Just Posted: Canon PowerShot S100 hands-on preview

I wander how it will compare with some of the other cameras such as the Nikon P300 or the L5 camera from Panasonic.

Oct 15, 2011permalink

I've got an S90 which I bought when the S95 came out to save $70, but I do regret that because of the HD video (HD gets web-worthy stills but 640x480 doesn't). I tried the LX3 and like the S90 much more. Controls-wise and image quality/noise-wise.

I like the size of the S90, and one favorite part is the Canon leather belt case which fastens with magnets. It allows for very rapid draw and fire, it also means this camera is with me all the time, and it's not in a pocket getting lint.

I just replaced the LCD screen on the S90 after I cracked it in an off-road motorcycle ride. A very difficult repair, the ribbon cable is held in by very tiny plastic strips that go under tiny metal pins. I only succeeded on my 2nd attempt. During the time between attempts I was considering upgrading to the S100... I don't want a GPS taking space in my camera. Much prefer more space for a sensor. I hungrily await real DPreview reviews to see how image quality compares to S90/S95 low light and regular.

Sep 28, 2011permalink

I do have another camera with a big lens that I take when I plan to take photos. The S90 isn't a perfect camera, but as far as I can tell it's the best quality image for it's size. It would be exciting if S100 is actually an upgrade, and not just GPS and more noise due to cramming more megapixels...

Sep 28, 2011permalink

Sep 28, 2011permalink

Sep 28, 2011permalink

oops! sorry for the multiple posts! shouldn't have clicked so many times when nothing was happening!

Sep 28, 2011permalink

harrisoncac

Stupid looking camera. Canon should buy a SONY camera and study it carefully. No characteristic camera, one after another.

Sep 23, 2011permalink

JackM

on the contrary, I think it's a nice example of form following function, and the controls are just right.

Sep 23, 2011permalink

The Nikon P300 isn't a beauty either... but it sill shoots great images (not so great ones as the S95 at ISO100/200 tho...)

Sep 25, 2011permalink

Jojodido

User manual:
http://support-th.canon-asia.com/contents/TH/EN/0300571801.html

Enjoy!

Sep 22, 2011permalink

As a former owner of the Sony NEX 3 camera, I might suggest getting one as an alternative to a $400-$500 P&S camera. However, it doesn't have the manual controls that the G12 and other cameras have. It has a large sized sensor that works well in low light.

On another thought, I suppose the big difference is the size factor in the S100 and S95 cameras. While there are smaller sized 3/4 cameras with small pancake lenses, they are still not quite as "pocketable" as these P&S cameras.

Sep 21, 2011permalink

Ron007

Canon and Nikon days are gone. Consumers (not enthusiasts and pros) are going to embrace the Sonys, the Pannys, they Olys.

Sep 21, 2011permalink

G Davidson

Hmm not so sure. Apple, Mercedes and Boeing, for example seem to be doing pretty well. It's technology that's evolving, not companies going out of fashion. Probably, though, you mean that mirrorless is the future. I think the big boys will embrace this in just a serious a way when the time is right for them.

Nov 13, 2011permalink

The A-Team

Very compelling camera! The new zoom range is nice, as are the ergonomic improvements, but we'll have to wait and see about the sensor and its 12 megapixels.

Sep 19, 2011permalink

Laminated

This camera is expensive, but it has all I’ve been looking for. If the DPreview is positive (>75%), then I’m buying one.
What the S100 has that I want:
- Very compact, fits comfortably in pants pocket
- 24mm FOV!
- Good low-light performance (I’m not sure how to quantify this – other than waiting for DPreview test. My hope is that it’s better than LX5)
- HD movie mode – with dedicated record button, stereo mic, zoom during record
- Manual exposure control
- Quality photos (again, waiting for DPreview test)

I don't think any other camera meets my needs - that's why I've been waiting. Now, maybe the wait is over.

Sep 19, 2011permalink

(unknown member)

Wow – Am I tired of all your negative chat. This is by all standards a very good camera. Where else could you get so much that can fit in your pocket. 24mm f2.0 is a must have, and going to 120mm is pure cherry on the top extras. GPS is great too. I wonder how many of you dimwits out there can appreciate it. If the pics are as good as or better than my Ricoh GX-100 then this baby is going to replace it, even if I have to wear the Canon logo on my forehead.

Sep 19, 2011permalink

Snaaks

hear hear.
.

Sep 19, 2011permalink

"Am I tired of all your negative chat. This is by all standards a very good camera. "

Agreed. There have been a major shortage of pocketable (read: no Pana LX3/5) 24mm enthusiast cameras so far. If IQ is at least as good as that of the S95, this will be a real killer. And the GPS is the icing on the cake - this is the perfect combination I've been waiting for.

(Too bad it's only capable of 24 fps at Full HD...)

Sep 19, 2011permalink

Boissez

I'm sure it is good camera. But there are other options out there that are just as good. All the naysayers are probably somewhat miffed that Canon didn't really raise the bar and instead went the more megapixelly and more gadgetty route...

Sep 19, 2011permalink

You're "tired" of all of the "negative chat" from "dimwits". "Where else can you get...". You sound like a pinheaded manufacturer's bean-counter telling customers to just shut up already and just buy and be thankful for the majority of the photographic crap that's doled out to the consumer instead of exerting our power to drive the market to produce what we want, & tell companies to make if they'll just listen to us, & that we'll buy if it's at a fair price. Taking a definitely not perfect but good S90, then improve it to a better S95, and then this year all but fire a flare gun to alert the public that "Hey guys, we've used a cheaper & historically lesser overall I.Q. sensor, we've overstuffed it w/ MP's, and oh yeah, btw, we've also graciously out of the goodness of our hearts given you more zoom!!!(you'll excuse us though if we don't trumpet the fact that the f value @ the tele end of this $400+camera is worse than that of a cheap bridge camera). Shut up about I.Q.? HELL NO!

Sep 19, 2011permalink

"Taking a definitely not perfect but good S90, then improve it to a better S95, and then this year all but fire a flare gun to alert the public that "Hey guys, we've used a cheaper & historically lesser overall I.Q. sensor, we've overstuffed it w/ MP's, and oh yeah, btw, we've also graciously out of the goodness of our hearts given you more zoom!!!(you'll excuse us though if we don't trumpet the fact that the f value @ the tele end of this $400+camera is worse than that of a cheap bridge camera). Shut up about I.Q.? HELL NO!"

Do you have any sources on the camera's IQ? You seem to be calling the S100 a camera with an inferior IQ compared to S95. While I personally don't think Canon would be fool to release an enthusiast(!) camera, meant mostly for pixel peepers and the like, with lower IQ, let's wait for some real IQ tests. Currently, NOTHING is known of the IQ of the S100.

Sep 19, 2011permalink

I.Q. of the S100 specifically? Of course there isn't any to review...YET! But there are PLENTY of examples of the switch from CCD to CMOS sensors (BSI or otherwise) resulting in OVERALL degraded image quaity ("low light iso" images may be "better", but "better" than "what", and if it's at the cost of degraded image quality at the much more frequently used more "daylight" iso's? No Thanks. Sensor changes and dubious "bells and whistles" touted as "improvements" have resulted in "good" cameras being critical and marketplace flops, and it may well happen again, if "portability" turns out to be even more the reason people buy this year's S100 than in years past. And if "negative talk" really does turn you off, might I suggest you alter your choice of forums that you choose to cruise instead of one that almost exclusively deals w/ serious amateurs and professionals seeking the BEST tools w/ which to pursue their hobby & craft. Maybe The Puppy, Rainbow, & Unicorn Forum's more your speed?

Sep 20, 2011permalink

toysandme

I'm quite sure this camera will be better than the GX-100 (which I also want to replace) in many ways, except for one thing: The GX-100 Time-lapse feature.

Sep 22, 2011permalink

To BBs
"I.Q. of the S100 specifically? Of course there isn't any to review...YET!"

It's not difficult to produce good results in daylight, for almost all manufacturers. The genius is doing so in low light (indoors or out). And Canon (P&S) does that better than anyone - based not only on 99% of the reviewers but users as well. This is what the S100 will likely do better than anyone, again! If low light ability is not one of your must have's, than pick up a any P&S camera for about 150 bucks (or even less) and you'll likely be happy.
The S100 is made for those who know that low light prowess, an aperture of f2, 24mm wide, manual controls, & on & on, is more important than 1080p 30 vs 24 fps, 16mp sensors, 20 shots per second, and large zoom ranges. Is it possible to buy a camera with better daylight or low light results? No, if you want it to fit in your pocket!
I hope that mine gets built on a Thursday!

Sep 22, 2011permalink

http://bit.ly/reGlSd
http://youtu.be/jTSfWVw8qpw?hd=1

Here are two video previews of the S100 camera:

Sep 18, 2011permalink

I noticed that Amazon has two models on sale or presale right now.

Sep 21, 2011permalink

magneto shot

dont waste time on these small sensors if u looking for IQ. go 4/3rd. the sensor size difference is huge and so is the IQ.

Sep 18, 2011permalink

Too bad they aren't pocketable - at least not with a 24mm equiv. lens. (The new, pocketable, Pana "x" zoom starts at 28mm.) And I haven't even mentioned the price of the 12/f2... These are pretty much prohibitive for most people wanting decent UWA and pocetability. Furthermore, I don't think (at least) the DR will be much worse than that of m4/3.

Sep 18, 2011permalink

Ron007

But I bought an LX5 and I am good for the time being. It really doesn't hurt to have a small sensor if I have the LX5. Its really not that behind the 4/3rds of the same generation.

Sep 21, 2011permalink

Is the new,-same size as last years, but "-NOW W/*BRAND NEW!!!*(unnecesary) MEGA-PIXEL STUFFIN'S!-"BSI-CMOS sensor going to treat us all to "rolling" video shutter like other cmos cameras do? Will any "improvement" in low-light photo I.Q. be worth the general worsening of I.Q. seen in other cmos-COMPACT P&S models? Will Canon be giving away free tripods & NR software to help buyers try & transform grainy, dim snapshots they'll get @ anything past 2x zoom (when compared to the competition already on the market)? Wouldn't a more powerful adjustable flash unit or accessory port for a VF of some type, or wireless flash or other accessory maybe, have made more sense than GPS, which to date hasn't actually worked all that well on P&S's & certainly won't do anything to *improve?* either the crappy battery life of the S-series or improve I.Q.? Is the "DIGIC 5" some kind of miracle working image processor that'll somehow rescue dim, noisy (f5.9!?) images & make them worthy of the competition?

Sep 18, 2011permalink

"Wouldn't a more powerful adjustable flash unit or accessory port for a VF of some type, or wireless flash or other accessory maybe, have made more sense than GPS, which to date hasn't actually worked all that well on P&S's & certainly won't do anything to *improve?* either the crappy battery life of the S-series or improve I.Q.?"

1, the S90/S95 don't have a flash shoe either. I bet it'd take MUCH more space than the GPS unit.

2, speaking of GPS...
a, the Pana TZ10/TZ20 (ZS7/10), for one, has great GPS, and there're several other models that also have usable GPS modules.

b, you can disable GPS on all current GPS-enabled cameras to conserve battery life.

c, I, personally (a casual enthusiast shooter preferring 24mm and small size) would LOVE GPS in a decent(!) pocket camera to finally get rid of a separate GPS tracker and post-processing (transferring GPS coordinates to EXIF). At last a high-quality enthusiast P&S camera receives GPS - so far, only lower-quality cameras had these.

Sep 18, 2011permalink

A hotshoe wouldn't be necessary if the existing flash was reworked to make it more powerful & adjustable. The addition of a quality gps unit that actually *works* wouldn't have been questioned as a real "improvement" to the S100 if they had also done things like leave the sensor alone & not "gone cheap" by going the "bsi-cmos w/ more MP!" route over CCD in a very small camera body, & by making a brighter zoom lens instead of just increasing zoom for the sake of increasing zoom, by giving the shooting capabilities of the S100 a boost, like longer shutter speeds than last years S95, but they didn't. Improve the AF, the color accuracy, the I.S. . They cheaped out in comparison to the competition & largely took the safer & often times more dubious "bells & whistles" route to gloss over what they hadn't done to really improve I.Q. & camera versatility. As far as Pany's gps units being "great", that absolutely was not the case until a firmware update came along, months into the model run.

Sep 19, 2011permalink

"if they had also done things like leave the sensor alone & not "gone cheap" by going the "bsi-cmos w/ more MP!" route over CCD in a very small camera body"

It still isn't know whether the IQ will be better than that of the S95. I don't think it's worse – they too know what happened to e.g. the Pana FZ100 and the TZ20/ZS10 and won't repeat the major mistake Pana have done. Let's wait for the reviews, though.

Sep 19, 2011permalink

"by making a brighter zoom lens instead of just increasing zoom for the sake of increasing zoom"

So far, there have been a major shortage of decent enthusiast P&S cameras starting at 24mm which are also pocketable (which means the LX3/5 isn't one of them). The Nikon P300 is probably the best fit if you can live with its problems (considerably lower IQ at low ISO's than the Pana LX series / the S95; no RAW). Canon did listen to people (there have been a lot of them!) by introducing 24mm at the wide end. I agree, however, that the lens could be bighter when zoomed in. For me, however, the new 24mm wide end is a god-send (I use my cameras mostly at 24-25mm only and very rarely zoom in) and knowing how the S95 outperformed my P300 at low ISO's I'm absolutely sure I'll upgrade to the S100 if it delivers at least as good IQ as the S95.

Sep 19, 2011permalink

David G Peterson

Looks like the S100 could be a really useful take anywhere camera! I'm interested in seeing if there is an improvement with Digic V/ CMOS and 24mm on the wide end is great! If it doesn't test out well I'll probably be looking at a Nex 5n or 7 although they have there own set of problems not really being as pocketable also the new 24mp sensor is going to require better lenses than the 16mm or the kit zoom.

Sep 17, 2011permalink

Yup... BTW, there have been rumors of Sony preparing an E-mount version of the new 16-50... hope it'll be a decent lens.

Sep 18, 2011permalink

Mike Sandman

I have an S95 & a full frame Canon DSLR. It's nice to see the 24mm lens, but what I'm waiting for isn't a tweaked 1/1.7 S-series Canon, where's my coat-pocketable mirrorless camera?? Canon runs the risk that the NEX series will take the lion's share of the new segment, as iPhone did in smartphones while Blackberry and Nolia dallied. Canon may be concerned that an EVIL would cannibalize sales of entry-level DSLRs, but that's a better outcome than losing the customer to Sony.

Sep 17, 2011permalink

Charles Laigo

It would be interesting to see if those additional 2 megapixels, up from the S95's 10, will translate into enhanced image quality. I hope the decision was made based on a perceived performance improvement and not solely for marketing/sales purposes.

Sep 17, 2011permalink

The manufacturers can invent new labels for cameras nearly as quickly as they can variations for existing ones. "Enthusiast" is perhaps the most pernicious of these labels. The S95 and its competitors within this dubious category are simply inadequate to make quality images (and here's the important part) for anyone who has more than "enthusiasm" for photography. Any time I have taken my S95 with me instead of my Nikon D300 I have regretted the decision.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

archiebald

You clearly have no idea how to use the S95 then.

Plus there are so many places you can use the S95 that simply is not possible with a DSLR. My S95 and 60D get about a 50% share of usage for this reason.

Sep 17, 2011permalink

Thanks for your enthusiastic response. The S95 is terrific for point and shoot pictures period and I enthusiastically endorse its use for that purpose. Frankly, I have a very good idea how to use it in all of its permutations but you are entitled to make any assumptions you would like with as much enthusiasm as you can muster.

Sep 17, 2011permalink

I can't believe that you'd mention the S95 and D300 in the same sentence!
The reason you've never been happy about bringing your S95 along is because you've never tried placing the D300 in your shirt pocket.

Sep 17, 2011permalink

Photography is not about putting something in your pocket.

Sep 17, 2011permalink

ecka84 is correct, of course. I tried the S95 to achieve some results not normally possible with the larger camera. I wasn't concerned with where it fit but rather what it might do. Its liabilities far outweighed its portability or fit advantages, which is why "enthusiasm" is about all it has going for it. As for archiebald's insulting assumptions, without seeing what I am doing with either camera, he hasn't a clue what he is talking about, but, then, that never stops people from posting on the internet.

Sep 17, 2011permalink

bigdaddave

Depends what you were expecting.

Using RAW and my S90 I can achieve excellent reults, but are they the equal of my 1Ds3, well no.

Are they miles better than any other genuinley pocketable camera. Yes

Sep 17, 2011permalink

Steve Caudwell

Hey Tommy boy, all folk are saying is that they've got S95s and D300s /60Ds for different tasks. So maybe YOU'RE being a bit hypocritical in making arrogant assumptions about their choices. Of course.

Sep 17, 2011permalink

fz750

c'mon, give he guy a break, would you say this to his face in such a way! He was not commenting on either the Canon or Nikon, but the use of the term 'enthusiast' which is certainly not correct for an S95/S100.

The fact that we all want the holy grail of a pocketable camera with the IQ of a medium format camera does not justify the abuse when Tom says it a canon s95 cannot reproduce the results of a D-SLR.

This should be obvious, and neither does he seem to expect it - just that the use of the term 'enthusiast' implies this to somebody who may not know anything about the subject!!

Kevin

Sep 17, 2011permalink

chadley_chad

What a ridiculous comment. Silly man!

I compliment my D5000 with an S95 and the picture quality between the two (without enlarging or getting into BROKEH debates) is more or less the same in general use. Most importantly, my S95 is always with me, so 95% of the time its the S95 that gets the shot.

A professional (or enthusiast) can get the most out of any camera; and for a P&S (which DOES HAVE its place in photography), its top of its game. So, theres nothing 'dubious' about this category ... but any comments you make can hardly be taken seriously; I mean, you obviously consider yourself some sort of camera specialist yet you use a basic camera like a D3000; so you've hardly the right to diss any user of a P&S!

To all sensible posters, given the choice between an SLR or S95, I'd plump for the S95; I don't know about anyone else but mine takes great shots and as its always with me, who cares how good the SLR is when its sat at home missing the moment!

Sep 17, 2011permalink

IMHO, "Enthusiast" is a person who actually likes to carry his big DSLR everywhere, not just a guy with a small P&S in his pocket. Considering the price, Canon S is not such an attractive "enthusiast" camera anymore, because now you can have a mirrorless camera for the same money. Smartphone camera can do as well when the pocketability is critical.

Sep 18, 2011permalink

Snaaks

then sell your S95.

Sep 19, 2011permalink

The results from a S95 do not be compare favorably to a D300 (not 3000). In the end the S95 is a compromise choice, providing RAW support and portability instead of the higher quality of a fine DSLR. The ability to stick the camera in your pocket and still have RAW capabilities (though not complete aspect ratio choices it should be noted) is why I was seduced by the S95. After shooting with it for months (and knowing what I was doing technically), I now enthusiastically take my S95 to all family reunions. This is my last word on the subject though others may feel free to carry on.

Sep 19, 2011permalink

To Tom
There's a reason why the P/S camera segment is so much larger than anything else. Size does matter or we'd all be carrying suitcases full of camera gear to ensure the best IQ. We don't. Fact is that most people don't enlarge their photos to 11x14 (or larger) but once in a blue moon. If very high IQ is important to you why would you even consider using a P/S?
My point is, that for a 'pocket size' camera the S100, as the S95 is currently, will likely be king. If you go to a slightly larger body, X100, Nex, etc. than the IQ should be even better. So comparing your D300 to the S95 is simply not fair.

Sep 20, 2011permalink

rickspencer4

Reading all the reviews, the PROs are all the place with opinions. I want to know IF you are buying a P/S today, $500.00 to $600.00 dollars, what are you picking!!

Sep 16, 2011permalink

Do yourself a favour - get a mirrorless.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

An S100, of course!

Sep 17, 2011permalink

Wait for the reviews. If the S100 delivers at least as god IQ as the S95, and you do need pockatibility (which means no Pana LX3/5 or Micro4/3), go for it. I'll also update to it from my Nikon P300, which I've purchased for 24mm, f1.8 and Full HD.

Sep 18, 2011permalink

Julian Macoveanu

I liked the S95's possibility to increase low light sensitivity by pooling the signal of 4 photosensors (thus reducing the resolution to 2.5 from 10 MB). S100 seem to have lost this option in favor of a bracketing option where several shots are taken in a sequence and then compared to reduce motion blur and noise. I wonder how it compares. I'm a bit skeptical, for sure it is only a jpeg option and cannot be used when shooting raw.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

johnparas11zenfoliodotcom

Big question marks still remain, at least based on specs, about how much more *real* improvements could be wrung out of any S-series successor, if the warmly received I.Q. from the traditional series form factor was going to be maintained. 1) 12MP, & BSI-CMOS w/ no more interior camera body room than last year & jam more MP's on a same size as last year? Yes, they use BSI-CMOS sensors in bigger DSLRs that give the sensor more access to the light entering the lens, but successfully doing so inside smaller p&s camera bodies while cramming more MP's on it has proven much more difficult. Witness the lousy reception of last years Pany FZ100 when they switched from the (much smaller-sized, granted) previous year's CCD to an MOS chip and tried jamming more MP's on it and ended up ruining the I.Q. . BSi-CMOS low-light/hi iso I.Q. might let lens slowness past 2x zoom slide, but @ the cost of how much impact on overall I.Q. at more frequently used iso's?

Sep 16, 2011permalink

chadley_chad

I have the S95; and whilst its delivered some stunning daylight and lowlight shots, in much darker situations I find the un-zoomed lens way too slow to focus; and at zoom, the high f number too noisy. I do manage to knock out a few decent shots, but it really is down to the luck of the draw. As such, I've seriously been considering the Samsung EX-1. Test shots show much better night images thanks to the F1.8 and max f2.4 (granted at 72mm), I love the quality of the build, the screen, menu system etc.

Having said all that, I couldn't see myself carrying the EX-1 in my pocket like I frequently do with the Canon ... so we're back to that good old camera compromise thing again (and then I have to start asking myself, if I'm prepared to carry around the EX-1 on a strap, why not go for the Sony NEX-C3!!!!) What I certainly wont be doing is splashing out £429 for a P&S (!), I'd rather have the inconvenience of carrying around a 4/3rds and save £100!

Sep 16, 2011permalink

dasilvamedia

why not panasonic DMC LX5, and if you have the money go for a GH or GF series? the LX5 is still better than the EX-1. the Image EX-1 doesnt reach the same photo quality as the LX5 even when the Zuiko lens is 1.8

Sep 16, 2011permalink

chadley_chad

After a couple of weekends shooting with both the LX5 and the EX-1 (thanks to friends), I found the images of the later much better; so you're comment 'the Image EX-1 doesnt reach the same photo quality as the LX5' is incorrect. Of course a lot is down to user preference but the EX-1 images were clearly better quality (considerably so in lower light); as did agree ALL 5 people I asked to compare.

I also preferred the build of the EX-1, the vastly superior screen, menu system and fact it can be picked up nearly new on eBay for under £200 ... so as nice as the LX5 is, the EX-1 wipes the floor with it ... and unfortunately my S95 ... although I'd still keep the later as neither the LX5 or EX-1 fits in my shorts when I'm out a cycling (or at least as I was until these dark nights set in!)

Sep 17, 2011permalink

i love that the tripod socket is centered/at the axis of the lens. Does the S95's tripod socket also centered?

Sep 16, 2011permalink

bloodycape

This looks like a pretty sweet camera, and may have gotten this if it was f4(even 4.5 is acceptable) at tele. Isn't f stop at 50mm at a kind of high f4 point something, specially when compared to its competitors?

Sep 16, 2011permalink

Jim

I like it...just enough of everything. The 24mm at the wide end is most welcome. I'll be buying one.

Jim

Sep 16, 2011permalink

CacoCardoso

I wonder why no top DSLR manufacturer makes a new, compact system camera with:
A good EVF,
An APS size sensor with VR,
A large back LCD screen,
Three fast, compact primes, and compatibility with its DSLR lens system,
State of art autofocus, sensitivity, low noise, etc,
Reasonable prices, around 50% of
Are the likes of the Nikon D7000 the most compact high quality cameras the industry can make?
I wouldn't move from a D7000 to any of the current "mirror less" systems - what an unfortunate name, by the way. But I will add a Canon D95 or D100.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

MaikeruN

you mean to say why dont they make an NEX7?

Sep 16, 2011permalink

SM7

NEX has an APS sensor?

Sep 16, 2011permalink

CacoCardoso

I guess I described a compact Leica-like system camera, maybe an EVIL camera. But it should be 50% or 40% cheaper than a Leica M9 and have a sensor no smaller than APC or APS size. A full frame would be better for DOF control, but could make it too big, as well as the lenses. I'm disappointed by the small sensor of Nikon's new mirror-less system.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

johnparas11zenfoliodotcom

instead of built in GPS--- i wish it was a hot shoe :-) but then again having that small body with a huge flash attached-- negates the purpose of having a small body :-)

this S100 should have been what the S90 should have been in the first place :-) I think this is the ultra compact that I have been waiting for :-)

Sep 16, 2011permalink

Why hot shoe? Wireless flash control would be much better :D

Sep 16, 2011permalink

Wireless flash saves lots of space but limits you to Canon flashes. Which in a lot of cases would be fine.

I do find the hot shoe useful on my LX3, but not for putting a huge flash in it...as you rightly said, that's ridiculous. The real value of a hot shoe there is attaching a small flash trigger for any brand of off-camera flash, or accessory mounting like for a video light etc.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

SF Photo Gal

The S100 is the one high end compact that is truly compact. As much as I love my LX3, I do at times wish it was more compact. True the Olympus XZ1 has a faster lens, but it's much bigger, so as with most choices in life, there are trade offs.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

Shpakanze

how long you have used it...? i wanted to by D600 but too much high price... :(

Now you please suggest, which Camera i should go for it.?

Sep 16, 2011permalink

MT Images

We have an S90 and have shot over 10,000 pictures. We also have a G12, 7D and 60D. Besides the obvious "the best camera is the one you have with you" the S90 can be held in many more tight, unorthodox positions for unique shots.
The biggest issues we have with the S90 are: 1) you can't fix the focal point to the center (or better yet move it like the G12) and 2) it has trouble acquiring focus in macro mode. Sure it has manual focus, but try to do that on your knees 1-1/2 inches from a flower.
So I would love to have DP review tell us precisely how/where focal point is determined and what options there are for setting/adjusting. And some real world low contrast macro focus acquisition tests.
My real dream is an EVIL with APS-C sensor, all the external physical controls of the G12, the tilt screen of the 60D, and 2.0 or faster 24mm or 28mm pancake lens (OK some telies, too). And I'm prepared to pay $$$$$ for that.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Jim

Me too.

Jim

Sep 16, 2011permalink

Archiver

I'm pretty sure that I've got my S90's focal point fixed to the centre. Unless you mean something other than what I think you mean?

Sep 16, 2011permalink

bigdaddave

Yes the OP is wrong you can have the AF point in the center, but sadly you can't then move it

Sep 16, 2011permalink

arg245

""My real dream is an EVIL with APS-C sensor, all the external physical controls of the G12, the tilt screen of the 60D, and 2.0 or faster 24mm or 28mm pancake lens (OK some telies, too).""

Maybe we'll see that in the G13????? Wishful thinking I guess, it would eat too much into the low end DSLR sales.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

arg245

""My real dream is an EVIL with APS-C sensor, all the external physical controls of the G12, the tilt screen of the 60D, and 2.0 or faster 24mm or 28mm pancake lens (OK some telies, too).""

Maybe we'll see that in the G13????? Wishful thinking I guess, it would eat too much into the low end DSLR sales.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

Mariusbr

MTImages, you fix the focal point of the S90 to the center by choosing menu/AF frame/center, but as the closest focus distance is about 2 inches, it won't focus if you get closer.

Sep 18, 2011permalink

This is exactly what I had in mind. The wide angle was a must! If the image quality turns out to be better than the S95, especially 1/4 of the noise, than Cannon will have not only a winner but, once again, the leader in this segment! Increased Hi ISO quality will negate the F5.9 aperture at the 120mm setting. Worse came to worse, shoot at 24mm and F2.0 and crop afterwards. I'd rather shoot at 400/F2 and have to crop than shoot at 3200/F5.9 zoomed all the way in!
Canon are not fools...fact is that the line gets better & better every year and thankfully they've not jumped into the MP race like Olympus, Fuji etc. It's no surprise they sell more cameras than anyone else!

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Daniel Lowe

The wide angle is nice, but the incredibly (by premium compact standards) slow tele isn't!!

And I can't see how a "higher sensitivity" sensor is going to do any good at tele with such a slow lens (incredibly slow lens!) and smaller photo sites than the previous model, diffraction will now be a bigger problem!!
And MP race??? The S100 is a 12mp camera, all the rest are 10mp and the Fuji X10 has a sensor 40% bigger.
Canon tried a 12mp sensor in one of these type of cameras before, then went back to a 10 mp sensor, why was that??.

keep your S95!!

Sep 16, 2011permalink

Archiver

The 24mm eq. lens is a great move, but I'm wondering how much distortion that entails, and how much software correction is needed and thus how much of the image is lost. The LX3's raw images looked almost like golfballs without correction.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

Let's not forget that this is still a point & shoot camera. I see no reason why the S100 will not be at the top of the competitors - the S95 is already there and this will be the improved version! The others, incl. Fuji X10, Pani LX3/5, Nikon P300, Olympus XZ-1, and so on, are all on a dif scale. They are all bigger in size, they have operational problems, (see video focusing on the XZ-1) they need frequent firmware updates just to get rid of bugs, or improve their op systems and features. If the S100's spec's and presumed IQ isn't enough, then one is unlikely to get satisfaction from any smaller premium P&S. I'm willing to bet that the S100 (though not perfect) will be the standard by which the rest will be compared.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

"Fuji X10, Pani LX3/5, Nikon P300, Olympus XZ-1"

You can't really compare the IQ of the P300 to the LX3/5 at low(!) ISO's. The Pana is way better. (Of course, over ISO400, there isn't much difference any more because of the smearing / noise in Pana's JPEG mode.)

Sep 16, 2011permalink

"Fuji X10, Pani LX3/5, Nikon P300, Olympus XZ-1"

My point was that none of those cameras compare with the S95 and likely the S100. Size of body is a huge consideration and if Canon made a larger body S95/100 (like the LX3/5 X10, etc.) than the f/stop at the long end would likely be wider. If you put 20" tires on an Audi A3 it simply wouldn't work! :)

Sep 17, 2011permalink

tkbslc

I am really trying to like this, but I am still bumming about the aperture.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

nellydesign

Like someone else said, it's focal length range is wider AND longer and over the same range as the S95 it's only a 1/3 of a stop slower at the far tele end (105mm on the S95). It's really not as bad as it seems. It's like an S95 with 15mm more zoom (and it's associated F-stop hit) A faster lens at tele would involve increasing the size of the camera and that's what they call a tradeoff.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

tkbslc

I understand the reasons, it just makes it less attractive.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

arguros

I am actually happy that canon is using 1080p 24. It takes less space than 30p and also is more compatible with 50i and European standards

Sep 15, 2011permalink

snake_b

Nice job lowering pixel density.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

dave veneri

way to go Canon with the stupid 1080 24fps. Most better p&S are doing 1080 30 and 60fps. Way to go .

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Robert Hoy

If I remember correctly, the s95 only did 720p. And the s90 could not even do HD video because Sony's sensor could not throughput the necessary amount of data for it. So why are you whining so? Buy what you like instead.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

nellydesign

24 fps is the speed most videographers like because it has a more film like feel.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

I would only care about 24 for cinema look, and 60 for slo-mo. I think the Canon 1080/24 spec is totally acceptable for such a compact camera, though I would like to see 60.

Of course, if you're caught up in mere numbers, then I suppose Moar Higher iz Betteh...

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Diffuser

24p is good for the cinema feel, but if you're aiming for a cinema look, it's likely that you'd be using a better camera. For P&S use, I'd prefer the 30p or 60p smoothness. You can slow things down, which is a plus. Say you see someone make a great catch at a ball game, or something spontaneous - the 60p is much more useful.

I'm sure Canon had a technical limitation that resulted in the limited 24p though.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Mssimo

There are very few cameras out there that capture a full 60 fps. Most of them just do 30 and double the frames in the output file.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

If Canon's 1080p@24fps video quality is better than Sony's new sensor, then 24fps is enough for me :).

Sep 16, 2011permalink

MaikeruN

who wants 30fps? lol

Sep 16, 2011permalink

idzerda

Imperssive, this better version of the already excellent s95 has my name on it, Will the best portable cam to have always with me. (my 50d is most of the time in my camerabag)

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Catalin Stavaru

I have a Panasonic LX3 and view this Canon S100 as a nice possible upgrade. I think it will beat the LX5 which is only marginally better than the LX3. It is smaller, has 30fps HD video and stereo microphone, big zoom that can be used while filming, plus mpeg4 movie format. It really doesn't lack anything as an advanced point-and-shoot.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

... at 50 mm, the S100 has f/4.0, though ...

Sep 15, 2011permalink

... and at 85 mm, f/5.0 ...

Sep 15, 2011permalink

... and 24 mm f/2 ... ;)

Sep 15, 2011permalink

blue hour

... and at 120mm it's f/5.9 -

a bit too dark for my taste.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Robert Hoy

eddie: the s100 does not have a 50mm focal length.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

... if so, then how did dpreview get the 50 mm, f/4.0 measurement?

Sep 15, 2011permalink

I have an LX3 and while the S100 is nice, I might still upgrade to the next LX series. I shoot in less-than-sunny conditions a lot and for the S100 to be F/5.9 at 120mm equivalent is almost the same as saying it's useless to me.

The LX5 would give me f/3.3 at 90mm equivalent, so it's probably worth just shooting the LX3 at 90mm and f/3.3 and cropping down a little, to get a better-exposed shot than I would get out of an S100 at 120mm and f/5.9.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

Izu

Robert... 24-120 means that it has all the focal lenght from 24mm to 120mm (eq. 35mm). So sure it has 50mm fl, it has 25, 26, 27... 118, 119 and 120mm.

Sep 18, 2011permalink

PeterNMIF

Don't understand why they had to up the mpix to 12 mpix. That's crazy.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

It's actually perfectly normal ...

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Crazy would be 14-25MP. 12 is grudgingly acceptable, but I'd rather they held at 10 too. Saves card space for one thing.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Let's wait for the actual tests... I don't think Canon would lower their IQ of their enthusiast camera - they do know, Megapixel Race-wise, well-educated enthusiasts won't prefer a 12Mpixel camera to a 10MPixel one.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

Remains to be seen if Canon sensor can surpass Sony's BSI CMOS.
Their previous attempt was mediocre.
This is a camera people should really wait for the sample shots.
I hope they succeed.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Well, actually, the sensor in the SX230 HS is way better than any sensors used in current P&S Sony cameras; e.g., the DSC-HX100V. Just compare the studio shots at http://dpreview.com/news/1108/11083005sonyhx100vboxshots.asp

Sep 16, 2011permalink

What a disaster is Canon's Model names.
They really need to change the way the name cameras.
If you agree Like this post. :)

Sep 15, 2011permalink

zevobh

this 'aint youtube, silly.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Ashley Pomeroy

"Music's rubbish nowadays. I'm white and 14yo and I love Curtis Mayfield! People should stop talking about Justin Bieber, especially me."

Sep 15, 2011permalink

I think it's fine. They have something called the PowerShot and they just increment the number up. I started with a PowerShot S60. The S90, S95, and S100 are very clear to me as to the progression.

What would be your suggestion? Make up a name like Pentax *ist D, Kodak Easyshare, or something? I don't mind a letter-number name as long as it's clear.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

WTH !?
Don't hate on me people !!!
Can't you see how silly Canon names their consumer cameras!?!?
IT CONFUSES EVERYONE !!!!

Sep 16, 2011permalink

delete

The UK Canon site says

"The PowerShot S100 is available from November 2011, priced at £439/€509 RRP incl. VAT."

Quite ambitious pricing.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

JackM

USA Canon site says US$430.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Richard Butler

Official recommended prices:

• $429 • £439 • €449

The €509 is the Euro price if you buy from Canon UK (ie are a customer in the Republic of Ireland). Instead I've quoted the German price, since that won't have been imported in Sterling, then translated into Euro.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Seems like the same pricing as the model it replaces.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Sample shot:
http://www.usa.canon.com/app/images/cameras/powershot/PS_S100/sampleimg/original_sample_1.jpg

Sep 15, 2011permalink

SHood

Looks for soft for 65mm and ISO100.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Looks 'soft' because they didn't go crazy with sharpening by default.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Robert Hoy

And it is slow shutter speed of 1/13, 16mm and using IS. To help show what you can do in lower light levels even at base ISO without a tripod.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Boissez

Doesn't look so good. Microcontrast is non-existent.

Sep 16, 2011permalink

AbrasiveReducer

Looks like a contact print from an 8x10 transparency. Just kidding. Looks adequate. Nothing spectacular and no subject matter at all in the corners. Still, it's probably pretty good performance for a zoom with this range.

Sep 18, 2011permalink

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons10/

Manual:
http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/8/0300005718/01/pss100-cug-c-en-web.pdf

Sep 15, 2011permalink

GuiBou

Wow, we're very far from my past PowerShot S10 !!!

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Faintandfuzzy

Ah, where's the 3:2 aspect ratio? Most labs in North America use 4x6 as the standard print size. With 4:3 or 16:9, I get to waste time cropping each image. No thanks. S100.....fail.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

I was asking the same thing. WTF?
Are you sure is not a text omission, otherwise it would be retarded and irritating.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

The Manual says it supports
16:9
3:2
4:3
1:1
4:5

So is a DPR fault.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

'supports' that's funny.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

TrojMacReady

Yeah, the question is whether it maintains the cropfactor or just crops inside the existing frame to achieve those other aspect ratios. Panasonic shows the ideal method.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

fishburn

It looks at if, when shooting RAW, you only get 4:3 also. So if you were hoping to frame 5:4 or 3:2 in RAW, then you're out of luck. Manual says [of RAW mode]: "Recording pixels will be set to 4000 x 3000". I find this slightly annoying as my 4-year-old (12 MP) G9 suffers the same malady. I prefer Panasonic GF1's operation in this regard.

Also, in JPEG modes, why does it offer 4:5 at 2400 x 3000 (7.2 MP) instead of 5:4 at 3000 x 3750 (11.25 MP)? And while on the topic, why doesn't 1:1 mode record 3000 x 3000 as opposed to the listed 2,992 x 2,992? Almost silliness.)

Sep 18, 2011permalink

jorg14

About the GPS... Great idea, but traditionally acquisition in cameras has been slow, spotty and inaccurate. I really hope DP doesn't gloss over this features performance at review time.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

RedFox88

Interesting that this is only Canon's second self-made CMOS image sensor digicam. I thought they built a whole new factory to be able to produce 4,000,000 sensors a year for their digicams. I remember reading a press release about it couple or more years ago.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

nosnhojm

When will this be available?

Sep 15, 2011permalink

tgelston

Early November

Sep 15, 2011permalink

zubs

looks like a cheap toy camera

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Craig Atkinson

yes looks terrible, sounds ok

Sep 15, 2011permalink

RedFox88

Ah, the trolls have made it to the News comment area I see! (zubs is a panasonic l-user). Camera looks like the s95 did.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

zubs

Hi Redfox88, personally I have nothing against Canon, I was an owner of some for the past 11 years and have my wife still has her trusty ixus50. I switched last year to the LX5, and in comparison Canon haven't raised their profile enough to produce a camera like it or the Olympus XZ-1.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

No the S95 looked a lot better actually, even black compared to black. The slightly glossy top plate made for a good contrast with the matte front that is now both matte, and the now flat featureless front plate of the lens makes it look like one of them cheapest point 'n shoots imo. Small details, but make for a big difference. The look of the grip doesn't even bother me actually, if they had only kept all other design features the same.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

sensibill

So it looks like a 'cheap toy camera' because the top plate is now matte on the black version? The S100 doesn't look any more toy-like than the S95 did. Someone has fanboy colored glasses on.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

zubs 'cheap toy' comment most likely referred to the new color, which is completely unrelated to my top plate comment of the black version.

Sep 15, 2011permalink

ps. Fanboy of what ?

Sep 15, 2011permalink

Craig Atkinson

redfox88 it clearly doesnt look like the s95, part because of the terrible looking grip and part because of the new shiney trigger button. S95 was better designed.

Sep 15, 2011permalink