Canon SX100 IS Review:

Let the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS inspire you with its with phenomenal 10x Optical Zoom. Canon SX100 IS’s 8.0-megapixel CCD and Optical Image Stabilizer for shake-free long-range shooting. Plus, the DIGIC III Image Processor with advanced Face Detection, Face Selector Button and Red-eye Correction assures superb results every time. Auto ISO Shift and ISO 1600 make low light shooting easy while the large Mode Dial lets you select Scene Modes or full manual control effortlessly. Canon SX100 IS Built-in Flash modes - Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro White Balance Controls - Auto, Preset (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H), Custom ISO Sensitivity - Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 equivalent Memory card slot supports SD/SDHC, MultiMediaCard (MMC), MMC Plus, and HC MMC Plus Cards A 16MB SD Card is included, however we suggest purchasing an Optional 1GB memory card. It will allow you to store a lot more video and images, as well as take advantage of the camera’s high Resolution abilities. Interfaces - USB 2.0, NTSC/PAL RCA Video and Audio Out Print directly to Canon CP/SELPHY Compact and PIXMA Photo Printers as well as PictBridge compatible printers via the included USB 2.0 cable without the need for a computer! Approximate Unit Dimensions - (WxHxD) 4.28 x 2.81 x 1.84; Unit Weight - 9.35 oz. (Body without Battery and memory card)

Whether you are an experienced DSLR owner (as I am) looking for a compact second camera or you are someone looking to upgrade from your old point-and-shoot digital camera, the Canon PowerShot SX100IS is a well designed compact camera that has a lot of rich features at a very reasonable price.

I’ve been using my Canon Digital Rebel (DSLR) for several years and am very pleased with it. However, I have become increasingly aware of how bulky it is, particularly when I want to go places where it’s inconvenient to lug around - like going hiking. So I set out looking for a smaller pocket-sized camera that had as many features as I could find comparable to my DSLR.

Being a fan of Canon cameras I limited the field to the PowerShot G9, the PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS, and the Canon SX100 IS, all Canon products. The G9 is promoted and priced as the best of Canon’s non-DSLR cameras, although from the reviews I’ve read it is more appreciated for its look and feel than for its performance. It is an 12.1MP 6x optical image stabilized zoom camera that can shoot RAW images. In comparison, the Canon SX100 IS is an 8MP 10x image stabilized zoom camera that doesn’t shoot RAW. (I’ve shot RAW using my DSLR and don’t find it necessary to get great photos.) The Canon SX100 IS has almost all of the other features of the G9, is about the same size, but weighs a lot less.

The S5 IS is an 8.0MP 12x optical image stabilized zoom camera. It looks a lot like a DSLR but doesn’t allow for swapping lenses, and it can’t shoot in RAW. It has very similar features to the Canon SX100 IS but is considerably bulkier and weighs more.

Even though all 3 cameras live up to Canon’s reputation for taking great shots, I chose the Canon SX100 IS over the G9 because it had a higher optical zoom capability, weighed a lot less and was about $200 cheaper. I chose Canon SX100 IS over the S5 IS because it is more compact and lighter, and is about $80 cheaper. (Also, the Canon SX100 IS’ 10x optical zoom is pretty amazing in its own right.)

The Canon PowerShot SX100 IS has almost as many features as the other 2 cameras at a considerably lower price. I particularly like the Macro setting (which allows me to take really close-ups shots of ferns and the like on my hikes), and I like the manual focus capability for when the situation is such that the auto focus won’t work properly. Also, I find that the lack of a viewfinder isn’t bothersome. In fact, in some instances like when I’m playing around with white balance, I can get a preview of how the exposure changes on the 2.5″ LCD screen, which isn’t available on my DSLR.

Since purchasing the Canon SX100 IS about a month ago, I find myself reaching for it more often than I do my DSLR. For my money and for most of my needs, this camera is superb.

—– By W. Deck

Canon SX100 IS Features

• 8-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
• 10x image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
• Face Detection technology and in-camera red-eye fix
• 18 shooting modes, including 7 special scene modes; Print/Share button
• Powered by 2 AA-size batteries (2 alkaline batteries included); stores images on SD memory cards (16MB memory card included)

Canon SX100 IS Specifications

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