Canon PowerShot SX100 IS

Canon has made a number of high quality digital cameras such as the Digital Rebel XT and Canon PowerShot SD750. Canon cameras generally feature high resolution sensors, great optical zoom lenses and in general a high quality to their design. Today’s review is no different.

The PowerShot SX100 IS is the first model in Canon’s new SX series of budget compact cameras. The SX100 comes with a 8.0MP sensor, a 10x zoom, optical image stabilization and a comprehensive range of manual photographic controls, all nicely wrapped up in a compact silver or black plastic body. Canon says the SX series offers exceptional performance in the hands of any member of the family and I’ve found this to be true.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the SX100:

• Street Price: $300
• Resolution: 8.0MP
• 10x optical zoom with optical Image Stabilizer
• DIGIC III imaging processor
• Face Detection
• 2.5” LCD with 100% coverage
• 19 shooting modes

Things I like
The SX100 is a brilliant camera. It features a number of professional shooting settings for an amateurs price. I would have to say the thing I like the most about the SX100 is it’s excellent optical zoom. Most personal digital cameras come with a 3x or 4x optical zoom. This is good if you’re shooting people that aren’t too far away but as soon as you want to take real pictures at any distance 3x zoom just doesn’t work. With the SX100’s 10x optical zoom you’ll be able take pictures from a longer distance without having to worry about using digital zoom (and sacrificing photo quality).

The other thing I like about the SX100 is it’s focus speed. In some cameras, their automatic focus is almost useless. This is not the case however, with the SX100. The automatic focus is really quick and usually very accurate. The SX100 also has a very large LCD screen to view your pictures after you’ve taken them.

Things I don’t like
The two main things that I don’t like about the SX100. The first is its battery life. The battery life for the SX100 is fairly poor. If you’re planning on going out for a full day of shooting make sure you’re carrying backup battery packs because it won’t last I guarantee it.

The other thing I don’t like is the camera’s slow flash. In most cameras the you can take a number of pictures in a row. Because of the SX100’s slow flash this just isn’t feasible. If you want to take a number of pictures in a row I would think about getting a different camera because this PowerShot won’t be able to handle it. Other than these problems the SX100 is a great phone.

Pros:

• Good resolution
• Fast, reliable focus (except in low light at longer focal lengths)
• Big, fairly bright screen
• Useful zoom range (although no real wide angle)
• Good value for money

Cons:

• Very slow flash times (especially when batteries are weak)
• The battery life isn’t the best
• No wide-angle

Final Thoughts
The SX100 IS offers reliable image quality, a big zoom range and a good variety of photographic controls in a relatively compact body at a very competitive price. If you don’t mind the slow flash times (which can hinder the camera’s usefulness as a social snapshot tool) the SX100 IS is a perfect piece of equipment for anyone wanting to cover a large variety of photographic situations without breaking the bank or carrying a backpack full of lenses. It offers a well balanced package, value for money and is simply fun. If you’re in need of a new camera I totally recommend the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS.