Canon PowerShot S1 IS Digital Camera Review

Manual Control Options
Manual control is an area where the PowerShot S1 excels, providing the user with advanced control of Aperture, Shutter speed, ISO, White Balance, Exposure, Metering, and to some extent, focus.

Focus
Auto (5.5)
Auto Focus for the Canon PowerShot S1 is controlled through any of the following modes: Portrait, Landscape, Night Portrait, Fast and Slow Shutter Speed, Stitch Assist, Program AE, Shutter and Aperture AE modes, and Manual mode. By pressing the shutter button halfway, the camera automatically focuses the image prior to the shot being captured. There is quite a lengthy auto focusing delay on the S1, so if speed an issue, beware, frustration may ensue. This is a MAJOR flaw of the Canon PowerShot S1, counteracting the image stabilization function that is the camera features. Although the image stabilization control itself functions quite well, the extensive auto focusing delay will often insert motion blur into the image separate from the stabilization. The image stabilization feature works to reduce movements from the user and camera shake, unfortunately, it cannot compensate for inadequate focusing or it would truly be a gem.

Manual (6.5)
For the Canon PowerShot S1, manual focus settings are controlled via the MF button located on the left side of the camera on the lens barrel housing. Via the up and down portions of the four-way controller, the user can use the settings to focus and unfocus specific portions of an image. Modes available include Portrait, Landscape, Night Portrait, Fast and Slow Shutter, Stitch, Program AE, Shutter Speed AE, Aperture AE, and Manual modes. It’s possible to shoot with Auto and Manual together by first focusing with Manual Focus, then pressing the Set button and taking the picture.

Metering (8.0)
For the Canon PowerShot S1, metering is dictated through the Metering button located directly beneath the Function control, next to the LCD screen on the back of the camera. By pressing this button, the user can control whether it is Evaluative, Center Weighted, Spot AE, Center, or AF Point. Evaluative allows the user to consider complex lighting situations, such as backlighting or direct lighting. Center Weighted makes whatever is within the center brackets the emphasis for the metering function while still considering the overall image. Spot AE meters the spot within the frame only, Center locks the meter frame to the center of the screen, and AF Point allows the user to engage the four-way controller to move the brackets within the overall image. 

Exposure (7.0)
Exposure settings on the Canon PowerShot S1 are controlled by the Function button as well by scanning down until the +/- subsection is highlighted. The user can then press left to right to choose from an exposure scale rated from -2 to 0 to +2.

White Balance (8.0)
White Balance for the Canon PowerShot S1 is controlled through the Function button. Once pressed, the user must scan up and down through the Manual control settings and choose the White Balance subsection. The user can then scan left to right and highlight one of the following options: Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, and Custom.

ISO (7.5)
ISO is found in the same menu as White Balance, under the Function Button. Higher rated ISO settings will allow for photos to be captured in low light situations, however, it will be at the expense of quality as the illumination is boosted. The ISO settings available are 50, 100, 200, and 400. The ISO 50 rating offered will help reduce noise levels in the image and help improve image clarity. It is rare for cameras to dip below the ISO 100 mark, but when it does occur, it’s generally with an ISO 80 rating, not often as low as ISO 50.

Shutter Speed (7.0)
There are Slow and Fast Shutter Speed sections on the Mode Dial of the Canon PowerShot S1. When in TV mode, the user can choose the proper setting by pressing the left and right arrows of the four-way controller. The correct Shutter and Aperture settings are achieved when both appear in white on the LCD screen. There is a 15 sec - 1/1250 sec shutter speed range available.

Aperture (7.0)
Aperture settings for the Canon PowerShot S1 are controlled, like the Shutter Speed, through a combination of Mode Dial and four-way controller settings. Turn the dial to the desired shooting mode and choose among the following settings: f/2.8. f/3.1, f/3.2, f/3.5, f/4.0, f/4.5, f/5.0, f/5.6, f/6.3, f/7.1, f/8.0. The larger the value, the smaller the lens aperture will be and the less light that will be let in to the CCD.