UPDATED: Canon's S100 is a small, pocket-sized advanced compact that packs a larger than average 1/1.7in sensor, a 24-120mm zoom and full manual control. But with the advanced compact market more competitive than ever can the S100 still cut it a year after its launch? The What Digital Camera Canon PowerShot S100 review finds out...
Canon PowerShot S100 Review
Image Quality
Canon PowerShot S100 review – Image Quality
The S100’s 1/1.7in sensor means image quality is top notch for a camera in this class. Colour is bright and vivid which makes for stand out shots straight from camera.
However, processing artefacts aren’t eradicated from the camera’s JPEG images, where inspection at full size can show mottled grain in gradient areas and this can affect detail of subjects’ edges.
High ISO shots keep colour noise at bay, and shots up to ISO 1600 maintain a good level of detail thanks to the S100’s all-new sensor. For JPEG-only shooting the option to adjust Noise Reduction between
Low/Standard/High does provide an extra level of user control.
Dynamic range is also improved over the previous S95 model and this means that greater shadow and highlight detail can be retained that’s great to have when tweaking Raw files.
The S100’s 24-120mm lens also provides a good level of sharpness though, to put it in context, we’re not talking about DSLR or CSC standard here.
Purple fringing can be a slight issue towards image edges, though for the most part this is reserved for back-lit subject’s edges.
Overall the S100 is an impressive camera that creates excellent images for a camera of this class – it really is the ultimate compact companion to take anywhere.