Canon PowerShot S230 / Digital IXUS v3 / IXY Digital 320

alaTest has collected and analyzed 1404 reviews from magazines and websites. People really like the glare and screen. The usability and portability are also mentioned favorably. Some have doubts about the responsiveness and features.

build quality, portability, usability, screen, glare

shutter, connectivity, storage, features, responsiveness

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Canon PowerShot S230 / Digital IXUS v3 / IXY Digital 320 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 1404 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Showing 936 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 936 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (567)

Expert review by:

Canon USA Powershot S230 Digital Elph Camera

 

WHAT'S HOT: The latest model in the popular Digital Elph series packs a lot into a small package. It has a 3.2-megapixel image sensor, a 2X optical zoom, and a tough aluminum case that should protect the camera if you ever accidentally stuff it into a...

The camera produced very appealing images, with accurate colors on both indoor and outdoor shots. Shots using the built-in flash looked good, too, and the camera helps prevent red-eye by using a bright LED illuminator, which many subjects find more...

Expert review by:

Canon PowerShot S230 Digital Elph

 

The S230 is a great camera in a small package with a number of easy-to-use features.

Expert review by:

Canon Powershot S230

 

The S230 captures high-resolution still images up to 2048 x 1536 pixels for printing or you can select 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768 or 640 x 480 size for screen or web use. For creative control it has a Photo Effects mode; a shutter speed range of 15...

A new Intelligent Orientation sensor has been added to both models to detect whether an image has been recorded horizontally or vertically. During image playback, the sensor detects the proper orientation of each image, and previews them accordingly...

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Expert review by:

Digital Cameras - Canon PowerShot S230 Digital Camera Review, Information, Specifications

 

Camera Operation The S230's user interface is very straightforward and relatively uncomplicated to use, although the host of external controls may seem daunting at first. Most of the camera's functions are controlled by the buttons on the top and the...

The S230 has a 2x, 5.4-10.8mm glass zoom lens, equivalent to a 35-70mm zoom on a 35mm camera. Aperture is automatically controlled, but the maximum setting ranges from f/2.8 at full wide angle to f/4 at full telephoto. A maximum 3.2x digital zoom...

Expert review by:

Canon PowerShot S230 Digital ELPH

 

The S230 isn't just a higher resolution ELPH -- it also incorporates the new DIGIC image processor and iSAPS technology, also found in the more expensive PowerShot G3

Very good photo quality in most situations ; Small, elegant metal body ; Super fast performance ; Impressive movie, playback modes ; Has an AF illuminator lamp ; Above average battery life for a small camera ; Great software bundle

Major redeye problems ; Wish it had a 3X zoom lens

On the whole, I'm pleased with how this latest Digital ELPH performed. The PowerShot S230 is a very responsive camera in terms of startup, shutter lag, and shot-to-shot speed. It offers quite a few manual controls too, including white balance and...

Consumer review by:

Canon PowerShot S230

 

The PowerShot S230 Digital Elph is one impressive little Canon. Note the above is the name used North America, mine is called a Digital IXUS v3, which is the named used in Europe and Australia. It doesn't have any aperture or shutter priority modes,...

Consumer review by:

Owners Opinion: Canon PowerShot S230 (Jim Cook, 24 Nov 04)

 

Excellent little camera. I have been using the S230 since first released.

None

Consumer review by:

great product

 

Great pics, easy to use, metal casing(durable),small,quality

ok zoom, pics look alot worse on cam than computer

Consumer review by:

Owners Opinion: Canon PowerShot S230 (Sven Lundquist, 22 Jun 04)

 

It is one fantastic camera with superior image quality.The moment I got it I fell in love with it. It is compact yet powerful companion for any vacation. The metal body isrigid enough to withstand minor abuse. I say there is no competition for Canon...

Second battery pack is a must. One small thing that bothers me is the battery indicator. It starts flashing very shortly before running out of power, other than that absolutely no problems

Consumer review by:

Canon PowerShot S230 Digital Elph

 

Very nice for a Japanese camera-which are almost as good as the German ones. For the price, they can't be beat but if your a serious photographer, look elsewhere. Beginner to novice-it's perfect, almost.

About the size of a pack of cigs so it's very easy to shoot and go. Get at least a 128 card. Shoot in color, black & white, sepia-lets see leica do that. Good manual and automatic preferences

Grain filled on more detail of pics. but have yet to see one that doesnt

Product Specifications

With the 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. It's the combination you've been looking for! With its 3.2 megapixel CCD, the PowerShot S230 offers the superior resolution you need to create images of extraordinary depth, detail and brilliance. 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 factors that attribute to the S230's outstanding image quality doesn't end with the high resolution CCD or the superior optical zoom lens. Canon has packed into this camera's compact body the new DIGIC Imaging Processor, for even greater picture quality and faster processing speed. Then, Canon took it a step further by incorporating iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology for more accurate autofocus, auto exposure, and auto white balance. The PowerShot S230 is one of the few digital cameras to feature wide area 9-point autofocus for taking crisp, sharp images no matter where the subject appears in the image frame. Now take movie clips up to 3 minutes long with the S230! 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 & White. The S230's Intelligent Orientation Sensor senses whether your images were shot horizontally or vertically. So, when you play them back on the LCD screen or download them to your computer, your images are always right side up. Forget about connecting the S230 to a computer just to print. You can choose from Card Photo Printers CP-100 or CP-10, or from Bubble Jet Direct Photo Printers S830D and S530D for full color and full size prints. One connection is all that's needed.

Audio Input

Microphone Operation Mode:Mono
Microphone Technology:Electret condenser
Type:Microphone

Camera Flash

Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Type:Built-in flash

Digital Camera

Supported Flash Memory:CompactFlash

Dimensions & Weight

Depth:1.1in
Height:2.2in
Weight:0.4lbs
Width:3.4in

Display (Projector)

Diagonal Size:1.5in
Diagonal Size (metric):3.8cm
Display Form Factor:Built-in
Technology:TFT active matrix
Type:LCD display

Exposure Parameters

Shooting Programs:Landscape / Macro / Night mode / Stitch assist/Landscape / Macro / Slow shutter / Stitch assist/Night mode / Macro / Stitch assist / Landscape

Flash Memory

Form Factor:CompactFlash Card
Storage Capacity:16MB/32MB

Header

Localization:English
Manufacturer:Canon
Model:S230 Coach Edition Gift Pack/S230 Digital ELPH/V3
Packaged Quantity:1
Product Line:Canon Digital IXUS/Canon PowerShot

Lens System

Lens Aperture:F/2.8-4.0
Max Focal Length:10.8mm
Min Focal Length:5.4mm
Optical Zoom:2
Type:Zoom lens

Miscellaneous

Color:Metallic silver

Optical Sensor

Optical Sensor Size:1/2.7 / 1/2.7"/1/2.7"
Optical Sensor Size (metric):9.4 mm ( 1/2.7 ) / 9.4 mm ( 1/2.7" )
Optical Sensor Type:CCD
Sensor Resolution:3.2Megapixel

Optical Viewfinder

Type:Real-image zoom

Service & Support

Type:1 year warranty

Storage Floppy Drive

Type: None

Video Input

Digital Video Format:AVI
Digital Zoom:3.2
ISO (Max):400
Light Sensitivity:ISO 100 / ISO 400 / ISO 200 / ISO 50/ISO 100 / ISO 200 / ISO 400 / ISO 50
Shooting Modes:Frame movie mode
Special Effects:Black & White / Sepia / Neutral / Low Sharpening / Vivid/Black & White / Low Sharpening / Neutral / Sepia / Vivid
Still Image Format:JPEG
Type:Digital camera

Viewfinder

Viewfinder Type:Optical
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