Canon PowerShot S100

    59
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    Highlights

    • 12.1 MP 1/1.7-inch CMOS Sensor
    • 80 - 6,400 Native ISO
    • 9 Focus Points (9 Cross-type)
    • Image Stabilization
    • 3.0" 461k dot Fixed Screen
    • 2.3 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
    • Built-in GPS
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Canon PowerShot S100 was announced in 2011 and is a 1/1.7-inch (7.44 x 5.58 mm) Standard Compact camera with 12.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 80 to 6,400. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 461k dot resolution. It has an image stabilization.

    Canon PowerShot S100 can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Successor
    5. Screen
    6. Sensor
    7. Photography Features
    8. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    9. Other Features
    10. Physical Parameters
    11. For Different Types of Photography
    12. Evaluation
    13. Specifications  

    Here is the Canon PowerShot Sx series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Canon PowerShot Sx series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Canon S200
    Compare
    		February
    2014    		 12.1 MP
    1/1.7-inch    		 80 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    461k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon S120
    Compare
    		November
    2013    		 12.1 MP
    1/1.7-inch    		 80 - 12,800 Fixed 3.0"
    922k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Canon S110
    Compare
    		September
    2012    		 12.1 MP
    1/1.7-inch    		 80 - 12,800 Fixed 3.0"
    461k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Canon S100 December
    2011    		 12.1 MP
    1/1.7-inch    		 80 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    461k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon S95
    Compare
    		November
    2010    		 10 MP
    1/1.7-inch    		 80 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    461k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon S90
    Compare
    		April
    2010    		 10.0 MP
    1/1.7-inch    		 80 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    461k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Canon PowerShot S200 vs PowerShot S120 vs PowerShot S110 vs PowerShot S100 vs PowerShot S95 vs PowerShot S90.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Canon PowerShot S100.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   80 Lowest Native ISO
    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/2000 sec
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Built-in GPS
    •   Light - 198 g (0.44 lb / 6.98 oz)
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
    •   No External Flash Connectivity
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 50
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   Screen Size - 3.0"

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Canon PowerShot S100 to its predecessor PowerShot S95 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Canon PowerShot S100 vs Canon PowerShot S95
    Higher Sensor Resolution 12.1 Megapixel vs 10 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
    More Powerful Processor DIGIC 5 vs DIGIC 4
    Max Image Resolution 4000 x 3000 vs 3648 x 2736
    Tracking Autofocus vs
    Reaches Wider Angle 24 mm vs 28 mm
    Reachs More Telephoto 120 mm vs 105 mm
    Greater Optical Zoom 5x vs 3.8x
    Min Normal Focus Distance 30 cm vs 50 cm
    Min Macro Focus Distance 3 cm vs 5 cm
    Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/2000 sec vs 1/1600 sec
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 2.3 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/2000 sec vs 1/500 sec
    Higher DxO Color Depth 20.7 vs 20.4
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.6 vs 11.3
    Higher DxO Overall Score 50 vs 47
    Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720
    Built-in Microphone Mono vs
    Built-in GPS vs
    More Storage Slots 1 vs 0
    DOWNGRADES Canon PowerShot S100 vs Canon PowerShot S95
    Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/5.9 vs f/4.9
    Speaker Mono vs Stereo
    Heavier 198 g (0.44 lb / 6.98 oz) vs 195 g (0.43 lb / 6.88 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Canon PowerShot S100 vs PowerShot S95.

    Successor

    In 2012 Canon PowerShot S100 was replaced by Canon PowerShot S110. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Canon PowerShot S100 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Canon PowerShot S110 vs Canon PowerShot S100
    Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 6,400
    Touch-to-Focus vs
    Selective Autofocus vs
    Continuous Autofocus vs
    Touch Screen vs
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 168 vs 153
    Built-in Microphone Stereo vs Mono
    Built-In Wi-Fi vs Eye-Fi Connection possible
    DOWNGRADES Canon PowerShot S110 vs Canon PowerShot S100
    Lower Max Continuous Shooting 2.1 fps vs 2.3 fps
    Lower DxO Color Depth 20.6 vs 20.7
    Lower DxO Dynamic Range 11.2 vs 11.6
    Lower DxO Overall Score 48 vs 50
    Built-in GPS vs

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Canon PowerShot S100 vs PowerShot S110.

    Screen

    Fixed screen

    Canon PowerShot S100 has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 461k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.

    Sensor

    Canon PowerShot S100 features a 12.1 megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 7.44 x 5.58 mm and a total area of 41.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 6,400.

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with DIGIC 5 processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 4000 x 2248, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1584, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 640 x 360 with 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


    Image Stabilization

    The camera has an image stabilization.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot S100.

    Canon S110
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    1/1.7-inch

    12.1 MP

    Canon S120
    Image cannot be found

    1/1.7-inch

    12.1 MP

    Canon S200
    Image cannot be found

    1/1.7-inch

    12.1 MP

    Canon S95
    Image cannot be found

    1/1.7-inch

    10 MP

    Canon S90
    Image cannot be found

    1/1.7-inch

    10.0 MP

    Panasonic FP1
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.33-inch

    12.1 MP

    Sony W550
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.3-inch

    14 MP

    Kodak M200
    Image cannot be found

    1/3-inch

    10 MP

    Samsung TL350
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.33-inch

    10.2 MP

    Olympus SZ-30MR
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.3-inch

    16 MP

    Sony DSLR-A330
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A290
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    Built-in GPS

    Canon PowerShot S100 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
      Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.


    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Canon PowerShot S100 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is an HDMI connector for video signal output.


    Battery

    Canon PowerShot S100 comes with NB-5L battery pack with battery life of 200 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Canon PowerShot S100's shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 2.3 fps.


    Flash

    Canon PowerShot S100 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 7.00 m. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/2000 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Canon PowerShot S100 has dimensions of 99 x 60 x 28 mm (3.9 x 2.36 x 1.1"). It weighs 198 g (0.44 lb / 6.98 oz), so it is a lightweight camera.

    99 mm (3.9")

    60 mm (2.36")

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    60 mm (2.36")

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    28 mm (1.1")

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    Canon PowerShot S100 dimensions

    Canon PowerShot S100 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Canon PowerShot S100 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    70

    Canon PowerShot S100 gets a score of 70 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    63

    Canon PowerShot S100 gets a score of 63 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
    •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    59

    Canon PowerShot S100 gets a score of 59 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    75

    Canon PowerShot S100 gets a score of 75 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/2000 sec
    •   No External Flash Connectivity
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    84

    Canon PowerShot S100 gets a score of 84 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 198 g (0.44 lb / 6.98 oz)

    Travel Photography

    EXCELLENT
    88

    Canon PowerShot S100 gets a score of 88 and is EXCELLENT choice for Travel photography.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 198 g (0.44 lb / 6.98 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots

    Canon PowerShot S100 Evaluation

    We evaluate Canon PowerShot S100 and give score of 59 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    59

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    62

    We give Canon PowerShot S100 a score of 62 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
    •   80 Lowest Native ISO
    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 50

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Canon PowerShot S100 a score of 69 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
    •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/2000 sec
    •   No External Flash Connectivity

    Video

    POOR
    46

    We give Canon PowerShot S100 a score of 46 for Video parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    63

    We give Canon PowerShot S100 a score of 63 for Focusing parameters.

    •   9 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    POOR
    53

    We give Canon PowerShot S100 a score of 53 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
    •   No Viewfinder

    Connectivity

    AVERAGE
    63

    We give Canon PowerShot S100 a score of 63 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    44

    We give Canon PowerShot S100 a score of 44 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 198 g (0.44 lb / 6.98 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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