the psc30 is a very nice case that does its primary mission well protect your s30/s40/s45/s50 from everyday wear and tear in a package that is light and compact.
pros:
protects from everyday wear and tear without adding bulk or weight to your camera/case package.
designed specifically for the canon s-series so it's a perfect fit.
very quick and easy access: using this case's belt loop, it's a two second operation to flick open the velcro cover and fish the camera out.
reasonable priced in the ballpark of generics.
cons:
does not have enough padding/protection: from all the reviews i've read, this is one of two main complaints. i have to agree; this case won't protect your camera if you drop it, but it wasn't designed to do that. if you want more padding (but with more bulk), you'll have to look elsewhere.
no extra pockets for CF cards or spare batteries: this is the other main complaint, and again, this is true. while this is an issue for some, it isn't for me because i was looking for the smallest case i could find. adding more pockets means more bulk. besides, i bought a 512MB card and for me, that's enough storage capacity that i don't need a spare CF card. a spare battery, if i felt i needed it for that day's activities, will sit in my pocket.
i like this case. i accept the "cons" i listed as a necessary trade-off to what i was really after: the smallest, lightest case for my s50. it really depends on what you want to use this case for. if you need more protection or more storage, pass on this case. if you're looking for a simple case that offers everyday protection, a perfect fit, and allows quick and easy access to your camera, this is the one.
i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
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BOTTOM LINE: Whatever your need in a case is, whether it's a slimline case, a belt clip case or a fully padded case w/ room for accessories, you can do better than the PSC-30.
For all of us who have a Canon S-series Powershot, we spent a lot of money on our higher-end consumer digicams and want a Canon-branded case to show off our camera and feel good about our purchase. So the least you'd expect would be either (1) they'd include a nice Canon-branded case with the camera or (2) make a Canon-branded case worthy of this line of digicams. I love my Powershot S-30, am taking fantastic pictures with it, but I have to say the case options Canon gives you has been the biggest frustration with my purchase thus far.
The positives: it's leather (or leatherette..hmm?), looks OK, specifically fits the S-series well and isn't priced outrageously for the value you're getting. As far as the negatives, enough people have already pointed them out so I'm going to focus on what to buy instead...
WHAT TYPE OF BAG ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
FULLY PADDED WITH ROOM FOR ACCESSORIES: if you want a bag w/ good protective padding, that has room for an extra battery and CF card and has a neck/shoulder strap, you should seriously think about a LowePro. After spending countless hours on Canon message boards, I can't begin to count the number of times people recommended these good looking, sturdy construction and a very good value. You can find many of their models on amazon but check out their website, and specifically the D-series and Z-series bags.
BELT CLIP CASE: while the PSC-30 fits the minimum requirements here (it clips to your belt), many of LowePro's models allow for clipping to the belt and are still very compact (and btw, no I'm not a LowePro employee read on...)
FORMFITTING SLIMLINE: by definition, these aren't going to provide a lot of impact protection, simply weather/scratch protection. so, having said that, for the ultimate in slimline cases, I'd go with Canon's SC-PS900 specifically designed for the S-series Powershots. This case is made of a neoprene-like material that pound for pound probably provides a good deal of impact protection, form fits the S30/40/45/50 perfectly with just enough room for a spare battery (w/o the little battery tray) and the camera wrist strap attached to the camera, looks cool as heck and has the all-important red Canon logo displayed on the front. But wait...they don't sell them in the US! Huh? You can get them in Europe, Asia and even Canada, but for some strange reason Canon is not allowing US retailers to sell them sounds like a payoff from the camera bag manufacturers or something else sinister. For those in the US, the cheapest way to get it is through Canadian photo retailers (try Harry's or Vistek). No doubt it will run you more than the PSC, but I guess you get what you pay for.
Full disclosure: I have absolutely no affiliation with LowePro, but I did end up getting the SC-PS900 from a Canadian retailer and have been very happy with it.
Best Deals for Canon Soft Leather Case for Powershot S30, S40, S45, S50, S60, S70
Othr than the Canon brandname, the case is not a good one: (i) not enough protection, (ii) doesn't cover the whole camera, (iii) no room even for a single accessory (such as extra memory, let alone an extra batter). It's not worth it given that price. Well, if it's 5 bucks, I will have it just for the Canon-brand showoff....
Get a Lowepro Z10 instead. BestBuy sells it for $.... It (i) fits my S45 perfectly, (ii) gives a much better protection for the camera, (iii) looks really cool, not bulky at all, (iv) has extra front (extendible) pocket for accessories; (v) has belt strap and shoulder strap. Finally, it's waterproof.
Honest reviews on Canon Soft Leather Case for Powershot S30, S40, S45, S50, S60, S70
I agree with the other negative reviews of this case: it's too expensive for what you get, it offers virtually no padding/protection and, in fact, endangers rather than protects the camera because the case is made of very slick leather & is difficult to hang onto. The case tends to slip out of the hand easily, like a wet bar of soap! Unlike the camera it's intended to hold, this case is not a well conceived product. If you use it, be sure to have the camera's strap attached to your wrist so the camera doesn't hit the ground when it slips out of your hand; trust me: the slippery case will definitely cause you to drop the camera sooner or later (probably sooner).
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Canon Soft Leather Case for Powershot S30, S40, S45, S50, S60, S70
I bought this case a year ago on Amazon, and I haven't used it very much. It is very poorly made. I had it on my belt a few days ago, the belt strap came off (threads unraveled) and the case with camera went flying to the pavement. Luckily, the camera survived. The top row of threads came off, and bottom row was very loose.
