Canon PowerShot S1 IS Review,
Simon Joinson, August 2004

Review based on a production Canon PowerShot S1 IS
Announced in February 2004, the PowerShot S1 IS is the long overdue successor to Canon's last 10x Zoom Image Stabilized compact, the (the PowerShot Pro90 IS). It is not only much smaller and lighter, but a lot less expensive - (hardly surprising given the three year gap). Despite the aggressive pricing (the S1 IS is available online for as little as $315) this is a highly specified camera with a feature set that doesn't fall that far short of 'prosumer' models such as the G5 or even the Pro 1. The SLR-like styling and plethora of controls both on-body and in the extensive menu system lets you know this is more than a point and shooter with a big lens. Here's just a few of the key selling points to whet your appetite:
- 10x optical zoom (approximately 32x combined)
- Optical Image Stabilizer
- Ultrasonic Motor
- Extra-long Movie Mode with enhanced VGA resolution and sound
- Canon DIGIC processor with iSAPS
- PictBridge and Canon Direct Print compatible – no PC required
- 13 shooting modes
Key specifications
| Street price |
US: $340
UK: £330 |
| Body Material |
Plastic |
| Sensor |
1/2.7" CCD, 3.34 million total pixels
3.2 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes |
2048 x 1536
1600 x 1200
1024 x 768
640 x 480 |
| Movie clips |
640 x 480, Fine, 30 fps
640 x 480, 15 fps
320 x 240, 15 fps
Length limited only by storage (maximum single movie file 1GB)
With audio |
| Lens |
38-380 mm equiv. (10x optical zoom)
F2.8 - F3.1
Image Stabilized, USM, multi-speed zoom |
| Focus |
TTL
Center Area AF
FlexiZone AF/AE area selection
Single / Continuous AF
Manual focus
Focus bracketing
10 cm minimum focus range (macro) |
| Shooting mode |
Auto
Program AE
Shutter priority AE
Aperture priority AE
Manual
Custom
Portrait
Landscape
Night Scene
Fast Shutter
Slow Shutter
Stitch Assist
Movie |
| Sensitivity |
Auto
ISO 50 - 400 |
| White Balance |
Auto
6 presets
Manual |
| Image parameters |
Contrast (3 levels)
Sharpness (3 levels)
Saturation (3 levels)
Photo effects (Vivid, neutral, sepia, black & white) |
| Continuous |
1.7 fps, up to 24 frames |
| Flash |
Built-in, pop-up (electronic)
Auto, Manual on/off, Red-eye reduction: on/off, Slow sync: on/off
Range (ISO 100): W 1.0 - 4.2 m (3.3 - 13.8 ft), T 1.0 - 3.8 m (3.3 - 12.5 ft)
Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps |
| Storage |
Compact Flash Type I or Type II
FAT32 supported (cards >2 GB)
32 MB CF card supplied |
| Viewfinder |
Electronic Viewfinder
114,000 pixels
100% coverage
Dioptre adjustment (-5.5 to 1.5 dpt) |
| LCD monitor |
1.5" TFT, 114,000 pixels
100% coverage
Tilt, twist and swivel ('Vari-angle') |
| Connectivity |
USB 1.1
A/V out
DC-IN |
| Power |
4 x AA batteries (NiMH recommended)
(Optional AC adapter) |
| Other features |
Orientation sensor
Wireless remote (optional)
Interval shooting
Histogram in playback
Sound memo
Direct print (Canon & PictBridge)
2/10 second self-timer |
| Weight (no batt) |
370 g (13 oz) |
| Dimensions |
111 x 78 x 66 mm (4.4 x 3.1 x 2.6 in) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital
Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help
you understand some of the terms used).
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Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based
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