its image quality and ease of use.

129 of 133 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the S60!, June 13, 2004

By A Customer

This is the first small digital camera that gives me most of the options, and picture quality of my SLR film cameras. And it fits in a pocket. The wide angle pictures (28mm equivalent to 35mm) are awesome. Edge to edge sharpness is superb and contrast is VERY good. The tiny ends of the corners (NOT the edges of the frame), only at wide angle, look a little soft, but not noticeable in "normal" photos. The person who says he has un-sharp edges in wide angle images either has a defective camera or has a beef to grind. The edges are absolutely no problem at 28mm.

I sent out some wide angle images to have eight 5x7 prints, and two 8x10's made into prints. When I got them back I inspected the corners carefully only to find the corners were as sharp as a tack. Turns out the frame corners are trimmed to fit regular size paper, duh!

Ergonomics are great. Controls are much improved over the previous S-series cameras. Focus is fast, my S60 takes about .60 of a second to confirm focus. If there is any shutter lag, I can't tell. The new lens finds focus in low light much more consistently than the S500. I have tried shooting all day, with some flash, and a lot of image reviews on the LCD, and I haven't run down the new high capacity battery yet. The manual options are extensive, intuitive, and very useful for achieving serious high quality prints. The ability to review an image almost instantly by pressing one button, and instantly returning to shooting mode by pressing the shutter button half way down is a real time saver.

Pros:

Amazing lens quality considering at wide angle, this really a 5.8mm lens! Barrel distortion at 28mm is very acceptable and consistent with other wide angle lenses. Macro and tele shots are beautiful.

Full manual control (even focus), several auto bracketing options, and very flexible AF and AE options and features.

RAW mode. The Canon RAW software is a bit slow, but this is the way to go if you are into digital darkroom techniques and large prints.

Long Lasting battery that charges very quickly.

LCD screen is very sharp and smooth looking.

Very clean and smooth iso50 and iso100 images.

5mp. After working with other 4mp images, the extra 1mp really shows up when preparing an image for an 11 x 14 print or larger.

Small enough to take anywhere.

Build quality. Mostly metal. The battery door is plastic, but this seems to be the trend with all small cameras.

User control of in-camera contrast, sharpness, and color saturation.

Custom setting that remembers and recalls all user settings.

Cons:

Won't fit in a shirt pocket or tight pant pockets well as the S500.

Sliding lens "door" takes getting used to, but seems very secure.

No anti-reflective coating on the LCD screen.

Iso 200 is somewhat noisy, and iso400 is noisy, but not as noisy as our S500 at iso400.

Histogram is only available on playback.

Battery door should latch more tightly.

No spare batteries (the new type) available yet anywhere.

Conclusion - If you are a photography enthusiast, this is the best way to achieve very high quality (user controllable) images in a very portable, flexible camera. The S60 is a fantastic bargain.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Canon home run!, August 14, 2004

By	JanSobieski (United States of America) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

What we have here is quite simply a compact G5. Forget the swivel LCD screen - for me not at all useful, the only thing missing of any consequence from the G5 in my opinion is the flash shoe, otherwise you basically have a G5 in a much smaller more functional package.

The pictures are quite simply fantastic! Only minimal purple fringing and only noticeable to the most discerning (read nit-picking).

The camera still suffers from the digital point and shoot shutter lag which for the most part plagues all point and shoots. It is certainly no worse than the G5.

One clear advantage over the previous S50 is its smaller size. The camera still has the sliding lens cover which some object to but I find no problem whatsoever.

The only dilemma facing the prospective buyer is whether to purchase this camera or the significantly smaller S500. The S60 being a more capable complete camera than the S60. My advice: If this is your only digital camera, buy the S60. If you have a digital SLR then buy the S500 for true portability. The good news is that whatever decision you make you should be very pleased because both are great cameras.

If you haven't taken the digital plunge, then take it from one who resisted much too long. Go out and buy a digital camera TODAY!! It will reawaken you interest in photography. IMO, digital photography is the current killer app for PC's right behind the internet. Good luck.