Canon updates SX line with PowerShot SX110 IS

[David Rasnake]

When Canon launched its PowerShot SX100 compact ultrazoom, it promised that the new model would be the first in a series of new cameras with a similar design ethos. The company made good on that promise today with the announcement of the Canon PowerShot SX110 IS, the latest update to its pocket-size ultrazoom concept.

The SX110 gets a larger, higher-resolution sensor, bringing its imaging specs up to 9.0 effective megapixels on a 1/2.3-inch CCD.

The lens used in the new model is the familiar 36-360mm, f/2.8-4.3 optically stabilized unit used in the SX100. Likewise, the SX110 utilizes the previous model's DIGIC III image processor.

The SX110 earns another significant upgrade, however, with the inclusion of a 3.0-inch, 230,000 dot display – an improvement in both size and resolution over the SX100's 2.5-inch LCD.

Most of the rest of the SX110's specs sheet closely mirrors what we've seen before in this series: face detection, sensitivity from ISO 80 to 1600, a full complement of flash modes, continuous shooting at 1.2 fps, and AA power.

Much of the SX110's basic form factor appears unchanged as well. The new model, while slightly taller and broader than the previous version is also somewhat thinner, making the SX110 more pocketable than ever.

Overall, the SX110 offers a relatively mild update to the SX100. Does it pack the necessary punch to challenge the likes of the Panasonic TZ5 and Sony H10 on their home turf? Only time, and sales, will tell.

The SX110 is expected to make its way to retailers in coming months, with a suggested retail price of $299.

Canon PowerShot SX110 IS Specifications:

Sensor	9.0 megapixel (effective), 1/2.3" CCD
Zoom	10x (36-360mm) zoom, f/2.8-4.3
LCD/Viewfinder	3.0", 230K-pixel TFT LCD
Sensitivity	ISO 80-3200
Shutter Speed	15-1/2500 seconds
Shooting Modes	Easy, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, Scene, Movie
Scene Presets	Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, ISO 3200, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot
White Balance Settings	Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Metering Modes	Multi, Center, Spot, Face Detection
Focus Modes	Multi-area, Face Detection, Single Point, Selectable Point
Drive Modes	Normal, Continuous, Self-Timer
Flash Modes	Auto, Forced On, Slow Synchro, FE Lock, Forced Off, Red-Eye Reduction
Self Timer Settings	10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off
Memory Formats	SD, SDHC
Internal Memory	None
File Formats	JPEG
Max. Image Size	3456 x 2592
Max. Video Size	640x480, 30 fps
Zoom During Video	Not Specified
Battery	2 AA batteries
Connections	USB, AV output
Additional Features	Face Detection, iSAPS, optical image stabilization, DIGIC III processor, manual exposure modes

[Andy Stanton]

This looks like a significant improvement over the SX100. I'm looking forward to playing with it when it comes out.

[leaftye]

I just hope they didn't get rid of remote capture.

[KCook]

Finally got to play with one in the store. A few nits to pick: Wish they had given it more dedicated buttons, unstead of trying to get by with a sparce button set. My S3 IS really spoiled me that way. On the one I tried the lens mechanism was louder than I would expect from Canon. Good stuff: The beefy control wheel was a much happier control than the micro wheels found on ultracompacts. And the Canon stylists really found the sweet spot with this design.

Now if only Canon would come out with a version with f/2.0 2X WA zoom with filter thread (no dumb adapter). That I would not be able to resist!

Kelly Cook