Digital Camera Tracker has reviewed the 6 megapixel Canon PowerShot SD630 which is a member of Canon’s Digital ELPH trio line-up for 2006. Small in profile big in features the SD630 is less than an inch thick and has a retractable 3x optical zoom.
Following 2006’s LCD screen trend where “bigger is better” the SD630 features a huge 3.0 inch 173,000-pixel LCD which makes taking pictures much easier and more fun.
As with the other Digital ELPH cameras the SD 630 is driven with Canon’s coolest technologies like the DIGIC II imaging processor. Technically speaking, DIGIC II imaging processing enhances many functional aspects of the camera, several of which the typical user will appreciate like the increase in the speed of the cameras start-up, autofocus, shutter response, playback, and image processing speed.
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Image Quality:
The SD630 uses a 1/2.5-inch CCD and incorporates Canon’s DIGIC II imaging processor which according to Canon enhances picture definition, vibrancy, and quality. As with any digital camera choice, image quality is probably the highest item on the list and when I used the SD630 6-megapixel Large/SuperFine mode, I could capture great shots both indoors and out.
Outdoor shooting tends to stress a sensors abilities because of the inherent dynamic range that exist. I found that with the SD630 and using just a little photographic common sense I could capture images that were sharp and had excellent color balance and saturation without causing the cameras sensor to freak out and do funny things to the image quality. As a matter of fact, for a sub-compact, the SD630 delivered time and again outstanding overall image quality, even when I pushed the sensors ability just a little.
Sample Pictures:
I purposely took test pictures with the SD630 in a variety of situations because I want you to see how its sensor handles variations in light levels without me having to resort to tweaking the cameras controls. Truth is, most people stick a digital camera on ‘auto’ and rarely change it.
ISO Performance:
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ISO 80
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ISO 100
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ISO 200
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ISO 400
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ISO 800
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3x Optical Zoom: (click on images to enlarge)
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Performance:
Like most people when I opened the box the first thing I did was slap the battery into the camera and hope that Canon had shipped it with a least a little charge to I could at least turn the camera on for some instant gratification. Yea right! No charge. So after yanking the battery out of the camera and putting it into the wall charger I had to delay my instant gratification until I had a full charge. That’s when I noticed how ridiculously flimsy the battery/SD storage compartment cover was. That first time and every time since I feel like I’m going to snap it off.
Also, I understand the rationale of having to take the battery out of the camera to charge it but for Pete’s sake allow the user to charge the battery while it’s IN the camera too.
Quick Feature Review:
- Resolution 6.2 Megapixel
- 3x Optical Zoom
- 4x Digital Zoom
- Auto Focus Range 12 in. to Infinity
- Macro Focus Range 1.2 – 3.9 in. / 12 – 19.2 in.
– Lens Focal Length 5.8 – 17.4 mm
- Resolution 6.2 Megapixel
- Resolutions 640 x 480 • 2816 x2112 • 2272 x 1704 • 1600 x 1200
- Video Resolutions 640 x 480 (VGA) • 320 x 240 (QVGA) • 160 x 120
- Video Speed 60 fps
- Video Format AVI – Motion JPEG
- Aperture Range f2.8/f4.9
- White Balance Auto ~ Manual ~ Daylight / Sunny (Preset) ~ Cloudy (Preset) ~ Fluorescent (Preset) ~ Tungsten (Preset)
- Memory Type MMC Card ~ SD Card
- Compression Modes Fine ~ SuperFine ~ Normal
- Compression Type JPEG ~ EXIF 2.2 ~ DPOF 1.1
- ISO Speeds Auto ~ 100 ~ 200 ~ 400 ~ 800 ~ 80
- Built-In Flash
- Flash Functions Flash Off ~ Auto Flash ~ Red-eye Reduction Flash ~ Slow Sync
- LCD Panel Size 3 in.
- LCD Screen Resolution 173,000 pixels
- Interface Type USB 2.0
- Battery Type Proprietary Lithium
- Battery Life 160 Images
- Dimensions
Width 3.56 in.
Depth 0.8 in.
Height 2.24 in.
Weight 0.32 lb.
The Front:
The SD630 is a very compact, yet fits gracefully into your hand. On the front of the SD630, Canon’s 3x optical zoom extends approximately 5/8 inches and features a focal length of 5.8–17.4 mm f/2.8–f/4.9.
With today’s ever-shrinking digital cameras, it’s tough to find a good place for a microphone. The SD630’s is smartly positioned on the ring around the lens.
Above and to the left of the lens is the AF (autofocus) assist light.
The Back:
Given the physical dimensions of the SD630 the large 3 inch LCD viewing screen takes up the majority of the back with the cameras main controls sitting to the left of the LCD. Advanced features include “Quick-bright” function which switches the brightness to the highest setting by pressing the DISP button for 1 second. When shooting in dark lighting, the LCD is automatically brightened.
The Back Controls:
The 4-way round controller lets you navigate menus. Press “Up” to change ISO sensitivity, press “Right” to change flash modes, press “Down” to change the drive mode and press “Left” to change the focus mode. In the center is the Func./SET button which gives you access to the Function menu in record mode or accepts menu options and settings.
The Top:
The Top Controls:
The Mode switch (Playback, Movie, Record), the Power On/Off button, the shutter release button and the zoom lens control around the shutter release. The zoom control also functions as the magnify and index buttons in playback mode.
The Right Side:
The Left Side:
The high-speed USB 2.0 port for image and movie download. The USB port can also be used for direct printing to any PictBridge compatible photo printer.
The Bottom:
Battery and SD Card Compartment:
The Powershot SD630 iuses a Secure Digital (SD) card slot and comes with a 16MB SD. It can handle any capacity SD card up to 2GB.
Approximate Storage Capacities of the supplied 16MB SD Card:
Highest quality – Super Fine – 4 images
Highest quality – Fine – 8 images
Highest quality – Normal – 17 images
Medium Quality – Super Fine – 6 images
Medium Quality – Fine – 12 images
Medium Quality – Normal – 24 images
Battery Charger and Battery:
The SD630 comes with a Canon NB-4L 3.7v 790mAh lithium rechargeable battery pack. Canon literature indicates a fully charged battery can record 160 shots and a replay time of approximately 210 minutes.
The supplied 100-240V CB-2LV rapid charger has a fold out power plug and plugs directly in the wall socket and charges the battery “out of the camera” which is very handy if you have a second battery and not very handy if you don’t 
Normal time to full charge is 95 minutes.
Modes:
One of my biggest complaints is that on the SD630 there’s no Scene Mode dial so in order to get to Fireworks or whatever you need to navigate the menu system. Instead of having all the options on one level, (which is the way it should be) you have to hit the menu key to reach all of them after Portrait, Night Snapshot and Kids&Pets. Hit the menu key and you’ll reach Foliage, Indoor, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Color Accent and Color Swap.
Verdict:
Taking pictures with the Canon SD630 was enjoyable and easy. In the picture quality area there is nothing to complain about because the SDF630 delivers snappy photos with vivid color that seem to jump right off the monitor. It’s fast to turn on, power up and recycle time between shots seemed almost instantaneous.
I did not like how Canon buried the important features several layers down in the menus. If there’s one thing that will bring a camera’s fun level down it’s when manufacturers hide the really important functions several layers down.
What’s Hot:
- Excellent color balance and saturation
- High quality images
- Fast imaging processing
- 3 inch LCD
- Spot on color
- No purple fringing
What’s Not:
- Zoom control stinks
- No optical viewfinder
- Flimsy battery case cover
- LCD quality is lacking
- Confusing navigation
- Onscreen menus need improvement
- No image stabilization
Overall Score: 7.5 out of 10
Current Price Info At Amazon.com
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
What cameras got
Overall Score: 8.5 and more ?
Thanks
This camera called the IXUS65 here in New Zealand and I have taken over 500 shots on mine.
This is a serious carry-everywhere-all-day camera and is the best in it’s size group. Size is important for a pocket camera where the SD700IS is 30% bigger and Sony W series 15~40% bigger. There are no IS cameras in the 65(630) camera size group.
The Canon Ixus Zoom control around the shutter release is PERFECT – so good that Sony is copying the design on the W series and Casio on the new Exlims. With the zoom there you can have a firm one right hand grip on the camera with 1 finger to zoom and take the shot.
On my Ixus500 and 40(300) the optical viewfinder just gathered dust and was never used – you dont need it in any light with the great screen on the 65(630)
The Battery cover is lightweight and better built than other cameras in this ultra compact size group – I have 2 batteries and go to the charger to swap them (not put the camera to bed). Cradles are for cameras you don’t use very often!
Those Scene Mode settings are for beginners or special occasions like when you put the underwater housing on and select “underwater” to go diving – who uses them every day? They are easily found off the function button (not the Menu)
In it’s features, quality and value for money in it’s class I give the Canon 65(630) a 9 out of 10.
* The photos could always be sharper
* The lens cover could have a better seal against pocket dust (although it is better than past Ixus)
* I want the front to be black to match the back.
RECOMMENDED
Just got the 630, which is referred to as the IXY Digital 80 here in Korea. It’s my first digital camera (excluding cell phones), and I’m floored by the user-friendliness of the thing compared to my friends’ cameras that I’ve played around with. The paper manual is in Korean, but I haven’t even opened the English CD-ROM and don’t need to as its intuitive design and ergonomic controls are perfect for a novice like me. (I don’t know what the first reviewer is talking about re: adjusting the Scene Mode, as it took me all of four seconds to figure out how to do that.)
My friend just got the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1, and wishes he’d saved a couple hundred bucks and gone with the 630. Picture quality is stellar, and the ginormous screen is obviously a plus.
GREAT CAMERA LOTS OF FUN WORTH EVERY PENNEY AND THAT MEENS $240