megapixels

I originally had an S50 until it was stolen, so after much new research I replaced it with the S60. The focusing is much improved over my original S50. Although friends who also had the same camera never seemed to have focusing problems. The navigation buttons on the back of the camera have been improved. It is definately lighter than the S50, which is a bonus for those carrying the camera hiking or climbing. And, its start up time is good if you need to capture a picture really quick. So far it has handled all sorts of lighting conditions very well, and the color definition has been excellent with very little (if any) purple tinting. This is a very feature rich camera, if you like gadgets. However, it is also easy to use when set to fully automatic. The photo software it comes with is much improved, and is an acceptable choice if you don't have the money to buy something like Photoshop. I like the rugged, solid feel of the camera overall.

What I don't like about it is the slidable lens cover. I keep bumping it when it is open because of the way I like to hold the camera. The cover extends almost to the right hand side of the camera. If you bump it during picture taking, it shuts down the camera and you don't get your picture. This has happened to me maybe a half a dozen times. I have to consciously force myself to hold the camera as to not disturb the cover when it is open. Maybe in the future canon can move it back from the edge a bit, or reduce the sensitivity of the mechanism that shuts the camera down. Last, this camera isn't design for use in the shirt pocket. If you are looking for a pocket camera this one is a bit big.

I was looking for a digital camera that has many features as SLR does, yet want it small enough that it's convinient for me to carry it anywhere to do a lot of photographs. I got S60 and so far I'm satisfied with it.

The camera produced sharp images and good color balance. And the camera gets ready fast enough to shoot after we turn it on.

Though I took many pictures with it and reviewed the images many times, I found out that the battery is long-lasting.

I also like the software that puts the picture in folders titled by the date automatically. So I can choose not to print date on the pictures.

However, sometimes it's quite hard to slide open your camera when your hand is sweaty. And also almost every single time I take the camera out of my pocket, I slide open the battery door. Yet, they are not a big deal to me.

If you're a digital SLR user with some old IBM Microdrives and high-capacity thick CF cards this is a good point-and-shoot camera. Most of the smaller P&S cameras today take the newer smaller xD cards so you end up having to manage an inventory of different kinds of storage devices. The S60 can share memory cards with full-size digital SLRs.

How does the camera work? Like any other point-and-shoot at around the same price, more or less. It is more responsive than older cameras but still takes a second or two to turn on or wake up, long enough to lose the moment. The menus and controls will be intuitive for anyone who has used Canon digital cameras before. The 28mm equivalent perspective lens is a nice feature.

You'll get better pictures with a Digital Rebel or Nikon D70 if only because those cameras have better viewfinders and controls large enough to operate by feel. But you can't fit one of those digital SLRs in your pocket...