Canon Powershot SX110 IS Review

The SX110 IS features a Canon all-glass 10x zoom lens that covers a 35mm equivalent zoom range of 36-360mm. The maximum aperture range is from f/2.8 wide to f/4.3 telephoto. makes tack-sharp long telephoto shooting positively practical. Despite its extensive optical range, this the lens is quite compact. By retracting into the camera when the camera is powered down this unit allows the SX110 to retain it's compact super-zoom status.

With Canon's optical Image Stabilization technology, users have the flexibility of actually shooting at shutter speeds 2-3 stops lower than would otherwise be possible. The PowerShot SX110 IS features multi-mode Image Stabilization - users can choose between Continuous IS (always active), Panning IS (active when vertical camera shake is detected) and a "Shoot Only" IS mode (active when the shutter is pressed all the way.)

The SX110 employs a high-speed 9-point TTL Autofocus system. You can choose from Normal, Macro and Manual focus modes as well as AF frame size, AP-Point Zoom and AF Frame options via the menu. The focusing range is:

Normal:1.6 ft. (50cm) - infinity (Wide), 3.3 ft. (1m) - infinity (Tele)
Macro:0.39 in. - 1.6 ft. (1 - 50cm) Wide

The manual pop-up speedlight has modes for Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE Lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro. Flash Exposure Compensation can be adjusted from of ± 2.0 stops in 1/3- stop increments via the Function shortcut menu.

The working flash range is:

Normal: 1.6-9.8 ft./50cm-3.0m (W), 3.3-6.6 ft./1-2.0m (T)

Controls on the back: Top left is the Print/Share button, which can also be set to control specific camera settings in Record mode. On the right of the LCD is the Playback button. Below that we have the dedicated Face Select button, which enables a face priority type mode. You select the main subject's face, and the camera will track and keep the exposure and AF locked on that subject. The exposure compensation button also switches between aperture and shutter speed values when using Av/Tv/M modes. During playback, it functions at the delete button. The 4way controller on the SX110 is unique, as it offers a control dial. Not only do you press the dial up, down, left and right, but it can also be rotated. As with past models, press "Up" to change ISO, "Right" for flash mode, "Down" to change the Drive mode or "Left" to change focus modes. Rotating the dial allows you to quickly navigate the menu, search through stored images as well as controls various functions depending on the exposure mode being used (like aperture and shutter speed values, Movie mode, etc.) In the center is the FUNCtion/SET button, which calls up the function shortcut menu, as well as accepts menu selections. Lastly, we have the DISPlay button to control the amount of overlay info on the LCD, and the Menu button to call up/dismiss the onscreen menu system.

Top Controls: On the left is the built-in speaker. The Mode Dial has positions for AUTO (point-n-shoot mode), Program AE, Tv (shutter speed-priority), Av (aperture-priority), Manual, Movie, SCeNe, Indoor, Kids&Pets, Night Snapshot, Landscape, and Portrait. Next is the Power button, and the Shutter release with the zoom controls mounted around it. The Zoom controls also activate the Magnify and Index options during image playback.

I/O ports are located on the right hand side, the DC INput jack for the optional ACK800 AC adapter kit. Next is the combination USB 2.0 Hi-Speed data and the A/V Output port, video is selectable for NTSC or PAL. On the left hand side of the camera is the date battery holder, which allows the camera to remember settings as well as the time and date.

The SX110 stores images and movies on SD, SDHC or MMC memory cards. Canon includes a 32MB card but you'll be better served with at least a 1GB sized memory card. See the charts below for approx. storage capacities.

Powered is supplied by 2 standard AA type batteries, Canon supplies alkalines but we recommend high-capacity NiMH rechargeable AA batteries. Rechargeable batteries will save you money in the long run, and can be reused hundreds of times.

Canon estimates that the approx. battery life with alkalines is 140 shots and a total of 5 hours of playback time. Using NiMH batteries you can expect approx. 400 shots or 8 hours of playback time. (LCD screen on. The above figures comply with CIPA testing standards and apply when fully-charged batteries are used.)