[mollusk]

Anyone have any experience with this camera. Does it work well with iphoto? I like the size and feel and would be using primarily for web display. Thanks.

[spiky_dog]

I highly recommend the S30 and S40. I have friends with the S3xx ELPH models, and one with an A20, and the S30, S40 and G2's output is clearly superior, even at web resolutions.

Note: I realize that the poster asked for thoughts on the _A_40; I'm just attempting to steer him to a different rung in the Canon product line.

[proux]

I am very happy with a S330. Sure you won't print a 10x12 picture, but almost nobody does anyway.

[Rainy Day]

Anyone have any experience with this camera.

Yes.

Does it work well with iphoto?

Yes. Only complaint is that iPhoto, unlike the Canon software, doesn't turn off the LCD display.

Don't recall if iPhoto allows you to delete files off the camera or not; don't think it allows you to upload (as the Canon software does). A MacOS X version (beta) of the Canon software is available for download from the Canon website, btw.

I like the size and feel and would be using primarily for web display.

You won't be disappointed in the A40 for this use. The A40 takes the best pictures of any camera on the market in its class. In fact, it puts most of its competitors to shame, IMO. It's a great little camera. Can't speak highly enough of it. Only complaint is that the UI for rotating pictures within the camera is cumbersome (too many keystrokes necessary). The A40 has wonderful automation capabilities, and lot's of manual overrides. It also has optional accessories which are completely unavailable in other cameras of its class, such as lens attachments and even an underwater shell. You'll want a larger/faster CF digital memory card, most likely.

Make sure to use good quality NiMH batteries and a high quality charger, such as the Quest Q2 charger. You'll get at around 150-300 photos off a set of NiMH batteries (without being particularly frugal with power).

A note on the Q2 charger: The platinum package now comes with four AA 1800 mAH batteries. There is also a Minolta package which sells for about $10 less, but it comes with AAA batteries instead of four AA's, so be careful. Thomas Distributing is a reputable source for this charger.

Check out these sample A40 photos

And Steve's review

And Jeff's review

Thanks.

You're welcome

[Edit: for clarity.]

[jeffnudi]

I have been using an A40 for several months. The only thing I wish it had was more than the 3X optical zoom. Canon offers a tele-extender for under $200, which I will be adding soon.

I think the Canon Image Browser is better than iPhoto, and it includes PhotoStitch which does a great job making panoramas out of sequential shots.

I have not tried the movie mode, but I have a GL1 for that.

[mollusk]

Thank you for answering. I bought one and I like it so far. I like the manual overides. Does the underwater case really work? Since I work at an aquarium it could get interesting. By the way I am a she not a he. And I would have bought one of the other camera that were suggested but on a budget and still shoot film quite a bit.

[Rainy Day]

Originally posted by mollusk:
Does the underwater case really work? Since I work at an aquarium it could get interesting.

Dunno. But it's supposed to be good to 100' and is billed as a marine case for scuba diving, so my guess is yes. Just how you fiddle with the camera's controls through the case is a puzzle to me though. You can find a picture of it here on Canon's A40 Accessories page.

And here on Canon's A40/MacOS X compatibility page, you can find the MacOS X compatible version of their software (which i mentioned in my previous post).

Have fun with your new camera. Make sure to get NiMH batteries and a larger CF card. I noticed a speed improvement (over the stock Canon/SanDisk 8 MB CF card) when i dropped in a Lexar (12x) 64MB card. And i can't speak highly enough of the Quest Q2 charger. The great thing about the Quest charger is that it has individual charge channels (meaning each battery gets its maximum charge; this can make a big difference in battery performance per charge). And the Q2 even comes with a car adapter. Canon's charger costs more than it should (for a "dumb" charger) and isn't nearly as good (Q2 is a "smart" charger).

[escher]

Originally posted by mollusk:
I would have bought one of the other camera that were suggested but on a budget and still shoot film quite a bit.

Very wise choice. I got an A20, the A40's predecessor, 18 months ago for the exact same reasons. I wanted to try out digital photography, but couldn't afford a DSLR (unfortunately I still can't). The A20 and A40 are excellent digital point & shoot cameras that are ideal supplements to a film SLR. IMO, the AA batteries are a huge advantage becasue you can get them in much higher capacities than the tiny proprietary NiMH battery packs of the higher-end cameras.

Escher