Canon Compact Digital Cameras

Canon compact digital cameras are known as PowerShot cameras and are one of the best-selling compact cameras worldwide.

The A-Series PowerShot cameras are the easiest to use and are designed to keep it as simple as possible so you can just point and shoot without any complications; the ELPH PowerShot cameras are also easy to use but additionally boast an array of helpful shooting modes, creative features and advanced functions; Canon's high-end Advanced PowerShot compacts incorporate the creative performance of a professional digital SLR camera with the compact convenience of a point-and-shoot; the D-Series Powershot cameras are designed for underwater and heavy-duty use. Currently the D10 is the only one available. It is water-proof to 10 m (33 ft.) and freeze- and shock-resistant. The D10 only has optical zoom, a limitation of the water-proof case. Canon compact digital cameras in general are an excellent and reliable buy, and highly popular.

Is a Compact Digital Camera Right for Me?

Compact digital cameras (or point-and-shoot cameras) are very small and totally portable, designed to fit in your pocket or handbag easily so you can take it with you everywhere you go. Casio compact digital cameras were among the smallest and thinnest when they started the ball rolling around 2002 but today many other manufacturers are producing lightweight, slim and elegant point-and-shoot cameras.

Most compacts have a lens which retracts into the body of the camera which means that even with the smallest of them, the focal length can be relatively long allowing your to zoom in on your subject.

If your camera is in your pocket or handbag, keys and other loose objects are a danger to the optics! To counter this, the lens usually has a built-in lens cap which automatically closes when the camera is shut down to protect the optics.

Compact cameras come with a wrist strap. If you keep the strap wound around your wrist when shooting, it helps to protect against accidentally dropping it. Some of the thicker compacts allow you to attach a neck strap for extra security.

Compacts don't have the advanced features of an SLR camera such as the ability to change lenses for example and picture quality is not as high as it would be with an SLR but ease-of-use and compactness make them an attractive buy. Compact cameras are great for holiday, parties, weddings, in fact just about every situation you find yourself and the beauty of them is you need never miss a shot as they are so lightweight you can always keep your camera with you.

This year (2011) some manufacturers have started producing compact digital cameras which can take 3D still photos which can be played back on a 3D television, an exciting development for the future.