Canon PowerShot SX100 IS Super Zoom - Features
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Features
The Canon SX100 IS will not blow you away with an abundance of features, but it does have some good ones worth mentioning. Canon is known for creating cameras that boast exceptional photo quality, and the SX100 has a lot of those qualities in place.
Digic III Processor
I have been a big fan of Canon's Digic III Processor since it replaced the Digic II not too long ago. This processor has effectively increased image quality, performance, and battery life in its cameras. I would say that this holds true in the SX100, except for the performance part, which I will discuss in the "performance" section. Nonetheless, when searching for a good digital camera, it's important to look at the track record of the processor used in the device. The Digic III processor has had a very good track record, and it is definitely something to look for in your next Canon digital camera.
Image Stabilization (IS)
Canon has almost perfected image stabilization in their cameras over the past couple of years. I would probably rank them at the top of the list in terms of effectively minimizing camera-shake and movement of objects during a shot. Canon says that the IS system used in the SX100 is based on the same system used in Canon DSLR cameras.
It is essential to have a good IS system in a super-zoom camera. If you have a camera with 20x optical zoom, and it has a horrible IS system, it makes the 20x zoom worthless. The SX100 does an above average job of minimizing camera-shake at high zoom levels.
Super-Zoom 10x Optical
Of course being labeled as a super-zoom camera, you have to have a lot of zoom power. The SX100 has 10x optical zoom plus 4x digital zoom. The zoom feature works very well in this camera, and coupled with the IS system in this Canon, you can expect nice long-range shots with minimal blurring. The detail captured from long-range is quite good with the SX100. The SX100 will conversely take excellent close-up shots at a distance of up to 1 centimeter.
One big downfall of the SX100 is that it does not allow the user to use the 10x optical zoom while taking video. While many other comparable cameras don't offer this option as well, some do offer it. So if you plan on shooting any kind of long-range video with your camera, you may want to choose something besides the SX100.
In-Camera Creative Options
The SX100 has a host of creative options available to use while shooting or for editing an existing image. To start, there are 19 different shooting modes such as: full auto, full manual, night scene, sports, kids & pets, etc. Most of these scene modes are typical of today's digital cameras, although the full manual control setting is somewhat rare so it's good to see that option in this camera.
You can also find a red-eye reduction feature for both in-camera editing and while actually shooting a photo. There are a few other in-camera editing options but nothing special.
Face Detection
Face detection technology is used by several digital camera manufacturers including Sony, Canon, and Nikon. The face detection technology used in the Canon SX100 will seek out up to 9 faces and automatically adjust focus, among other optimal settings, to get the best photo possible. You also have the option of choosing just one face to "follow," which is useful at events such as graduation ceremonies or weddings.
This face detection technology works great, most of the time, in the SX100. At times, though, the camera will get "confused" and focus in on the wrong face or completely miss a face. This technology works best when taking photos of people who are looking directly at the camera and not looking away or to the side. So while this feature can be very useful, don't expect it to work miracles.
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