Canon SD400

[michboro]

Does anyone have the Canon Elph SD400? I was thinking of buying this camera, and wanted to know how you liked it.

 

[mathgal]

I own the Canon SD 200 and want to caution you about an issue with this series of cameras. I bought my camera this past summer specifically for a cruise. Half way throught the week, the LCD screen just broke for no reason that I can discern. Within a day, the whole camera completely died. Canon insisted that I must have damaged it somehow, but I can't for the life of me figure out anything that would have caused the screen to break. I was not happy about this especially when it caused me to miss out on half a week's worth of family vacation photos!

After doing some online research I found that this is a common problem with the Canon SD series of Elph Powershots. After talking to two different Canon customer services reps (who both insinuated that I dropped the camera or something) I sent the camera in to their repair facility. I was surprised when I received an email back saying that they would fix the camera for free. From what I had read online they usually charge about $150 for this type of repair that is NOT covered under the warranty.

When I got the camera back it "seemed" to work but then I had memory card issues...many different types of error messages coming up. I re-formatted the card as I was told after calling technical support and even tried using a different card. Sometimes I could actually take a photo but then when I would try and download it to the computer all I would get was a thumbnail.

After several calls, Canon agreed to pay the shipping costs for me to send it back to get repaired AGAIN. So far the only cost that I have incurred is the shipping fee to send it in the first time. However I am irritated that I have had the frustration of trying to deal with this. I just sent the camera back yesterday so I'm waiting to see what happens now.

I love the camera when it works...it takes great photos and is so small that it is easy to carry. However I must caution you that the Canon reps told me that it wasn't intended to be carried in a pocket...you "MUST" carry it in a case they said! Now doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a "pocket sized camera"???

 

[PaulD]

Yikes! Sounds like Mathgal is having a tough time with her camera. Bummer.

I've owned the S30 in the past, I currently own the S1 IS and the 300D. My uncle owns the SD200 and a friend and my dad both have the A75. Every one of these cameras have been working great. It sounds like Mathgal got a lemon. If you're concerned buy from a place with a good return policy.

I like the Canon point and shoots. I've always thought the colors look better than the competition. But that's just me.

Try it out in a store and see if it feels right to you. Bring in a memory card and take some test shots. Also, check out DPReview.com for an in depth review of this camera (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd400/ )

Hope that helps with your decision!