Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Canon SX100 IS as a Powershot S5 IS killer

Canon PowerShot SX100 IS as the first digital camera in the new budget SX series would make happy a lot of Canon’s fans who do not want to waste money on cooll and useless features. The very fact of SX series appearance says that Canon inc. at last swung its face to consumers. Moreover, this is a bold step, because this new PowerShot SX100 can compete not only with Canon’ A-series digital cameras: such as A650 or A720, but famous S5 IS. Fore more details look through: Choosing Digital Compact camera: Canon A650 vs A640, against A630 and Canon PowerShot S5 IS.
Canon SX100 useful features
I have already chucked the stones to Canon inc. for making its expensive and great megapixel cameras. However, the advent of the Powershot SX100 impressed me as it is a digital camera with really useful abilities for fair money (abt. $280). Let us look through SX100 features:
- 10x optical zoom lens, 36 – 360mm (if somebody needs more, there is a Wide-angle or Tele converters)
- Optical Image Stabilizer as distinct from 6x Powershot G9 one is useful here
- 8.0 Megapixels 1/2.5 inch sensor
- DIGIC III image processor
- Face Detection Technology
- Canon’s total anti-blur solution with ISO 1600, Auto ISO Shift and optical Image Stabilizer
- Improved Red-Eye Correction in playback
- 2.5 inch LCD screen
- 18 shooting modes including full manual control
- Digital Tele-Converter, which adds a constant zoom to every shot – 1.6x or 2.0x depending on the image size selected
- Safety Zoom, which protects the image from interpolation at high levels of digital zoom, allowing users to extend zoom magnification without sacrificing image quality
In my opinion, some camera features are not so important because any PC photo editors or some photographers (it is about Face detection) can do with pictures much more. Nevertheless, for many photographers it is a good advantage.
SX100 user’s opinion
Because of the balanced price/quality ratio, we can see some replies like this:
- This is camera for those who do not want the size or expense of the G9 but need more features than a pocket cam has. It feels good in the hand and has very easy to reach buttons for your most often accessed settings. The images are very good and easy to review on the awesome screen.
- Canon SX100 IS is a good value for money. This is an easy to use digital camera, clever for capturing great pictures and movies.
Of course, this digital camera does not permit its users “to look like a Pro”. It is hard to shoot with SX100 in a sport hall during a basketball game, but it can take pictures not worse than $400’s G9.
Compare Canon SX100 IS with Powershot S5 IS
In comparison with well-known S5, I pick out some SX100’s pros and cons (for more look at Canon PowerShot S5 IS’s pros and cons):
The good:
- small size and light weight; 109 x 71 x 47 mm (4.3 x 2.8 x 1.9 in), 316 g (11.1 oz) instead of 117 x 80 x 78 mm (4.6 x 3.2 x 3.1 in), 550 g (19.4 oz)
- good price at $250-280 instead of $380-400 for S5
- The same as cool S5: 8MP 1/2.5 inch sensor and the Optical image stabilization system, which is unusual for cheap compact
The bad:
- 36 – 360 mm 10x zoom inst. 36 - 432 mm, 12x zoom lens
- 172,000 inst. 207,000 LCD Pixels
- Aperture range F2.8 - F4.3 inst. F2.7 - F3.5 / F8
- Flash guide at 3.0 m (9.8 ft) 0 m inst. 5.2 m (17 ft) 2 m
- Say ‘NO’ to Hot-shoe
- Continuous Drive 1.3 fps inst. 1.5 fps
- There is no a viewfinder
- Lack of in-camera editing capability
Conclusion
After a great many of expensive and groovy digital ultra zoom and compact cameras such as Olympus SP-560, Panasonic FZ18, Fujifilm S8000, Sony DSC-H9 and $500’s Canon G9 with 18x zoom lenses, huge 12 megapixels sensors, 3 inch LCD etc. finally we have an adequate digital camera with adequate price. What is more, the Canon Powershot SX100 announced as a first sign in the new and not expensive SX series of great value ultra-zoom digital compact cameras. Moreover, most likely that SX appearance will force other manufacturers to make something the same. At last, we can have budget digital SLR-like cameras from Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic etc. and any more from Canon.
I collect info about all digital cameras. Tell me what you need and we will find the one together. Feel at ease at Comments directory.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I want to buy a good digital camera. Which of these two - Canon PowerShot A650 IS and PowerShot SX100 IS is better over all for its price, functions and quality?

fototramp said...

To anonymous
The Canon SX 100 is much better. It has 10x 36-369 zoom lens, fair 8.3 megapixels sensor instead of useless 12MP from A650 and good price abt. $280 instead of $380-400. In my opinion, this compact is closer to Canon's famous S5 IS. But if you are looking for a better image quality for a small money it's preferably to look at the Canon Powershot A630 for $270 with nearer as A650 sensor size (1/1.8 instead 1/1.7), 4x zoom and flip out and twist LCD.

Unknown said...

Can you tell me is the Canon SX100 a better purchase for a simple photographing? I'm really stuck and I'm having a hard time choosing between the two, and I need some help!

fototramp said...

To Julia
I think that the Canon SX100 is much preferable for you than Canon S5. It has the same ability with a small body and a good price. You can save $100 for Christmas gifts. Don't worry about and buy SX100.

Abhijit said...

I'm not really sure about which to buy between Canon S5IS and G series. And now there is SX100 . Which would be ideal choice considering Image quality, Zooming and other features and also Value for money. Basically I am looking for a camera which is not just a Point & Shoot cam but more like a d-SLR..

Unknown said...

I own a SX100. It is versatile and handy and gives good results for casual shooting, EXCEPT for one problem. The total focus/shutter lag is good without the flash but really too slow (for me) when using flash. In comparison, I found lag on the S5 to be acceptable both with and without the flash. Just for that reason only, I am considering trading up, which my local dealer will permit for a couple of more days.

fototramp said...

To abhi
Unfortunately, all of digital SLR-like cameras only look like an SLR, but it is other camera's system. In my opinion, if you are looking for a really good camera, it is better to pay your attention to something as Canon Rebel XT or even to any used models. It is possible to buy the Sony A100 or even the Nikon D80 for under $400-500. As for Canon's G-series, there is a cool gadget only and SX100 is much preferable.

fototramp said...

To jane
Thanks for your comment, this difference between the SX100 and S5 is really interesting. As for a lag time, there is only one way "to exterminate this evil" - to buy an SLR. However, I have the same trouble with my Alpha100 and flash -- it is thinking...

Anonymous said...

I am trying to decide between the Kodak Z712 and the Canon Powershot SX 100 IS. Which would you say is better and why? Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I am trying to decide between the Kodak Z712 and the Canon Powershot SX 100 IS. Which would you say is better and why? Thank you.

Anonymous said...

MY errow which of these two: Kodak Z712 and Canon Powershot SX100 IS is the better camera?

fototramp said...

To Anonymous
It is much better to look at the Canon SX100. As for the Kodak Z712, it is hard to shoot with a 12-x optical zoom lens without an optical image stabilizer.

Anonymous said...

I need some help. I'm trying to choose between the sx100 and the rebel xti. I know it's like comparing apples to oranges. I am not a pro photographer and only am considering an slr because the shutter lag is important with my small children. My question is, since I will be leaving my rebel on auto, will the pictures still be noticably better than if I just went with the 100?

fototramp said...

To Anonymous
In your case is much better to look at the Canon Rebel XTi. You can shoot on "Auto" in any situations. However, sometimes is better to shoot with "Sport".

Anonymous said...

You listed twice in your article that the SX100 has the same flip out and twist 2.5 inch LCD that the S5 has. Unless I am mistaken, the SX100 has a built-in LCD sceen that does not flip, tilt, or swivel.

fototramp said...

To VT Steevo
Sorry for this mistake: The Canon SX100 has, "2.5-inch LCD screen gives you the big picture, whether you’re shooting, reviewing or showing off your images. This high-resolution screen offers a crisp, clear picture and wide viewing angle to make shooting, playback and using the camera’s menu functions especially convenient. Clear and bright, it also features Night Display for easy viewing in low light". No more

Anonymous said...

I am new to the Digital Camera world, and am looking for reasonably-priced camera that offers good zoom capability. I initially was looking at the Canon A720, but then looked at a neighbor's Canon S5. Since then, I have read up about the Canon sx100. Now, I am more uncertain than ever... I like the S5's swivel LCD. Is the "movie capability" much different between the 3 models? I am now leaning toward the sx100. Any recommendations?

fototramp said...

Canon SX100 has 640 x 480 at 30 fps, Canon S5 -- 640 x 480, 15/30 fps with stereo audio, and the same 1/2.5 " sensor but not the same price. If you are looking for a compact with big zoom and great movie mode, maybe it's better to pay attention to some Panasonic's compacts such as Lumix DMC-TZ3 with 848 x 480, 30 fps movie. For more details look at: Panasonic DMC TZ3 vs Canon SX100 or Sony H3: the best Travel Zoom for $220.

Unknown said...

I am all but confused.
please help. I started by wanting the canon S5 IS. Now after reading I can't decide between that and the SX100 Panasonic FZ18 Fuji s700 or s9100.
What would you recommend a father of 3 that goes on camping trips and is an amature at best but wants the ability to have high quality pictures, movies of birthdays and outdoor landscapes and portraits, sometimes in dark situations. Also I want the valeu for money.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I have seen both Canon SX100 & S5IS. By look S5IS is attractive one. I also found some drawback with SX100 while using flash & bigger zoom. So I am in doubt to buy and choose handy and good camera. Can you please suggest me better option between these two as I want to buy a camera giving good preformance with better zoom. Thanks

fototramp said...

To anonymous
Of course, the Canon S5 IS is much better digital camera; however, it is a little expensive. If you are really in need of big zoom and want to buy only Canon, it's better to look at Power Shot A-series as A630, A640 with external Canon's zoom lens and adaptor. Regards, Alex

Anonymous said...

Thanks Alex, for advising me. But my friend has already placed an order for SX100. Will it make big difference than S5IS? I am really worried about the quality and usage of SX100. Please suggest.

fototramp said...

The Canon SX 100 is only pocket camera! with a small 1/2.3 inch sensor and not bad Canon zoom lens.
The Canon S5 IS has the same 1/2.5 inch sensor size with a little better lens.
As for my favorite Canon PowerShot A-series, there is largest 1/1.8 inch sensor and (as a result) a better image quality, especial in low light situations and with sports shooting. In addition, there is an adapter for special Tele and Macro Canon lenses. Canon A630 and A640 are really great digital cameras for an adequate price.
Alex
P.S. Please, send me some photos and your opinion (I'll post it) about camera after buying.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Two weeks ago Office Depot had the Canon S5 IS on sale for $199.00 as it has been discontinued. Unfortunately they were all sold out before I found out about the sale.
Do you happen to know of any vendor that has the S5 IS available in the same or slightly higher price range?
Thanks, Roland

Anonymous said...

I am trying to figure out which camera would be the best investment for me. I am looking at a couple of options.
1. canon rebel eos
2. canon powershot s5 is
3. olympus e20n slr
4. olympus e-10 camedia slr

I have found good prices on all of the above. I just cant decide. thanks. I will be taking portraits, i need something with some kind of distance to shoot away, etc.

Canon T1i said...

New Canon T1i is great camera. Just wonderful.