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Canon PowerShot SX100 IS

Aug 20, 2007
By dpreview staff

Perhaps the most surprising of Canon's

PowerShot announcements today is the SX100,
the first in a new series of budget super zoom
compact digital cameras. The PowerShot SX100
IS features a 10x optical zoom lens with optical
Image Stabilizer, 8.0 Megapixel image sensor
(1/2.5") and DIGIC III processor. It's also got face
detection (of course) and a full complement of
auto and manual exposure modes, plus a 2.5"
LCD screen (there is no eye level viewfinder). It's
not the prettiest camera Canon has ever made but
it has a suprisingly comprehensive spec for a
'budget' model.

Jump to:

Press Release
Specifications
Technologies Explained
Additional Images

Press Release (European):

PowerShot SX100 IS heralds a new era

of affordable super zoom digital
compacts

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 20 August, 2007

- Canon announces the launch of the PowerShot
SX100 IS – the first release in the new SX series
of great value super zoom digital compact
cameras. Combining high optical zoom and user
friendly operation in a remarkably compact form,
the SX series offers exceptional performance in
the hands of any member of the family, and
includes full manual control for those with more
experience. The PowerShot SX100 IS features a
10x optical zoom lens with optical Image
Stabilizer, 8.0 Megapixel image sensor, and DIGIC
III* processor for superb image quality. Enhanced
Face Detection Technology*, Red-Eye Correction
and Auto ISO Shift features mean that users of
any level can achieve impressive results.

“The PowerShot SX100 IS marks the debut of an

entirely new category of compact camera,” said
Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer
Imaging, Europe. “Standing for high optical
performance and ease of use, the SX series gives
families the zoom they need at an accessible price
point.”

Features:

10x optical zoom lens with optical Image

Stabilizer
8.0 Megapixels
DIGIC III image processor
Face Detection Technology enhanced with
new Face Select and Track function and
dedicated Face Selector button
Canon’s total anti-blur solution with ISO
1600, Auto ISO Shift and optical Image
Stabilizer
Improved Red-Eye Correction in playback
2.5” LCD screen
18 shooting modes including full manual
control
Digital Tele-Converter and Safety Zoom*

* See Technologies Explained

Unbeatable Canon image quality

The compact 10x optical zoom lens is based on

the proven lens configuration of the PowerShot S5
IS, with the number of moving lens elements kept
to a minimum to ensure faster, power efficient
operation. A 35mm film equivalent focal length of
36-360mm, gives the PowerShot SX100 IS an
ideal zoom range for school sports days, family
holidays or wildlife adventures. Canon’s lens-shift
type optical Image Stabilizer – first developed for
Canon’s market-leading EF lenses used with
professional EOS SLR cameras – is incorporated
to counteract the effects of camera shake in low
light conditions and at full zoom. A second line of
defence against camera shake is Auto ISO Shift,
which can be selected by the user to boost the
ISO setting just enough to combat the effects of
unintended camera movement. Two further ISO
features – manually selected high ISO settings up
to ISO 1600 and High ISO Auto – combat the blur
caused by typical subject movement, as well as
camera shake when low light conditions would
normally require a longer exposure.

Better photos made easy

The DIGIC III image processor powers several

features that make it easier for everyone to
produce better photos. Face Detection Technology
quickly and accurately detects faces in a scene
then adjusts the focus, exposure and flash output
settings for the best possible people shots. A new
Face Select and Track function enables the user
to manually give priority to an individual face from
up to 35 faces detected in the frame. A dedicated
Face Selector button immediately switches to
Face Select and Track from any mode, allowing
users to quickly pick out family members at school
plays or crowded tourist attractions. The
PowerShot SX100 IS also incorporates improved
Red-Eye Correction in playback, which uses Face
Detection Technology to identify and digitally
remove red-eye from captured images.

Versatile shooting options

The PowerShot SX100 IS comes equipped with

several preset Special Scene modes optimised for
common family shooting situations. Modes include
Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Fireworks and
Snow. Advanced modes such as Manual,
Program, Shutter speed Priority and Aperture
Priority give experienced users more control. An
impressive 1cm Macro mode enables detailed
close-up photography, while the ability to choose a
smaller AF frame size gives users finer control
when focusing on smaller subjects. Creative photo
effects such as Black & White or Vivid can be
applied to images when shooting in any mode with
My Colors. Video recording with sound is available
for those special movie moments, including a new
Long Play (LP) VGA mode that effectively doubles
the amount of video that can be stored on a
memory card.

User-friendly design

The first camera in Canon’s SX-series employs a

new design sensibility, applying distinctive curves
to a traditional form. A remarkably compact and
ergonomic design means the PowerShot SX100
IS can be used by even the youngest members of
the family. An intuitive button layout and control
dial makes it easy for beginners to operate
common controls, while allowing advanced users
quick access to other features.

Ready for sharing

Users can prepare images for instant sharing on

blogs, online galleries or as email attachments
with the new Image Resize function. This function
enables users to downsize images to 1600x1200,
640x480 and 320x240 sizes direct from the
camera – also helpful when memory space is
limited. The PowerShot SX100 IS is compatible
with HC MMCplus memory cards, giving users the
option to use memory cards from other mobile
devices – such as mobile phones and MP3
players – in their camera.

Additional Information

Printing

The PowerShot SX100 IS features a dedicated

Print menu for quick access to direct print options.
Full PictBridge support means users can print
directly to any PictBridge compatible printer
without the need for a PC. A Print/Share button
allows one-touch printing and easy uploads to
Windows or Mac systems.

Memory Card Support

In addition to SD, SDHC and MMC memory cards,

the camera supports the new MMCplus and HC
MMCplus formats for storage of up to 32GB. It
comes supplied with a 32MB memory card.

Software

The PowerShot SX100 IS comes bundled with

the following Canon Software:

ZoomBrowser EX 6.0 (Windows),

ImageBrowser 6.0 (Mac): For organising and
editing images, movies and slideshows, or
creating and printing digital photo albums.
PhotoStitch 3.1 (Windows), 3.2 (Mac): For
creating panoramic photos from multiple
images.

The bundled software supports Windows 2000

(SP4), XP (SP2), Vista and Macintosh OS X
v10.3-10.4. Purchasers of the camera are eligible
for membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY*,
100MB of online ‘personal gallery’ space for
sharing stills and video with family and friends.
*CANON iMAGE GATEWAY is not available in all
European countries. Please see www.cig.canon-
europe.com for available countries. Movie upload
requires users to download and install the movie
upload task, available after registration from the
CANON iMAGE GATEWAY site.

Accessories

A range of optional accessories includes:

High Power Flash (HF-DC1)

Soft Case (DCC-700)
AC Adapter Kit (ACK800)
Battery and Charger Kit (CB4-300)

Canon PowerShot SX100 IS specifications

PowerShot SX100 IS

Sensor
• 1/2.5" Type CCD
• 8.0 million effective pixels

Image sizes • 3264 x 2448

• 2592 x 1944
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200
• 640 x 480
• 3264 x 1832

Movie clips • 640 x 480 @ 30fps

• 320 x 240 @ 30fps
• 160 x 120 @ 15fps

Maximum clip length • 640 x 480, 320 x 240: 4GB or 1 hour

• 160 x 120: 3 mins

File formats • JPEG (Exif v2.2)

• DPOF 1.1
• AVI (Motion JPEG + WAVE)

Lens • 36-360mm (35mm equiv)

• 10x optical zoom
• F2.8-4.3

Image stabilization Yes (Lens-Shift)

Conversion lenses No

Digital zoom up to 4x

Focus TTL

AF area modes • Face Detection AiAF

• 1-point AF (center or Face Select and Track)
• Manual focus

AF lock Yes (on/off selectable)

AF assist lamp Yes

Focus distance Closest focus distance 1cm

Metering • Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame)

• Center-weighted average
• Spot (center)

ISO sensitivity • Auto

• High ISO Auto
• ISO 80
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600

AE lock Yes (on/off selectable)

Exposure +/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments

compensation

Shuttter speed 15-1/2500 sec

Modes
• Auto
• Program AE
• Shutter Priority AE
• Aperture Priority AE
• Manual
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Snapshot
• Kids & Pets
• Special Scene
• Stitch Assist
• Movie

Scene modes
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Snapshot
• Kids & Pets
• Night Scene
• Indoor
• Foliage
• Snow
• Beach
• Fireworks
• Aquarium

White balance • Auto

• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Tungsten
• Fluorescent
• Fluorescent H
• Custom

Self timer 2 or 10sec, custom

Continuous shooting • Approx 0.8fps until card is full (AF / LiveView)

• Approx 1.3fps until card is full (LCD monitor off)

Image parameters My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White,
Custom Color)

Flash • Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Slow Sync, Red-eye reduction
• +/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments
• Face Detection FE compensation
• Safety FE
• Flash exposure lock
• Manual Power Adjustment (3 levels)
• Range (Auto ISO): 50cm - 3.0m (wide) / 2.0m (tele)

Viewfinder No

LCD monitor • 2.5-inch P-Si TFT

• 172,000 pixels
• 100% coverage
• 15 levels of brightness adjustment

Connectivity • USB 2.0 Hi-Speed

• AV out (PAL / NTSC switchable)

Print compliance PictBridge

Storage • SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus , HC MMCplus compatible

• 32 MB card supplied

Power • 2x AA Alkaline or NiMH batteries

• Optional AC adapter ACK800

Weight (no batt) 266g (9.4 oz)

Dimensions 108.7 x 71.4 x 46.7 mm (4.3 x 2.8 x 1.8 in)

Technologies Explained

DIGIC III

Canon’s DIGIC III (DIGital Imaging Core) image

processor manages all of the camera’s primary
functions to optimise operating efficiency.
Advanced image processing algorithms deliver
superb image detail and colour reproduction with
accurate white balance. High-speed processing
results in outstanding responsiveness, rapid auto
focus and extended continuous shooting ability.
DIGIC III also powers advanced Noise Reduction
Technology and Face Detection AF/AE/FE.

Face Detection AF/AE/FE

Canon’s Face Detection AF/AE/FE system

automatically detects up to nine faces within a
frame before adjusting the focus, exposure and
flash to ensure optimal results. It is able to
determine which faces are intended to be the
subject, instantly reverting to the standard AF
system if no face is detected as the primary
subject. The new Face Select and Track feature
allows users to select one face from up to 35
detected faces using the dedicated Face Selector
button, which will then be tracked as the subject of
the scene for as long as the face remains within
the frame.

Optical Image Stabilizer

The PowerShot SX100 IS uses a lens shift-type

Image Stabilizer (IS) system to detect and correct
slight camera shake that can cause image blur.
Minute vibration gyros detect lens tilting caused by
hand shake. These signals – 4,000 per second –
are processed by a single-chip IS controller, which
discriminates between hand shake and intentional
camera movements. Shake signals are sent to the
IS unit, which moves one of the lens elements
accordingly to deflect the light rays and cancel out
the effects of shake. For improved accuracy and
responsiveness, the moving lens element is
supported on tiny ceramic spheres. In addition to
minimising friction, ceramic spheres avoid some of
the problems that can affect metal spheres, such
as thermal expansion and magnetism. The optical
IS of the PowerShot SX100 IS allows
photographers to shoot at shutter speeds up to 3
stops slower with no perceptible increase in image
blur.

Digital Tele-Converter and Safety Zoom

Similar to placing an accessory lens on the front of

the camera, Canon’s Digital Tele-Converter adds
a constant zoom to every shot – 1.6x or 2.0x,
depending on the image size selected. While
optical converter lenses cause a reduction in
aperture and consequently require a slower
shutter speed, the Digital Tele-Converter
maintains aperture size, reducing the risk of image
blur.

Safety Zoom protects the image from interpolation

at high levels of digital zoom, allowing users to
extend zoom magnification without sacrificing
image quality.

Level of Safety Zoom possible at each image

size setting without loss of image quality:

Large Medium 1 Medium 2 Medium 3 Small

SX100 IS 10x 13x 16x 20x 40x

Additional Images

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