Canon PowerShot S1 IS - Canon's Category Killer Entry
Written: Mar 30 '05 (Updated Jul 20 '05)
Product Rating:
Ease of Use:
Durability:
Battery Life:
Photo Quality:
Pros: A great and affordable combination of the best features in smaller digital cameras!
Cons: Too bad Canon did not do this two years ago!
The Bottom Line: An instant HIT! Your experience with the Canon family of Digital Cameras is not lost, for most of it still applies. At Last! Innovation without Obsolescence!
ASourdough4's Full Review: Canon PowerShot® S5 IS Digital Camera
2nd Revision - July 20, 2005
CANON PowerShot S1 IS
Apologies to readers everywhere - Due to ignorance, I did not discuss the "IS" part of the model number. Further research revealed that, with a 10x Telephoto setting, the slightest movement while aiming the camera can cause a blurred image. I did not realize that this was so until I read more on the Canon PowerShot S1 IS.
Although Sony produced a camera (MVP Series) that featured 10x Optical Zoom about 10 years ago; this potential problem was not revealed and it went unnoticed because we never did buy one of those novelties. If we had done so, we would have needed a good tripod to go with it.
Thanks to other sources and more study of the Specifications; it is clear that Canon has worked out a software solution to this problem. The result is the "IS" tag that means "Image Stabilization". I regret not mentioning this important feature in the original review and I hope nobody has been mislead by the omission.
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LEMME AT IT!
Revised 4/1/05: See "Description", below - They fixed that derned CF Card Door.
After shopping the BEST BUY DVD Section, I usually head for the Cashier via the store Camera Department; trying to avoid getting involved unless something leaps out at me and stops me cold. Nothing newsworthy on the first pass. Circumstance took me back to the PC Department, thence back past that display of Digital Cameras but by a different aisle. I am immune of course; supposedly inoculated by my trusty Canon A-75 3.2 Megapixel Digicam. Since then, Canon has introduced the A-80, and an A-95 models which simply boast 4 or 5 MP and commensurately larger print size support.
WHAM! Something new, very different, made me pause, draw closer, and become trapped. At a glance, I could see another, recent, addition to the A-Series of Canon Digicams. But, this one was all grown up. The Duty Clerk took it from the rack, powered it up and handed it to me.
This happened today, March 30, 2005. By this time, some 28 Epinionators had already published reviews on the Canon S1-IS. I cannot add to the Technical aspects of this marvelous camera - for that information, I defer to Howard_Creech, whose June 2004 take can be found at the following Web Address.
I can only add my humble personal amateur observations and reactions; listed in order of importance to me. I was obsessive about avoiding cameras using AA Battery Sets until my CANON A-75 demonstrated to me that the manufacturers had paid heed to my fears. Thus, the use of these types of Batteries is no longer a fatal design flaw in my opinion.
I have used Canon film and digital cameras since 1979 and none of them ever failed to deliver what I needed. From that experience, I recommend this new model for all users.
This review is based almost 100% on the Manufacturer Web Site Specifications for the Canon S1 IS, my brief handling of the store display unit, and the user guide for my Canon PowerShot A-75 Digital Camera. For your information:
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/
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BULLETIN: CRITICAL CHANGES FOR ALL USERS - In this Model Canon finally fixed that CF Card Access Door - It opens on a very solid hinged attachment to the Camera Body.
DESCRIPTION
The CANON PowerShot S1 IS 3.2 MP is a grown-up version of the long series of Digital Cameras that have ranged from 1Megapixels (MP) to 5MP; the S1 IS incorporates nearly every desirable feature and almost everything wished for by users of the earlier models.
LENS Like the eye of an extinct denizen of the prehistoric oceans, this 38-380 Zoom Model has 10x Optical Zoom (plus 3.2x Digital Zoom) with an anti-shake feature that can reduce the fuzzy look such magnification may get from human frailty - one's heartbeat can spoil an exposure. The control for ZOOM is right where it has been on earlier models, up front - right corner. My first look through the optical view finder was very rewarding but the image was fuzzy and out of focus.
DIOPTER ADJUSTMENT
Located beside the view finder, this is a soft, serrated wheel that corrects the image for those of us who wear eyeglasses or simply want a clear image. I wear pretty strong correction but I was able to keep my costly prescription and frames right where they belong, on my nose.
LCD Monitor
Normally stored flat in a matching recess in the Camera Body, the Color LCD Viewer is articulated to allow variable-angle viewing. When not in use, the screen surface is hidden and cannot be touched. The 1.5 Inch viewable size accommodates the material needed to provide a strong frame for the screen. I have never liked these Monitors because of the notorious power needs that depleted batteries so quickly in early, nearly prehistoric models.
My own experiences with the LCD on my Canon A-75 have been reassuring - Canon claims that one can get as many as 120 Shots using the LCD Monitor and a set of plain vanilla AA Alkaline Batteries. With NiMH Recargeable batteries, the count is advertised as up to 550 Shots vs. 570 using the Viewfinder. Lest we expect too much, my CANON A-75 can get 250 shots using the LCD with AA Alkaline, generally twice the capacity of the new PowerShot S1-IS. Thus, the power requirements trade-off for the CANON S1-IS seems to be reasonably affordable.
FLASH
Built in, pop-up protected with its self-contained cover.
IMAGES
The CANON PowerShot S1-IS produces JPEG Stills, Compression may be varied:
LARGE IMAGES
Superfine - 2048x1236 = 1.6Mb, 38 Images on 64MB CF Card
Fine - 2048x1536 = 893KB, 68 Images on 64MB CF Card
Normal - 2048x1536 = 445KB, 136 Images on 64MB CF Card
SMALL IMAGES
Superfine - 640x480 = 249KB, 241 Images on 64MB CF Card
Fine - 640x480 = 150KB, 393 Images on 64MB CF Card
Normal - 640x480 = 84KB, 676 Images on 64 MB CF Card
MOVIE MODE
VGA or QVGA, Continuous Shooting @ 1.7 images/sec
Up to 60 minute Movie Recording with Sound; depending upon CF Card Capacity, speed and movie mode.
Removable Storage MEMORY CARD
Compact Flash (CF) Card, Type I or II
Note: Canon furnishes a 32MB CF Card - I recommend at least one (1) 1GB CF Card, available for $100 /- at "Best Buy", or less, I'm sure.
WEIGHT and DIMENSIONS - (Compared to the Canon A-75)
13.1 Oz /(370gr) 7.1 Oz / (200gr)
WHD = 4.37in x 3.07in x 2.6in (4.0in x 2.5in x 1.2in)
COMMENTS and OBSERVATIONS
The CANON PowerShot S1 SI IS larger and heavier than the typical A-50 / A-90 Series. Its price ($270 to $399) is about that of the prices of the model series, as they were introduced over time. The price, however, is more than offset by the combinations of desirable features that Canon included in the design of the S1-IS.
I am delighted to see that Canon did not leave us behind, the old reliable CF Card is retained for those of us who have an inventory of them.
ACCESSORIES -
A Kit of items is found "In the Box":
Lens Cap
Neck Strap
Extra set of "AA" plain Alkaline Batteries
CF32MB Capacity Compact Flash Card
Interface Cable (USB Mini-B Jack)
AV Cable (NTSC (for most USA users) or PAL)
CD-ROM (2) containing "Digital Camera Solutions" and "ARC-Soft Camera Suite (Image Editing Software)
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I had a lot of trouble getting away from that display, the only true reason for not buying one of these nifty cameras, right then and there, was the price of $399. (Best Buy offered a $100 package of Accessories to go with it, plus the usual "Warranty" for another $60) My hesitation was wise: an Epinions search showed a low of $269 for the Canon S1 IS! It really does pay to shop.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 269 to399 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Easy Enough for Anyone to Use
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