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Sony has made a very obvious effort to build and introduce cameras on a par with Canon and Nikon; and it has succeeded, as by most measurements, Sony is considered the #2 camera manufacturer in the world. It upped the ante even more in the serious compact market with the 2012 introduction of the Cyber-Shot RX 100, with its 20-MP 1” sensor in a body only a tad bigger than the S110. Even Fujifilm is not afraid of the Canon legend, having brought its new XF1 to the market during October. It’s also only a few millimeters larger, but is built with a larger 2/3” EXR-CMOS sensor.
At approximately 3.9 x 2.32 x 1.06” (99 x 59 x 27mm) and 6.98 oz. (198g), the Canon PowerShot S110 is the smallest of its nearest rivals. The Fujifilm XF1 is just a bit larger at 4.25 x 2.5 x 1.25” (108 x 62 x 33mm) and 9 oz. (255g) and the Sony RX100 is 4.02 x 2.32 x 1.42” (102 x 59 x 36mm) and weighs 8.47 oz. (240g). Other compact cameras in the same category, Canon PowerShot G14, Nikon Coolpix P7700, Fujifilm X10, Panasonic DMC-LX7 and Samsung EX2F, are larger and heavier.
At first glance, the Canon PowerShot S110 doesn’t seem much different from its predecessor, the S100, featuring the same sensor, lens, image processor and external controls. Where it truly shines, as both an upgrade and competition for the Sony RX100 and Fujifilm XF1, are the touchscreen technology and integrated Wi-Fi connectivity. The only downside to adding Wi-Fi to the S110 is that the GPS unit in the S100 had to be eliminated. Canon didn’t leave you without a solution, however, as your photos can be geo-tagged when you sync the camera with your smartphone’s GPS.
If you’re familiar with, and enjoy, the user-friendly features of a smartphone’s touchscreen, then the Canon PowerShot S110’s will be comfortable and convenient. Simply tap the screen to select the subject within the frame on which you want to focus the camera. You’ll also find a “digital,” or icon, dial on the screen that allows you to change the operation of the physical lens control dial. Tap the icon and you’re able to switch from aperture control to exposure compensation, which is a significant capability for serious photographers shooting with this camera.
Although image quality doesn’t suffer much with the Canon’s smaller sensor, compared to its Sony and Fujifilm competitor, Wi-Fi is a function that everyone wants today. Canon wins that battle with a full complement of capabilities, including the transfer of photos to a smartphone or tablet as well as sharing photos and videos on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking hubs. Not in reach of a Wi-Fi network? Not to worry, just use your tablet or smartphone and Canon’s CameraWindow app. You can also print your images directly to Canon’s new Wi-Fi compatible printers with the S110’s wireless connectivity.
Canon has match the Sony Cyber-Shot RX100’s “Clear Image Zoom” with the PowerShot S110’s “Zoom Plus” feature. When you’re recording JPEG images, the zoom telephoto range of the lens is twice as long.
Canon PowerShot S100 Highlights
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12-MP 1/1.7" Canon CMOS sensor.
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24–120mm equivalent f/2.0–5.9 lens, with 4-stop “Intelligent IS.”
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DIGIC 5 processor.
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ISO 80–12,800.
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Touch-sensitive, 3" 460,000-dot PureColor II G screen.
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Built-in Wi-Fi.
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RAW format recording.
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Built-in 3-stop Neutral Density filter.
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Available in glossy white and matte black finish.
The Canon PowerShot S110 Compact Camera is available from Amazon for $423.23
Photo © 2012 Canon U.S.A., Inc
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