Canon PowerShot SD100 (Digital IXUS II) Review

May 2003 | Phil Askey

Review based on a production Digital IXUS II

The PowerShot SD100 (Digital IXUS II) is Canon's latest ultra-compact digital camera, from a body design and lens point of view it is loosely based around the PowerShot S230 (Digital IXUS v³) which was announced at Photokina last year. Although there are several subtle improvements over the S230 the SD100 will go down in Canon history for one reason, it's the first Canon digital camera to use SD / MMC storage instead of Compact Flash. This has allowed the designers to shave a couple of millimeters off the camera's depth, width and height, although not as much as we would have expected. The SD100 has a two times optical zoom lens (improved), stainless steel case, Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery, DiGiC processing and an orientation sensor.

The PowerShot SD100 around the world

Just like other ultra-compact's from Canon the PowerShot SD100 will have different names around the world, this is for historical branding reasons. Being based in the UK I was supplied with a 'Digital IXUS II', the only difference is the name stamped on the front.

US/Canada: Canon PowerShot SD100 Digital ELPH
Europe/SE Asia: Canon Digital IXUS II
Japan: Canon IXY DIGITAL 30

Review Notes

Because the SD100 is so similar to the S400 in its design and operation some sections of this review were based on text from our S400 review.

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this review (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

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This review is Copyright 2003 Phil Askey and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact: Phil Askey.

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