- small - can take daytime panaoramic pictures

- forget about taking night time pictures such as city scapes - battery dies quickly - can't change film mid-roll (not that using 100, 200 or 400 film makes much of a difference - none turned out)

This is absolutely the worst product I have had the misfortune of owning. I bought it for the panoramic function before a trip to Europe - most of my pictures didn't turn out. The function for night pictures is particularly awful.

Customer Service

This was probably the most disappointing aspect of owning this product - after developing my blurry night pictures, I called to inquire how I could take better pictures (giving the product the benefit of a doubt - perhaps I was the problem, not the camera?) Unfortunately, the customer service folks were absolutely usless, and not only gave me misleading information, but didn't give any encouraging opinions on the camera.

Similar Products Used:

Fuji 550t Kodak Advantix

small, cute, clear pictures

zoom sucks

clear pictures, love APS

Customer Service

never had the need for them

Similar Products Used:

have been using this camera for years

3 mode picture setting, and film

efficency

I found that although this camera has three differnt picture modes it was a very usuless camera. It needs to be set very often and therfore making it less efficent. The pictures were of 80% quality meaning that 20% became blurry. I would recommend this camera for people who are taking ourdoor pictures only.

Customer Service

was great in returning without a problem

-Stylish, lightweight, compact size, price -Multiple flash functions - auto/red eye reduction/fill flash/slow-sync(night) -Sharp and contrasty in good light. I shoot mostly with natural light and use a tripod when using slower speed film. Enlargements of 5x7 and even 8x10 have been very acceptable. The use of the self-timer added to the sharpness. I use 400 or 800 speed film for people, action, and indoor shots, and anytime I hand-hold the camera. Kodak offers black-and-white APS film which has yielded some nice portrait and landscape photos for me. I use Fuji APS film for color for its natural skin tone and fine grain.

-Small size and weight makes it hard to hold steady at first. Will improve with practice. Use fast film for better sharpness. -Though multiple flash and custom functions are great to have, keep the manual handy in the beginning. Buttons are a bit small. -Flash is a little weak, but to be expected for a point-and-shoot. Sufficient for most everyday photography. -Though stated, not a real mid-roll change. -Cost of development

Overall a very nice little camera. Great bang for the buck. I paid a little more because I got it when it was first introduced, but one may be obtained nowadays for $100-$120. Its compact size and mulitple features are its greatest assets, and with a bit of picture taking know-how, you can get some great shots. With a little reading about lighting, metering, focusing, composing, and film selection, you can turn those out-of-focus, poorly-lit snapshots into great photographs. I originally bought it for photographing friends and family for vacations and special occasions, but found myself using it for landscape, sports action, and even some macro photography. Lugging around my SLR can be a pain sometimes, especially going through airports. The zoom feature allows for creative framing, and the APS function yields decent panoramics. I shoot mostly in the H format in case I want to enlarge to a panoramic print. Although some are disappointed with the ELPH''s performance, you must realize that it''s still just a point-and-shoot and not an SLR with its multiple exposure features and TTL (through-the-lens) viewing. Accept its limitations and you won''t be disappointed.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon ELPH2 Olympus Stylus Fuji APS

Size and high-tech look.

Need to spend more $$$ to get the film developed.

Overall a nice little APS camera. Most people will get their eyes lock on it with its small size and the "high-tech" look. I did heard and read many bad things and complaints about this little camera, however, I found out there is a way out. The most important element on APS is "light". It play a major role in APS due to its compact size. The other way can improve the quality of the pictures it created is use a high ISO, such as 200 or 400 film rather than the commonly used 100.

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None

Small size

Sharp styling: After owning it for 1 year (long for technology items) I still get Wows!

The flash is not strong enough.

You need good light to get good pictures.

Great product once you know the downfalls: Flash is not strong enough.

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None

very good zoom capability among the elph series

can not change at mid-roll

among the elph series this is the best buy. this has the most zomm (which is what separates one elph from the other)for the amount you pay. takes great pictures! the elph lt and the elph jr. are what you might want to consider if you don't care abut zoom

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fuji 550t
penntax efina

Lightweight and small (I carry it around in my back pocket)

The LCD display gives a lot of information in an intuitive way

The 30-60mm zoom allows for versatile shots of even the plainest subject

The focus locks so you can have a bit of control over the exposure

It would seem to be well built: mine has hit the floor and the dirt more times than I can count and has even taken a snowball directly into the lens housing...and still works perfectly

The lens provides for pleasingly sharp images with a steady hand

It has the unusual characteristic of a bulb setting: exposes for up to 30 seconds if the light is low enough

Although this sort of camera is largely idiot-proof, the documentation in the manual is very helpful

It's light weight makes it virtually impossible to take vibration/shake-free pictures. The bulb setting is pretty much useless, even with a tripod (it has a standard screw mount for a tripod, by the way), considering the shutter button must be held by the finger during long exposures

Indoor shooting with this camera, regardless of quality of light, makes for very ugly photos...the flash is much too harsh.

The shutter and film advance mechanisms are quite loud

Essentially, this is a fine camera for anyone whose primary interest is capturing those Disney World, barbeque and beach moments on film. The best pictures I've taken with this camera have been under very bright conditions in natural light...every other lighting situation has produced disappointing results. It's not a camera for someone who has a genuine interest in photography.

Customer Service

I've never found myself in need of it.

Similar Products Used:

Kodak Advantix Color 400

A review above mentioned losing a good shot while the Elph focuses: the camera has a feature (see manual) which allows you to press the button halfway to set focus and exposure (like any shot), then release the shutter immediately when the button is fully pressed. It does shoot instantly when this feature is activated. It was also mentioned above that the long exposures are impossible because the button must be held down. I haven't tried such long exposures, but for some longer exposures, try using the self timer on the camera; that way, you don't need to hold the button.

Lack of exposure controls, to be expected on a point & shoot. Although it is possible to control the exposure by focusing on something appropriately lit, then holding the button halfway down while recomposing the shot.

Good little camera. But pricing seems to vary widely (anywhere from $120 to $150); shop around.

Customer Service

Not needed (Yet. I hope never.)

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No other APS cameras.

tiny, easy to use, some nice advanced features(Bulb setting), but mostly the normal APS convenience items -- switchable formats, easy handling.
PLUS a very stylish little thing.

weak flash (which you'll find on most point & shoots, APS or 35mm)

I like it for the compact size, zoom range, style, and "bang for the buck." I actually got it for my wife, but it gives us a decent enough family snapshot/holiday/travel camera that I don't have to lug my Nikon SLR and lenses along. Realize the limitations of such a camera, and you can do great things with it!

Customer Service

no need yet

Similar Products Used:

none -- my first APS