Canon PowerShot S1 IS Digital Camera Review

Value (6.0)
With its 10x optical lens, manual controls, and hybrid potential, the Canon PowerShot S1 is a fairly strong value at US $399. The 1/2.7-inch, 3.3 MP CCD is a little undersized, though not surprising with the overall lower cost of the camera. This camera could be seen as a strong candidate for users that actually want to use a viewfinder, and would benefit from a model with an Electronic Color Viewfinder. It doesn’t have very many scene modes, and is not capable of manual focus, fairly large drawbacks for both the point-and-shoot user and the manual control enthusiast. If portability is of paramount concern, the size, design, and weight of this camera will all probably be drawbacks, as it would be necessary to buy a carrying case for this model during longer or drawn out photo sessions. Perhaps the most surprising element was the S1’s imagery. Far under-performing expectations in noise and resolution, the S1 did reproduce colors well with excellent accuracy and added vibrancy, as the saturation levels were boosted.

Comparisons
Canon PowerShot S410 - Staying within the Canon family, both retailing for the same price of US $399, the Canon PowerShot S410 offers the same hybrid set-up with a more compact body. It has a 1/1.8-inch, 4 MP CCD, but a distinctively smaller zoom rating of 3x optical. It’s intended to be used by a point-and-shoot user. It comes with a comparable 1.5-inch LCD screen, which is stationary and remains recessed in the camera body.



Fujifilm FinePix F700 - The FinePix F700, manufactured by Fuji, retails for US $399.95, making its price nearly identical to that of both Canon models. However, it too has a diminished 3x optical zoom, and a smaller 2.2x digital zoom as well. Users should note that this camera has an extremely impressive 6 MP, 1/1.7 inch CCD — far larger than those found on the Canon models. This along, with a smaller body and a larger LCD screen, make me wonder why the specs on the Canon PowerShot S1 couldn’t be improved. Logically, it should have a larger LCD than the 1.8-inch screen available on this Fuji model.

Konica Minolta DiMage Z2 - While this camera retails at US $449.00, its higher number of movie format parameters and slightly larger CCD make it a competitive option for some consumers. It comes with a 1/2.5-inch 4.2 MP CCD, and 10x optical, 4x digital zoom ratings. This camera is also on the heavier side, and has many of the same design features and concepts available on the Canon PowerShot S1, along with a similarly undersized 1.5-inch LCD screen.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX5- The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX5 is a pricier camera that is included as a reminder that, sometimes, a user must pay more (US$449.99) for ease of transportation and small size. It has a 1/2.5-inch, 4.2 MP CCD, making it comparable to most of the cameras within the comparison’s section, and still a contender when matched with the PowerShot S1. It has a 3x optical zoom and a 1.5-inch LCD screen, along with a real image optical viewfinder, a feature that almost never actually displays the final product captured by the shutter. It does have hybrid capabilities, and can record both video and audio to its memory card.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters - Auto mode on the Canon PowerShot S1 is straightforward and intuitive, with basic standard control options available. However, its size and bulk may be a downfall for a user looking for a camera that is portable or compact.

Budget Consumers - For the budget consumer, this camera by Canon may be a feasible option, retailing for US$399 with a fair number of features.

Gadget Freaks - This camera isn’t necessarily packed with excessive features, though its movie button and other small options make it a camera that could please the gadget enthusiast, especially when paired with the flip LCD screen.

Manual Control Freaks - Many of the manual controls are simple and unfettered. However, the light metering and focus setbacks are fairly irksome, making the user feel as though the manufacturer doesn’t quite trust them with full control over these and other options.

Pros/Serious Hobbyists - Its low MP CCD does compromise the 10x optical zoom, and its large size doesn’t give it an advantage over using a high-end camera where size is an issue.