Canon PowerShot S45 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

6 MB MultiMediaCard SD Memory Card F/2.8-4.9The Canon Digital IXUS 60 Collection camera is equipped with 6.0 Megapixels an optical 3x zoom lens (f/2.8 - f/4.9) with Canon high-performance and high-speed processing

Following up on their S40, Canon's Powershot S45 offers the same aesthetically pleasing metallic chassis with the powerful innards to go along with it. With a 4 megapixel CCD, images taken with the S45 were deeply detailed and could be easily printed out at 8 by 11 and larger without any loss of resolution.

Although the 3x optical zoom is average for mid-range cameras and above, it still let us get in a bit closer to our subjects when snapping shots. Improving on the S40, the S45 now captures video clips--complete with audio--of up to three minutes in length (although you'll probably want a larger storage card than the 32 MB CF card the S45 ships with). There are also easy-to-use video playback and editing controls on the camera itself.

A unique design, the metal lens cover of the S45 serves as the on/off switch--slide it open and the camera turns on, slide it closed and it powers down, with the lens folding out or back into the frame of the body respectively. You can't put any accessory lenses onto the S45 because of this design, but you'll also never try to take any pictures with the lens cap on.

The rechargeable batteries lasted for well over 200 shots before needing to be plugged in. And that's with the LCD on--Canon promises a life of over 500 without the LCD. Speaking of, the bright and large 1.8-inch LCD took up nearly half of the back of the S45 and followed the lens quickly while using it for framing shots.

While it weighs a solid 11 ounces, the 4.4-inch by 2.3-inch by 1.7-inch camera is compact enough to slide into a pocket, making it easier to take on day trips than bulkier Powershot models. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Enhanced movie mode
• Compact design
• Well priced

Cons:

• No accessory lenses
• Average optical zoom

Nestled between the ultratiny Elph models and the feature-packed PowerShot G models, the Canons PowerShot S45 combines most of the portability of the former with nearly every advanced feature of the latter. The PowerShot S45 offers such improvements over the S40 as a nine-point artificial intelligence autofocus (AiAF), easier access to controls with a function button, an intelligent orientation sensor, and enhanced movie mode. The S45 features a 4-megapixel CCD sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens.

Optics and Resolution
The PowerShot S45 has a 4-megapixel sensor with a maximum resolution of 2,272 x 1,704 pixels, which is enough detail for photos from 4 by 6 inches to 20 by 30 inches (poster size). It also features a 3x optical zoom and 3.6x digital zoom for a total 11x zoom.

The S45's new DIGIC image processor is a groundbreaking innovation that speeds operation, ensures pinpoint autofocus accuracy, and takes image quality to a whole new level. The system is integrated with a complex scene-analysis system called iSAPS technology, which brings a highly natural, lifelike quality to digital images.

For beginners, the camera is point-and-shoot simple. Just twist the dial to auto and start snapping pictures. The PowerShot S45 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 autofocus lock, aperture and shutter-speed priority, and adjustable ISO-equivalent sensitivity.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on CompactFlash memory cards, and the memory slot is compatible with CompactFlash Type II cards as well as Microdrives. The included 32 MB card holds approximately 27 images at the large or fine settings.

Movie Mode
Shoot up to three minutes of MPEG video (with sound), which includes editing controls and VCR-like playback. Let the camera take over in automatic mode, or get creative in manual. The movies aren't camcorder quality, but they're fun and convenient, and they're perfect as e-mail attachments.

More Features

• Shot presets include portrait, landscape, night scene, and stitch assist, and you can save your own custom settings.
• Five flash modes let you turn the flash and auto red-eye reduction on or off in any combination.
• The intelligent-orientation sensor displays your images in proper rotations during playback on the LCD screen and your computer screen.
• To print your photos at home, the PowerShot S45 connects directly to Canon's Bubble Jet direct printers S830D and S530D, and card-photo printer CP-100.

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by a proprietary rechargeable lithium battery pack NB-2L (included). It measures 4.4 by 2.3 by 1.7 inches and weighs 11.1 ounces. This package includes the PowerShot S45 digital camera, battery and battery charger, USB and AV cables, wrist strap, and ArcSoft Camera Suite CD-ROM and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.