The Canon PowerShot S Series is a line of digital cameras that have always been of a higher caliber than other digi-cams. The S2IS camera got me into photography. I loved that camera. It was bulky but had a nice zoom lens and I learned a lot! I upgraded to the S5IS and SX1IS before jumping to the G9 from Canon which packed more professional features despite that weak zoom and aperture. Canon sort of dropped the compact cameras of the S line at the S70 in 2005 but the commitment was renewed when Canon droped the S90 in 2009. Tons of photographers puchased one of these as a pocket camera to compliment their 5D and 7D SLRs. I was still happy with the G11 but sold it for the S95 when it was released in 2010. There wasn’t much different from the S90 and S95 aside from HD video recording and a modified body to make it easier to grip. I loved that camera but sold it to go Micro FourThirds early this year. It’s not a mistake but I miss that camera dearly. There were a few things missing but the size of the camera is fantastic. I found myself taking more photos on a daily basis because the camera in my pocket was just easier than the camera in my bag or car. The S95 was THAT much better than the iPhone and despite not being connected ot the web (no instant sharing), it was a camera worth using over the iPhone simply because of the quality of photos. The extra wide f/2 aperture and intuitive manual controls made this a very fun camera. I’m glad I sold it though because forcing myself to use the larger Olympus PEN E-PL3. It’s not an SLR by any measure but the multiple lenses and manual controls make using the PL3 quite a bit of work. In fact, I’d say the PL3 is more work than a standard SLR because most manual controls are done via menus so it’s quite challenging.
The S100 Arrives:
2.1 more megapixels CCD sensor is now a CMOS sensor 1080P video recording Built-In GPS geo-tagging Wider Lens Increased zoom (5x versus 3.8x in previous camera) Digic 5 Image Processor (which will be in the Canon 5D Mark III) Lighter Supports SDXC memory cards Same F/2 Aperture
That’s QUITE an upgrade and you can pickup the S100 for the same price as the S95 ($399). Four hundred dollars is quite a lot for a pocket camera and the reviews aren’t out yet since the camera is still a pre-order via Amazon and other retailers but photographers LOVE the S90 and S95 so I have little doubt this camera will disappoint. I’ve already pre-ordered mine with overnight shipping. It will go in an iPod sock in the same pocket as my iPhone and I’ll have a portable high-end camera with a great aperture, geo-tagging and 1080P video. That sounds a lot like the iPhone 4S’ features but it’s going to be a few years before the iPhone can truly take on other portable cameras. If the S100 had 3G built-in, you’d have a heck of a camera with you. I’m still not convinced cameraphones will ever take over pocket photography for those who truly understand photography and how to take a photo.
The S100 is such a phenomenal upgrade that I’m debating ordering the S100 for my parents, sisters and best friends. It’s such a phenomenal camera and many of my friends have such bad photos that I think they need a real camera to carry around over the aging Blackberrys and pocket cameras from 2008. I’ll wait for the 1st price drop before buying too many of these for friends.
What’s certain with this new image processor (Digic 5) is that the G13 will soon see a release as well as the Canon 5D or 7D. If you’re in the market for a new camera, hold off unless the S100 is what you want and then buy now. Pre-orders keep slipping so this may not make it under many Christmas trees simply due to selling out. One things for sure. I won’t be selling this camera anytime soon. The S100 has it all and I can’t wait for mine to arrive.