The Canon Powershot S100 is ideal as a carry everywhere point and shoot digital camera. This slim digital camera is styled to slip in and out of pockets and handbags with ease to capture those unexpected moments. There are times when it is impractical or inconvenient to carry a full DSLR kit. The S100 is an easy to carry and inconspicuous camera for those occasions. The DxOMark sensor tests suggests the Powershot S100 is capable of capturing pleasing images under normal conditions.
Type of camera
The S100 looks like any other Point & Shoot that relies on internal flash and the rear LCD screen with a retractable zoom lens. On closer inspection the recessed function knob on top of the S100 shows convenient access to real camera shooting modes such as Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority and even full Manual exposure mode. Of course it has the normal full auto, scene modes to making it easy to use, and HD video.
One surprise hidden by the slick exterior is Canon Poweshot S100’s facility to save digital still photos as unprocessed RAW files. This gives photographers the opportunity to adjust image attributes such as colours, exposures and sharpening using their own digital photography programs.
Sensor
The S100 uses a 1/1.7 type sensor with 12 megapixel resolution and an ISO range of 80 - 6400. Because it has RAW capability DxOMark can analyse the S100‘s sensor performance. A three way comparison with two other Canon cameras, an entry level DSLR the Rebel T3 and the G12, a premium compact, puts the S100’s performance into perspective.
The Rebel T3 DSLR scored higher overall than the S100, due mainly to the significantly lower image noise at all ISO settings. The S100 achieved a slightly higher mark than the G12. The DxOMark results are in the graphics near the bottom of this page.
The biggest surprise from the detailed results is the dynamic range of the S100. This is an indication difference between bright and dark parts of scene the camera can capture. Everything at the extremes is portrayed as all black or all white, losing fine detail in these areas. At the lowest ISO settings, normally used when there is bright light in the scene the S100, and the G12, have a noticeable advantage over the Rebel T3 DSLR.
Shake Reduction
The S100 has an optical image stabilisation system in its zoom lens. Image stabilisation reduces the blurring of digital photos taken using slower shutter speeds. This is important in the Powershot S100 because it does not have an optical viewfinder. Photographers must hold the camera away from their face in an inherently unstable way to compose their shots.
Lens
The 24-120mm (35mm equivalent ) zoom lens is permanently attached to the camera but provides a good range of focal lengths from wide angle to telephoto for common types of photography.
Flash
The Canon Powershot S100 has a built in pop up flash, but the slim body has no room for a conventional hot shoe to mount an external flash. There is a wireless external flash from Canon, the HF-DC2, for extra light. It offers the flexibility of off camera flash to help reduce the flat look resulting from having direct flash close to the camera lens.
To complete the Powershot S100’s go anywhere capability, there is a waterproof housing for it available from Canon.
Price
The Canon Powershot S100 is available in camera shops for around $US430.
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