A400 vs Ixus 30

[benjy]

hi all! this is my first time posting.

i'm thinking to buy a digicam. after few days browsing i kinda like these 2 canon model: A400 & ixus 30 (SD200).
in my country A400 cost US$184 while ixus 30 cost US$368.

when i compared this 2 spec, it turn out to be almost the same but the price have a lot of different.
i think A400 spec is quite good for its price. but what is the plus point for ixus 30?

should i buy the cheaper one for my first digicam or is it worth it if i spend a bit more for higher quality camera?

[benjy]

bought SD200(IXUS 30) few days ago. hope it will not let me down.

maybe someone may help me here with this question:
after browsing the manual, i cannot find the menu to display the battery life on LCD screen.
is it possible to display it? any help much appreciated.

[Righty]

It's probably worth going for the Ixus, mainly because;
It's ALOT smaller
Takes it's own lithion battery (so it comes with batts + charge - A400 you've got to buy extra)
Bigger/clearer screen
Better built
imo, nicer shots
better design - cleaner, more modern

But, it depends how much you're willing to pay? Personally, I'd folk out the extra because I'd prefere the smaller camera to take literly everywhere! It's smaller than most mobile phones. The A400 you've got to always think twice when you take it with you, it cant just slip into your pocket without being too bulky, also a second set of AA's to carry around can be very annoying compared to the small lith ion battery for the ixus.
However, for the price, the A400 is a good deal, and will do the job well, you jsut dont get the added luxeries of the ixus ;)

[midge]

bought SD200(IXUS 30) few days ago. hope it will not let me down.

maybe someone may help me here with this question:
after browsing the manual, i cannot find the menu to display the battery life on LCD screen.
is it possible to display it? any help much appreciated.

I've got the Ixus40, and I'm almost 100% sure that the battery life cannot be displayed. Just as well the battery last for ages!!!!

[Jon]

I think, if it's like my A80, that it'll come on as a "Low Battery" warning; as long as you don't see it you're OK.

[benjy]

bit sad that i can't see the battery meter on the LCD.
i thought it wud be nice to know how long the battery power will last before i go out, just like our mobile phone which we can see the battery meter on the screen. at least i will know when i need to charge the battery before go out for the day. anyway, there's so much thing to explore with this little baby....tks for yr help, guys.

[Jon]

Unless you leave it set to not go on stand-by, keep the LCD on all the time, and shoot a lot of flash pictures it'll last a good long time. But like anything electronic, it's always wise to have a spare battery around, and the battery for the SD200 isn't all that bulky. But LiIon batteries hold their charge much better than NiCd or NiMH do.

[catalinnemes]

I've got the Ixus40, and I'm almost 100% sure that the battery life cannot be displayed. Just as well the battery last for ages!!!!
You cannot display the battery life. You will just get a warning when the battery is almost empty.