>>Josh Goldman: Hi, I'm Josh Goldman, Senior Editor of CNET Reviews and this is the Cannon PowerShot A3100IS 12 megapixel compact, price list in $180 with a 4x optical zoom and a 2.7 inch LCD on the back. Cannon's A series models usually use double A size batteries for power but this camera as well as it's 10 megapixel line mate, the A3000IS, uses a rechargeable lithium ion battery, in this case, covered by a flimsy door on the bottom. The A3100 is lean on shooting options, it's just a pretty basic point and shoot compact aimed at users who generally stay in auto. It has some standard scene modes on the mode dial up here on top, as well as a couple of Cannon's new creative modes, super vivid and poster effect. It catches video also but it's at a standard definition resolution and you don't get use of the optical zoom while recording. Controls are straight forward, the reasonably large and well marked buttons on back. Overall, it's easy to use and should be simply enough for beginners after some use. Shooting performance is average for it's class, making it best suited for still subjects like portraits and landscapes, not action photography but it does capture very nice photos so if that's all you're after, it's certainly worth considering. I'm Josh Goldman and that's a look at the Cannon PowerShot A3100IS.
