I've had the camera for a few months now and it's my first. I knew almost nothing about how to use a camera like this, and it does have A LOT of customization options. I did use the manual for the first day or so, but playing with it gave me the most knowledge.

Anyway, on to my review.

Pros:
-Beautiful picture quality. Compression isn't spectacular at the highest resolution, but much detail is still represented in the photos.
-Solid, sturdy design that is very pleasing to the eye.
-More options than you'd ever think you'd use, but they are all fantastic. The numerous ways of manually adjusting the picture are probably my favorite thing about the camera.
-Fast battery charging.
-Easy access to memory card and battery.
-Fast LCD response.

Cons (if you notice):
-Sliding lens cover hasn't broken, but it seems delicate.
-Mushy "Set" button mainly used to delete photos (in my experience). You'll get used to it.
-A little heavy.
-Shutter response isn't fast.
-Flash is a little too bright at standard settings, but is a cinch to adjust in most shooting modes.
-Movie mode could be better, but that's not what you're buying this for.

Recommendations:
-Extra memory, of course. The provided 16 MB card will only hold about 10 pictures in fullsize at full compression.
-An extra battery (or two, why not?). Go on eBay and find a knockoff battery. Search "NB-2L"
-A case. Buy one that's protective, and not too tight, because putting the camera in the case could inadvertently open the lens cover.

Overall: I highly recommend this camera, even if you don't know much about photography. If you care about how your pictures turn out, you will enjoy using this camera.

This is a great camera for anyone looking for advanced features at a compact size. Unlike Canon's "lower-end" models, the S40/45/50 series pack in all the adjustable/tweakable features seen in most "SLR" cameras at a lower cost. This camera is not as compact as some of Canon's and some of the other manufacturer's units. But the additional features offered by these cameras outweight the size/weight penalty.

My only complaint with these cameras are their less than desirable lenses. The S40 has a 3x optical zoom (11x digital) and doesn't have the lens power of some of the other Olympus cameras. Then again, if you're looking for that type of lens capability, you're not looking at these cameras and are more apt to looking at the higher-end SLR versions.

Overall, these cameras have the Canon photo quality and the construction quality. A great buy!

...this is a good camera to start with. Especially if you use a Mac because it works great with iPhoto. If youre a beginner like me, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of features the S40 offers, but dont worry. Just put it on automatic and you will be able to take great pictures. It just takes a little practice to get used to the delayed response shutter button.

Some of the things I like about it:
1. It takes very nice pictures. Your pictures will look as good as anyones.
2. It has a movie mode that I didnt know existed until recently. Saves the movie (with sound) in AVI format (QuickTime player will play it)
3. Attractive small body (and who doesnt like attractive small bodies?)
4. The LCD display is great for reviewing your pictures
5. It takes gigantic pictures. At 100% they are about 20" tall by 30" wide. You probably wont ever print out anything this large, but this just means you have a lot of detail and resolution wont be a problem.

What I dont like as much:
1. Too many manual settings keeps me from experimenting too much. You would have to read the manual if you want to do any shooting besides automatic. And who wants to read a manual?
2. You have to get pretty close to your subject. Taking group pictures from much further than 10'-15' will not turn out very good. If you can get up close you will have great pictures. Dont try to use this camera at a football game from the stands. I just dont think it has enough zoom power.

Ive enjoyed using mine for the last year and a half. Like the reviewers before me, I recommend doing the following:
1. Get an extra battery cause you never know when the battery will run out of juice. It will cost $25-$50 depending on what brand you get.
2. Im not sure what size compact flash card comes with the camera, but its probably in the 16MB range which is pretty much useless. Being a 4.0 Megapixel camera, and shooting such a large picture, it eats up memory. Get a couple of 128MB's or even larger if you can and you will have room to take 100 or so pictures.
3. I dont think it comes with Photoshop Elements, but if you can afford it, get it. If you do cropping and getting photos web-ready you will want to have this or the full Photoshop package (you better be very good if you want Santa to bring this)

You will like this camera and all your friends will tell you that you take great pictures.

The Canon PowerShot S40 was a terrific small digital camera when it was introduced, but the digital camera market advances quickly and this model has been surpassed by Canon's own S45 (an updated S40) and the new S50 (5 megapixel in the same body only in high-tech black). Serious photographers seekng a digital would turn to Canon's EOS Digital Rebel. The S30 and S40 are good cameras if you want lots of features in a small package without paying a lot of money.

Features begin with the generous maximum 4 megapixel image size (you can make them smaller to conserve space on the CompactFlash card). Several modes are available to you such as Sports (high shutter-speed and high resolution shots), Portrait, Night, etc. You can put it in complete Idiot Mode (okay, Automatic mode) and let it select your shutter speed and aperture, or you can pick one or the other and let the camera pick the missing one, or you can go full into Manual mode and pick both. There's even a Movie mode, complete with sound. These video clips are 320 x 200 pixels.

This small camera fits in a purse or shirt pocket easily and won't get in the way if you're shouldering it in a case (not included, just buy a generic). But you pay a price for the small size: the optical zoom is limited to 3x. And unfortuately, the S40, like all the PowerShot S family, starts out with a focal length of 11mm, which is a very wide-angle view. Even at 3X optical zoom you will max out at 55mm, often not as close as you'd need. There is a digital zoom, but so what? Crop your picture in software later rather than play with that silly feature. I found 55mm insufficient for shooting across a large room. If you work closer in this won't be a problem, but it is not a good focal length for shooting children, who stop whatever adorable thing they're doing when they notice you framing that shot. (And see comment on slow shutter response, below.)

The sliding door that covers the lens (and turns on the camera) seems flimsy and can cause problems. My 3YO niece got ahold of my S40 and ripped the door off. I was able to reattach it but now it's a loose tooth, ready to fall off again. Even under warranty, my choice was to send it back to Canon for 12 weeks or live with it. I couldn't live without the camera, so I kept it, loose sliding door and all. I've just learned not to lend it to people who can't baby it; a good push and that door is off the camera again.

One of the S40's most frustrating limitations is a slow shutter response. I can't tell you how many shots I've missed using it; I frame it lovingly, I see the perfect moment, I shoot... but no score. The people have moved on, the sun has set, the universe suffers heat-death, and finally the shutter clicks. If you want a fast shutter then you must have a digital SLR, as almost all the compact-style digital cameras such as this one have the delayed shutter issue. Another note of annoyance on the PowerShot S family: they come with a wrist strap but no shoulder strap. I don't know what use a wrist strip is for a camera; if I'm not using it then I want my hands free. I bought a generic shoulder strap but it wasn't a great fit. At least Canon should offer one as an extra-cost accessory.

One difference between the S30 and S40 is the latter only allows an ISO of 400 which restricts low-light photography. This is a limitation of the larger CCD in the S40. ISO 800 shots on the S30 are quity noisy so it isn't clear you are missing this feature in the S40, and you gain an extra megapixel.

I still give this camera 4 stars for putting so many features in such a small package. The pictures are reasonably good, and at this size you can crop plenty out and still print good 4x6 inch images. The PowerShot S40 comes with software, but you'll probably want to buy your own image editing package, such as Photoshop Elements. The one provided is fairly limited. Useful software includes PhotoStitch, which allows you to make your own panaramic style images from a series of linked shots. The included 32 MB CompactFlash card is also too small for typical use, so plan on buying a bigger card. Also plan on buying a second battery.

I love this camera. It is easy to use and the pictures are so clear and beautiful. It also takes fun movie clips! This is a perfect camera for the beginner. Definitely worth every penny!

I like the fact that the camera uses compact flash. The compact flash cards come in sizes up to 4G so that is nice.
Easy to use.

I actually own the SD30 which is the 3.2MP which is our very first DC. I got it for the birth of my daughter and has captured all her milestones but sadly after 3 1/2 years the sliding cover for the lens gave out and the lens is stuck and so the camera would not operate anymore. The cost of having it repaired in a Canon service center in IL is as much as buying a new one so I am just looking to buying a newer model (still a Canon of course) Canon has proven a name in the world of photography by the quality of pictures you to take with their camera.