A variety of features for the beginner or advanced user!

I purchased this camera about a month ago when my other digital camera (reviewed in my Epinions page) finally gave up the ghost. After reading reviews of cameras on Amazon.com, this particular camera stuck out for the features it had, with a reasonable price.

Long-term durability

Canon cameras have a great reputation for longevity, but I cannot cover that aspect of the camera in this review, since I have only had the camera for one month.

Features

The thing that I really enjoy about this camera is the wide variety of features that can be easily used by a casual user, or by a more advanced user.

Camera settings (changed by dial on top of camera)
Easy
Great for the casual user! This feature automatically selects the camera settings based on the conditions where the photo is taken. The only setting not automatically selected is the flash.

Auto
Another great setting for casual users. Selects all settings automatically, including flash

Portrait
Great for taking photos of individuals.

Night Landscape
A really nice setting that allows you to take landscape shots in total darkness.

Indoor
One of my favorite features! A setting that takes into account the lower light of many indoor settings. Works great!

Landscape
Great for taking outdoor shots of scenery

Kids and Pets
A setting that takes into account the unexpected movements often associated with kids and pets when they are about to be photographed.

Night Snapshot
For taking photos at night, even in total darkness.

Sunset
I have never seen a setting like this on any other point and shot! This setting really brings out the colors of the sunset!

Foliage
An interesting setting that takes great pictures of green plants.

Other settings
Snow
Beach
Fireworks
Aquarium


Creative Settings
For the more advanced user, there are 4 advanced, "creative" settings. Manual is my favorite. The user can adjust the darkness image in the LCD screen, shutter speed can be set, aperture can be adjusted, and a couple of other settings can be manipulated. I have been really pleased with the photos I've taken with this setting, especially close-up photos of flowers. P mode causes the camera to automatically select the shutter speed and aperture value. Tv mode allows the user to adjust the shutter speed. Av mode allows the user to adjust the aperture.

LCD Screen

The LCD scree is large, really looks different depending on the setting used for pictures. The photos appear on the computer as they do on the LCD screen.

Zoom
The zoom is easy to use. It is 35mm x 140mm optical zoom, with a digital zoom that kicks in after the optical zoom is extended. Even with the digital zoom, the photos do not appear pixelated.


Video

This camera takes great video, with sound, but clips are limited to 3 minutes.

Summary
Overall, I have been very pleased with the camera. I am still figuring out some of the settings, but I have been pleased with the pictures. The 8 megapixels are wonderful for photo enlargements, and for zooming in on pictures on the computer. I paid 193.00 (including tax) for the camera, and I feel like it was well worth it. We purchased it primarily because we are having a child soon, and wanted a camera that takes quality pictures, especially close up. WE have been pleased.