Canon Elph Z3

Review Date
May 10, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Reviewed by
tbonzi , Expert

Price Paid
$0.00

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
The Elph really is a fine APS camera. Since APS film is only 60 percent the size of 35mm film, use the best film you can get. Try Kodak HD (High Definition) 200 to get good color and small grain. Also, most one-hour photo shops really don't make good quality prints. Take the exposed film somewhere where you can send it for Kodak Perfect Touch processing. This really makes a great deal of differnece in your prints.

Review Date
March 10, 2005

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Reviewed by
ryanga , Intermediate

Price Paid
$35.00 at Big Lots (70% off sa

Photography Experience
11-20 years , People

Summary
A tiny little camera with lots of features. Some of them are useful.

I am not all that impressed with the picture quality this camera produces. I got this camera for my wife to use but we havn't used it very much because our other camera (also APS) takes much better pictures. The other camera, however, is much larger and not as easy to throw into a purse.

The camera feels quite sturdy and parts of it are real metal! The ergonomics are great. Even though my hands are large it is easy for me to use. The info display lights up so it's easy to read in dark rooms or shade. Also, you can program the red eye reduction mode to be the default mode. Handy for most situations this camera will be used in. There is also a setting that lets the camera focus before you push the button all the way down. That way the camera takes the picture as soon as the button is fully depressed instead of having the usual delay between pushing the button and the camera firing. If you want to take a picture of a squirming child it comes in handy.

The Z3 has lots of other features that I'll likely never use but they don't get in the way of the easy operation of the camera. My wife who is anti-button can use it with ease.

I really like the camera. It's just so cool. Everyone compliments us on it. Too bad the pictures aren't just a little sharper.

The pictures are NOT unacceptable. Just not as crisp as our other larger and more expensive camera. If size is what your after I'd say get one.

Strengths
Size. Easy to use.

Weaknesses
Pictures not as sharp as our other camera.

Similar Products Used
Minolta, Canon and other APS point and shoots

Customer Service
None needed.

Review Date
August 12, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Reviewed by
robwhiteley , Expert

Price Paid
$150.00 at Jessops

Photography Experience
6-10 years , Other

Summary
I just wanted a tiny compact to stick in a pocket for evenings out etc.; and was happy to sacrifice a bit of picture quality (I realised I wasn’t going to be blowing up any of the shots from its intended use) by choosing an APS over 35mm. This little thing was spot-on. The results are good but you just need to FIND A GOOD LAB.

Trust me - you buy a decent camera because you want decent pictures; you go to all the effort of taking pictures you want to remember; then you (potentially/likely) ruin the results by trying to save a few quid and going to the nearest lab, other than posting off to a pro one. It's just not worth it.

Strengths
Tiny, solid, good results - really quite sharp for the format. Again though - GOOD LAB! The panoramic option works well for group shots.

Weaknesses
The sliding cover feels like it would be the first bit to break if any...but hasn't.

I'd say get a MjuII if the slightly larger size and lack of zoom and APS options don't bother you. The pictures from it are so good. It was my second choice, but, again, is was simply down to 'pocketability' and intended use.

Similar Products Used
NA

Customer Service
NA