The Canon PowerShot SX110 IS is the latest model from Canon representing the emerging compact ultrazoom segment of the market – cameras with the size and design of a traditional compact point-and-shoot, but with zoom ranges more like that of an ultrazoom. In Canon’s case, a 10x zoom with an equivalent focal length of 36-360mm earns the camera its "ultrazoom" designation, and a body similar in size and style to the larger Canon PowerShot A models its "compact" status.
Positioned as slightly up-market products, compact ultrazooms tend to bring a few more features than their regular compact counterparts, and the 9 megapixel SX110 (up slightly from the 8 megapixel sensor in the SX100 it replaces) is no exception. An excellent 3.0 inch LCD is one crucial upgrade, making the camera a joy to use in the field. Having optical image stabilization is also key, especially for a camera with this kind of zoom range. Canon’s DIGIC III processor underpins the whole thing, providing responsiveness, known AF performance, and arguably the best face detection system around: as with other DIGIC III cameras, the SX110 is able to lock onto profiles better than ever before and track a moving face within the frame.
With its broad market of potential buyers, the SX110 has to cover a lot of ground in terms of user knowledge as well, offering everything from a Easy shooting mode with essentially no user control to a full manual exposure mode where every setting is in your hands.
• Easy: The camera at its most basic, this option is a true full auto mode with adjustment for flash function only
• Auto: Users can change flash settings and ISO (Auto or Hi) in this position
• Program: The full range of menu options, including white balance and color and metering modes, are unlocked in Program mode
• Shutter Priority: Conventional shutter priority, in which user selects the shutter speed and the camera calculates aperture value for correct exposure
• Aperture Priority: Conventional aperture priority, in which user selects the aperture value and the camera calculates the correct shutter speed
• Manual: User controls both aperture and shutter speed
• Scene: There are 13 presets, divided between the mode dial and a separate Scene menu
• Movie: Basic video recording mode, with file size options up to 640x480; optical zoom is locked during video recording I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I will simply never understand the logic behind which scene modes Canon puts on the mode dial of its compact cameras, and which ones it reserves for scene position menu. In the case of the SX110, your more readily accessible mode dial options include a couple of the expected ones (portrait and landscape), but also some odd choices.
The ubiquity of night portrait modes in positions of prominence on this and other cameras, for instance, suggests to me that more people must be taking people shots outdoors at night than I realize. I do like the fact that they saw fit to put the indoor preset, which provides all of the settings you need to grab snaps of moving subjects indoors in a single location, up on the dial. To be a stick in the mud about the whole thing, I would have preferred a single scene position and less clutter on the mode dial, but others will probably disagree disagree. So be it. Video options on the SX110 are pretty basic, with the camera prompting you to shoot in either regular (640x480) or basic (320x240) mode. You can’t use the optical zoom in movie recording mode, and considering how much noise it makes when zooming, you probably wouldn’t want to.
Finally, I’m a big fan of the fact that the SX110 lets you simply push the playback button to turn on the camera directly into playback mode. No need to wait for the lens to extend, even. Canon strengthens its PowerShot range of digital cameras with the addition of a new SX “Super Zoom” model: the 9 Megapixel PowerShot SX110 IS, which replaces the popular SX100 IS. Featuring a 10x optical zoom with optical Image Stabilizer – plus a 3.0” LCD – the PowerShot SX110 IS delivers outstanding telephoto reach in an even more compact and lightweight body. A full range of Canon technologies – including Face Detection Technology, Motion Detection Technology and a new Easy Mode – help everyone take great photos, while experienced users can also enjoy the creative possibilities offered by full manual control.
Maximum reach, minimum weight With a 10x Canon optical zoom – featuring a 35 mm film equivalent focal length of 36-360mm - the Power Shot SX110 IS brings even distant subjects into view, making it the perfect camera for everything from school sports days to family holidays. Canon’s optical Image Stabilizer technology combats the effects of camera shake, delivering sharp, blur-free shots throughout the camera’s extensive zoom range. Effortless ease and creative control The Power Shot SX110 IS features a wide range of 20 shooting modes designed to achieve optimum results in a wide range of lighting conditions – a great help for users of all levels, from complete novices to more experienced photographers.
Shooting modes include a new Easy Mode, which sees all shooting settings chosen automatically by the camera – perfect for beginners prone to making unsuitable adjustments. Easy Mode also limits Playback options to simple image viewing and deletion functions. At the other end of the spectrum, experienced users can switch to full manual control, and customize settings for special effects or unusual lighting.
To keep shots looking sharp, Motion Detection Technology activated in High ISO Auto mode uses Face Detection Technology, the optical Image Stabilizer and scene information to identify subject motion and camera-shake. ISO is also optimized for minimum blur and maximum image quality.