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Canon S100
Canon’s new PowerShot S100 camera looks as if it will hold its own very nicely in the do-it-all compact camera range.
Canon has used a variety of technology from across its imaging models (SLR, video, lens and compact camera) to improve again on its S95, the last in its pocket size camera range.
The S95 proved to be a very popular Canon camera and with the new upgrades to the S100 it is expected that the market will be very happy with this new model.
Speed
The S100, along with the SX40HS which was announced at the same time in September 2011, is the first to use the new Digic 5 image processor. Along with the new 1/1.7-inch 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, the Digic 5 image processor lets the camera achieve burst shooting speeds of up to 9.6 frames per second, allowing for 8 frames a series before seeing them on the screen. The S100 then almost instantly switches to the review mode, but with only a couple of seconds delay before it is ready to shoot again. This indeed is a significant advantage over the S95.GPS
More and more customers will see digital cameras include the GPS feature and with the small pocket size cameras this will enable photographers to take a picture and return to the same location later with a high end SLR camera to take better shots. A feature which will definitely benefit the avid photographer.Lens
One great improvement with the S100 is the fact that the lens zoom range has been increased to 5x instead of the 3.8x in the S95.Canon have taken ease of use into consideration with their new design camera and have added two grip strips, one on the front and one on the back, making holding the S100 more secure than previous models.
The S100 has a control ring around the lens for adjusting shooting controls such as ISO, white balance and manual focus. It has been proven with the S95 that a ring in this position does allow for faster adjustments. There is a Ring Function button at the back of the camera for accessing the features that are to be adjusted.
The additional feature of a full HD video at 1080p and the ability to manually zoom during video, are definitely improvements that photographers will find give them better videos that in the past.
ISO
Canon has boosted the maximum sensitivity setting to ISO6400. Larger more translucent micro lenses and deepened photo diodes have been used, thus increasing the sensors ability to capture light. This then should also have a beneficial effect on image noise levels.Color and Size
The choice of colors with the Canon PowerShot S100 is gunmetal grey or black, both of which should prove to be popular. The size has been kept in the smaller pocket range. Even with the improved lens, which you would think would thicken the camera, Canon have managed to make the S100 camera slightly thinner than the S95. The Canon S100 PowerShot will prove to be a very popular choice for people from now on.