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Canon PowerShot S400 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
By: Canon Average Rating: 3.5 Total Reviews: 325
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 On: 2008-07-05
Weve had this camera for years, and have taken it all over with us on vacations. Still works just fine. Nice little pocket-sized camera!
 On: 2008-06-13
I also bought an Canon Power shot S400 Digital Camera ...and it also stopped working a year ago with the "Memory card Error"..I was looking for a new camera...and saw that I wasnt the only one with that problem....I wrote to the Company and this is what they said..
"Thank you for writing to us. We value you as a Canon customer and
appreciate the opportunity to assist you. I am sorry that the PowerShot
S400 is giving you a memory card error.
When memory card errors appear, a corrupted memory card might be the
cause. Reformatting the memory card may solve the issue. Please follow
these steps to format a memory card:
NOTE: Formatting a memory card erases all data, including protected
images and other file types.
1. Press the MENU button.
2. In the SET UP menu (wrench/hammer icon), select FORMAT and press the
SET button.
3. Use the left/right arrow button to select OK and press the SET
button.
If formatting the card fails, turn the camera off and re-insert the
memory card. Next, turn the camera back on and format again. If this
does not work, you should try a different memory card. If you only get
the error with one card, you will need to contact the memory card
manufacturer for assistance. Unfortunately, if you have the same
difficulty with both cards, your camera will require service.
We have discovered a memory card communication issue with the S400. If
it is determined by Canon USA that your PowerShot S400 camera is
exhibiting the problem that has been identified, the camera will be
repaired free of charge, regardless of whether the camera is still under
warranty.
We can send you a prepaid, and insured shipping label, if you will
confirm/provide the following information:
Name:
Address (No PO boxes please):
Phone number:
Camera serial number:
Date of purchase:
When shipping your camera, please be sure to remove the memory card and
battery. You are not required to send any accessories or manuals when
shipping the camera. Please package the camera very securely in a
sturdy shipping box to prevent damage during shipment.
Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your
PowerShot S400.
Thank you for choosing Canon..
they were fast and efficient...I followed the first 3 steps and my camera now works..I wish I could have solved this problem a year ago...but better late than never..
On: 2008-05-04
It has been a great camera for the years we have put in it. Very clear pictures and easy to use.
 On: 2008-03-11
Ive had this camera for quite a while now but a few days ago it just stopped working. Im still able to view the pictures on the memory card but an error message (E18) comes up when I try to take a picture. Im not sure what is wrong but this is the second Canon (the other camera was the PowerShot S60) Ive owned that just stopped working for no apparent reason. I was planning to purchase the Powershot SD870IS but am now seriously reconsidering purchasing any Canon Digital Camera. They just dont last.
On: 2007-08-24
Have had this for 3 years. Worked great.
Recently dropped it in the Colorado river and it still survived.
So decided to write a review :) Camera does take great pictures and is very handy. Battery life is about 2 years and then you need to replace them.
On: 2007-07-08
I bought this camera in 2004 and about a year and a half into the use I had the memory card error problem, did a lot of research and read somewhere it was a loose circuit connection common to this model. Since my warranty had expired then and Cannon at that time would not repair it for free, I decided that if it is a loose connection, maybe if I shake it violently the circuit will reconnect, and it did!! Everytime the error message comes up (and it does recur quite regularly), I just shake my camera really hard (by the strap), turn it off and on a couple of times, and the magic works. Tonight I took the internal battery out and will check back in a few months to see if it will permanently resolve the issue. Because of the picture quality and I dont really need more than 4 megapixel, I still enjoy this camera. It has travelled with me all over the world and been thrown around countless of time in my luggage, it still takes great pictures.
On: 2007-07-01
I have had this camera for 4 or 5 years now. It takes great photos easily. Small enough to fix it your pocket, but not thin enough to break in your pocket when you sit down. Ive dropped it more times than I care to remember and it still takes great pictures.
My only gripe about the camera is that it is FREAKIN SLOW TO FOCUS. Im suprised that my finger has not gone through the body of the camera a few times in trying to get the darn thing to click. But I say this about all digital cameras that Ive used. This probably depends on how much the battery is charged, but tell that to a 3-year-old who wont stand still or a whale that just jumped out of the water.
By now, there are higher-resolution, faster cameras with bigger screens on the market, but I will stick with Canon when this one ultimately dies. Their optics and electronics are excellent.
Thank you so much schmalyn! Not only did removing/replacing the internal battery fix the "memory card error", but the function wheel (as I call it) now works too. I had always assumed it was a physical problem. The function wheel (with the manual overrides and movie functions) has not worked for 3 years -- maybe it never worked, but now it does.
Two comments, there are TEN not nine screws, and I would suggest marking the body of the camera with a thin permanent marker BEFOREHAND. The screws appear to be of different depths and thicknesses. One other thing, make sure you line up the camera/play switch inside and out before replacing the back casing.
On: 2007-01-12
Great camera that has traveled with me all over thge world. Easy to use and quality of the pictures are excellent.
On: 2007-01-09
This is just a great camera but now outdated at 4mp. but if you dont need the resolution, grab this. its unbreakable. mines been on every motorbike ride from lhasa to calcutta and most of the time i dont even have it in the case. its scratched, dented, and the paint is worn off, but it still performs flawlessly. canon, the only way to go.
On: 2007-01-03
I bought my S400 in May 2003 and fit it with a 1GB Lexar CF card. This camera has been with me across 3 continents -- from -10C up to 40C climates -- and easily 17,000 photos in these 3.5 years.
The camera is very solidly built, and has a reassuring heft to it. The Celabrite finish on the front resists fingerprints and is pretty durable (except in the corners where some of it has rubbed off from roughing it in pockets/purses). The S400 has a 1/1.8" CCD sensor, which is larger than most of the subcompact cameras out there -- they have 1/2.5" sensors -- and translates directly into better low-light performance before noise-reduction and processing can even start to help out. Because of this, my next camera will definitely have 1/1.8", regardless of its noise-reduction capabilities.
This was also one of the first cameras to sport an "orientation" sensor, meaning it "knows" which way youre holding the camera when youre taking the shot, and inserts this into the JPGs EXIF metadata. But while normal images are named IMG_xxxx.JPG, the movie files are named MOV_xxxx.AVI, meaning in a normal listing view, they dont show up in chronological order interspliced with the images. And I dont believe the movies have datestamps on them besides the file timestamp. Anyway, for todays standards, the movie quality (resolution and frame rates) leaves something to be desired.
The custom white balance on the S400 is quite good, and saved me from having to do a lot of postprocessing to "un-yellow" some photos.
Focusing on this camera is a little slow, and is definitely audible. But if you plan to take a lot of photos of the same subject (or at the same distance), you can lock the focus once you have it, and keep shooting without re-focusing. This also shortens the shutter lag! Ditto with exposure lock, which is useful if your picture has a wide range of lighting conditions and the best exposure isnt necessarily in the middle or detected by the camera.
A second (and third, maybe) battery is a definite requirement if you go for day trips, because like all Canons, the S400 doesnt show how much battery power is left! You get a flashing red battery sign, meaning you probably have 5-10 shots left; twice that if you turn off the LCD and flash. I found that on vacation, I would go through two full batteries per day. Sidenote: my second battery was an aftermarket with slightly higher capacity (900mAh over 840mAh), and it was 1/4 the price and lasted great until recently, when it stopped holding much of a charge.
There have been, of course, many complaints about a famous "memory card error", but I havent had it happen to me. [...].
Sadly, some 5 hours before New Years Eve 2007, my camera refused to power up. It didnt make it into 2007, but it gave me a great run for the money!
On: 2006-10-21
I love this camera - I bought it after a trip to Europe where I shot 32 rolls of film and came back to the expense of developing them all only to find that half were garbage.
Ever since I bought this camera I have been taking pictures like crazy and the ones that are not garbage come out beautifully! I have played with all the color and quality settings and they really do provide fantastic results.
The video is the most recent thing I have been playing with and with my 7 month old baby reaching all sorts of milestones I am happy not to have to drag my camcorder everywhere!
Im due for an upgrade but only cecause I am a new technology junkie and I am craving something new and exciting!
On: 2006-10-15
Ive had the Elph S400 for 3 years. It took excellent photos though its movies were pretty grainy. I also experienced the "memory card error" problem which caused it to cease functioning. But Canon has a recall program for this camera and will send you a mailer to return it to them for repair if you call. No mechanical product is perfect and all you can ask for is good service if it fails. I got it.
On: 2006-09-11
I loved this camera for almost three years, until the famous "memory card error" struck. After taking the camera apart and removing/reinserting the battery, AND after holding down the Menu button to restore default settings, the "memory card error" message is still there.
Grrrr.
On: 2006-09-11
My wife and I bought this camera as a wedding present for each other for use at the Guest Book signing table at our wedding, and we took it on our honeymoon.
The battery lasts a very long time. The optical quality is outstanding. We bought a 1GB CompactFlash card, so we shot our entire 2-week honeymoon without having to download, and we were not being stingy on the number of shots. We even used it to shoot some video.
One downside is the amount of time to shoot one photo after one was just taken, however that could be because the memory card we got was not a high-speed card, just the regular speed. Hardly the fault of the camera.
We did not experience the memory card problem weve heard some reviewers have had.
After 3 years of use, our camera finally succumbed to our rough-and-tumble lifestyle when we accidently smashed the screen while on vacation. The camera still works, though, but were going to replace it. Were definitely going to get another Canon PowerShot series camera as our replacement, probably the SD400 or better... Happy hunting!
On: 2006-08-06
I have had this camera for about 3 years now, and I find it to be an amazing camera for the average person. I am not a professional photographer, yet I can capture some great shots with this little guy.
Recently, I got the "memory card error" that has been mentioned in a few of the reviews. I also read the trick (taking the face off and popping out the internal battery and putting it back in) and gave it a try. This worked wonderfully, and I am so happy that I dont have to get a new camera!
I cant say that I have ever had any problems other than the memory card issue. The S400 has been very pleasing.
Canon is great!
 On: 2006-07-14
July 13, 2006: I used this camera happily for 2 years before getting the memory card error. Here are some more details about how to remove the internal battery: You must remove NINE screws in order to get to it. Four screws by the loop (then the plate comes off, remember which side is up); One screw by the front of the tripod hole, plus the Two screws next to it along the front of the camera; and the Two screws on the side by the A/V Out rubber cover. GENTLY pry the front of the camera off (I used a tiny flathead screwdriver, inserting it into the crack and gently turning it), and then lift the lower right corner of the copper flap (it might be held down by a touch of adhesive). Gently pop out the little battery. Reverse to assemble. I havent seen whether it works as a fix yet, but I know I wanted more instructions while I was doing it, so I thought Id provide them for the next person.:)
August 2, 2006: After performing the fix, I took the camera on a 2-week vacation, took tons of pics and videos, and had absolutely no trouble. The memory card error would definitely have shown itself at least once during that time if it had not been fixed. Hooray!!
On: 2006-07-08
This is an amazing little camera that takes beautiful vibrant pictures and I was relieved to find out that Canon is offering to inspect it and fix it for FREE even if your warranty has expired. This was taken from their website. Pass the news along!
If it is determined by Canon USA that your PowerShot S400 camera is exhibiting the CF Card communication problem that has been identified, the camera will be repaired free of charge, regardless of whether the camera is still under warranty. In addition, a refund of a previously paid repair will be made if it is determined by Canon USA that the repair of your PowerShot S400 was prompted by the CF Card communication problem that has been identified.
We have implemented a plan to assist those of our customers whose S400 cameras have exhibited the CF Card communication problem that has been identified. Repair service will be performed free of charge. U.S. residents are asked to contact the Canon Customer Support Center for assistance at 1-800-828-4040.
On: 2006-06-29
I tried Ronald Jones suggestion for fixing the memory card error problem got immediate results. So, for now, my camera is back in business. Many thanks, Ronald!
On: 2006-06-05
Besides the new "Canon" recall that offers a repair for all Canon Elph S400, I did a lot of research after my camera did this (mind you my Memory Card Error came after 3.5 years of use of my camera), and the trick is...... drumroll.. charge the battery to its full capacity.
For some reason this trick ALWAYS works.
Hope this helps for yall...
On: 2006-05-25
It could be that resetting the camera to its default state (by holding down the "menu" button for an few seconds) initiates a soft reboot of the camera that is as effective as the hard reboot resulting from removal of the internal battery (and its a lot easier). Any failures with either method?
Note added: for a real fix the camera needs to be repaired by Canon. I gave up and sent mine in. Insist they not charge; similar models with the same problem have been recalled.
On: 2006-05-10
Like so many others, I experienced the memory card error. It renders the camera unuseable. I have contacted Canon and, thus far, they are not willing to do anything about it. I would strongly advise AGAINST buying this camera, because it seems likely (if not a sure thing) that your camera will stop working after only a short while -- for me, it was about 16 months.
On: 2006-04-23
Im playing the same broken record here. I bought this camera 2 years ago. Never had a problem with it and was very satisfied. It was recommended by 2 friends who own it as well. 2 months ago...BINGO.. "MEMORY CARD ERROR". My 2 friends..same thing. Based on all the research that I have done, this camera has a life of 1.5 to 2 years. This is completely unacceptable for a product that costs over [...] I havent tried the "opening" the camera solution (by C.Gallo), but might be forced to soon. One ray of hope, is that it looks like Canon might finally be owning up to their mistake. Here is a link to their website stating that they recognize a "problem has occurred" and that they will fix the camera for free:
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&keycode=2112&fcategoryid=223&modelid=8777
Dont know if its true...? Based on the amount of people having this issue, I would assume you would get your camera back in about 2 years. Until then, SONY is a great option.
On: 2006-04-07
If you want your digital camera to last you for more than 18 months, then dont buy this one! It erased all of my valuable pictures too!
Thank you so much C. Gallo for telling us about the "memory card error" fix. It worked like a charm! I had to take out all ten screws though to get it to come apart, but I was careful to mark which screw came from which place and I got it back together with only one scratch (I stupidly tried to use a knife to jar it open after I removed the first 5 screws).
Good news: I am so grateful that I dont have to rush out and buy a new camera just yet.
Bad news: I lost all of my vacation pictures when this first happened. How long can I expect my camera to go before this happens again?
Thank you!
Cindy
 On: 2006-02-14
Ive had the same memory card error problem with my Ixus, which Ive had for two years. I just got back from Turin & the Olympics very annoyed that I couldn;t take pictures at the Opening Ceremony! Anyway, I unscrewed the front plate, lifted the plastic covered copper shielding & removed the small battery in the bottom right hand corner. A 2-minute wait, and then I replaced it. I had to re-format the memory card, but now its working OK!
On: 2006-02-14
I bought this camera mainly as a snapshot camera. I especially liked the size of the camera. Eventually I started using some of the more advanced features and found it to be fairly easy to use. Unfortunately I never really found the pictures to be all that great. Coming from a Kodak I was surprised at how the Canon failed to deliver better pics than it did. Nonetheless it was a good camera for what I needed.
Then, like it seems everyone else has, I encountered the E50 memory card error. After looking online at potential fixes and seeing what Canon suggested and their cost, I found myself looking at new cameras last weekend. Something I really wasnt planning on being in the market for just now.
Fortunately I happened across a solution yesterday that did eliminate the memory card error, at least for now. Last night I took 300 pictures and downloaded them onto my PC and no problems.
The fix: I turned the camera on and put it in playback/review mode. I held the menu button down until I got a screen that asked if I wanted to restore the camera to factory settings and said Yes. I tried it in picture taking mode instead of review mode and it did not work, but when I did it in review it changed the settings back to factory and like I said, worked like a champ last night. Ill keep pushing it for a while and see if my error returns and report back.
UPDATE:Two weeks and at least 1000 pictures later the camera is still working fine. I have four CF cards and after the fix all but one worked. The other I just did the same fix as before and it works as well. .
On: 2006-02-04
The camera worked fine with minor complaints for about 2 years. The zoom is not that great, up close automatic photos are ALWAYS out of focus, and the red eye feature doesnt work that well. I lived with the shortcomings, because it was a nice, small, convenient camera, but now it doesnt work at all. Like everyone else, I got the "Memory Card Error" problem. I lost some great pictures of my 3 month old baby, and now it looks like I need to start shopping for a new camera. Im going to try the battery fix, but even if that works, I dont trust that it will keep working, and I dont want to lose any more photos. Ill never buy another Canon.
On: 2006-01-31
Ive owned this camera for almost two years with no problems, and just like all the other reviewers, I got the memory card error and my camera stopped working. Thank you all for posting the your comments on how to fix the memory card error. It worked for me too! (my tip: I stuck all the little screws on sticky shipping tape to prevent them from rolling around) You all save me from buying a new camera...I was actually on Amazon looking for a new camera before I decided to check out the comments on the Canon PowerShot S400.
Ive enjoyed this camera because its small and easy to carry around, but one of the downsides of the camera is that you have to press hard on the button to take the picture. Its not a big deal for me, but when you ask others to take the picture for you, you have to explain to them to hold the button longer.
With all the new digital cameras out there, there are certainly better cameras out there. But since this camera is working again, Ill keep it around for awhile. Thanks again for all the comments on how to fix the memory card error!
On: 2006-01-17
Gallo you are awsome. We tried everything with this camera, even calling the manufacturer. Extremely unhelpful - same garbage - send it in and pay them money for something they broke when building it. And when just a little fix will do. I was amazed that taking out the battery was so easy. I took all the screws out just to be safe but laid them to the side in order. Took no time to put them back.
I would say that otherwise, the camera is durable and easy to use, especially for a young person. And the quality of the pictures is good for the time it was made. My daughter was 14 at the time and had no trouble using it. The only drawback is that you have to use their battery, unlike my Olympus which uses AA and when youre out in the woods camping, its not likely youll find electricity. So ease of use is good if youre always near an electrical source.
On: 2006-01-16
Same as everyone else has reported... after a little over two years of owning the camera I started getting "Memory card error"(s). Bought a new CF card, but the errors kept coming back. I could no longer see the pictures on the card, either!
I followed C. Gallos advice, took apart the camera and replaced the small internal battery (its on the front of the camera, to the bottom-right of the lens... so try just taking off enough to get to that area).
Others have reported that just buying a new rechargable battery (the kind you can easily take out of the side) will do you good for about a year. Ill try that next if the error crops up again.
Thanks, C. Gallo!
On: 2006-01-06
Same problem here folks, memory card error frustration. I will be attempting the battery removal technique. For those interested, there is also a potential class action suit that may someday happen with their camcorders, see http://mysite.verizon.net/resohb20/ for more info. I had the cassette removal problem with my Z40 camcorder and destroyed many of my good miniDV tapes (and the valuable material on them).
On: 2006-01-03
I am so disappointed with this camera. We purchased it 2 years ago for $500 and it started acting up with this memory card error message about 6 months ago. But, it would always work to turn it off and then turn it back on again and it would be fine however a couple weeks ago it just wouldnt "come back to life". It just said no image and had erased all my pictures. I went and purchased a new memory card thinking that was the problem but the new one did the same thing. I then emailed Canon customer service and they responded quickly however they told me it would cost $119 to send the camera in to be fixed or I could do the PowerShot upgrade program and get a Canon PowerShot S500 for $199 + shipping. I am so ready to purchase a new camera but after reading these reviews I am going to try the internal battery trick first. I agree - you could do better!
On: 2005-12-29
I want to thank the poster who did the research to take out the internal battery. I think its working, but I really cant tell. I would think that we need to replace the internal battery no? If youre going to take the camera apart, make sure you go to Radio Shack and get their precision screwdriver kit. The screws are size 0.0 not 0. As another poster mentioned, make sure you track which screws come out of where. There are three different sizes and it gets tricky putting it back.
Oh and I just want to say that Canon really sucks. I cant believe that they didnt address this issue. My next camera will be a Nikon. I see that some SD400 customers are also complaining about a similar issue.
On: 2005-12-23
It seems that my experience with the S400 is very similar to everyone elses. Ive had it for 18 months, and suddenly...Memory Card Error. I tried several different suggestions to fix the Memory Card Error, but to no avail. Finally, I tried the one below from C. Gallo of taking the internal battery out, and reinserting it. That did the trick! I didnt know which screws I had to remove to get to the battery, so I ended up taking all of them out. However, all that was required was to remove the front panel, which is held by 5 screws (1 on the bottom, by the tripod screw hole, and 4 on side by the loop).
On: 2005-12-22
Just like C Gallo says - take it apart, remove battery (I left it out for a minute or so), put it back together. Not hard. Just keep track of where the screws go. :)
On: 2005-12-21
The first couple of years were great. But then I had the MEMORY CARD ERROR of death and was shocked to find out that its the norm for it to disfunction after 18 months. I paid $500 for this camera so it was an expensive mistake. You can do MUCH better.
On: 2005-12-21
Was great until it I started getting intermittent memory card error messages after about two years. I would power on and off a bit and then it would eventually return to normal. Sometimes I had to delete the last picture because it wouldnt take pictures beyond that picture. Now however, the message is permanent. I tried a new memory card since it says "memory card error" - apparently thats not the problem. Go figure. With all the complaints on this camera to the point where theres a memory card error "club", dont even bother with this one. The other problem I had with this camera is the autofocus lag in taking pictures which is key when you need to get priceless moments. Ive lost many because of the lag of this camera.
On: 2005-12-15
I was finally able to fix the memory card error I was getting on my Canon S400. After almost throwing the camera away, I did a last search online and found a way to fix it that worked for a lot of people. What you need to do is open the camera and remove the cameras internal battery and insert it again. This might seem like a major task, but its actually not all that complicated (although if you are not comfortable with opening electronic devices and handling tiny screws, you might want to stay away). Heres a diagram to help you out: http://www.huroncamera.com/diagrams/Canon_Digital/POWERSHOT_S400_IXUS_400.pdf (the battery is part #3 on page 4). Dont be scared with the diagram, as you wont have to take the entire camera apart. You will only need to open up the camera. Good luck!
On: 2005-12-02
I purchased my Canon Powershot S400 digital camera about 2 years ago - absolutely loved. It traveled well and was always reliable. Until recently. The memory card error appeared. I tried several memory cards and received the same message on the back of the now non-functioning camera "memory card error". I researched the problem extensively and found that Canon is aware of the problem but does not care. You can fix the problem for $300, but for that price I would just buy another camera - not a Canon. But those of you experiencing the same memory card error I have found a very simple way to fix the problem, which I will share with you at no cost. I discovered this cure when I figured I had nothing to lose because I was going to throw the camera in the garbage. With the camera off, holding it vertically (like you would taking a picture), slam it down on a book or note pad that is on a very solid surface. Slam it hard, you have nothing to lose, the camera is worthless, but dont break your hand or wrist. Once should do should do it. Turn the camera on, you should be back in business. Good luck!
On: 2005-11-19
DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA for your own peace of mind. Its a great camera when it works, but Canon has no respect for its consumers. They ignore any problems, and furthermore, they want you to pay for their design errors.
I have an S400 which was a gift from my sister back in late 03. On my suggestion, after reading rave reviews on the S400, she bought one for herself too ($400 x 2).
Since Jul/Aug 05, I am getting the E50 error message and the "memory card error" which means I cant take pics. I cant reformat the card with the camera, as the reformat function withint the S400 itself doesnt work, so I bought a multimedia card reader to format the CF card, and that worked for a while, but now the camera is at best unreliable for taking pictures.
I Havent gotten the E18 (zoom lens retraction) on my S400, which is another problem plaguing this and many other Canon cameras, but after doing some research, I wouldnt be surpised if that starts to show up too.
I cant believe that after all the problems people are having with Canon cameras, all what seem to be common problems, (E18, E50, E51, "memory card error", etc.),that Canon takes such a position to charge for their lack of quality control.
For all of the many Amazon users who have bought this camera and/or other Canon cameras with similar problems, there is law firm out of San Francisco, Girard Gibbs & De Bartolomeo, that is investigating consumer complaints regarding Canon PowerShot digital cameras. Sorry, cant give you phone number, mail addresses or URLs by Amazon review writing guideliens, so just do a search on any search engine and you will find the info.
I think we should all sue Canon for knowingly selling products that are faulty. We should also report Canon to the BBB. Sue, sue, sue!!!! They only seem to listen when you hit them in the pockets, dont ya think?
Put a faulty product out there, and charge for the repair? Now thats a profitable business it seems to me, even if its not morally correct. Imagine if auto makers did that? Canon knows their cameras have problems and they choose to ignore the consumers complaints.
Do not buy this Camera - you will get the MEMORY CARD ERROR eventually and Canon wont help you fix it, but they will gladly charge you for fixing it. I wont buy Canon again because of their total lack of support for their failed products.
On: 2005-11-19
I purchased the Canon Powershot s400 on Amazon in April of 2004. This is our third digital camera- one other Canon and one Nikon- and this was the best of the three. For the most part, I was satisfied with the images, but many required red-eye fixing or tweaking of the levels. Bright light pictures were usually very washed out. Shot-to-shot and powering up times were good. I would give the camera a rating of 3.5 or maybe even 4 stars if it still actually worked.
I started getting a message that said "Memory Card Error" after about 14 months. The message only happened on occasion, and I could power it off and on a few times and eventually the camera would work. It was annoying- for sure- but at least still (sort of) functional. Two months later, there was nothing I could do to get rid of the error message and the camera became completely useless. It made it to the ripe old age of 16 months! I called Canon, and they said I could send the camera in to their repair shop, and they would mail me an estimate. When I explained the problem, they said that it would most likely cost on the high end of $150 - $300. Even the service rep. said that it would not be worth repairing.
If your heart is set on buying this camera, please dont do so without buying an extended warranty. You will most likely be VERY happy you did. I had to use my warranty (purchased at Best Buy) on my previous Canon, and the customer service was outstanding. There was no out-of-pocket charge for completely repairing my broken camera. They even took the liberty of replacing the outer pieces so it looked like a new camera. My only (minor) gripe was that I was without a camera for almost two weeks. Because Amazon was offering the S400 at $100 below Best Buy, I decided to take a chance this time and forgo the extended warranty. BIG MISTAKE!!
To those of you who have just purchased this camera, consider selling it before this defect sets in for you and the camera is worthless!
Canon- I am SO disappointed in you! This defect happens more often than not, and you wont recall the camera or do anything to help those of us who made a substantial investment little over a year ago. I guess you knew what you were thinking when you gave the camera a one-year warranty.
If I sound bitter, it is probably because I am...I cant afford to buy a new camera every year. The sad thing is, my next camera will probably be the Canon S2 IS because it is such a fantastic camera and I would like to have the 12x zoom capabilities. But you can bet that I wont buy it without an extended warranty!
On: 2005-11-18
I purchased my S400 about 18 months ago. Memory Card Error started showing up a month ago....lost a handful of pictures due to the error.
Called Canon - they told me that it was likely that one of the pins was loose. Not that I can tell. When I told them that I had researched this issue on line they said that all cameras have issues with these pins. I tried to find other complaints on other cameras - nadda.
Also was told that if Canon knew something was wrong they would address it. Sounds like theyre turning a blind eye here.
Nice $400 paper weight. Not going to buy Canon again - I would if they would address the issue (camera was great before this enduring error), but to ignore it? sorry, moving on....
On: 2005-11-17
Once again, "Memory Card Error" After 18 months. Who wants a camera they cant trust? No More Canons for me!
On: 2005-11-17
After two years of better than satisfactory experience (image quality, ease of use), the memory error problem surfaced. The error can be cleared by reformatting at the expense of saved files. Canon offers no help or even acknowledgement of this "adolescent mortality".The S400 is the second Canon I purchased and Im in the market for a 7MP camera -- unless they address the memory error problem, I wont be buying a third Canon.
On: 2005-11-10
I liked this camera pretty well when it worked. The user interface wasnt as easy to use as my old Sony, but it was a nice camera.
Until I got the dreaded memory card error and now its a door stop, out of warranty. It still works, but who wants a camera that only works 95% of the time, and then 5% of the time dies with a memory card error until you can go home and clear out the memory card? Makes it basically useless.
On: 2005-11-09
Same problem! It seems that it happens to almost everyone who bought the camera at the same time! And I paid 350 euros to change the lense!
On: 2005-11-08
Well... It is getting boring, but we too are the victim of the Memory Card error. After barely 1.5 years of use! I am really disappointed in Canon. So unless you want to buy a new camera within 2 years time, dont buy this one. Just see the number of people who had this problem and be amazed...
On: 2005-11-06
The "Memory card error" has started on our S400 - I have sent an email to Canon Customer service but based on the responses I have seen here I dont have high hopes for a fix. The camera still works intermittently, but it is getting worse.
On: 2005-11-01
Just to add to everyone elses tales of woe, I too have the "Memory card error" readout on my Ixus 400. It started off intermittently but is now permanent on my 2 year old camera which I bought in the UK. Canon should be ashamed of themselves!!
On: 2005-10-28
Ive owned this camera for 2 years now, back then it was $370. After about 1 1/2yrs it started giving me a memory card error on the screen. I thought it was my CF card and luckily I work for a computer parts manufacturer, took it into work and had tech support look at it. They RMAd the CF card and gave me a new one but found nothing wrong with it. After googling the error I found many sites of many users complaints of the same issue.
I tried to make it work, found a trick where if I took out the CF card and battery and put back in it would solve the problem sometimes. But the error got more and more frequent and now its just sitting collecting dust. $370 down the drain! I throught it would take me further than 2 years. Tried to contact Canon about the issue, they dont do anything for you.
Now that the prices of digcams have dropped so much Im looking into buyin another one since I have a lemon on my hands, but Im staying away from CANAON!
On: 2005-10-28
I bought my DigitalELPH S400 in late 2003 and now in late 2005 it has started giving E50 "memory card error" like everyone elses. Hundreds of people cant be wrong! DONT BUY THIS CAMERA! Clearly this is a situation where Canon has a poorly engineered product and should be doing some PR damage control, but I get the feeling from others testimonials that Canon doesnt care. Too bad. I wont be recommending any more Canon products and will be looking elsewhere when it comes time to replace my Rebel and ZR85. A class action lawsuit may be the only way to make Canon take responsibility for their product.
On: 2005-10-24
Just wanted to add my voice to the litany of memory card errors. The tru measure of a good company and a good product is how the manufacturer responds to problems. Given I have been unable to see any response from the company on this issue all I can say is stay away from all canon products!
On: 2005-10-14
After 18 months, memory card error. I tried various remedies: new battery, different cards, reformatting via card reader to FAT, resetting camera defaults. Reformatting worked a few times the past 6 months. Now, its been a full two years and its a svelt silver brick. Please fix it Canon!
On: 2005-10-13
I bought a Canon S400 digital camera on 03/12/04. The last time I was able to take pictures with it was 09/29/05. The LCD indicates the camera has a "Memory Card Error." I tried 6 different compactflash cards. Same error. I enjoyed this camera while I had use of it but now it is completely useless. I called Canon customer service earlier tonight but they offered no remedies other than to pay more money to fix the defective product or to buy another refurbished camera at more than half of the cost of the original camera (and with an abbreviated warranty of only 6 months). A web search is quite revealing - I am astonished at the number of people who have experienced the same problem and heard the same response. And I am amazed that Canon has not taken responsibility for what is obviously some design defect. From a business standpoint, they are taking a great risk ... they are losing customers, me included.
On: 2005-10-11
I bought this piece of sh** thinking it was a great buy...even found it on sale on amazon.com. Hhahaha..yea right. Canon is laughin all the way to the bank on this camera, because everyone who has purchased it, has gotten the good ol Memory Card Error. My camera is USELESS. I havent even had it for 4 months, and this piece of sh** already is worthless and broken. Fu** Canon for making this Powershot S400.
On: 2005-09-29
We loved the picture quality of the Canon Powershot S400, until we got an E18 error message after only 5 months of use. Canon repaired the camera, but the error message is back a year later. The lens wont retract and the camera is useless now. The warranty has conveniently expired. We did not dish out $460 to buy a camera that barely lasts 1.5 years! Try doing a Google search for "Canon E18" or "Canon memory card problem" to see how widespread the problem is. I was a big fan, but will never buy a Canon again.
On: 2005-09-17
After 22 months, Im also receiving the memory card error message, rendering the camera useless. Fortunately, the camera is most likely covered by AmExs Buyer Assurance program but it is very disappointing that a $400 camera would fail after such a short time. Took very good outdoor pictures before failure and mediocre indoor pictures (generally have red-eye problems). Ive recently purchased the Nikon D50 SLR camera - beautiful pics and worth the extra money.
On: 2005-09-16
I received this camera for Christmas back in 2003, shortly after it came out. I loved it, great size, great pictures, overall good camera......UNTIL a week ago. I to received the dreaded "memory card error" message that many, many other Canon Camera owners have received.
And alas, there is nothing I can do but sit my newly broken camera on the shelf and cry away the $300.00 dollars I wasted on this so called high end camera.
I would wish to see it fixed but Canon does not seem to care, nor believe, that this is a serious problem and will not cover fixing it unless I fork over $150.00....that money I do believe I will be saving towards a new NON-Canon camera.
I was a Canon fan tried and true, and swore by no other until this mishap occured. Their poor, poor customer service (they said the camera stopped working because of a user error....I seriously beg to differ!) has descreased Canon to the new scum of the camera industry in my eyes. I do not see how a camera, who user after user has claimed to break after exactly 18 to 20 months of use, can be a good buy.
If you are considering this camera, or any other camera by Canon, PLEASE do some more looking, read more reviews, ask professionals their opions and seriously consider a different camera!!!!!!
On: 2005-09-14
Beware the E18 message! It happened after 2 years of use. Dont kid yourself into thinking it wont happen. If you dont care, then think of it as a disposable camera. No more Cannon for me which is unfortunate, because the size of the camera is great. IT WILL HAPPEN. Its just a matter of time.
On: 2005-09-06
I was able to put up with the redeye and slow speed of this camera because it was pretty small. That all changed when the warranty ran out and the camera started giving the dreaded "memory card error" and wouldnt take pictures or let me look at existing pictures. I tried reformatting the card using a PC but that didnt help, so I finally sent the camera back to Canon, thinking surely they would fix it for little or no charge. Much to my dismay, I got an estimate for $155, which is Canons fixed price repair charge. They said I could buy a refurbished S410 for $195, which was just as outrageous, since I knew those cameras have the same problems as the S400. I refused to give Canon any more of my money and they sent the camera back. I am going to try one more thing to fix the problem, new batteries. If that doesnt work, Im going to join a class action lawsuit against Canon. I found the following information on another website:
"If you would like to join the Lawsuit against Canon for "Memory card error" OR "E18" error CALL ATTORNEY JIM SMITH AT NO COST TO YOU REGARDING THE E18 ERROR. THERE IS A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION SUIT.HIS NUMBER IS 1-877-667-9489."
On: 2005-09-02
I too was left with an unusable S400 for several months with the "memory card error". I solved the problem by formatting my compact flash cards by connecting them to my PC through a CF reader. I also reset the settings on the camera to the default by removing the card, turning it on and pressing and holding down menu for 10 seconds. Worked like a charm, and I can now resume taking shots with my S400 again.
On: 2005-09-01
I really like this camera, small, solidly built, takes great pictures. However, 2 years with this camera, and it appears to be toast. Im getting the "memory card error" message that apparently many people are having problems with...not good.
On: 2005-08-31
Within 18 months of purchase I too was plagued with the memory card error messages. Now it only displays the E18 message and does not work at all. I expected this camera to last a lot longer for the $400 I paid. Canon should be ashamed. Needless to say, I will avoid Canon products in the future.
On: 2005-08-30
I have had the same issue that everyone here seems to have. Has anyone figured out a remedy for this?
Canon is no help at all. They tell you that you can either: a) buy a used, refurbished camera for $199 or b) send it in to be repaired, which would cost AT LEAST $150.
On: 2005-08-25
My S400 was purchased from Amazon back in May 2003, and last year I began to get occasional "Memory card error" which would go away after a few reboots, but a few days ago it became totally stuck in that mode. Ive tried rebooting countless times, switched 3 different CF cards including the 32MB that came with it, and still got the same error. To be fair Ive shot thousands of pictures (great quality) and hundreds of clips (mediocre) with it, and have dropped it from waist-high at least a few times. But its still very disappointing to have a $400 piece of electronics lasted only a little more than two years.
On: 2005-08-25
Like all of the posts, this camera worked great at first and then one day it just started malfunctioning with "Memory Card Errors" This was aproximately 18 or so months after purchase At first I didnt think much of it and the camera seemed to fix itself by simply shutting the camera off and then turning it back on. Eventually the camera would not even work. I even stupidily (is that a word) bought a new $75 flash card hoping that it was the card...NOPE, in seconds I found out it was indeed the camera. I too, tried to have this repaired and Canaon wanted to charge iver $150 to get this problem fixed. I would strongly suggest not buying this camera and taking the risk as one day youll find yourself highly disapointed when your camera suddenly has a memory card error and you lose all of your pictures.....
On: 2005-08-23
I am another disgruntled customer with an S400 experiencing memory card errors. I have purchased 4 other elphs for family members and swear by the camera with friends, but this is discouraging enough to change my mind about the camera line and the company. How sad.
On: 2005-08-19
I bought my S400 in August 2003 and it was truly a wonderful camera until July 2005, when I started getting memory card errors. The error occurred no matter which of my 3 compact flash cards I used. Then the camera refused to work at all. Canon is willing to repair it for $150 plus shipping and tax, and Im not certain that its worthwhile to do this.
Please think twice before purchasing this camera. The current 4 star rating does not accurately reflect the cameras performance after 18 months or so.
On: 2005-08-15
Ive had this camera since October 2003, and I havent had any significant problems with it. I have experienced the memory card errors as previously described, but only twice, and the errors were not fatal. As soon as I went on my computer and deleted the faulty photo, I could resume my photo-taking. I use my camera on a fairly regular basis - perhaps twice or three times a week. I havent had any problems connecting it to the computer via USB cable. I chose Canon because their colors are more vibrant than those of other camera manufacturers. I would definitely recommend this camera for casual use.
On: 2005-08-14
i got this camera in june 2003, and began experiencing the "memory card error" problem intermittently from the very beginning. since powering off/on usually cleared up the problem, i didnt pay it much attention.
in february 2005, the camera pretty much stopped working altogether, and i havent used it since. i didnt realize the problem was widespread, and now i am angry that canon is so unresponsive and wont stand behind their product.
i really loved the camera while it worked; very easy to use, and it took good pictures. too bad it is useless now. i highly recommend that everyone call canon support to register this problem: 1-800-828-4040. make sure they take your name and information to be able to track these complaints!
On: 2005-08-09
Ive loved this camera like no other gadget Ive ever owned.
So much that at least 4 friends bought one on my recommendation.
But at 20 months the memory card errors started.
A few days ago when I called Canon, the rep said hed never heard of this behavior before.
So tonight I did a web search and... WOW! I am clearly not alone.
The biggest disappointment is not that the camera is failing,
it is that Canons management is failing its customers.
On: 2005-08-09
I too have just fallen victim to the infamous "memory card error" plaguing the S400 model produced by Canon. The camera is a bit shy of 21 months old and suddenly started spouting "memory card errors" left and right. Initially I thought the Simpletech memory card was to blame, but after seeing all these negative reviews on Amazon, now I know better. Canon should pull their act together and compensate their customers. Class action anyone?
On: 2005-08-08
Hi,
I am a reasonable consumer. So when I paid $400-500 for a product, plus the $50/per memory card, I expected to have something that will at least work for 3 years. Sure it might be slower than newer cameras, but it should still function.
Ive been getting the memory card error for the past 3 months, and I used to be able to just re-start the camera, or re-format the memory cards. Now, the camera will not work at all anymore.
This is very disappointing, as there are many other brands out there with digital cameras, and I chose to buy the Canon based on the feedback from my friends and review web sites...but now I recently found out that they have pretty much written off this camera as well.
Its a shame b/c it was a great product when it worked, but now I will probably never buy another Canon product for the rest of my life...whats the point in buying a brand name if it is just as cheap as the no-name stuff?
On: 2005-08-07
Total waste of money. Ive called Canon and they wont do anything about it other than ask me to pay $150+ (cant remember exactly how much) or trade it in for an SD500 for $200. DO NOT BUY!!!!! I didnt even really use it that much!!!
On: 2005-08-07
The camera is loaded with neat features, but the software is so slow, you can never get a good shot unless your able to have your subjects hold a smile for up to 7 seconds at times. Also, the camera started giving "memory card errors" after about 20 months. Replacing the expensive, 256 meg high speed memory card does not help. Canon has a defectivly designed camera model and refuses to stand behind their products. I now find that there are hundreds of people with the same problem and canon will not help them. I think its time for a class action.
On: 2005-08-01
Wondeful camera but very short life span. Mine is 24months old and can now only be used as a door-stopper since it has the Memory Card Error. I tried all the tricks I have seen in Usergroups but none work. Today the camera can not take a picture anymore. The local Canon service here can fix it for €200, but will it cure the problem or just produce a band aid? A new Fuji 5.0mpix starts at €250 so think go that route instead.
Dan in Germany
On: 2005-07-26
Just received the response shown below after me second email to Canon. It seems familiar - exact wording that I saw on another website claiming ignorance about a problem. I have now filed a complaint with the California and New York Attorney Generals Office and the New York BBB. I strongly suggest all of you with this problem to do likewise so we can build a fire under Canon. If your camera has this problem and you havent yet posted to this site let us hear from you. We should also start posting to other shopping websites (dealcatcher, epinions, etc) as well as the photography sites, including their Letters to the Editor. We need to make others aware of the way Canon has turned this problem into a profit center.
------------
Thank you for contacting Canon product support. We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you.
Please note, Canon USA does not monitor, confirm, endorse, or attest to the accuracy of any information posted on third party websites. It seems many customers are overwhelmed by the barrage of information (or misinformation) being posted on unregulated, non-Canon websites. Unfortunately, this is not something over which Canon has any control. We are able only to confirm the performance of the camera based on our
own testing.
No service notifications have been released for the PowerShot S400.
Unfortunately, we here at the Care Center do not have the opportunity or authority to extend the terms of your warranty or to offer you free repair service outside of the 1-year warranty period. I understand your disappointment in encountering this issue with your camera, but you will need to address your concerns with the Factory Service Center. They are
the only entity within Canon USA authorized to make warranty decisions.
I suggest mailing your camera to them, along with a detailed letter explaining your situation, just as you have done in your correspondence with us here at the Care Center.
The Factory Service Center personnel will assess your camera and read your letter. If they decide to complete your repairs free of charge, the camera will be repaired and returned to you at Canons expense. If they determine that the repairs will not be covered, you will receive an estimate for the costs to repair your camera. At that point, you can determine if the cost of repairing the camera is of value to you. If
not, it will be returned at no cost to you.
I apologize for any inconvenience this causes you.
Thank you for choosing Canon.
Sincerely,
Chris
Technical Support Representative
On: 2005-07-22
This is a great camera from Canon. Ive always been a fan of the Digital Elphs and Ive had this one for about 2 years now. Canon has since come out with smaller versions with more capabilities. So if youre considering this camera, I would suggest looking at the SD300, SD400, and even SD500 before making your decision.
On: 2005-07-11
Same problem as everyone else here...MEMORY CARD ERROR? To make things worse, CANON wont do anything about it. I bought the camera about 18 months ago, and it worked great, and now I am plagued with memory card errors, but I know that it is not the memory card, because I can use it in any other camera. I cant believe the rating here on amazon is still 4 stars with so many dissatisfied customers.
On: 2005-07-08
As everyone seems to be, I also have experienced the famed "Memory Card Error." The camera worked really quite well (other than one early E18 error covered by warranty) for about 26 months...but now is practically unusable due to memory card errors. At first, they would just be intermittent...and a format or simply turning the camera off and back on would fix them. Now, however, "memory card error" is essentially permanantly on my screen.
Ive tried multiple batteries, fully charged, air-dusting the CF compartment, multiple CF cards, re-formatting the card, and nothing seems to get rid of the problem.
Other than the memory card error, it was a quality camera though. When it first came out I was that guy with the really cool new camera, and I still appreciate Canons attempt to put out a cutting-edge model with good quality in a small size.
Now, however, I think that Canon needs to recognize the prevalence of the problem and propose some sort of a solution for camera owners. Many owners of this camera would certainly have upgraded to a new Canon elph if they had not experienced the untimely death of their camera. Canon should issue a recall, or at least provide service past the date of warranty. If not, Canon is really risking the future of their camera sales by alienating their customer base.
Ive already ordered a new SD500...Im sure Ill love it as I did the S400, but I only hope I can love it a little longer this time.
On: 2005-07-05
I bought this camera 10/2003. a couple of months after that i received my first "memory card error." since the problem went away after a power reset, i thought nothing of it. it happened intermittently after that and now during the 7/4/2005 weekend the error wont go away! seems after a google search its quite a bigger problem. the only recourse is to file a complaint with the better business bureau now and if enough of you file a complaint canon might be forced to do something. dont just complain about it...do something about it!
On: 2005-07-02
I am suffering from the same memory card error mentioned dozens of times among these reviews. We were quite happy with the S400 for the first eighteen months or so, and then started getting this persistent error that now has rendered the camera useless.
The reason I am adding my two bits is to help bring down the average rating for this camera (which was still four stars as of this writing) so that the casual buyer wont just glance at the four star rating and think everyone is happy. Were not.
Canon should be ashamed.
On: 2005-06-29
I thought I was crazy at first, but I am having the same memory card problems as all the other reviewers. I think the problem is with the camera but not with the memory card. I took the memory card from my s400 powershot and placed it in my canon G6 powershot and was able to download all the pictures and movies using the G6.
On: 2005-06-27
Like clockwork, I experienced the dreaded memory card error after 18 mo (just out of warranty). I recently bought a new battery because the generics had such short lives and were a source of frustration for me. However, even with 2 canon batteries I only seem to avoid the memory card error temporarily. Im hesitant to buy another Canon camera based on the reports about the 1) Memory Card Error, 2) E18 Lens error, and 3) fragile LCDs on the new SDxxx series that I hear about. Here are some tips for those of you dealing with the experience:
1) I used photorescue to recover some of my pictures from my CF ( http://www.photorescue.net/download.htm ).
2) At some point you may find it necessary to truly WIPEOUT your card if you are not able to reformat it properly ( http://www.photorescue.net/downloadcardwiper.htm )
3) Always keep your batteries fully charged, a low battery will increase the chances of the dreaded memory card error and render it useless until you remedy the memory card error (see Tips #1 & #2).
I really loved everything about this camera, the 3min movie clips, crystal clear LCD, good quality photos (although I gave to edit the images to remove the extreme red hue in some of my indoor images), and compact size/weight. However, the rampant memory card error is inexcusable, warranting only a 1 or 2 stars. If you havent or dont experience these problems, consider yourself lucky. ;)
Note: I never experienced any of these problems with the s330 model. I had the s330 previously, which I gave to my sister. Im sad to see that the new Canon models are having a lot of problems.
On: 2005-06-23
This camera was so great when I bought it that I got 3 of them as gifts for family and friends. Now (18 months later) mine is unusable with Memory Card Errors, and my brothers is now unusable too (after 16 months)...just waiting for the other two gifts to go to crap.
Canons response? Pay $150 and well fix it!!!! THEIR OWN DEFECT!!!
Do a Google search online for Canon and "Memory Card Errors" or Canon and E18 (another common problem)...see how awful this company is.
Inexcusable. If they have a class action lawsuit against Canon, Im in. Ill never buy a Canon again. Its too bad because when it worked, it was great.
But it doesnt, so its garbage.
On: 2005-06-15
I now know Im not crazy! I too experienced the memory card error. At first it was random and now the camera is completly dead. Looks like Canon has an issue with this camera. I purchased mine in August 03 and it just died this month.
As I read the reviews, Im now regreating purchasing the S300 3 days ago!
On: 2005-06-04
I loved this camera until I started randomly getting memory card errors. Now I cant rely on it at all. As soon as it starts working again I will take some pictures and by the time I want to put them on my computer it will start having a memory card error again. I cant get my pictures off of it. I tried three different memory cards and they all have the same problem. Mine worked for about 18 months before it started having these problems.
On: 2005-05-31
I am getting the same memory card error as the other reviews. I have had the camera for about 1.5 years. I reformatted the card and the error went away, but now I am worried whenever I take pictures that the card will stop working.
On: 2005-05-24
I have had this camera for about a year and a half. The first problem occurred about 6 months after purchase. The connection on the camera was no longer in good shape. The only way that I could download was to use a card reader. Next, after another couple of months, a screw on the tele-photo switch broke causing difficulty in using the tele-phone switch at all. I had to hold down the switch every time I used it. Then, it started burning out batteries. I ended up having to buy three additional batteries. One burnt out the second time charging it. Next, after about a year and a half from the time of purchase, the card error problem occurred. It destroyed several 256 cards and it was no longer working as a camera at all. For $500 plus another $300 in extra cards and batteries, the camera is completely dead. Canon has not been responsive. It is obviously a "dog" as so many customers have complained about the same problems, especially the problem with fouling the memory cards. This is a complete failure in quality control on the part of the manufacturer (Canon)and a complete failure on Canons part to back it up. For as reputable a company as Canon, it is a complete breakdown of confidence. They should be ashame of themselves for making this, for selling this and for not backing it up. So many have lost millions of pictures.
On: 2005-05-23
Do a little research on this and its successor, the S410 before you buy. My first year with my S400 was great. A little after that, I started to get Memory Card Error problems. At first, I tried reformatting the CF card using the camera, which sometimes worked. I then replaced the CF card, and that worked for about 2 weeks. I Googled Canon S400 memory card error and found lots of other S400 owners with the same problem. The fix I hear about most is using a USB card reader to reformat the card in FAT format. Ive tried that, but the CF card still needs reformatting every now and then. So as it stands now, I can get the camera to work if I reformat the CF card, but I just cant tell when its going do deal me another Memory Card Error. Totally unreliable.
On: 2005-05-23
My camera has died because of the memory card error too! I read back through the reviews and most were positive until Summer of 2004 when the memory card issues started popping up. It seems a bit suspicious when everybodies camera works so well at first and then dies immediately without warning??? Seems like a Canon problem to me too. Programmed to stop functioning at 18 months after first use?
On: 2005-05-23
After owning this camera for 1 1/2 years, it started to intermitantly complain about "Memory Card Error". I tried reformatting the card and also tried a different memory card. Neither of these fixed the problem.
I had it repaired by Canon for $150 and it works fine now. The warrantee of course is only 1 year. But, the good news is that VISA doubles the warrantee period, since I bought the item on VISA! So, I got it fixed for the cost of shipping.
The camera takes great pictures. IMHO: the user-interface for anything other than point and shoot sucks. But, that seems to be true for most digital cameras.
On: 2005-05-14
Avoid this camera at all costs. Mine failed only shortly out of warranty with an E18 error. Search the net for "canon e18 error" and you will see hundreds of similar problems. A little research seems to indicate that the MTBF (mean time between failures) is about 16-18 months on this and several other Canon models. A high percentage of cameras are failing. I see no signs that Canon has any intention of doing the right thing, all they will do is try to charge you more to repair it than the camera is worth.
While it works its a good camera and takes decent pics, but this price for a camera that becomes a useless hunk of metal at 18 months is truly unacceptable.
On: 2005-04-28
I am new to digital photography and this is the first digital camera I have ever had. I bought my S400 approximately two years ago and I have never had any problem with it. The controls are easy to operate and I have taken many great pictures with it. I would recommend this camera to anyone, based on my experience.
On: 2005-04-20
This is my 3rd digital camera, and by far the best. It is small enough to take anywhere, and powerful enough to print beautiful large 8x10 photos.
Pros:
Small Size
Quick and easy operation
beautiful prints/photos
stitch mode
manual options
cheap memory cards
Cons:
blurry pix on some shots (mainly my fault)
cheap memory card door - feels like it would break off easily.
All in all an awesome camera.
On: 2005-04-18
This camera was my favorite, but now dead and useless due to E18 error (the zoom lense does not retract) after 15 month of use.
On: 2005-04-14
Camera itself has good performance, but the product quality is very poor.
After less than 12 months of fairly low use, the camera developed "memory card errors" rendering it unusable.
Canon service was near zero, refused warranty coverage and charged $150 for repair.
They changed a "defective" CF unit to fix the problem.
Without telling me they also upgraded the firmware. This "upgrade" makes the CF cards unreadable from a regular card reader connected to a computer.
In short: lousy product quality, dishonest communication and appalling support.
On: 2005-04-11
I too loved this camera until I got the dreaded "memory card error" after I had had the camera 16 months. Fortunately the credit card I bought it with doubles manufacturers warranties so I am submitting a claim to them for the repair/replacement. You might want to check the benefits that come with your credit card before you send any money to Canon for repair.
On: 2005-03-31
I am having the same memory issues as have been posted. I am pursuing a class action suit against Canon and will post information as I get it.
On: 2005-03-31
I know there are lot of reviews out there for this camera. I just want to keep it concise and stick to the points that a lot of others havent mentioned.
Pros:
Amazing processing and writing speed.
Good evaluation of white balance.
Excellent compression of video. On a 256MB card I can record 15 minutes of video. Using Windows movie maker, I can create pretty OK quality video memories using this camera. You wouldnt get this kind of compression (they call it MJPEG)with SONY or other leading brands. If you want a good digital camera which also does the job of taking videos..this is the choice.
Battery life is extremely good and it recharges pretty fast with the provided battery.
Cons:
There is no night shot mode, like the one provided by SONY. This is very useful at times.
Camera should have been provided with a compact and convenient storage and travel case.
On: 2005-03-22
As for the camera, I love it when it works...
From my point of view:
CONS: The video capture could be a higher resolution and the response time between shutter press and picture could be better.
PROS: Nice, small formfactor, excellent construction materials, fit and finish. Easy to use and intuative user interface. Optical zoom.
I too have had the same problems and symptoms with my S400 and CompactFlash errors. I updated the cameras firmware and it *seems* to have fixed the problem. Only time will tell, but the two cards I have that were not working for me are now working (or should I say working for now). Im using a Mac and OSX, and it took me all of 10 minutes to read the instructions, download the firmware update (3.5 MB with a cable modem), and install it. It took me longer to write this review, than it did to update the firmware. Here is what I did:
1) went to: web -dot- canon -dot- jp -slash- Imaging -slash- PSS400 -slash- pss400_firmware-e -dot- html (sorry for the weird format, but the posting engine kept stripping out the link).
2) After reading the page, I went to the link at the bottom of the page, the "Download Page" link.
3) I entered my cameras serial number and clicked the "Agree" link.
4) Downloaded both the "Firmware Update Instructions" and the OSX version of "PowerShotS400_f.sit" (and unarchived the .sit file).
5) Connected the camera.
6) Double clicked the "UploadFirmware" application and followed the instructions.
7) Followed the instructions of the readme file included with "PowerShotS400_f.sit".
After the firmware update, I had to start over with the cards... the images on them were not accesible via the camera. I probably could have retreived them with a card reader, but I do not have one, and I could take the pictures again (just some stills of a construction project). Anyway, both of the cards that were not working before the firmware update, now work. Hope this helps.
On: 2005-03-20
I literally got sick when I found this out.
I love photography and this digital camera was my first foray into digital. For the 1st 13 months of owning this camera, I loved the camera; it performed wonderfully and I recommended it to friends who, unfortunately, valued my advice.
And then, at 13 months -1 month after the warrantee ran out- I started getting intermittent error messages on all of my CF cards (regardless of brand). Now (15 months) it is all but useless. I have read the wealth of web info on this and will try two things:
1)buy a CF card reader and reformat my cards (as recommended on some websites - however I am skeptical)
2)contact Cannon and see if they are still playing dumb
I feel ill that friends trusted me and bought this camera after I recommended it.
On: 2005-03-19
I purchased this camera about a year ago and have liked it for the most part. Id have given it a three star rating if I werent so frustrated at the moment. Recently, Ive started to get a "No Images. Memory Card Error" message when I turn it on. Ive replaced the memory card and am still having the problem. Sometimes turning the camera off and on again seems to fix the problem. Also, the shutter speed is incredibly slow. Ive read the manual and called Cannon to try and turn off the red-eye feature and there doesnt seem to be a way to accomplish that to improve the speed. Ive heard similar complaints from other PowerShot S400 owners.
On: 2005-02-26
For what its worth, the camera is really fantastic. It works great when it does work, and it is light-weight plus compact. Ive gotten lots of great use out of it. However, shortly after a year of buying it, Ive gotten a memory card error as others have mentioned. I reformatted the card, lost some important images, and it worked fine for a while.
Suddenly connecting it to the computer wouldnt recognize the camera. I thought it was the cord, or my computer, but it wouldnt work on 3 other computers, and getting a new cord didnt help. A call to Canons support told me that I had to send it in for repairs and pay $150, or $185 to trade in for the S410 model. Thats $100 less than getting a new S400.
Needless to say, Im very disappointed because if this camera had worked reliably and didnt have these problems, itd be a perfect 5 stars from me. Sadly, this isnt the case, and Im now considering getting a new camera that isnt Canon.
by: Anonymous On: 2005-02-23
Ok, Im not really under 13, if the review mentions it. Im just not going to post under my real name. Thatd be dumb.
anyway, Im having the same problem with my S400. Big surprise. New cards, no difference.
Just great. Anyone know if this is a problem in the S410 as well? Or did they fix it there...
On: 2005-01-15
Same problems as everybody else. 14 months after purchase it ate the card. Tried 2 different cards, no dice for either. From love to hate. Dang. Also Canons support website/acknowledgement of this problem is non-existent. It was hard enough to navigate their site, but its impossible to find anything relevant.
On: 2005-01-13
Ive been using this camera for quite a while now and Ive been very happy with it overall.
Pros:
This thing that most attracted me to this camera was its size. Yes, there are smaller cameras on the market but almost all of the smaller cameras lack an Optical zoom lens. I wouldnt purchase a digital camera with out an optical zoom lens as I use it quite frequently. Me, being a guy, and therefore not carrying a purse, I found it really easy to carry this camera around in my pocket when traveling. I have felt so free on vacation now not being burdened with holding a camera or asking my wife to hand my the camera from her purse whenver I want to take a picture. It makes vacations that much more enjoyable.
Ease of use:
I find the auto mode useful frequently. My wife is not a technophobe and enjoys the easy point-and-click ability of this camera and most of the time it works quite well. I do use the manual mode quite often to optimize for lighting conditions. I also appreciate the easy ability to disable the flash with a separate button on the back as I frquenty turn off the flash for indoor pictures when there is plenty of light. I do find the flash to be a little harsh for indoor pictures when there isnt a lot of light.
Cons:
As several people have pointed out, upgrade the memory card size immediately to at least 512MB so you dont ever end up filling up the camera. I recommend learning to download pictures on to a computer straight away and burn them on CD for long-term storage.
Buy an extra battery. There really is no warning when the battery is dying. Once the warning hits, you will be lucky to get one more shot off. I got burned on my one (and probably only) trip to Mt. Fuji in Japan and ran out of juice half way through the trip. I do like the small size of the battery charger and it works quite well (no chords!).
On: 2005-01-11
I just this last week got the memory card error as so many other people have described. And it seems clear that the problem is with the camera and not with the memory cards themselves. Yet your solution (of formatting the memory cards) does not really do anything to the camera itself. Are you sure this method works and that its not only temporarily cooperating before it starts giving you the same error again? Also, is there anything us consumers can do to get Canon to create some sort of fix to this problem w/o paying $150?
On: 2004-12-30
I live in Hungary, and I also have this type of camera, only the name is different (Canon IXUS 400 - but its the same).
I bought it last november, and now (after warranty of curse) I also have the "Memory card error" problem. There is only one Canon service in Hungary, and it havent heard about this problem yet. First, when I got this error message, I put out the battery, the CF card, put it back, turned the camera off, than on and the error was gone. But it came back again and again. When I last time got the error message, I couldnt turn off the camera, when the CF card was inserted. (This card worked in my fathers Canon camera - so its not a memory card problem)The service wanted a lot of money of curse, thats why a tried to fix it at home.
I formatted the cards (I have two) in the computer in FAT. Then I refreshed the frimeware in the camera (it wasnt an easy thing, but my friend is a programmer, and he helped me).
One of my cards had an interesting problem. It was a 256 MB card, but when I wanted to format it - the computer show only 117 MB. Then I put the card into the camera, pushed the power and the set button together for 5 minutes, and put the card back to the card reader, and now the computer show 256 MB.
And now, my camera works! I dont now how long, but its working now.
And a tipp:
You dont have to forget your pictures, which your camera erased during the memory card error problem, there are several softwares, which can recover the photos, until you make your card full with pictures again. (Search after "digital image recovery" on the web)
On: 2004-12-30
I thought my camera was the only one that broke down with a "memory card error" message after 14-16 months (after the warranty period). After visiting this site, I now know why. The s400 had been out for quite awhile (over a year i believe) when i initially purchased it, so i thought i was making a safe buy..... WRONG. For the first year and several months all was well, and then it came..MEMORY CARD ERROR.... sometimes the message would go away, and id think the problem was temporary and over. So id take many many pictures, and then the very next day, the message came back, and ALL OF MY PICTURES WERE GONE. It erased all of my pictures from my family trip to Florida....even with new memory cards it didnt work...so obviously its the camera thats the problem. buyers beware!
On: 2004-12-25
Guys, same story here: "Memory Card Error" after about 14 months of ownership. Ive been in contact with Canon about this and they are turning a blind eye, basically. Heres their email (in response to mine which pointed them to this Amazon page to show them the extent of the problem):
--------------
Dear Mr. C,
Thank you for your inquiry. We are sorry to hear of any issues with the PowerShot S400 detecting a CF card.
I do apologize, but Canon USA does not monitor, confirm, endorse, or attest to the accuracy of any information posted on third party websites. It seems many customers are overwhelmed by the barrage of information (or misinformation) being posted on unregulated, non-Canon websites. Unfortunately, this is not something which Canon has any control over. We are able only to confirm the performance of the camera based on our own testing.
----------
I responded, and their next email then went on to tell me my servicing options because the product "will need factory service for correction". So basically they refuse to admit that it is a widespread issue and are certainly not releasing a firmware upgrade or anything to fix it.
Does this sound like planned obsolescence to anyone else?
Its too bad that I have to give this camera a 2-star review; until the error it would have been 5.
Tom
On: 2004-12-23
This camera takes great pictures for the point & shoot crowd. Easy to use and easy to carry anywhere.
On: 2004-12-16
I love this camera but thank goodness that my memory card error occured nine months after I bought it and not after a year. I sent it in to have it fixed free of charge and it was shipped back to me within the week.
On: 2004-12-14
The S400 worked great for the first year. Then it started having memory card errors and erasing my pictures. I bought new memory cards hoping that was the problem, but it continued to happen. From reading the reviews this is a common problem. Unfortunately it happened after my 1 yr warranty expired. All canon would offer is a $200 camera upgrade to a refurbished S410 or you can send it in and pay for it to be fixed.. which would cost at least $150. I hope the upgrade lasts longer for all the money I have spent over the last 15 months, $400 for the original camera and now $200 for an upgrade!
On: 2004-12-13
My S400 has died after 18 months, thanks to the "memory card error" so frequently mentioned in this forum.
It was nice (except for the underpowered flash) while it was alive.
On: 2004-12-08
This is my first Amazon review, but I felt adding my voice to other consumers that have had Memory Card Errors was important. I agree with those who say this is a great camera...until it breaks, and then its a terrible, untrustworthy device. Beware and keep your receipt and warranty information. Canon, please address this problem.
On: 2004-11-30
It looks like were all in the same boat. Ive had this camera for a year and a half and would have recommended it to anybody. Then the memory card error. It happened to me twice, both times just after I inserted a freshly charged battery. I let it sit overnight, and it worked just fine the next day. And the pictures that were on the card before the error were still there afterwards.
On: 2004-11-29
Well it looks like I am joining the queue to report a memory card error with the camera. When it works, it is a great little camera, my only (other) complaint would that there is almost no warning when the battery runs out, it starts to flash and then shuts down.
However that was until the dreaded memory card error. I got this error with the 256M card that i bought at the same time from amazon. This card started getting memory card errors, which i could cure after reformatting - a problem if you have photos on the card.
Thinking it might be a card problem, i switched to the original card that came with the camera, and lo and behold i turned that on after a week, and i get the memory card error, but this time, the camera completely freezes to the extent that I can only turn it off by removing the battery.
Ill be contacting canon to see what they suggest.
Regards
Dave
On: 2004-11-29
Gosh.. Why this has to happen to me also. I bought it in US and now i am back in India and i am stuck with a frwakinnn Memory Card Error. Canon.. are u listening??
ajay
On: 2004-11-28
Well it looks like I am joining the queue to report a memory card error with the camera. When it works, it is a great little camera, my only (other) complaint would that there is almost no warning when the battery runs out, it starts to flash and then shuts down.
However that was until the dreaded memory card error. I got this error with the 256M card that i bought at the same time from amazon. This card started getting memory card errors, which i could cure after reformatting - a problem if you have photos on the card.
Thinking it might be a card problem, i switched to the original card that came with the camera, and lo and behold i turned that on after a week, and i get the memory card error, but this time, the camera completely freezes to the extent that I can only turn it off by removing the battery.
Ill be contacting canon to see what they suggest.
Regards
Dave
On: 2004-11-23
I just got my SD200 camera 2 days ago. Took pictures, viewed them, and then the battery died. When the battery recharged and I tried to view the pictures again the next day, when I turned the camera on, it said "Memory card error" and it occassionally said "Memory card error Card locked". I first thought there was something wrong with my memory card, but then I looked it up online and all these Amazon reviews came up that its their Canon, not the memory card. Fortunately, the pictures I took were still on the memory card when I brought them to a photo store and they were able to burn them onto a cd for me. Im really not sure what to do now...
On: 2004-11-22
I just got my SD200 camera 2 days ago. Took pictures, viewed them, and then the battery died. When the battery recharged and I tried to view the pictures again the next day, when I turned the camera on, it said "Memory card error" and it occassionally said "Memory card error Card locked". I first thought there was something wrong with my memory card, but then I looked it up online and all these Amazon reviews came up that its their Canon, not the memory card. Fortunately, the pictures I took were still on the memory card when I brought them to a photo store and they were able to burn them onto a cd for me. Im really not sure what to do now...
On: 2004-11-21
I loved this camera...until the memory card error!!!!!!! I thought it was just me, then several people I know had the SAME PROBLEM. Then I saw all of the complaints online. This is awful, they need to be sued! They should not get away with not fixing this problem
On: 2004-11-12
I bought this camera about 15 months ago. It was amazing and I was very very happy with it. But today all of a sudden I saw a memory card error. I am so upset. I am a student and I saved and bought this camera and now it died on me as soon as the warranty expired. Looking at the reviews people have written I found out that it was not just me, a bunch of other people have also faced the same problem. I almost cried when I saw my camera had stopped working. I also see from others that Canon has a sucky customer service. The memory card error seems to be a inherent problem with the camera and its not the consumers mistake. Canon should repair it free of cost. Its a big company but looks like they dont know how to stay in business. I am never going to recommend any canon products to anyone from now on.
On: 2004-11-11
My wife and I received this camera as a Christmas Gift last year. It took great pictures until we got the memory card error WHILE ON OUR HONEYMOON. Thats right, we now have no pictures of our honeymoon. Thanks a lot Canon. This memory card error isnt a secret. Please try to put out a product that works for more than 10 months next time. I will never ever never ever never buy a Canon product again. I would urge others to do the same.
On: 2004-11-10
My wife and I received this camera as a Christmas Gift last year. It took great pictures until we got the memory card error WHILE ON OUR HONEYMOON. Thats right, we now have no pictures of our honeymoon. Thanks a lot Canon. This memory card error isnt a secret. Please try to put out a product that works for more than 10 months next time. I will never ever never ever never buy a Canon product again. I would urge others to do the same.
On: 2004-11-06
I thought this was a great camera, I bought 3 on the same day for myself and friends. 2 of these have now suffered the infamous Memory Card error. Luckily it was under warranty and Cannon fixed the camera. While I was collecting my camera from the shop after having it fixed another customer was in there, returning his for the 3rd time with the same problem! My 2 flash cards are unuseable, Canon refused to replace their Canon 32 card and I had a fight for the shop to repace the 256 card. I dont expect it will be too long before my camera suffers the same problem again. My brother bought this camera just after me and I now feel guilty for recommending it to him. Beware!
On: 2004-11-05
I thought this was a great camera, I bought 3 on the same day for myself and friends. 2 of these have now suffered the infamous Memory Card error. Luckily it was under warranty and Cannon fixed the camera. While I was collecting my camera from the shop after having it fixed another customer was in there, returning his for the 3rd time with the same problem! My 2 flash cards are unuseable, Canon refused to replace their Canon 32 card and I had a fight for the shop to repace the 256 card. I dont expect it will be too long before my camera suffers the same problem again. My brother bought this camera just after me and I now feel guilty for recommending it to him. Beware!
On: 2004-10-28
I am also getting the memory card error and have replaced my CF card twice thinking that was the problem. I also thought it had something to do with the battery draining because a few times I would replace with a fully charged battery and the issue would go away. Now again today, I experienced the same issue but charging the battery or replacing with another fully charged battery did not change anything. Done w/Canon! Camera is just over 1 year old...
On: 2004-10-27
I am also getting the memory card error and have replaced my CF card twice thinking that was the problem. I also thought it had something to do with the battery draining because a few times I would replace with a fully charged battery and the issue would go away. Now again today, I experienced the same issue but charging the battery or replacing with another fully charged battery did not change anything. Done w/Canon! Camera is just over 1 year old...
On: 2004-10-19
Excellent camera, highly recommended. Only 4 chilis because it would be nice if they made the same with a larger display. Im saying the same, not one with lesser optics like the SD200/SD300. Ive taken almost 8000 pictures with it, very good.
On: 2004-10-12
this camera is great. its small enough to carry w/ me everywhere and it has the features i need. the pictures are amazing and the colors are great. its easy to compare the quality against other cameras when me and my friends post our pictures on ofoto. i also love the zoom and the ability to take mini-movies.
On: 2004-10-11
this camera is great. its small enough to carry w/ me everywhere and it has the features i need. the pictures are amazing and the colors are great. its easy to compare the quality against other cameras when me and my friends post our pictures on ofoto. i also love the zoom and the ability to take mini-movies.
On: 2004-10-01
This beauty is a legend. It is small, light, and good looking. Like somebody else here, Ive had great success with the battery; it lasts way longer than the batteries in my old digital cameras. Also the video shooting is a neat feature. Highly recommended!
On: 2004-09-30
I spent dozens of hours researching before buying the S400. I wanted something small and reasonably priced, 4 megapixels, and with excellent image quality. I got those in my S400 -- for 14 months.
The warranty expires after one year, but at the 14 month mark my camera began showing the message "Memory Card Error," no matter what card I put in it. I couldnt take pictures, nor could I use the camera to upload the pics already on the card onto my computer. Luckily I had another card reading device and was able to transfer the pictures I had taken before my "Memory Card Error" woes began.
I contacted Canon, and they said I can either pay $150 to $300 to repair it, or upgrade to a S410 for $260. I might consider that, but guess what? I already got screwed on my digital videocam that way. My Canon video camera worked for two years then started eating tapes. There were dozens of online histories about the problem and the fact that Canon wouldnt do anything about it, and my case was no different. Seeing as Id paid $1200 for the camera, I decided to have it fixed. $250 later, the videocamera is back but its already having more techincal problems. Thus, my lesson is learned -- dont go the repair route. Not only that, but we have a Canon printer, which actually works, but they stopped producing drivers about 2 years after we bought it. The only way to print was to run Win95 on our computer. So I guess Canon may make the best products on the market -- and they consistently get top reviews -- but their products arent meant to last any longer than the warranty period.
One thing I would also like to add: if you decide to risk it and buy the S400, be aware that indoor pictures usually end up with a strong color cast. This is fixable with Photoshop, but not very easy to compensate for with cheaper photo manipulation programs. And of course there is lots of red eye (I suggest a free program called Shutterfly Express that does an excellent job removing red eye), but youre going to get that with any ultra compact camera.
When all is said and done, I used to be a satisfied customer, but now Im done with Canon. Caveat emptor!
On: 2004-09-28
Like nearly everyone else here I love this camera! I have had mine for about a year. Quite simply, it is capable of taking "wonderful" pictures. Also, I like the look of it: compact, sleek and elegant. Limited in manual features as compared to other cameras and I wish it used non-proprietary baterries, but IT TAKES GREAT PICTURES! Buy one - new or used - if you can.
On: 2004-09-18
I have had my S400 camera for 17 months and have used it A LOT. Lately have had a lot of "Memory Card Error" mesages. I have bought new Memory Cards, but that isnt the problem. The problem is in the camera. It is very disappointing to not trust the camera to take a photo when you want it too. Very frustrating. Buyer Beware.
On: 2004-09-17
I have had my S400 camera for 17 months and have used it A LOT. Lately have had a lot of "Memory Card Error" mesages. I have bought new Memory Cards, but that isnt the problem. The problem is in the camera. It is very disappointing to not trust the camera to take a photo when you want it too. Very frustrating. Buyer Beware.
On: 2004-08-26
This is the second cannon digital camera I have purchased and twice, immediately after the one year warranty expired, the camera failed.
Canon has a policy that, after warranty, the camera will be repaired at a flat cost of either $150 for a minor repair or $300 for a more extensive repair.
I find it outrageous that, after spending $900 with Canon in the last 3 years, their products die with memory card errors immediately after warrantly expires (at 14 months!)
Canon was totally unhelpful and unreasonable about performing the repair free of cost despite the fact (from other web reviews) this seems to be a common issue immediately after warranty expires.
A Canon employee actually told me that she "usually expects a product to fail after the warranty expires and would just throw it out". I think that is a pretty high cost of $450 for one year use of a camera.
Beware!
On: 2004-08-26
There are enough superlatives for this item in the reviews. It suits my needs of quick informal photos. I would like to comment and perhaps help those who report slow shutter response -- the time between pressing down and when the image is captured.
I will agree with folks who state there is a noticable delay if you start from "hands off" to "full down" on the shutter. I missed several shots the first several attempts. (My kids are young and are constantly in motion!) There is a trick which Im not sure is covered in the manual.
By pressing down HALF WAY, the camera will adjust focus and balance settings without taking the picture. Then, from the HALF-WAY down position, when you press down FULLY, the camera will take the photo IMMEDIATELY.
Wait, theres more! If you release the shutter only to the HALF-WAY point (some practice required) then press down FULLY again, the camera will take another picture at the same focus/lighting settings IMMEDIATELY. If you keep releasing to the HALF-WAY point, you can take pictures in rapid succession. If you completely release the shutter then the camera will go through the process of focus and lighting settings again.
So now, when I want to take a picture, before the subject is ready, I press down HALF-WAY and wait for the moment, then CLICK -- Gotcha! Release half-way, wait -- CLICK -- Gotcha again! For the most rapid successions make sure you set the LCD display "after shot display" to OFF.
My wife was disappointed/frustrated with this camera until I showed her this trick -- now she LOVES it!
On: 2004-08-25
There are enough superlatives for this item in the reviews. It suits my needs of quick informal photos. I would like to comment and perhaps help those who report slow shutter response -- the time between pressing down and when the image is captured.
I will agree with folks who state there is a noticable delay if you start from "hands off" to "full down" on the shutter. I missed several shots the first several attempts. (My kids are young and are constantly in motion!) There is a trick which Im not sure is covered in the manual.
By pressing down HALF WAY, the camera will adjust focus and balance settings without taking the picture. Then, from the HALF-WAY down position, when you press down FULLY, the camera will take the photo IMMEDIATELY.
Wait, theres more! If you release the shutter only to the HALF-WAY point (some practice required) then press down FULLY again, the camera will take another picture at the same focus/lighting settings IMMEDIATELY. If you keep releasing to the HALF-WAY point, you can take pictures in rapid succession. If you completely release the shutter then the camera will go through the process of focus and lighting settings again.
So now, when I want to take a picture, before the subject is ready, I press down HALF-WAY and wait for the moment, then CLICK -- Gotcha! Release half-way, wait -- CLICK -- Gotcha again! For the most rapid successions make sure you set the LCD display "after shot display" to OFF.
My wife was disappointed/frustrated with this camera until I showed her this trick -- now she LOVES it!
On: 2004-08-16
Many people have a great experience with this camera, and Im glad for them. But I feel I should add my voice to the chorus of those who feel theyve been cheated by Canon. There is a flaw in this camera, and Canon wont own up to it.
I got about one weeks worth of vacation pictures from my new S400 before getting the infamous E18 error message (lens wont extend). Google E18 before buying! There are whole websites devoted to it. I sent the camera in for repair (as a result, I dont have any pictures of the second week of my vacation). Then on my very next trip, after about 50 pictures I once again got the E18 error | | |
