Review on Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 Digital Camera W/ 12X Optical Zoom And Image Stabilization - Wi-Fi &Amp by Chris Barreto

Great little pocket camera. I have a Nikon DSLR. I have a Sony mirrorless DSLR. And I have an iPhone 6, so why buy this pocket camera? I wanted something to hike with. This pretty much rules out both DLSRs. Too heavy, bulky and expensive to risk climbing mountains and wading through swamps, crossing streams or in sudden downpours. What about the iPhone? It's fine for shots, maybe 5-20 feet away, but many of the shots you want to take on a hike will be very far away, and the iPhone doesn't have zoom. While these little point-and-shoot cameras with small sensors can't record in low light like the big DSLR sensors, they're a lot better than the tiny sensors in a phone. This camera differs from options like DLSR or iPhone.1.) It is very small and easy to carry in your cargo pocket. 2.) It is very light, which is very important when hiking. 3.) It is very quick to set up as it fits conveniently in your pocket rather than a backpack. You won't miss any recordings. 4.) The speed is very good. It loads fast. And the zoom is responsive. 5.) Focus is good. 6.) The 12x zoom is a very useful range and the lens is decent. 7.) Optical image stabilization is very effective for both photos and videos. This is important for such a small camera. 8.) 3 inch display is very convenient to use. 9.) Sensors and software allow you to control exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, making controls easy and quick to use. Important for such a small camera when speed matters. If you're fumbling with the menu when the bear crosses the path, you might have missed the mark. Wildlife is not known to cooperate with photography. Like they don't care. 10.) WiFi is easy to use and fast. It is excellent for transferring multiple photos to iPhone so that you can share them with your friends. It's also great for taking a selfie when I'm walking the trail alone and there's no other person for miles. Just mount the camera on a mini tripod, launch the Canon Camera Connect app on my iPhone and snap a picture through my phone's display, then press the shutter button when I'm ready. I've only tried it at about 20 feet but it gives me images I couldn't get otherwise. I'm not sure what the max range is. 11.) Eco mode increases battery life from 180 shots to 250 shots. Actually if for a week in the wilderness. Disadvantages of a pocket camera 1.) The matrix and the lens just won't compete with a DSLR. Not in light collection. Not in distortion. 2.) This is not a secure camera. It is susceptible to water damage from rain or being submerged in a river. My cheap solution was a plastic Ziploc sandwich bag and a small felt bag. Not a single scratch so far 3.) Flash does more harm than good in 99% of cases. I leave it off and only turn it on when I need it for a specific frame. 4.) Small size is a double-edged sword. I'm a fairly tall guy, so miniaturization and light weight come at the expense of controls that are at the top of what I can tolerate in terms of ergonomics. A woman or someone with smaller hands would no doubt have an easier time living with tiny controls. But I have to say Canon did a great job with the design choices for the physical controls as well as the credit card sized software for this camera. At this size there is not much you can do. Taking an SLR camera with you is simply more convenient. Overall I am very happy with this Canon product. It's very well designed for what it is and I'll probably take it on vacation with me even if I'm not a backpacker. For example, if I'm going out for dinner, I don't want to carry around a 3lb DSLR. I wouldn't leave a DSLR in my bag in a tourist trap on the beach either. I can't ride a roller coaster with a DSLR etc. etc. etc. To get much more than this model you have to go in the $400 price range, or about twice the cost of Canon, Sony or Nikon aim and shoot. What you get for the money, say the Canon SX730 HS, is exactly the same 1/2.3-inch backlit 20-megapixel CMOS sensor. You get upgraded imaging hardware and software, DIGIC 6 versus DIGIC 4+ in this camera. you get the same The viewfinder is 3 inches, but with a resolution of 922,000 pixels, not 461,000 pixels like on this camera. I'm not sure the extra pixel density will do you much good on a 3 inch screen. The screen also pops up for selfies, but I would never use that feature. Especially when Canon gives you the Camera Connect app, which turns your phone into a remote control. with a frame cropping screen is a much better solution. You're getting 40x optical zoom for $400, not the 12x range on that Elph 360. But that kind of extreme zoom can be a mixed blessing. 40X as well as distortion. And if you really need longer range, the Elph 360 has 4x digital zoom. Considering it also has a 20MP sensor, which I find a bit ridiculous, the digital zoom really comes in handy. If you're using 12x optical zoom and using digital zoom to double it to 24x, you still have a 10-megapixel image. Double that again to 48x, and you still have a 5-megapixel image. I have attached photos of the barn and the hydrangea after 4 days. different zooms. 1.) No zoom. 2.) 12X optical. 3.) 24x digital zoom. 4.) 48X with digital zoom. As you can see, the digital zoom can be used, although not quite optimally. The SX730 HS lens is slightly faster at F 3.3 than F 3.6. You get full manual control, which is more comfortable with a larger body. And finally, the weight doubles from 5 ounces to 10 ounces and the size more than doubles from 8cc to 17cc. Customs service. The extra size might be the main reason for an upgrade for me. It can be more convenient to use. Is the SX730 HS spec upgrade worth doubling the price to $400+ weight/size? It wasn't for me. I think the Elph 360 HS is the best compact camera in terms of ease of use, performance, size and price. I have much better cameras if I want to use them. It's a fast camera if you can't or don't want to lug around a better camera. And that's enough for me. The increased price doesn't add enough value to justify it for me. Highly recommended!