Canon Elph Z3 Zoom APS Camera Kit

With all the attention Canon's Digital Elph series has been receiving, it's easy to forget that the first Elph models were film cameras. This latest-generation model has much in common with its predecessors, including a chrome-and-aluminum body, diminutive dimensions, and use of the Advanced Photo System (APS) format.

Refinements for this model include a longer, lower shape--less like a deck of cards and more like a cell phone--and a backlit status LCD that emits a cool blue glow at the push of a button. Several other features were revised to improve photo quality, including a redesigned lens and a newly developed passive autofocus system. Additional features include a 2.3x zoom, spot metering, self-timer, and a five-mode flash with red-eye reduction.

A lithium CR123A battery provides power, and the camera uses APS film, a format jointly developed by five leading photo companies in 1996. The APS format is designed to take advantage of a number of technological advances developed in the decades since the introduction of 35mm film. Here are the main advantages to the APS format:

• Size and convenience: An APS cartridge is smaller than 35mm, and the film is completely enclosed, which simplifies film loading.
• Midroll rewind: Many cameras let you switch film midroll, allowing you to shoot in both color and black and white. Each roll has an indicator on top that lets you know if the film inside is unused, partially exposed, totally exposed, or developed. After developing, the negatives remain inside the cartridge for protection and long-term storage.
• Three print sizes: Most APS cameras let you choose from three proportions for your prints--"classic," which is a 3:2 ratio like 35mm; "HDTV," which is a 16:9 wide-screen format, and "panoramic," which is a long 3:1 print.
• Magnetic information storage: The film is coated with a magnetic layer much like a videotape. This layer can store information from the camera that can be used during developing and printing to make the best possible prints. This also means that photo time and date information can be printed on the back of each picture instead of the front.

The two biggest drawbacks to the format are size and availability. The negative is approximately half the size of 35mm, so each photo has less detail than an equivalent 35mm negative. This can result in pictures that look grainy, especially when enlarged. Though the format is popular, it's still relatively new, so the film can be harder to find than 35mm film and developing may be slightly more expensive.

I have another APS camera with 10x zoom, but it is not lightweight, and partially used rolls of films hide inside. What I love about the APS-format is the ability to take a roll of film out of one camera and insert it into another, even if some pictures are already on the film. So, I can check whether film is used or not, quite easily with the automatic film loading and advance features

APS-format also lets me set the coverage of the camera in three frame types. One is focused on center object without much background. Next is for group shots that elongate the lens area slightly more. The panoramic view is a large rectangular coverage. The self-timer function means that I also get to be in the picture. It seems that I was in very few family photos because I was always the one behind the camera; now I am a participant.

One of the pictures I took in this format is of my niece at her wedding as she danced with and kissed her new husband. It is a striking photograph because it is focused on them, and you see the floor, decorations, lighting, and can feel the dance and their movements to get a true impression of this moment.

Generally, I forget when I took a picture unless it is coded on the photo, especially since I may let the film sit in a camera too long. This excellent feature and stays on time and date.

Because I love this little Elph I give it 5 stars, and wish you great success with your photography as well.

Victoria Tarrani


Took this camera on 8 nite /9 day Colorado River Raft Trip   June 16, 2002
V. Glickstein (Florida, USA)
20 out of 21 found this review helpful

Space was at a premium on this trip and I wanted Panorama easily available. Also sunscreen would be heavily used (can damage camera frames) so metal case was ideal. Camera performed wonderfully and was so small it was easy to carry around and protect from water in Aquapac case. I didn't realize what a problem sand would be - again the Aquapac protected from both sand and water from rapids. The photos are great. I am enjoying using this camera to take photos of my triplet granddaughters also. It tucks into my purse or pocket with an extra roll of film. I have SLR APS which is about 8 times bigger and it is so much harder to drag it around as much as I love it! Thanks Canon.


Tiny, feature rich, and it works well   August 6, 2003
mister_t42 (Andover, MA)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

Having owned several small APS cameras, I can safely tell you that this one is a winner. The Z3 has a decent 2.3 times optical zoom (I prefer a 3x, but this is pretty good), very small size, and excellent battery life (over 25 rolls/battery, vs. under 10 for many other cameras). It also has some of the minor features that prove useful, including date and time encoding, mid roll rewind and load, and basic control over the flash (4 modes).

If you've never used the APS format before you will be impressed by the small camera size and image results, as long as you stick with 4x6 prints. If you require 35mm results with enlargements, go elsewhere. This has nothing to do with this camera, its all in the film size. You might be able to enlarge to 5x7, but no further. These are really tiny negatives and the images get grainy when you enlarge them too much.

I've seen some complaints about reliability, but after a hundred rolls or so this camera has been flawless. It did take us a roll or so to get used to the turning the camera off (you slide the lens cover over), but once you get the hang of pressing the cover in just a bit before sliding it, it comes easy.

I'd also suggest that you check out the Canon 370Z camera. While it is a bit bigger and has shorter battery life (I've averaged 8-9 rolls per battery at best), the zoom is a full 3x, meaning that you can zoom in a bit more. That can be useful, although I have not missed it as much witht his camera as I expected.


Great camera   November 15, 2003
Abbie
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

It's the perfect size to keep in a purse or carry in a pocket. The quality is great. I love this camera.