[Review] Canon PowerShot S100

The Canon PowerShot S100 is a sophisticated pocket-friendly point-and-shoot digital camera that has the advanced power needed to create standout images. As with other PowerShot cameras, it incorporates all of the advanced Canon technologies that make capturing superb photos and video as easy as pressing a button. As automatic or manual as you need it to be, it is a serious photographic tool. The fast lens helps you tackle unfavorable lighting and capture breathtaking portraits with beautiful, shallow depth-of-field. The Optical Zoom provides an excellent all-around range to shoot near or far.

Canon PowerShot S100 Features

The latest-generation Canon Image Processor brings phenomenal increases in processing speed and power. Improved chip architecture and algorithms deliver greatly expanded functionality with further refinement in image quality.

It employs a new CMOS sensor. This sensor delivers state-of-the-art imaging performance.

The Canon HS SYSTEM lets you take bright, clear photos in an even wider range of shooting situations. The combination of the advanced CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor makes it possible to shoot crisp, clear high definition video. Imagine the fun and excitement of being able to shoot spectcular Full HD video with stereo sound that you can later watch on your HDTV, or download to your computer to share with family and friends.

It's easy to enjoy and share the videos you shoot. Simply connect its HDMI terminal to your HDTV using an HDMI cable.

It lets you shoot in RAW mode, which captures images that are uncompressed and essentially unprocessed by the camera. Often the choice of advanced photographers, RAW images can be processed in your computer using Canon DPP (Digital Photo Professional) or other compatible third-party software.

Focus, Exposure, ISO, Step Zoom, or White Balance can now be adjusted more quickly and conveniently at the base of the lens barrel, the ring is more intuitive than other types of controls for many experienced photographers.

The digital camera is equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Now you can travel the world and let the camera automatically record the locations and local times of your stills and videos.

The latest advance in Canon Optical Image Stabilization technology, Intelligent IS analyzes camera movement and applies the best shake correction method for the shooting situation. For stills, the system automatically selects among Normal, Panning, Macro (Hybrid) and Tripod IS modes. When shooting video, the system automatically selects among Dynamic, Powered, Macro and Tripod IS modes.

The camera is available in two colors, viz. black and silver.

Why you should buy it?

1. Pocket-able semi-pro camera.

2. Ability to shoot RAW images.

3. Excellent manual controls.

4. Cleaner at high ISO levels.

5. Easier to hold, due to rough texture finish and rubber grip.

6. Easier to find mirror-like large shutter button.

7. Fast shutter speed.

8. Useful for indoor photography.

9. Dedicated movie recording button.

Why you shouldn't buy it?

1. Display doesn't brighten up when used in a dark room.

2. Not suitable for long shutter speed photography.

Canon PowerShot S100 Verdict

If you are a serious photographer who doesn't want to carry around a DSLR, you should go for it. On the other hand, if you don't mind spending more and carrying a larger camera that is not pocket-able, it is not the best camera for you. Go for Sony NEX-5N instead.

Canon PowerShot S100 Specifications

Image sensor: CMOS

Effective pixels: 12.1 million

Metering: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot

Lens focal length: 5.2-26.0 mm (equivalent to 24-120mm in 35mm format)

Optical zoom: 5x

Digital zoom: 4x

Exposure modes: Program, manual, auto

Shutter speed: 1-1/2000 second

Continuous shooting: 9.6 fps (in High-Speed Burst HQ)

Memory: SD/SDHC/SDXC

Image size (pixels): 4000x3000

Movie size (pixels): 1920x1080, 1280x720, 640x480, 320x240

Viewfinder: 3.0 inch TFT (461,000 dots)

File formats: JPEG, RAW, MOV

ISO sensitivity: 80-6400

Interface: A/V, USB, HDMI

Power: Rechargeable battery pack NB-5L

Dimensions (WidthxHeightxDepth): 98.9x59.8x26.7 mm

Weight: 198 g (with battery and SD card)

Price: Get a price on the Canon PowerShot S100 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black) or Canon PowerShot S100 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Silver)

Canon PowerShot S100
Reviewed by Garg Ankit Rating: 4.5