The Best excuse to go digital 12 Nov 2004
By A Customer
I've been using this camera for 6 months and at a rough count have probably taken 2000 images. I've also bought a canon 28-105 usmII lens which I'm very pleased with. Previously i've used an Olympus OM10 with manual focus. A re kindled interest in photography and the ease of use of a digital, autofocus camera account for the prolific turnover of photos!
I would say the strengths of this camera are:
Potential for superb quality photos easily up to 15x10 print size. With the 18-55 lens supplied in the kit the camera is lightweight and ideal for varied everyday use, the lens being very unobtrusive. The TTL focus points are easy to use (though read up on the actual arrangement of the sensors. I've seen this in a review and it is useful information to know. Canon should show this in the manual) The autofocus system is fast and accurate 99% of the time. The ISO range is wide and even at 1600 gives very good results in low light with manageable shutter speeds. The white balance options allow for both accurate representations and more inventive representations (with limitations).It will also white balance bracket. For most occasions the evaluative metering system is accurate though trickier lighting situations do need either bracketing or centre weighted metering - both available on the camera. I find the best (quickest) way is a quick check on the screen and then exposure compensate and take more shots - very easy on this camera.
Although plastic, the camera body is tough and durable (and so far water resistant!) The very slow shutter speeds coupled with ISO100 are very useful. Battery life is OK so long as the LCD screen is not over used in the field. Buy a spare battery or two. There appear to be lots of other lens available. The std lens has a usefully wide angle capability at 18mm and I use this setting a lot. The instruction manual is actually very easy to use and understand.
I would say the weaknesses are:
The std 18-55 lens is not easy to manual focus as the focus ring is too narrow and the slightest touch will upset the focus in manual mode (not in auto mode). Also, being at the front, it is easy for your fingers to smear the lens whilst trying to focus or trying to find the focus ring whilst composing the picture. This presumably is the penalty for compactness and lightweight and as many other canon lens are available I find this an acceptable compromise on the std lens. My 28-105 lens is not like this and is excellent in this area by comparison (quieter in auto focus mode too) so horses for courses. The auto focus sometimes "hunts" in very low light or into very bright light so this is one occasion when you will need manual focus. The std lens is very good 99% of the time. I find I could use more flexibilty in white balance settings ie: individual temperature settings. Also direct access to spot metering is a must on this class of camera. Start up time is annoyingly slow though you get into the habit of switching on as soon as you feel a photo coming on! The switch itself is well designed and well placed. Manual selection of focus points is slightly tricky as the thumb button is too far to the right though practice will sort this!
Summary:
Very pleased with the capability of this camera and overall design also it's scope for accepting a wide range of other lens. I would certainly buy this camera again even with the benefit of hindsight. At the moment it is excellent value for money. Buy it.
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