Digital Trends

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS

March 10th, 2008 | by David Elrich

Performance and Use

Loading the camera with a 2GB Kingston SDHC card, I began at top resolution and least compression (3264x2448 pixels). The digital zoom was off, OIS engaged for “shoot only” and the SD1100 IS was set for Auto and single shot mode. 

The camera sprang to life quickly (less than 2 seconds) and was ready to go. Focusing is quite quick as the 9-point AiAF system grabs hold of subjects with a minimum amount of “hunting and grabbing.” Shutter response was also prompt with a minimal amount of lag. This camera is rated slightly less fast than the A590 IS (1.3 fps vs. 1.4) but this barely noticeable when you move into continuous or burst mode. Naturally this spec is with the flash off; turn it on and you’ll have to wait as the camera recharges itself (figure around 3 seconds). Still this isn’t too bad for an 8MP point-and-shoot.

I found the menu to be pretty straightforward and the Function key is the one you’ll be tapping the most as it gives you access to the key shooting modes. However, Canon engineers definitely have to go back to the drawing board as far as accessing scene modes are concerned. When you want to use one, you hit the Function key and get a whopping three choices (Portrait, Night Portrait, Kids&Pets). For more you have to highlight K&P, hit Display and then you’ll see eight more (Indoor, Sunset and so on). Adding this additional step is a really poor move and should be rectified ASAP. After all this is for casual photogs and life should be easy for them, right?

Image Courtesy of Canon

This Canon has Face Detection (what decent digicam doesn’t these days?) but it does offer a twist. It focuses on nine faces if you’re shooting a group that large. If you have a particular favorite face you want to capture, say a child playing with their friends, you can designate him or her with the Face Select and Track function. Now no matter where they move in the frame, that is the key face the camera snaps. Although not as cool as some of the other FD tweaks coming out (such as Sony’s Smile Shutter that automatically takes a picture when your subject smiles), this is a nice add-on. Even better is Focus Check. Once you enable this (it’s under Review Info, the main menu), you immediately get an enlargement of the face you just shot so you’ll see if the eyes are open or if the smile is a good one. If not, it’s time for a do-over. This is a great feature so you’ll always get a good portrait. With the AF-Point Zoom you can check the image before it’s shot as a magnifying window blows up to the center of the same or the face you want to capture. Surprisingly Canon refers to this as an Image Inspection tool but if you look for it in the owner’s manual you won’t find it—it’s under Focus Check. Oops!

Canon’s Face Detection is quite good and there’s a minimal amount of red-eye and white balance delivers very accurate skin tones. If you plan on taking lots of people shots—and the buyer of this camera certainly will--the SD1100 IS won’t disappoint.

What is disappointing is the noise level. In our prints digital noise wasn’t a big problem until you hit 400 (it tops out at a pixilated 1600). Definitely keep the ISO at the lowest level you can when shooting indoors with available light. Outside with decent natural light, the camera has few issues and delivers nice accurate colors. I captured some nice moody images of a foggy morning and they mirrored reality. Another slight drawback is the battery which is rated 240 shots without the flash. This is pretty low (the Canon A590 IS with two NiMH AAs takes 450). Just be prepared to keep the battery charged so there are problems during your nights on the town.

Conclusion

I liked the SD1100 IS Digital ELPH since it does what it’s supposed to do for a reasonable price. Is this the greatest camera to come down the pike? No, but as I said, it does the job. Point-and-shoot portrait pictures are good and outdoor shots are spot in typical Canon style. Optical image stabilization helps eliminate blur in most instances and let’s you shoot in available light. Focusing is fast and there’s barely any shutter lag (with the flash off, though). It does fall down with excess digital noise at high ISOs and the battery could use some extra oomph. And setting tweakers should pass this one by. That said I still have no problems telling friends—even those friends looking at this monitor—to buy Canon point-and-shoots like the SD1100 IS.

Pros:

• Good point-and-shoot camera
• Takes quality photos with good color
• Optical image stabilization



Cons:

• Noise at 400 ISO and above
• On-screen menu needs streamlining
• Minimal manual options