Canon PowerShot SX110 IS: Review

Posted to Digital Cameras 2009-04-17

Canon PowerShot SX110 IS Review:

The sleek Canon SX110 IS camera is a go everywhere camera. You'll never miss a thing with the 10x optical zoom lens and the Canon technology that ensures you get the best shot, every time. With Canon Advanced Face Detection technology, you can be confident that the camera will set the proper focus, exposure, flash and balance for each and every shot you take. With Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer technology, you can be sure that each shot will be clear and sharp.

The Canon SX110 IS is a compact camera with a powerful, long zoom lens. This 10x zoom has a focal length of 36-360mm. This is a slightly upscale version of a point and shoot, so expect great features. The 3.0-inch LCD screen makes the camera very easy to use. Canon's DIGIC III processor runs the whole show, so expect great responsiveness and performance from this camera. The camera offers a range of operating modes from Easy Shooting mode to a full manual exposure mode. Each photographer can find his comfort level with this camera.

Rating:

4.0 out of 5

Quality

The Canon SX110 IS does a great job with both style and functionality. Canon had a reputation for a boxy feel, but strong reliability. This camera offers some sleek styling coupled with the functionality Canons are known for. Everything on this camera is well fitted and solid. There is very little flexibility in the body, which is made of composite material. The buttons for the features feel secure and reliable. This Powershot camera has a bit more style than its predecessors, but doesn't scrimp on performance.

Ergonomics

The Canon Powershot SX110 IS has a bit of a size problem. While it's thinner than it's predecessors and even some of its competitors, it's bigger in every other dimension. This camera will only fit in the biggest of pockets. While that makes it somewhat less manageable to tote around, that size does help when you're using the camera. It has a grip bump that makes it easy to hold onto and to keep stable, and the back panel layout for the controls is very easy to navigate. The buttons are large, the wheel is solid, and even the biggest fingers don't feel clumsy working the controls. Everything you need is packed in around the control wheel, and once you learn your way around a Canon camera, things stay pretty much the same.

Summary

The Canon Powershot SX110 IS is a great camera for a variety of photographers. Beginners can rely on the fully automatic mode to capture great photographs again and again. With the comfortable body and well laid out controls, the camera is easy to use, solid and reliable. The Canon has enough features in the manual mode to intrigue and challenge the more sophisticated photographer. This camera provides reliability, great shutter speed, and produces great photographs again and again.

Pros

Sleek and versatile
Solid and reliable
Large, 3-inch LCD screen
Easy to navigate controls

Cons

Challenging manual mode