Canon Powershot SD400 Review

The SD400 features a 3× (35-105mm in the 35mm format) f/2.8-4.9 all-glass aspherical zoom lens. This lens features Canon's exclusive Ultra High Refractive Index Aspherical technology (UA) which produces outstanding sharpness and clarity. It allows the camera body to be even thinner and more compact than previous models with smaller zoom ratios. The UA technology produces crystal clear images at all focal lengths. When powered down, the lens is retracted inside of the body and a built in shutter closes to protect the lens.

An advanced TTL AiAF 9-point autofocus system permits the camera to automatically select the primary subject even when off-center. Focusing range is 1 foot (30cm) to infinity in normal mode and macro coverage is 1.2 to 18 inches (3-50cm) in wide angle and 12 to 18 inches (30-50cm) in telephoto. The autofocus is light-assisted and works properly even in the dark. The AF-assist illuminator also functions as the selftimer indicator.

The built in flash offers Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Reduction and Slow-Synchro modes. Flash range is 1.6 to 16.4 ft. (50cm-5m) in wide angle, 1.6 to 9.8 ft. (50cm-3.0m) in telephoto or 1 to 1.6 ft. (30-50cm) in macro mode (with ISO set to Auto.) The focus-assist lamp also serves as the red-eye reduction lamp.

Th optional HF-DC1 external flash can be used with the SD400 to double the flash range of the builtin flash. Compact and elegantly designed, the High-Power Flash HF-DC1 complements your PowerShot perfectly and requires no accessory shoe. With a strong light output (guide number 59 ft.) and wide angular field (28mm), it delivers proper illumination up to approximately 30 feet and in all zoom positions. The flash fires in synchronization with the main flash, and output is adjusted accurately and automatically.

You can frame your pictures with the color LCD or to save precious battery power you can use the optical eyelevel finder. This is a coupled viewfinder with approx. 82% coverage. It has no dioptric adjustment. Next to the finder are two LEDs that indicate the flash and focus status.

On the back is a large 2-inch color LCD monitor which can be used for framing, review and changing settings. Advanced features include "Quick-bright" function which switches the brightness to the highest setting by pressing the DISP button for 1 second. When shooting in dark lighting, the LCD is automatically brightened to make it easier to frame and focus on the subject.

Controls on the back: Mode Switch with positions for Play, Movie and Record. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the menus. The 4-way controller lets you navigate menus and select images during playback. In record mode you press "Up" to change metering mode, press "Right" to change flash modes, press "Down" to change the drive mode and press "Left" to change the focus mode. In the center is the FUNC./SET button which gives you access to the Function menu in record mode or accepts menu options and settings. The DISP button turns the color LCD on/off and controls the amount of data displayed on it. The Print/Share button allows you to easily print and transfer images to your computer (Windows users only).

Controls on the top: the Power On/Off button, the shutter release button and the zoom lens control around the shutter release. The zoom lens control also functions as the magnify and index buttons in playback mode.

The AV Out handles the monaural audio and video signal which can be connected to your TV set with the supplied cables. The high-speed USB 2.0 port for image and movie download. The USB port can also be used for direct printing to any Pictbridge compatible photo printer.

The Powershot SD400 is equipped with a Secure Digital (SD) card slot and comes with a 16MB SD card. It can handle any capacity SD card - the spacious and fast SanDisk Extreme 512MB card can store all your photos from even the longest vacation.

Approximate Storage Capacities

				*16MB	128MB	512MB
	Large (2592×1944 pixels)*		Superfine	5	49	190
			Fine	9	87	339
			Normal	19	173	671
	Medium 1 (2048×1536 pixels)*		Superfine	8	76	295
			Fine	15	136	529
			Normal	30	269	1041
	Medium 2 (1600×1200 pixels)*		Superfine	13	121	471
			Fine	24	217	839
			Normal	46	411	1590
	Small (640×480 pixels)*		Superfine	52	460	1777
			Fine	80	711	2747
			Normal	127	1118	4317
	Standard (640×480 pixels)** (My Color (640×480 pixels)**)		30 fps	6 sec.	64 sec.	249 sec.
			15 fps	14 sec.	127 sec.	494 sec.
	Standard (320×240 pixels)** (My Color (320×240 pixels)**)		30 fps	20 sec.	181 sec.	702 sec.
			15 fps	40 sec.	355 sec.	1373 sec.
	Fast Frame Rate (320×240 pixels)**		60 fps	10 sec.	92 sec.	359 sec.
	Compact (160×120 pixels)**		15 fps	99 sec.	869 sec.	3357 sec.

* Still Images   ** Movie      : 16MB card included with the camera

The SD400 comes with a Canon NB-4L 3.7v 760mAh lithium rechargeable battery pack. Canon claims a fully charged battery can record 150 shots with the LCD on or 400 shots with it off and a replay time of approx. 180 minutes.

The supplied 100-240V CB-2LVE rapid charger plugs directly in the wall socket and charges the battery "out of the camera" which is very handy if you have a second battery (highly recommended!)  The normal charging time is 95 minutes.

The optional AW-DC30 All Weather Case allows you to take the SD400 underwater safely up to depths of 3 meters (9.8 feet.) It is mainly used to protect the camera from rain, sand, dirt and dust so it can be used in most any weather or environment.