Canon PowerShot S230 3.2 MP Digital ELPH Camera with 2x Optical Zoom
| Brand | Canon |
| Model Name | Canon PowerShot S230 |
| Photo Sensor Size | 1/2.7-inch |
| Image Stabilization | Optical, Digital |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/1500 seconds |
| Min Shutter Speed | 15 seconds |
| Form Factor | Ultracompact |
| Effective Still Resolution | 3.2 |
| Special Feature | DPOF |
| Optical Zoom | 2 x |
About this item
- 3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
- Autofocus lens with 2x optical/3.2x digital (6.4x total) zoom
- Included 16 MB CompactFlash card holds 26 images at default settings
- Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
- Uses proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included)
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| Customer Rating | 3.1 out of 5 stars (99) | 4.4 out of 5 stars (1507) | 4.0 out of 5 stars (486) | 4.1 out of 5 stars (538) | 4.0 out of 5 stars (1088) |
| Price | $89.99$89.99 | $49.99$49.99 | $89.99$89.99 | $99.00$99.00 | $89.99$89.99 |
| Sold By | Mister B Enterprises | MCJMFG | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | MCJMFG |
| Screen Size | 1.5 inches | 2.4 inches | 2.7 | 2.7 inches | 3 |
| Includes External Memory | Yes | — | — | — | — |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.43 x 1.06 x 2.24 inches | 2.24 x 0.78 x 3.66 inches | 3.66 x 2.37 x 1.13 inches | 3.6 x 2.23 x 0.9 inches | 4.52 x 2.75 x 1.57 inches |
| Item Weight | 0.55 lbs | 0.57 lbs | 4.13 ounces | 3.68 ounces | 0.53 lbs |
| Optical Sensor Resolution | 3.1 megapixels | — | — | 16.0 megapixels | — |
| Optical Zoom | 2x | 16.00x | 4x | 5x | 16.00x |
| Video Capture Resolution | 480p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 2160p, 4320p |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical | — | Optical | — | Optical |
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Product information
| Auto Focus Technology | Multi-area, Single, Live View, Contrast Detection |
|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 |
| Photo Sensor Size | 1/2.7-inch |
| Photo Sensor Technology | CCD |
| Effective Still Resolution | 3.2 |
| Image Stabilization | Optical, Digital |
| Video Capture Resolution | 480p |
| Expanded ISO Maximum | 400 |
|---|---|
| Expanded ISO Minimum | 50 |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/1500 seconds |
| Min Shutter Speed | 15 seconds |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Are Batteries Included | Yes |
| Rechargeable Battery Included | No |
| Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Ion |
| Battery Description | Canon Lithium-Ion & charger |
| Battery Weight | 1 Grams |
| Removable Memory | CompactFlash Type I or II |
| Digital Scene Transition | zoom |
| Connectivity Technology | USB |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 2 |
| Wireless Communication Technology | Yes |
| Flash Memory Type | Compact Flash (Type I) |
| Special Feature | DPOF |
| Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
| Skill Level | Professional |
| Form Factor | Ultracompact |
| Hardware Interface | Serial Interface, USB |
| Delay between shots | 2 seconds |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Photo Sensor Technology | CCD |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
|---|---|
| Aperture Modes | F2.8-F4 |
| Optical Zoom | 2 x |
| Digital Zoom | 3.2 |
| Maximum Aperture | 2.8 f |
| Zoom Type | Optical Zoom |
| Autofocus Points | 9 |
| Compatible Mountings | Canon EF |
| Focus Type | Auto Focus |
| Maximum Focal Length | 70 Millimeters |
| Minimum Focal Length | 35 Millimeters |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 1.5 Inches |
| Model Name | Canon PowerShot S230 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Canon |
| Model Number | 8185A001 |
| Customer Reviews |
3.1 out of 5 stars |
| Color | Silver |
| Included Components | Battery |
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.43 x 1.06 x 2.24 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 8.8 Ounces |
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Product Description
Amazon.com
With the Canon PowerShot S230, you've got the best of both worlds--the compact size and high style of the digital Elph series plus the higher resolution of a 3-megapixel camera. Updating the popular 2-megapixel PowerShot S200, the PowerShot S230 also features a 2x optical zoom, an improved 3.2x digital zoom, movie mode for videos up to 3 minutes, and more--all in a stylish, compact package.
Optics and Resolution
S230's nine-point autofocus lets you sharpen the image on your subject, no matter where it is in the frame. Featuring a 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor, the PowerShot S230 delivers a wide range of detail and color (with images up to 2048 x 1536 pixels) and prints up to 11 by 14 inches. Canon's high-quality 2x optical zoom lens allows you to close in on the action, while the 3.2x digital zoom allows for a combined 6.4x zoom, letting you capture intimate details that might have been missed with another camera. The PowerShot S230 is also one of the few digital cameras to feature wide-area nine-point autofocus for taking crisp, sharp images no matter where the subject appears in the image frame.
Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on CompactFlash memory cards, and a 16 MB card is included. When shooting images at the medium or fine setting, the 16 MB card will store approximately 26 images. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB storage-class connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.
Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the S230 can also record movie clips of up to 3 minutes. You can choose from three different video formats: 160 x 120, 320 x 240, or 640 x 480 pixels. Both picture and sound quality have been improved, and an editing feature allows you to delete unwanted scenes during playback. The S230's photo-effect mode lets you do more with your still images. Choose from low sharpening, vivid color, sepia, neutral, and black and white.
More Features
Though it's primarily designed as a point-and-shoot, the S230 includes several advanced features for photographers who want more creative control, including exposure compensation, low-light manual shutter speeds, manual ISO and white balance, and stitch assist, plus black-and-white, sepia, vivid, and neutral modes.
The PowerShot S230 uses highly advanced technology to make your digital photography experience simple. DIGIC enhances image definition and processing speed, while the sophisticated iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology assures faster and more accurate autofocus, autoexposure, and automatic white balance. The intelligent-orientation sensor ensures your pictures are always right side up, on the LCD or even while downloading.
Horizontal
Vertical S230's Intelligent Orientation Sensor knows which of your images were shot horizontally and which were shot vertically.
Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by a proprietary Canon rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included). It measures 3.4 by 2.2 by 1.1 inches and weighs 6.4 ounces. This package includes the PowerShot S230 digital camera, 16 MB CompactFlash card, lithium-ion battery (model NB-1LH) and battery charger (model CB-2LS), USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.
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It's shortfalls are few. It lacks a manual focus capability, the zoom range is limited, video record times are somewhat limited, and though its small size is abundantly convenient, it makes holding the camera steady for slow shutter and telephoto shots difficult.
Nevertheless, it is a lot of camera for the price. Go to Amazon and spend the $... to buy a 128MB or 256MB Compact Flash card. The extra storage will be appreciated. Enjoy!
It came down to this one and the same one with SD storage...It was twenty dollars more...So I went with the Compact Flash memory, and saved the twenty dollars. This camera is fine for what I want...The 2x zoom is plenty for framing purposes, and the 3x is not worth the extra money for me...The 3.2 MP is also PLENTY, despite the pixel wars raging...what do you need to do, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue??? No, I didn't think so.
I got the 128 card for the extra bucks, got a good deal with rebate on Amazon....about half of other vendors..
I do not yet have a reader, since with XP, I don't need to load the Canon software, which a friend hated....With XP, the computer finds the camera and it is simple to upload....It does not appear as a hard drive, however, so I still may pick up a reader for under the price of a movie for two. The camera works great, and if you really want to find out how well, check out some of the websites devoted to testing cameras..the canons do fine.
If you would rather get another, do so....I think most every digital is worth the selling price....as a matter of fact, my kid wanted one, so I picked up a Kodax CX series for the price of five movies for two. 3.2MP too!!! No zoom, but who cares?
SO bottom line, I am using the elph to document my workdays, since I am a television photojournalist and go to about 4 or 5 news stories a day...I am grabbing a quick shot of each one just to have them...since I sometimes get to interesting locations...I just needed a camera to have in my pocket while I am lugging the tv camera around...SO far I am very happy with it. I waited for the price to drop below three hundred, and sure enough it did!
Recently Dec. 2007, I went to go take a picture and the screen was blank with a few purplish lines running through it.. My icons showed up, but there wasn't anything in the LCD. When viewing playback pictures, those pictures show up in the view finder. I recharged the battery and tried again, same thing. For a while, I thought I would have to get a new camera.
I called Canon support (for the other reviewer, I found the number very easy to find, 1-800-828-4040.) After going through their voice prompts, I got a customer service person right away. No wait! Plus, the rep was in Virginia, so there weren't any of the typical issues that happen when customer support is located in India (like HP).
I described the problem, the rep helped me reset the camera, it worked for a few seconds. The rep told me to keep taking pictures for a few more seconds, because the fix may be temporary, and sure enough, the picture went blank again. (IMHO, most customer service departments would try to get me off the phone the second it started working again).
Long story short, there is a service advisory out on this camera, it turns out that the "image sensor" may malfunction. Canon is paying for the shipment back to them and they will fix it for free. No muss, no fuss. It didn't even matter that I had the camera for almost 4 years. This was one of the best customer service experiences I have ever had.
If your camera starts acting up like this, call Canon right away.
**update 1/12/08 ***
Canon was not able to fix my camera so they sent me a BRAND new one, a SD900 , a much much better camera. My camera was not under warranty anymore, but since it was the "image sensor" issue, Canon still covered it. Amazing customer service, very rare these days. They just earned a customer for life.







