Ask a photographer; either known or amateur, to offer the conjugate of camera manufacturers further chances are apart would speak for Canon. In the digital arena, Canon's enduring their tale of innovation, with a underground trade of products ranging from entry-level models all the way to no-holds-barred digital SLRs for professional photographers.

In the consumer arena, their products are distinguished by superb design, sharp lenses, and excellent color. In both the film and digital worlds, Canon is plain being their high-style, hardly any "ELPH" cameras. Long a avowed APS film camera design, Canon brought the ELPH size besides styling to the digital apple with the way out  S100. The S400 launches the fourth tour of the design, with a larger, 4.0-megapixel CCD. Other improvements corner a Center-Weighted metering mode option, faster maximum shutter speed (1/2,000 second), and improved macro capabilities. Add an improved user interface, easy point-and-shoot operation, a sharp lens, and great image quality, and the S400 is sure to please a host of consumers. Read on for all the details, this one looks like another winner from Canon.

Basic Qualities

• 4.0-megapixel CCD.
• Real-image optical viewfinder.
• 1.5-inch color TFT LCD monitor.
• Glass, 3x, 7.4-22.2mm lens, equivalent to a 36-108mm lens on a 35mm camera.
• Maximum 3.6x digital zoom.
• Automatic exposure control, with Long Shutter mode for longer exposures.
• Shutter speeds from 1/2,000 to 15 seconds.
• Maximum aperture f/2.8 to f/4.9, depending on lens zoom position.
• Built-in flash with five modes.
• Compact Flash Type I memory card storage, 32MB card included.
• Power supplied by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack (charger included) or optional AC adapter.
• Arc Soft Camera Suite 1.2, Canon Digital Camera software, and USB drivers included for both Windows and Mac platforms.

Special Qualities

• Movie mode with sound.
• Standard and High Speed Continuous Shooting modes.
• Stitch-Assist panorama mode.
• Infinity and Macro focus modes.
• Customizable "My Camera" settings.
• Two- or 10-second Self-Timer for delayed shutter release.
• Sound Memo option for recording captions.
• Spot, Center-Weighted, and Evaluative exposure metering.
• White balance (color) adjustment with seven modes, including a Custom setting.
• Photo Effect menu for color adjustment.
• Adjustable ISO setting.
• DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatibility.
• USB cable for connection to a computer (driver software included).
• A/V cable for connection to a television set.