Powershot S60
|
Powershot S60
Canon Powershot S60 Review
By Movable Type Admin


Features & Controls
![]() The new wide-angle 3.6x all-glass Canon 5.8-20.7mm zoom has a 28-100mm 35mm equivalent coverage with a maximum aperture of f/2.8-5.3. It features an Ultra high refractive index which makes it thin and compact. The sliding lens cover protects the lens when the camera is not in use.
Focus range is 44cm (1.4 ft.) to infinity in normal mode (W/T). Macro autofocus range
is 4cm (1.6 in.) (wide-angle) / 30cm (1.0 ft.) (telephoto) to infinity.
![]() Auto focus is accomplished via a 9-point Flexizone AF/AE system with user-selectable AF points visible on the LCD monitor. The S60 also features an AF assist illuminator for accurate focusing in dim to dark environments.
When powered down or in sleep mode the lens is retracted back into the camera body.
The camera is powered on when you slide the front cover open.
![]()
The Manual focus option is enabled by pressing and holding the "MF" button while using
the Up or Down on the 4-way switch. The manual focus
range is 4cm (1.6 in.) to infinity.
While manually focusing, the subject area covered by the active focusing point is
digitally enlarged on the LCD to aid in critical focusing.
![]()
To save battery power or when outdoors in the bright light, switch off the LCD and frame
your shots with the eye level optical viewfinder. There is no diopter adjustment. The LEDs
on the side indicate recording, autofocus and flash status. The eye level finder shows
approximately 87% of the captured image.
![]()
The builtin speedlight has 5 modes: Auto, Redeye reduction, Slow-sync (1st and 2nd curtain), Fill and Off.
The flash coverage with ISO set to 100 is
55 cm to 4.2 m (1.8 ft. to 14 ft.) (W),
55 cm to 2.0 m (1.8 ft. to 6.6 ft.) (T).
![]() On the top is the shutter release and the Mode Dial with positions for:
The pre-programmed "Image Zone" modes include:
![]()
The zoom lens control is now mounted along the back edge, in playback the zoom control is
used to enlarge the image and the wide control calls up the thumbnail display mode. Above
the 4-way controller is the PLAY button and next to that is the Print/Share and Direct
Transfer button. The 4-way controller lets you navigate menus and select images in
playback. The SET button in the center accepts selections and lets you move the AF point
in record mode. The DISPLAY button controls the color LCD and the amount of data that is
overlayed on it. The Menu button calls up the onscreen menu system.
![]()
Above the LCD is the Flash mode button (thumbnail index button in Play mode) and the Macro
focus button (the Jump button in Play mode). Down the left side of the LCD is the FUNCtion
button which accesses the menus to change the camera's advanced settings. The "MF" button
toggles the manual focus mode when held (in Play mode it's the single image Delete
button.) The bottom button cycles through the AE metering modes (in Play mode it's the
Sound Annotations button.)
The I/O ports are on the side:
![]()
Located in the battery compartment is a Compact Flash Type II card slot. The S60
is supplied with a 32MB CF card and can use any Type I or II solid state flash memory
card or IBM/Hitachi Microdrive.
FAT32 file systems are supported, there's no problem with cards and Microdrives
larger than 2GB.
Approximate Still Image Capacity
Time of Recordable Movies
Movies are limited to 3 minutes maximum per clip (30 seconds maximum for Movie/High). Above figures show total movie capacity on various CF cards, measured under Canon's standard test conditions, and may vary depending upon scene, subjects or camera settings.
![]() The S60 is powered by a Canon NB-2LH 7.4V 720mAh lithium rechargeable battery pack. This is a higher capacity battery than the NB-2L used with the S50 (which may also be used with the S60.) A fully charged battery is good for approximately 240 images when using the LCD or up to 550 images when you use only the optical viewfinder. Or a playback time of approximately 210 minutes.
The NB-2LH pack is charged out of the camera in the included
CB-2LT Compact Charger (100-240VAC). Charging time is approx 80 minutes or less.
It plugs straight into an AC outlet, no cords required.
![]() The optional WP-DC40 waterproof case allows the S60 to go to almost any sporting activity, from boating to snow skiing to scuba diving (130 feet max depth.) |
Continue on to
Page Three
Return To Our
Reviews Menu
Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.