The Master Blaster Canon PowerShot S100
Canon Inc is a Japanese multinational corporation launches its new Master Blaster Canon Powershot S 100, Canon Inc. is specializes in the manufacture of imaging and optical products, including cameras, camcorders, photocopiers, steppers and computer printers has now released there third and latest version of Canon’s Pocket-size S-series camera named Powershot S 100.
Nowadays, Canon is in serious competition with cameras such as the Panasonic Lumix LX-5, Olympus XZ-1, Nikon Coolpix P300, and the Fujifilm X10.
With a sleek and compact design, PowerShot S100 offers an all-encompassing range of manual options for experienced photographers.
The Power-shot S100 offers a new 12-megapixel CMOS sensor with a wider-angle of a 5X-optical-zoom lens with a useful focal range of 24-120mm. It has been loaded with the new Digic 5 image processor with full HD 1080p video, GPS, and a small handgrip. The PowerShot S100 also offers 1080p high-def video capture, as well as improved low-light/high-ISO performance when shooting stills.
Canon changes with the Digic 5 processor
Canon made a couple of changes with the Digic 5 processor, namely speed and less image noise at higher ISOs. A superhigh-speed option shoots at full resolution at close to 10 frames per second for a total of 8 shots.
The new sensor CMOS also allows the S100 to offer this year’s must-have feature,e, which is full HD movie recording at 1920×1080 resolution, with a 24P output frame rate. This enhanced video capability is supported by a revised control layout that now includes a direct movie recording button underneath your thumb on the back of the camera. Other features enabled by the new sensor and processor include user control over noise reduction and a white balance system that can adjust different areas of the image separately to compensate for mixed lighting (when the camera is set to Smart Auto mode).
The video capabilities are also very exciting, nd it is designed with
24-120mm (equivalent) lens range, F2.0- 5.9, built-in neutral density filter
12.1 MP 1/1.7″ Canon CMOS sensor
DIGIC 5 image processor
ISO 80-6400
2.3 fps continuous shooting (9.6 fps for 8 frames in High-Speed burst mode)
Full HD (1080p24) movie recording; H.264 compression, MOV format
Optical zoom in movie mode
Super slow motion movie recording (640 x 480 @ 120fps, 320 x 240 @ 240 fps)
Direct movie record button
The new processor-and-sensor combo is also responsible for slightly faster continuous shooting, so you get multiple benefits from these two updates. Also notable is the 5X-optical-zoom lens, which now starts at a wide 24mm at F2.0 and zooms to 120mm; at the telephoto end, however, the maximum aperture stops down to F5.9.
Built-in GPS unit
With a Built-in GPS unit with image tagging and logger functions, Canon says the new sensor employs technology similar to that used in its EOS SLRs, including an on-chip noise cancellation system, and microlenses which cover more of the sensor area to improve its light-gathering characteristics. The company claims that this results in reduced noise and increased dynamic range; the maximum available ISO has accordingly been increased to 6400. A 4-channel readout system also improves the continuous shooting rate, up to 2.3 fps compared to the S95’s maximum framerate of 1.9 fps. For real speed freaks, there’s also a scene mode that can capture 8 frames at an impressive 9.6 fps, but it’s limited to JPEG images only, with no manual control.
S100’s battery
The S100’s battery is rated at a paltry 200 shots per charge.e It’s important to pick up a spare–especially if you’re using the camera’s GPS function regularly, as that puts a drain on the power source. The camera accepts a mini-HDMI cable for HDTV connections, and a separately sold underwater housing is available as well.
The truly pocketable power-shot S 100 body measures 3.90 inches wide, 2.34 inches tall, and 1.05 inches deep; it weighs about 7 ounces fully loaded, and the camera’s build feels solid in the hand. Available in black or matte silver, the S100 will fit easily into all but the skinniest jeans pockets. Canon has done a nice job of integrating the GPS antenna in a way that maintains the camera’s simple lines, but the control layout has changed slightly.
The S100 has a peppier burst mode than its predecessor did, as its high-speed burst mode captures pictures at up to 8 frames per second. Exposure and focus are set at the first shot, so you don’t get the benefit of continuous autofocus when you’re shooting in burst mode. It also has a Neutral Density filter and Intelligent Image Stabilization. With a highest shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second, this is good news for nonstop-action shots.
Although the zoom lens, which moves smoothly throughout its focal length (but can be set to stop at commonly used distances), showed only minimal distortion at wide angle, it’s disappointing to see that the fast 2.0 f-stop drops to a barely usable F5.9 at telephoto. That’s a common issue with most, if not all, fixed-lens zoom cameras, but with such a small aperture, shutter speeds slow down, and it’s time to use the camera’s capable image stabilization and push the ISO higher.
S100’s ISO Setting
The S100’s ISO maximum native setting has extended from 80-3200 to ISO 80-6400. You can set the user-selectable High ISO NR feature to Low, Standard, or High to help control image noise. I expected image noise to be the same–or worse–than the S95’s, but I was pleasantly surprised at the way in which the S100 handles image noise. Our high-ISO shots (up to about ISO 1600) looked pretty sharp, especially when we captured them in RAW and cleaned them up in Adobe Camera Raw.
Canon did an excellent job updating its S-series line with the S100, bringing additional features, improved high-ISO/low-noise performance, and very good image quality. As a result, this camera is the perfect companion for anyone interested in manual shooting, as well as people who would rather let the automated settings do the work.
