Canon Powershot SX110IS 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

3 Comments

1. Sylvia says:

   November 13, 2009 at 10:31 pm

   Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

   This camera marries some of the best features of the Canon S series like zoom and manual flash with the convenience of the A series. This camera is an upgrade of the SX100 and feels much more sleeker than the previous model.

   Here is my take on the camera:

   Strengths:
   - 9MP CCD sensor with DigicIII processor, the CCD sensor is 1/2.3 inch which is bigger than the most SD series cameras resulting in better pictures
   - Controls are intuitive and a separate replay start button on the back gives you the flexibility to switch on the camera for playback without extending the lens
   - Feels good in the hands, battery compartment gives the camera a better grip, DSLR like black color
   - Huge 3″ LCD scratch resistant screen makes composing shots easy
   - Great 10X optical zoom and 40X digital zoom
   - Flash can be flipped up or down as needed, this camera also offers 3 manual flash settings which really helps with portraits
   - Sharp pictures – Daylight pictures are excellent and zoom is great for capturing landscapes
   - Many modes to shoot – night mode, portrait, landscape, kids and pets, indoors, special scene modes (fireworks, aquarium, foliage, snow, beach etc.) and custom colors too
   - 2 extra buttons at the back for changing exposure in 1/3 stops and also adjust for face detection
   - Macro mode results in stunning close-ups with outstanding level of detail
   - Uses 2 AA batteries, can take 300-400 pics with one set of rechargeable NiMHs and if you run out of battery they are universally available

   Limitations:
   - Size and bulk makes it inconvenient to carry at all times, this will probably become your vacation/ special occasion camera.
   - No optical viewfinder, has not bothered me but can become an issue for some especially in bright sunlight or if you want to conserve battery
   - Noise is noticeable beginning at ISO 400, ISO 1600 mostly unuseable
   - Cannot adjust focus or optical zoom while shooting in movie mode, you can only zoom in digitally which reduces movie picture quality
   - Typical Canon chromatic aberration (common problem with P&S cameras)
   - No RAW shooting mode

   Overall, this is a great camera for the price if you want a camera with high zoom, especially for shooting outdoors in good light. It also offers some manual functions as well as flash reduction which helps you take the best picture.
2. Rylan says:

   November 13, 2009 at 11:31 pm

   I searched for along time for this kind of camera. (in the $200 range) I was drawn by the 10x zoom and Optical Image Stabilization(IS). (both work great and are very nice to have!) After using it for a few weeks, I have had mixed results. Before you read on, understand that I also shoot with a canon xti, often with a $300 50mm lens on it, so I think my standards might be a little higher than the average user. With that said, here is what I think:

   When you shoot in auto mode, the ISO it chooses (ISO 200) will not be as clear as the camera is capable of. Thus I find you have to use a Program (P) mode and set it to ISO 80 to get better reduced-noise pictures. Otherwise pictures can be grainy. The pictures are poor at ISO higher than 200.

   Focusing is a bit slow in low light, and unless you can balance the camera on something steady, and your subject is not moving, you will need to use the flash. As I have read it on reviews on its predecessor Canon sx100, the recycle time on the flash is somewhat annoying. You will have to wait a good 5-6 seconds before you can ready up for another shot. This is a drag when you have people who are posing, or for a subject that is passing you by, like at an evening parade. The flash is set “on” or “off” by manually raising the flash with your finger. No automatic pop-up. Not a problem for me as I don’t like using flashes anyways, especially on this camera!!!

   I think the video quality out of this camera is great, far better than what I got out of older Sony Cybershot models DSCW-50 and the DSCW-55. Note that you cannot optically zoom while shooting video; it will let you zoom digitally.

   The upsides for this camera are many. The 3-inch screen is amazing. It does stick out from the back of the camera, rather than being inset, so it may be prone to scratching. The programmable features are excellent. You can adjust the exposure time to 15 seconds. Playback/review is easy and fast, due to a wheel that lets you scroll through pictures quickly. Viewing it on the big screen with auto-rotation (landscape-portrait) makes it easy to check for focusing and such. Macro shooting is amazing. You can practically touch the subject with the lens and get a clear, very detailed shot!

   If you want a quick convenient camera for casual shooting, don’t really care about too much zoom, don’t get this camera. Get something smaller and faster, and something that comes with a rechargeable lithium battery. I would stick to Nikons, Sonys and Canons. This one takes two AA’s, and dealing with those has its pros and cons. I bought this camera for the big 10x zoom for the relatively small size, and the programmable options. I studied studio tests from dpreview.com (great site!) and found this was the best for my needs. The Lumix TZ5 pics looked fuzzy and the design of the Sony H3 is ugly. For other models and side-by-side comparisons, check that site out. Hope this helped you, and good luck on your decision!
3. Fidella says:

   November 14, 2009 at 12:59 am

   Was searching for a camera with an extended zoom and the resolution in the range of 8-10 MP. Caught hold of Canon SX 100 IS, but it vanished from the market before I could purchase it. Wanted a medium size camera so could not settle for Nikon P80/Canon S5 IS, because of its large size. Ordered Canon SX110 on the launch date itself with apprehensions about its features..but believe me, I am not dissapointed AT ALL.
   Great manual controls for Aperture and Shutter speed make it a camera for Pros, while the Auto mode is wonderful for learning photographers. The zoom is great and the image stabilisation that the camera offers at the maximum zoom level (Even at 10x optical and 4x digital i.e 40x combined zoom) is awesome. The photos in low light during my recent trip to a hill station were good in the Night mode with lots of saturation of natural colours.
   Face detection is also a good feature with the camera able to detect faces very very easily (I don’t know how does it work, but it really works )
   The Digital Zoom, unlike others cameras I have used, does not distort the image to a very large extent, thanks to the high resolution and the safety zoom features. I can upload photos to depict this.(I don’t know how to do this in Amazon )
   The battery life seemed ok only , as I was able to shoot around 200 shots with my Sony NiMH(2500mAH) bateries with flash. But the batteries are brand new and should gain more strength with a couple of charge-discharge cycles. But a spare set of batteries is always helpful.
   I had a Nikon 5600 prior to this so wanted a middle size camera with extended zoom and manual controls, and glad to find SX 110 fit all my needs.
   A thing that is missing is a Sports mode, which is a feature to shoot fast moving objects. I had this in my Nikon 5600, but could not yet find it on my SX110. Possibly the Manual controls for Aperture and Shutters could make this up for me. Still in the learning phase