Whats the deal with Powershots?

[MeWantsACanon]

I've looked on the net about all the powershot cameras. Ive noticed there has been A10,20,30,40,60 + 70. And ive noticed the A100, 200, 300 models and the S35, 40, 45, 50 not to metntion the G range.

My first question is why did they skip the A50 model?

And whats the difference betwen the A30 and S30 and A300 and G3? Not those exact cameras but there series.

Whats the better series?
Whys the 100 earlier than the 70?

Im stumped so any information will help.

[Ardiem]

LOL yeh, the model numbers confused me as well when I was researching a digi-cam.

Here's a very broad way of putting it:

- The G series (G1, G2, G3....)
These are the high end cameras for professional use. They are big, bulky and have the most features. In other words, they are the digital version of an SLR Camera

- The SXX series (S30, S40 S45, S50...)
These digicams are like the G series only that they are the compact version of it. They are meant for the crowd that wants most of the functionality of the G series in a semi-pocketable camera.

- The SXXX series (S200, S300, S230, S330, S400...)
These are the tiny elphs that are pocketable. Contains the least features to an extent however the size is very small.

- The AXX series (A10, A20, A30, A40, A60....)
These cameras are the 'middlemen' version. As far as I know, the internal features are not as robust as the SXX series but you can add different lenses. I don't know much about this though so maybe someone can elaborate better.

[Guillermo Freige]

Well, some toughts by myself:

The A series are powered by AA batteries, and the S and G series by propietary batteries.

The G series (G3/G5) aren't exactly the digital equivalent of an SLR (it's digital equivalent are the DSLR's, like the "affordable" EOS 10D, the sporty 1D or the very expensive and excelent 1Ds) because they aren't SLR (Single Lens Reflex) machines to begin :). And they haven't interchangeable lenses, but they are the best feature packed digicams Canon can offer, at 4 and 5MP respectively.

The Sxx (S45/S50) series, are the "pocket versions" of the G series, but they lack external flash, tiltable LCD and replaces the 4x zoom for a less luminous 3x one. Overall they are also excelent cameras (I have a S50)

The Axx series (A60/A70) are the "small siblings" of the Sxx series. They have less resolution (2 and 3 MP instead of 4 and 5 MP), and as far as I know the only functions they don't have are a review histogram, and RAW mode (they only shoot in JPEG). They have the same (or similar) 3x zoom of the S serie. In fact, the A70 has a 640x480 movie mode not present in the S or G series.

The Sxxx (S230/S400) is the "ultracompact" line. Mostly point and shot, without all the manual modes of the G, Sxx and Axx modes, and expensive as the Sxx line. They have less resolution than the Sxx line (2 and 3 MP) and a 3x zoom.

Finally the Axxx series (A100/A200/A300) are the "poor man" digicams. They have lower resolution (1, 2 or 3 MP) and they have only digital zoom, and no manual modes.

[JohnnyE]

MeWantsACanon wrote:
My first question is why did they skip the A50 model?


Well, they actually didn't skip the A50:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A50/A50A.HTM

[MeGotsACanon]

Freaky, they do exist. On all websites about cameras i have never seen one. I found this site with almost every canon camera, except that one.

I notice it is alot different. Mabey they tried to change the shape with the bulge at the end and no one liked it so they went back to the old way and tried to forget about it.

[Mr-Wong]

One note on powershot... I have an older powershot 350 vga digicam from high school that I've dropped, stepped on, and dropped into a river w/ mud....and it's still working fine. Original batteries as well, they'll last all day long still. Too bad my A70 didn't come with a nifty custom velcro form-fitting case like the old 350 did....