Worth Checking Out!
Written: Jan 18 '01 (Updated Jan 19 '01)
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Pros: smallest digital camera currently available, good pic quality
Cons: a bit heavy
The Bottom Line: Buy it.
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| kornell_911's Full Review: Canon PowerShot S100 Digital Camera |
The Canon S100 is the best digital camera I have used to-date. Formerly known as the Digital Ixus in Europe, the S100 boasts user friendly controls that deliver above-average picture quality.
After having used the Canon A5, Kodak DC 210, Fuji MX 2700, I can honestly say, the S100 is one of the best overall cameras when taking into account size, picture quality, and overall features.
Basic Camera Features
- 2.11 CCD pixels.
- Resolutions: 1600 X 1200 (high), 640 X 480 (low).
- 2X digital zoom; 4X optical zoom.
- Built in flash, anti red-eye.
- Self-timer.
- 8 MB compactflash.
- USB connectivity.
- Lithium Ion battery included.
- Auto-focus.
- Optical, LCD viewfinder.
- Adobe Photodeluxe software package.
- Stitch - mode for panoramic pics (never used this feature).
PROS
-Compact and portable.
This is the smallest digital camera on the market and its dimensions are similar to the Elph. I carry the camera inside my pocket (without a bulge) when I go out. This cannot be said for most cameras out there, including the 3.3 mega-pixel S20.
- Good picture quality.
I am fairly impressed with the pic quality, given the small size of the camera. On a downside, there are only 3
resolution settings: Super-Fine at 1600 x 1200; weighing in at around 1,700 KB; Fine at 1600 x 1200 mode, producing a 720 KB JPEG (3 bits-per-pixel); small 640 x 480 at around 70-130 KB (3 bits-per-pixel) an image.
As an amateur, I tend only to use the small setting (this is also because I only have an 8MB card).
- Usability.
The camera is extremely user-friendly. Reading the manual was practically unnecessary. Simply point and click.
-Durable.
I've dropped the camera a couple times, but it still runs without a problem.
-USB connectivity.
The USB is a very key component. With my Fuji MX2700, I sometimes waited some 15-20 minutes while the pictures finished uploading to the computer. The S100 only takes a couple minutes, if that, to completely upload the entire 8MB worth of pics.
-Software.
A very good software bundle that is included.
-Macro setting is pretty good. Up-close shots come out well.
CONS
-Features.
This camera is not intended for the professional. Canon really skimped on the features; as a novice, I'm not complaining at all.
-8MB.
Some may need more than the 8MB included. It is not Smartmedia either.
-No direct plug for the camera. You must use the battery all the time; even when you upload pics to the computer.
-Indoor picture quality may be of some concern. Some of my pics were dark and needed more light.
-Battery life.
Decent, not great. An option may be to purchase an additional battery since there is no ac adapter included.
Other ratings
CNET gave this camera a 6 out of 10. But, most of the users (159) gave it a thumbs up, while only 8 gave it the thumbs down.
Overall
For around $450, this has been one of my best investments ever. Paying that much for convenience, ease-of use, and pretty good picture quality was a no brainer. Highly recommended!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 450
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