Canon PowerShot S1 IS Digital Camera Review

Color (8.80)
We tested the color proficiency of the Canon PowerShot S1 using a GretagMacbeth color chart and Imatest Imaging Software. The software produces a reading of the color accuracy and saturation levels in the camera’s 24 color tones. The chart below depicts the results. For each color tile, the outer square is the color produced by the camera, the smaller, inner square is the camera’s produced color corrected by the software, and the vertical rectangle in the center is the ideal tone.

The chart below is a visual mapping of the Canon PowerShot S1’s color reproduction of each of the 24 tones. The circles represent the actual tones produced by the camera while each corresponding square is the color’s ideal. The length of the line is the degree of error for that tone and the direction indicates whether the color is over-saturated or duller than the ideal. If the square is further towards the edge of the page, the camera’s tone is over-saturated, conversely, when the circle is closer to the center of the chart then the square, the tone is duller then the ideal.

The Canon PowerShot S1 achieved extremely accurate color reproduction. Although there are only a few colors that are 'spot on' most are right around the ideal. With the exception of slight variation in blue and green hues #18, #6, the only color discrepancies are slight over-saturation in the pink, red and orange tones. This is frequent in the digital camera world, as these colors help to create smoother color tones and a more vibrant overall feel. For the most part, the S1 is extremely accurate in color reproduction for its price range.

Still Life Scene
This is a shot of our rockin' still life scene taken with the Canon PowerShot S1.

Click on the above image to view a full resolution version (CAUTION: The linked file is VERY large!)

Resolution / Sharpness (1.94)
Advertised megapixel count has become an de facto gauge of a camera’s imaging potential, alluding to the resolution and clarity within its imagery. Unfortunately, these marketed numbers are often deceiving. In reality, the degree of variance in a camera’s actual produced resolution when contrasted with its advertised capabilities will fluctuate quite a good deal. When we run stills through Imatest Software, we consider images that produce resolution that is 70-80% of its marketed resolution "good", while images that score 80-90% are "very good" and anything exceeding 90% is "excellent."

The Canon PowerShot S1 received a real resolution score of 1.94 actual megapixels produced. This is 62% of its suggested pixel count; a disappointing score for any camera, let alone a larger PowerShot that is not extremely portable. With advanced manual control opportunity as well as an enlarged, stable frame, the PowerShot S1 should be relied on to produce clear, crisp imagery. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The 62% score the S1 received is the best score we were able to attain after repeated testing and we must conclude that the S1 is an adequate imager at best.

Noise – Auto ISO (3.69)
While the Canon PowerShot S1 is presented as a 3.2 megapixel imager, it falls more under the compact classification rather than the point-and-shoot genre. With expansive manual controls, the user is not forced to rely as heavily on the automatic imaging the S1 will provide. As far as noise levels are concerned, this is a good thing as the S1’s automatic ISO is quite limited. When under optimal lighting conditions, the S1 will produce clear imagery in Auto ISO mode; however, as light levels decrease so does the S1’s performance. The S1’s light sensor does not adapt well to reduced illumination and will produce excessive noise and distortion in dim lighting. Fortunately, the S1 includes a manual ISO control that will enable the user to compensate to some extent for the camera's limitations.

Noise – Manual ISO (3.31)
We determined a numeric noise value using Imatest Software and took a regression analysis of the results to get an overall manual ISO noise score. The graph below portrays the ISO ratings available in the camera and the levels of noise produced at each setting. The X-axis represents the ISO values, while the Y-axis is the amount of noise produced.

The PowerShot S1 does not weather difficult lighting any better in manual ISO mode than it does in Auto ISO as is evident in the color chart above (taken at ISO 200). This is a disappointing realization as the S1 includes a flexible 50-400 ISO range. The problem is that the ISO 50 rating is the only setting of the five that will reduce noise to a tolerable level. Once ISO 100 or 200 settings are needed, increased noise will follow in abundance. As with film, monochromatic grain is quite distracting and deteriorating to image quality unless it is used for aesthetic gain. If its strict clarity and image purity that is desired, it will be hard to come by with the PowerShot S1 unless under extreme illumination.

Speed Timing
Start Up (4.63)
The PowerShot S1 seems to take a while to start up and get running. Once going, it moves fairly rapidly; however, if it’s an immediate shot that is desired from the off position, it’s probably not worth the effort because the moment will be lost in the 5.37 seconds that are needed to boot-up and record an exposure.

Shot to Shot (8.12)
The S1 is far quicker in recording subsequent exposures then it is in capturing its initial image. While it is a slow beast to get going, once set in motion, the S1 will take rapid images as long as it’s in manual mode. In auto mode, the S1 is far slower, taking a while to meter the scene and then expose the image.

Shutter to Shot (7.88)
From the time the user presses the shutter release until the image reaches the CCD, the S1 ranks well among 3.2 megapixel imagers. It will not compete with high-end cameras for speed but contrasted with point-and-shoot cameras as well as other compacts, the S1 is quick and reliable.