Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 Digital Camera w/ 12x Optical Zoom and Image Stabilization

STILL the best bang for the buck in compact point and shoots !!!

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2016

Color: SilverStyle: BaseVerified Purchase

From a day one aspect, it does what it is supposed to do. This is my 3rd Canon ELPH, previous models being the 110 HS and 330 HS.
No discernable difference in picture quality when compared to my 330.
Zoom has greatly improved, and has a bit better image stabilization vs the 330. MP4 has replaced the aged MOV format for videos.

I am NOT a camera techie, and don't use half the features on this camera, but know a good picture when I see one, and one of the main things that impress me with the ELPH line is how great pictures and videos look when displayed on a large screen TV. That's the test for me... I've purchased other models that failed, and were returned.
It's true that today, many cellphones take WONDERFULL pictures and vids, but you are NOT going find the kind of zoom that point and shoots have. When on vacation, I'd have to say 50% of my pictures involve the use of the zoom lens. Actual cameras are still relevant in today's cellphone centric world (at least for the time being).

The REAL reason I upgraded this go around (my 330 is in excellent working condition) was that Canon FINALLY made MP4 the format for the 360's videos. Although previous versions took wonderful HD videos, you have no idea how frustrating it is to transfer a video to your phone, and having to convert it from MOV format first! Converting formats always involves a loss of quality, and I never understood why an Apple format had to be standard on a non-Apple device. MOV is an age old format and MP4 beats it hands down, and is playable on almost any PC or Android device.

Nit-picking... this model has a flimsier battery/card door, and using the Wi-Fi feature I had to use "manual" steps to do so, as the "auto" feature would recognize the device, but not connect.... not a big thing, but would be nice if it would connect to devices as easily as cellphones do these days.

Over all, I'm quite happy with the camera, and feel the ELPH series offer the best pictures and smallest size in the compact point and shoot category. If it didn't....I wouldn't be on my third model of the line. My first ELPH (110HS) is still working wonderfully 5 yrs later, the only reason I upgrade is for the improved features . I can't recommend this camera highly enough...it's GREAT.

A piece of good advice is when buying a case...look for a hard/semi hard "clamshell" type case. My ELPHs look and act pristine after years of use, because they are well protected when being carried or not in use. Pouch style cases won't protect your camera from bumps or accidental drops, which I have encountered many times, and have had no ill effects due to the clam shell cases superior protection.

Update 4-24-16
Just got back from a Vegas trip, where this camera was use extensively. I had nose bleed seats at the T-Mobile Arena Guns n Roses concert. My 1080p cellphone camera could not capture stage action, as the low light filter does not work in zoom mode (all it could capture at full zoom was a blurry mess). Was able to get video with my HS 360 in zoom mode clear enough to actually capture facial expressions....GREAT video, from some of the worst seats in a 40,000 seat arena. How can you beat that from an ultra compact point and shoot? When filming in full HD, I was getting about 45 mins a battery (I took 2 extra). Low light ability is A LOT better than my Note 4's camera. In DAYLIGHT....my cellphone takes excellent pictures and video....at NIGHT....not so much. Glad I had this camera with me.
If you are taking pictures, expect to get 300+ to a battery charge....video, around 45-60 mins. Extra batteries are cheap and quite fast to change out when filming extensively....well worth the money.

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Matthew J.

Point and shoot with good controls

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2018

Color: BlackStyle: BaseVerified Purchase

Canon promotes this camera as "point and shoot", and indeed it does that very well. But there are enough controls for exposure time, light sensitivity, focus and metering frames, picture resolution and programmable modes to make this a very satisfying camera to use for demanding shots. The quality of both still and video capture is impressive. The maximum image size (20 Mpix), color accuracy, sharpness and 12x optical zoom enables aggressive cropping to produce detailed images of small objects captured at a distance. I've been very pleased with how intuitive it is once over the learning curve of menus and the downloadable user's guide.. Canon tech support was friendly and knowledgeable when I called about a confusing instruction in the user's guide. Downloading images to a computer by USB cable in extremely quick using the supplied Camera Window software, and incredibly convenient (if a little slower) using the built in wireless capability of the camera. Canon Image Gateway software links easily with the camera to upload images to web-based albums for archiving or sharing. In short, I really like this camera and recommend it.
Note added after 8 months of use: the resolution color and sharpness of the original images captured by this camera are perfect for enhancement in Photoshop, GIMP or other image software. If you enjoy working with images on a computer to bring out the picture within a picture, this camera may be for you. if is excellent for me for this reason.

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KAL In GilbertAZ

SUPER COMPACT. DECENT PICTURES. POOR BATTERY LIFE.

Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2021

Color: SilverStyle: BaseVerified Purchase

I bought this camera for my work. I travel extensively visiting construction sites and part of my job is to photograph job progress and publish pictures in my reports. I was using a Nikon-D-3400 previously but it was tough to travel with. I bought this camera as it fits in my pocket or my backpack pocket easily which simplified my travel life.

Positives. Super compact. This thing is tiny and light. Love that part. Lens has an automatic cover that closes when the power turns off so the lens is not damaged and dirt and smudges are not collected. Picture quality is decent. Not up to par with my Nikon, but good enough. Access to the SD card is very easy. It is very point-and-shoot ready. Just turn it on, set to auto and take pictures. The Bluetooth connection to my phone using the Canon app is nice. Very easy to use. Not perfect but good enough.

Negatives. Battery life is very poor, especially of using the flash. I had to buy 2 additional batteries to carry with me as it takes me 2 or 3 batteries to get through a day. My Nikon would go for multiple days on one battery. The motion stabilization is not all that good. I wish the lens was a wider angle capture.

Overall, 4-stars.

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stephanie smith

Perfect gift!

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024

Color: BlackStyle: BaseVerified Purchase

This was a gift for my granddaughter and she LOVES it! Great photos, clarity and color. Enough said, right?

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Barnacle Bill The Sailor

Great little pocket camera.

Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2017

Color: BlackStyle: BaseVerified Purchase

Great little pocket camera. I own a Nikon DSLR. I own Sony mirrorless DSLR. And I own an iPhone 6. So why buy this pocket camera? I wanted something for backpacking. That pretty much excludes both DLSR's. Too heavy, too bulky, and too expensive to risk climbing mountains and slogging through bogs, crossing streams, or in sudden rain storms.

What about the iPhone? It's OK for shots maybe 5 to 20 feet away but, a lot of the shots you want to take while backpacking are going to be very long distance and the iPhone has no zoom. Also while these little point and shoot cameras with small sensors can't do low light like a larger DSLR sensor, they are worlds better than the tiny sensors in a phone.

This camera in contrast to options like a DLSR or iPhone.....
1.) Is very small and comfortable to carry in a cargo pocket.
2.) Is very light which is a huge consideration when backpacking.
3.) Is very quick to deploy because it's handy in a pocket rather than in my backpack. You don't miss shots.
4.) Speed is very good. It boots up fast. And the zoom is responsive.
5.) Focusing is good.
6.) The 12X zoom is a very usable range and the lens is decent.
7.) The optical image stabilization is very effective for both still and video photography. Important with a camera this small.
8.) The 3 inch display is very usable.
9.) Letting sensors and software control exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO make the controls simple and fast to use. Important in a camera this small when speed matters. Fumbling through menus when a bear crosses the trail may mean you miss the shot. Wildlife is notoriously uncooperative with photography. It's almost like they don't care.
10.) WiFi is easy to use and fast. It works great to transfer a few photos to an iPhone so you can share with friends. It's also great when taking selfies if I'm out on the trail solo and there's not another person for miles. Just put the camera on a mini tripod, fire up the Canon Camera Connect app on my iPhone and frame the shot using the display on my phone then hit the shutter button when I'm ready. I've only tried it to about 20 feet but it gets me shots I couldn't get otherwise. Not sure what the maximum range is.
11.) Eco mode boosts battery life from 180 to 250 shots. Important when you're in the wilderness for a week.

The shortcomings of a pocket camera.....
1.) The sensor and lens are just not going to compete with a DSLR. Not in light gathering. Not in distortion.
2.) This is not a ruggedized camera. It is susceptible to water damage from rain or taking a dunk in a river. My cheap solution was a plastic Ziploc sandwich bag and a little felt lined pouch. So far, not one scratch.
3.) The flash does more harm than good 99% of the time. I keep it toggled off and only turn it on when I want it for a specific shot.
4.) The small size is a double edged sword. I'm a fairly big guy so, the miniaturization and light weight comes at the expense of controls that are right at the bleeding edge of what I can tolerate for ergonomics. A woman or anyone with smaller hands would no doubt find the tiny controls easier to live with. But, I have to say that Canon did a great job with the design decisions for the physical controls as well as the software on this credit card sized camera. It's just that there's only so much you can do at this size. Grabbing an SLR is just more comfy.

All in all, I'm very happy with this Canon product. It is very well designed for what it is and I'll probably carry this on vacations even when backpacking is not involved. For instance, going out to dinner I don't want to lug a 3 lb SLR. I also wouldn't leave an SLR in a bag on a beach in a tourist trap. Ya can't ride a roller coaster with an SLR, etc. etc. etc.

To get significantly more than this model, you'd have to step up to the $400 price range or roughly double the cost for a Canon, Sony, or Nikon point and shoot. What you get for that money with say, the Canon SX730 HS is exactly the same 1/2.3" backlit CMOS 20 megapixel sensor. You get upgraded image processing hardware and software, DIGIC 6 vs DIGIC 4+ in this camera. You get the same size view finder at 3" but with 922,000 pixels rather than the 461,000 pixels of this camera. Not sure the additional pixel density nets you much in a 3" screen. The screen also flips up for selfies but that's not a feature I'd ever use. Especially when Canon gives you the Camera Connect App that turns your phone into a remote control with a screen to frame a shot, a much better solution.

You get a 40X optical zoom for $400 rather than the 12X range of this Elph 360. But that sort of extreme zoom can be a mixed blessing. It becomes very susceptible to shake at 40X as well as distortion. And if you really need a longer range, the Elph 360 has a 4X digital zoom. Considering it also has a 20 megapixel sensor which I consider a bit ridiculous, digital zoom actually becomes useful. If you're at the 12X optical zoom limit and you use digital zoom to double it to 24X, you still have a 10 megapixel image. Double it again to 48X and you still have a 5 megapixel image. That's good enough for an 8X10 print or tablet / computer viewing. I've included photos of a shed and a hydrangea at 4 different zooms. 1.) No zoom. 2.) 12X optical. 3.) 24X using digital zoom. 4.) 48X using digital zoom. As you can see, the digital zoom is usable if not exactly optimal.

The lens on the SX730 HS is very slightly faster at F 3.3 vs F 3.6. You get full manual controls which is more usable with the larger size body. And finally, the weight doubles from 5 oz to 10 oz and the size more than doubles to 17 cu in from 8 cu in. The additional size may actually be the biggest reason for me to upgrade. It may be more comfortable to use.

Is the upgrade in specs of a SX730 HS worth doubling the price to $400 and more weight / size? It wasn't for me. I think the Elph 360 HS hits the sweet spot for a compact camera of usability, performance, size, and price. I have much better cameras if I want to use them. This is a quick grab-n-go camera for those times when you can't or don't want to lug around a better camera. And it's plenty good enough for me. The increased price doesn't add enough value to justify itself for me.

Highly recommended!!!

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Danyelle

Easy to use, tough, but bad for indoor pictures against light

Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2022

Color: PurpleStyle: BaseVerified Purchase

I am an field insurance adjuster and have to inspect interior damage... So i take about 600 pictues a day. My main complaint is the indoor against light (window) quality. The camera does not want to turn on the flash on and has trouble adjusting. I often have to monkey with putting my finger over the light sensor, or focussing on something else the same distance away and then quickly turn the camera to the area I really want a picture of. But other than that, it is a great camera. Easy to use, easy to transfer pictures. I've dropped it twice now and it still works. I bought extra generic batteries for it on amazon...low cost and work great! Because I go though 2 batteries a day min. I just got a new 16 pro max iphone and ever since I have been using the camera on it, I have not got back to this one. Worlds different. My advice: put the money into a new iphone and skip buying the camera.

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Jerome

ELPH

Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024

Color: SilverStyle: BaseVerified Purchase

Easy to use compact camera, with great picture quality

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Linda

More than I expected

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2022

Color: SilverStyle: BaseVerified Purchase

I got this for the telephoto lens, it is really good in that mode, what surprised me that is also a good camera on the macro end to, see photos of telephoto and macro shot. I am still leaning about how to get a good picture quality and image stabilization. I like its size, very easy to carry on hikes, what I wanted it for. It fits into my pocket no need for backpack to carry camera. It is hard to get a image stabilization when the subject is not staying still. This is a problem I have found on all the cameras I have used from film to digital, nature photography and it is a leaning curve but this camera has the features. I also like that it can be used in low lighting situations. A lot of what I take pictures of are in the shaded woods and flashes are not always the answer. I have found I can get macros of plants in woods, that were problems with my other cameras. Picture three shows a close up of a white plant in dark woods, very hard to get in focus. Again it is a learning curve, but the settings are there to do it. It has many settings similar to my Nikon Cool-Pix, but this size is much smaller and it has a more pixels.