Canon Powershot SX110IS
For those wanting to bring the action closer, this is a fuss-free and inexpensive way to do it

Review: Canon Powershot SX110 IS digital camera

Family-friendly ‘super zoom’ gets 9-megapixel upgrade

Written by Gavin Stoker, Computeract!ve

Larger Image

Verdict:

Good points

  • Wider-than-average focus range for maximum flexibility
  • Fast, responsive and simple to use
  • Large screen aids shot composition and review

Bad points

  • Bulkier than average
  • Plastic construction
  • Noise at ISO400 and above
  • No zoom when shooting video

Overall

  • For those wanting to bring the action closer, this is a fuss-free and inexpensive way to do it

Rating:

4

Price:

£239

Most compact digital cameras have something like a 3x zoom lens, so one with a 10x reach is going to be good for anyone interested in taking candid, unposed photos – those best snapped when a subject is unawares.

While not much larger than a pocket camera, Canon’s Powershot SX110 IS provides a 36 to 360mm zoom range and is suitable for all the family, featuring a new so-called easy mode that strips away shooting options so all the user need do is point and shoot.

Advertisement

In comparison with last year’s SX100 IS model, the SX110 IS offers better-quality pictures at nine megapixels (the SX100 offered eight), while the rear screen has usefully swollen from 2.5in to 3in with its quality boosted as well.

Unlike most cameras it comes with a memory card – this time a 32MB SD card, replacing the 16MB one bundled with its predecessor – and overall it is £60 cheaper.

Outwardly a matt black finish and curved body design lend the unit, powered by two regular AA batteries, an air of sophistication that it needs considering its plastic construction.

The SX110 IS necessarily has built-in image stabilisation with three different modes to combat blurred shots as a result of camera shake. That's handy when shooting handheld (without a tripod) at maximum zoom or in low light without the flash. Disappointingly, the zoom can’t be used when filming the decent-quality video clips of which it's capable.

The camera powers up in the standard couple of seconds, the lens barrel extending to the maximum wide-angle setting while the rear screen, used for both composing and reviewing images (there is no optical viewfinder), bursts into life. A half-press of the shutter release button – which is encircled by the zoom lever – and the SX110 rapidly determines focus. It took a further two seconds to commit the maximum-quality pictures to its memory card as we went on to take the next shot.

The results are, however, a mixed bag. The camera had a tendency to ov erexpose images when left to its automatic settings. Exposure can be manually adjusted, but then that does go against the user-friendly stripped-down ethos. When it does get it right, however, photos are impressively sharp and crisply detailed, although colours are at their best with the Vivid setting selected.

See more Digital Cameras

Tags:

Reader comments

More from Computeractive

News

The latest home computing news

Downloads

The best PC tools, applications and more

Reviews

Independent opinions on new hardware and software

Step-by-step guides

Easy-to-follow projects with pictures

PC Help

Solve PC problems with our Q&A

Videos

PC projects demonstrated and product reviews

Articles

An in-depth look at how to get the best from your PC

Magazine

What's coming up in Computeractive

Forums

Get help with your PC problems from our readers

Competitions

Your chance to win computing prizes

Shopping

Great deals on products, services and more

Computeractive CD Rom 10
All 26 issues of Computeractive from 2007 on one CD-Rom.

Ultimate Guide to PC Troubleshooting
Everything you need to know to solve your PC problems.

Driving Test Success
The UK's best-selling driving test software.

Computeractive Back Issues
Missed an issue? Click here to find a back issue

Compare prices now!

Save money on hardware and software with our price comparison service: Best Prices

Compare prices

Advertisement

Free email newsletters

Techno babble demystified...

[Display all definitions]

Or type in any computer-related word and click "Go"

Blogs

Windows Watch

Windows Watch

Keeping an eye on the latest XP and Vista news

More storage added to Windows Live Skydrive

19 Nov 2008The storage limit for Windows Live Skydrive is to be increased to a very respectable 25GB . As of just now my...

Download Junkie

Download Junkie

Your daily dose of download discussion

Tweak all areas of your display hardware

21 Nov 2008Most current graphics cards will come with a number of different display options. These settings are often pre-configured on any card installed...

The test bed

The test bed

The hottest products, news and gossip from PCW's Labs

Keep Wifi at the edge - and be wary of channel aggregation

21 Nov 2008Can a Wifi network really be better than a wired one? Clearly there are situations where wireless links have to be used...

Primary Navigation

© Incisive Media Ltd. 2008. Incisive Media Limited, Haymarket House,
28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, is a company registered in the United Kingdom with company registration number 04038503

Search computeractive.co.uk