A Mighty Powerful Elph!!
Written: May 09 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Size, Picture Versatility, Size, Point-and-Shoot Ease, Size
Cons: Its not a 35mm, cost
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| AVaddict's Full Review: Canon Elph 240 APS Film Camera |
Size
This is the key feature of this camera. It is no bigger than a credit card is around the edge. It is only about an inch thick, but even so, it is still very small. What is amazing is the amount of features packed into this little guy. Not only does it have the multiple aspect ratios for square all the way to very wide ("panaramic"), it also has a surprisingly effective zoom. I have not seen a blow up of the interior of the camera, so the things I am discussing might , in fact, be very simple mechanisms, but to the untrained photogs eye, they are pretty useful and seemingly more complicated than they probably are. It is not a light camera. My grandmother got a Fuji APS camera when the format first came out. The camera was not particularly small, but it was very light. I imagine much of this weight comes from the use of metal parts as opposed to plastic, which is something I should probably be thankful for.Puting aside the weight issue, I do not really notice it when it is my pocket or jacket. This makes it desirable for any shutterbug who is not interested in making a production out of taking a few snaps, i.e., taking out a body, finding the right lens, filter, flash, yadda, yadda. For hardcore photographers what i just described is probably the furthest thing from a chore that they could imagine, its part of the creative process, but Joe average is not Ansel Adams, Joe wants a quick, versatile, easy to use camera that produces a decent shot for the price. Price? Yeah, this camera is not cheap, but you, more than anything else, are buying a novelty when you purchase this or any Elph, you are paying for size. I don't use the word 'cheap' lightly, there are decent APS cameras out there for $20.
Features
The little leather case that comes with the camera fits snugly and the small plastic piece on the carrying strap is a tool for operating some of the more advanced functions as well as a tool for opening the battery case. The zoom is effective for simpler shots you would rather have a close-up of, but it is hardly a "zoom". I don't know what the ratio actually is, but it IS effective for, say, close shots of flowers or art (if you want to stand far enough back so as not to affect the light source). All the flash functions are easy to operate and jog through. The buttons you need to use often are big enough so as not to be a pain. The little LCD display is easy to read in virtually any light, and there is never a question as to how many shots you truly have left. The auto loading feature really is nice. For those people out there who have trouble making toast, the lack of the need to know how to load film properly must make this camera a dream come true. Just pop it in and close the cover, that's it, nothing more. I don't mind the procedure myself (loading film), I actually also own a Pentax K-1000, the MOST manual camera on the planet. Turning on the camera is easy too, just a push of a button. The camera will always start off in the non zoom mode, but that isn't a big deal. All of the functions necessary to basic operations can be carried out without actually looking at the camera. For me this is a great feature because most of the time my picture taking is pure spur-of-the-moment. I will see something and want to take a picture quickly; by the time I have the camera pulled out from where ever, I have already turned it on and switched to the mode I want, depending on the subject. Very convenient!
The flash is effective, but looks flimsy. I've had the camera for upwards of three years and never had a problem with it, but it still looks flimsy and from day one it has never REALLY closed all the way, it's just a little crooked. It is, however, fast when activated. In a dark room, it projects a little spotlight so one can see the subject, whatever it might be. It might not seem like much, but this is an amazingly useful little feature, especially when you are taking a picture of, oh, a sleeping cat.
Cost
The camera is not cheap. The film is not cheap. The batteries are not cheap. The processing is not cheap. This a novelty item. Don't get me wrong, its a great camera, but it is still a novelty. APS film will run you from about $5 to $15 depending on exposures and speed. APS developing is from about $5 to $20, depending on exposures and developing options chosen. The battery is about $9, but should last a good long time. And all of the Elphs are over $100. These are things you might want to consider when looking at an Elph or any APS camera.
Summary
Overall, this is a very good camera. It is easy to operate, load, etc. It is point and shoot, can't get much simpler than that. It is ideal for folks that aren't mechanically or electronically inclined. It also is a great outlet for the creative non-pro shutterbug. The versatility of the three available aspect ratios is a great feature and is a lot cheaper than getting something cropped and/or blown up professionally. If you don't mind the related expense, this is a super little camera.
Recommended:
Yes
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Location: Texas
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