The Canon PowerShot S1 retails for US $399. Although this low price seems great when evaluating the 10x optical/3.2x digital zoom, a positive judgment of the camera is somewhat diminished when the 1/2.7-inch 3.2 effective MP CCD and imaging performance are added to the mix. The considerable size and bulk of the PowerShot S1 make it a camera more suited for static, homebound situations. The LCD measures 1.5 inches diagonally and can be extracted from the camera body, rotated, flipped, and replaced to face either inward or out towards the viewer. The PowerShot S1 has a variety of external features, such as separate movie button and still image shutter controls, which allude to a hybrid image format. Video and audio can be recorded at a rate of 30 fps, making the S1 a strong hybrid imager. Manual controls are available, although diminished within the focus and light metering portions of the camera’s controls.
