Canon's Sure Shot Z155 combines a powerful 37-155mm (5.2x) zoom lens with simple point-and-shoot operation, making it a perfect choice for soccer parents, wildlife lovers, and anyone else seeking an easy-to-use camera for bringing distant shots up close.
The Z155 is clearly designed for people who want to point, shoot, and let the camera do the rest. Film loading, rewinding, and speed setting are all fully automatic, as are the flash, focus, and all other settings.
If you're feeling more adventurous, the Z155 has a mode dial that adjusts settings for best results in certain shooting situations that can trick a camera's sensors.
- Portrait focuses on the subject of your photo and blurs out the background.
- Night Scene uses the flash to illuminate items in the foreground and keeps the shutter open longer to ensure the background is also visible.
- Action keeps moving items in focus and uses a fast shutter speed to minimize blurring.
- Close-Up (also called "macro") focuses on small objects that are close to the lens.
- Spot sets the focus and exposure based on the item in the center of your shot--useful when a complex background could confuse the camera.
- Personal stores your favorite flash, focus, and exposure settings.
Additional features include a four-mode flash with red-eye reduction and a self-timer.
The camera uses standard 35mm film, and power is provided by a CR123A lithium battery.
1 A love/hate relationship
I bought this camera before reading the reviews, and then was pretty uncomfortable when I saw all the negative comments. That said, I needed a camera for my first trip to Hawaii that was 1)not expensive, 2)light enough to carry around, and 3)uncomplicated. (I am notorious for NOT wanting to read instructions. Some people love to read those fat little manuals from cover to cover. Not me.)
So, I took a roll or two before going on the trip. What I found was not much different than the reviewers before me: the personal setting made horrible, blurry messes, and sometimes the full zoom did the same thing. However, the automatic setting did a great job. So I stuck with that, and almost every photo taken on that setting, out of 11 rolls of film, was beautiful. The camera was ideal for what I needed, especially since I didn't feel moved to go digital just yet, and I'm quite happy with it.
You do have to tell any random person who is taking a photo of you and your friends, to hold the button down FOREVER because it truly does take 4 or 5 seconds sometimes to take the photo.
2 complicated
I purchased this camera to take on a Disney vacation. I decided to use it before the trip to make sure I would be pleased with it. It is complicated to use, even after reading instruction manual. Focusing & centering objects are no easy task; neither is exchanging it for another. Definitly NOT what I had in mind; I wanted a Sure Shot.
3 Mediocre
This camera take GREAT pictures in the automatic mode, but anytime I try to use the night setting or portrait setting, my pictures don't turn out at all or they are blurred. It's such a shame because the pictures in automatic mode are great.
4 Bit by the flashing "H" ... Canon should trademark it!
We bought this camera a little over a year ago to replace an SLR that became problematic. We've taken it with us on a few vacations and some hikes since then. Because it was much smaller than our old SLR, taking it everywhere was easy. Unfortunately, the photos were never really standouts. It barely beat the performance of a couple throw away cameras we grabbed on trips! I didn't expect professional quality, but the colors were often washed out. Then came the "H". Apparently a lot of other Canon Sure Shot and Elph owners have discovered this nasty little flashing error. Like the others we've reset and replaced batteries and cleaned the contacts- to no avail. The camera is dead. I would HIGHLY DISCOURAGE THE PURCHASE OF SURE SHOT CAMERAS... Don't just take my word for it. Read the reviews of the previous camera models in the Sure Shot line.
5 This is one AWESOME Camera!
I purchased the Z155 at Target last year and have used it to take literally hundreds of photos. Though I'm only an amateur photographer, I've actually gotten numerous compliments on the photos this camera takes; in fact, one of my photos was featured on the front page of the local paper because the editors liked it so much. As for the guy who wrote a review who said that he went to the Smoky Mountains and all of his pictures came out grey, well--I LIVE in the Smoky Mountains, and I can tell you--they don't call 'em the Smokies for nothin'. It wasn't your camera. I take pictures of the Smokies, too, and mine turn out great with this camera. The ZOOM is the best I've ever seen, and this camera even takes great action shots. I once used it to take pictures of the scenery while I was riding in a moving vehicle, and they turned out perfectly--not blurry at all. You just have to read the owner's manual and learn what the buttons on the back are for. Then, simply point and click. That's why they call it a Sure Shot. It's great for amateurs like me. My sister even called me to ask what the model number was so that she could ask for one for herself for Christmas.
6 What a Disappointment!!!
I wish I'd read the reviews on Amazon before I purchased this piece of junk. I've had it two weeks and taken five rolls of film in hopes that I just wasn't used to the camera yet. I came to the conclusion that a professional photographer couldn't get decent pictures with this camera. I've tried different speeds of film, different settings, lighting, etc., and the only shots that have been good are those in which the subject and everything around it is absolutely still. Not a good thing when taking photos at a ball game! I can get clearer photos from a throw-away. Canon should be ashamed to put their name on it. I'm returning it to Wal-Mart and trying the Pentax IQZoom that has better reviews. If that one doesn't suit me I may be using disposables the rest of my life.
7 Very Disappointed!
This camera has been a nightmare from day one. I'm pretty sure I received a lemon, but in two attempts to repair it, the manufactuer has been unsuccessful. I feel the camera should have been replaced, but my warranty is now up and I am stuck with a camera that does not take sharp photos - often without focusing on anything in the picture. The sports setting is also useless, as any shot with slight movement comes out very blurry. I, personally, would not recommend this camera.
8 Zoom pictures not good.
I took this camera to the Smokey mountains and all my full zoom pictures were gray. I thought the store messed up on developing the pictures but it was the camera, each picture was taken during a sunny day, so lighting couldn't of been an issue. Needless to say I returned the camera.
9 Target has incorrect info on this camera!!
Target has this camera as having a 38mm to 135mm zoom WHEN THE CAMERA ACTUALLY HAS A 37MM TO 155MM ZOOM LENS. THAT'S WHY IT IS THE Z(OOM) 155 MODEL. Target also has the top shutter speed as 1/1,200 second. WRONG!! The top shutter speed is 1/790 second. Why Target wants to mislead the public is beyond me.
10 Correction
The top shutter speed is NOT the 1/1200 claimed by Target, but instead it's the 1/790 claimed by Canon in its literature and on its web site.
My 3-star rating reflects nothing. I don't own the camera but only wanted to correct the error in the Target web page.
11 The BEST there is out there!
I have had this camera for 9 months and have taken it everywhere. This is a great camera and delivers super photos. I have taken pics on the beach, at night, at basketball games and also from a moving bus. The results are just breath-taking! Highly Recommended
12 Blurry pictures
This is not the first autofocus camera we have ever had, but it is the first to produce so many blurry photos. Apparently by design this camera is not focused until the green light stops blinking; this doesn't sound like a major problem except that THE GREEN LIGHT IS ALMOST ALWAYS BLINKING! What is that? When it does actually stop blinking, well, then, you get a really nice photo. But try it yourself - it's difficult to get the stupid light to stop blinking. According to the manual - the cause of blinking is 'camera unable to focus'; suggested remedy - focus on something else. That's great...
13 slow lens; good pics
I picked up one of these before a recent rip to Paris. The pictures were surprisingly good for a point and shoot.
14 Loud and Slow
Man, I can't believe how slow this camera is to take the next shot! It takes almost 6 seconds 'til I can take another picture. And the zooming is so loud. And it's not a pretty sound either!
15 Not so good
We got this camera based on the reviews and was a disappointment. Basically, this camera takes excellent pictures in full auto mode. When we tried other modes like portrait, picture quality was not good and flashed off-subject. The manual is not descriptive; e.g it refers to picture frame, close-up frame in the close-up section without really describing the viewfinder!
It is good that I returned it and bought Canon Rebel 2000. With the 50mm lens, it is lightweight and you can be more creative since you are in full control of each exposure. There again, Remember : DO NOT BUY THE KIT! The cheap consumer quality zoom lens(28-85mm) that comes with the kit produces worst pictures possible. Just buy the rebel body with 50mm f/1.8 lens or 28-105mm USM lens(if you have some bucks), you will be very happy looking at the excellent pictures they produce!! You will thank yourself!
In a nutshell, purchasing Z155 is not a good value for the price.
If you just use AUTO mode buy some other point and shoot camera like Olympus Stylus Epic(infinity), otherwise go for a good SLR you will be lot more happier. Good luck!
16 Love it!
I bought this camera several months before my daughter was born. I wanted a good camera that was not hard to use, that both me and my husband could use. I used it a few times before she was born and the pictures have been wonderful!!!! And now that she is here, we are enjoying the camera even more. I always use 400 or 800 Kodak film and am alsways pleased. I only use 2 of the settings, but plan to read my manual later and try them out. I have only had one batch of bad pictures and I think it was due to having had them developed at a cheap one-hour place... Alas, this is a great camera that takes great pictures, especially if you don't really know what you're doing!!! I bought some black & white film and am anxious to try it in my camera. You can't go wrong with this camera!
17 Great Camera
We bought this on a whim on vacation...and it's turned out to be a great camera. The picture quality is outstanding. We've really enjoyed it, and it's really easy to use.
18 Great Pictures For Any Skill Level
This camera is an excellent buy. It may cost a little more than other cameras, but it is worth the investment. It offers a variety of advanced features which you may or may not use immediatley, but it is also simple enough for the beginning photographer to use for that occasional snap shot.
We recently bought a puppy, and were upset to find that our old camera was broken. We bought this camera, and I can honestly say that I am glad my old one broke. I was amazed at the quality of the pictures that this camera produces. I turned the dial to "close up" mode and took a picture of my puppy's face. The detail is so amazing. You can actually see individual hairs. It was so simple. The only hard part was getting the dog to sit still!
This camera is worth the money. How often do you buy a camera? Splurge! You earned it! You will not be dissapointed.
