Canon Powershot s100 - (as close) an alternative to a DSLR?

[AdvocatusD]

I've got a good DSLR and enjoy the flexibility it allows.

However, like we all know I can't really take it everywhere so I am looking for a pocket alternative. I don't want it to be any larger than your standard compact digital cameras, like the Lumixs etc.

The camera that seems to tick the box is a Canon Powershot S95 or S100. It has a full auto mode, so very point and shoot but it seems to offer the most manual control of anything in that size and price band. It's the new version of a S95 which was well received.



http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_power...

Questions:

1. Anyone own a S95 or S100 and care to offer a review?
2. Is the lack of zoom (S95 is 3x optical and S100 is 5x optical) a problem you think?
3. What does 3x or 5x actually equate to in terms of mm? i.e. 200mm?
4. Has anyone found that a camera of this ilk tends to mean you set your DSLR aside, even though it's not as good?
5. Best place to buy a camera, and would you buy a used one?
6. Any alternative suggestions? Please do keep in mind the size. My wife want to be able to put it in a reasonable handbag when she uses it.

Edited by AdvocatusD on Monday 2nd January 18:52

[GetCarter]

I have a DSLR (or two) and an S95

I keep the S95 with me at all times, and it's very good - mostly because it's always with me!... But it doesn't match quality of a good full frame DSLR

Review of the S95 (with nearest competitors) here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q42010highendcompa...

[LongQ]

What Mr. Carter says.

I have an S90. It's very good. The S95 added a few things.

The S100 is a new game. New lens, new sensor ....

Optical physics identifies that it can never be a DSLR replacement IF you make use of the capabilities of a DSLR.

If you want to become a serious Landscape photographer and work with the nuances of the medium you need to do DSLR or medium format or large format or .... whatever you aspire to.

If you want to have a very competent camera that will take a decent landscape (etc.) when the moment arises and the urge takes you then the S90/95/100 range seems like a good bet - as Mr. Carter's results testify.

They are good at many other things as well but I think the Landscape capabilities add a lot to the credibility.

[RobDickinson]

I've just got an s95.

Its a very decent little P&S but no SLR replacement, its good quality in decent light and has enough control for most things.

I like its size, the zoom is good, the files are nice, the lens seems pretty good too.

Some things are a pain, difficult to do focus lock/ae lock, manual focus is a mare.
It lacks remote release , doesnt have a hotshoe or a viewfinder.
Theres some oddities like it does a timelaps movie mode but only with a fake tilt shift effect!

So far I like it, its a litle more limited than I'd like but almost certainly enough flexibility to do most things when I dont have the SLR.

G12/X10 would be better but much more bulky which kind of defeats the point (and twice the price!)

Went for an s95 as s100's seem to have some duff lenses out there for now.

[LongQ]

RobDickinson said:

G12/X10 would be better but much more bulky which kind of defeats the point (and twice the price!)

Went for an s95 as s100's seem to have some duff lenses out there for now.

Interestingly having checked dpreview a few times since they seemed to find some variable lens results for the S100 in their test photo lab, the latest input sees them very positive and, from the fiew early adopter comments I read a while back, no one came up with any seriousl negative comments. As Rob says it's enough to make one wary but may not be a problem in the medium term or for most uses. We will no doubt find out in time.

The good news was that the new model meanth the very capable old one (S95) is selling for sensible money. My S90, being slightly older again, seemed like very sensoble money for what was on offer.

As it happens I bought a G11 (the same as a G12 except for a few tweaks here and there) at about the same time.

Same zoom range as the S90 in a bigger package with a bigger sensor. The overall image quality is very similar - difficult to tell them apart other than the marginally different handling of DoF attributes. One advantage of the G11, to me at least, is that there are viable filter adapters available that take filter sizes I already own. It adds to the bulk a little but also helps some aspects of the handling. You can get third party filter adapters for the S90/95 and so presumably the S100 too but for me going to the G11/12 made sense for the holiday project.

The other factor was that by buying the older models as refurbs, both of which are little different to what replaced them as far as features are concerned and identical (afaik) in optical terms, I was able to get both for the same price as a new S100 at launch.

I must confess that I didn't intend to keep both of them .... but .... they each have their strengths and conveniences so time will tell. However, as already observed, these cameras don't, as currently offered, replace DSLRs for what DSLRs are good at. They do provide a worthwhile alternative to DSLRs for very usable 'opportunity' shots and general snappery with enough ability to get a result that does not disappoint in comparison.

[AdvocatusD]

Thank you for the responses thus far. Do you guys think the S100 is worth it (as of today, when it's priced quite high) over the S95?

I like the camera, it's just the zoom that concerns me?

Also the suggestion that the manual focus is an arse, is that a familiar view?

[LongQ]

AdvocatusD said:

Thank you for the responses thus far. Do you guys think the S100 is worth it (as of today, when it's priced quite high) over the S95?

I like the camera, it's just the zoom that concerns me?

Also the suggestion that the manual focus is an arse, is that a familiar view?

New sensor, new lens and improved processor .. and in the end dpreview seems quite positive about it. Which is interesting.

The cost benefit decision is a very personal thing.

I bought am S90 refurb for about £155 when the S95 refurbs were selling (when there were any) for about £230 against a then typical highstreet price in the high £300s.

My rationale was that, for my purposes, the S90 ajd S95 were not so different and I might as well take advantage of the S100 announcement to reduce my depreciation yet still get a high class camera for sensibl;e money.

If you can wait a few months buy the S100 at a reduced price when the S105 is announced. (As it pobably will be.)

If you can use the improvements that the S100 claims to offer compared to the S95 AND get a satidfying benefit fom ownership in the next 6 to 9 months (maybe more) hen the price difference is acceptable.

If you can't ..... buy the S95 whilst there are still stocks around.

I would love the additional processing power, the slightly wider lens and the higher ISO capabilities of the S100 BUT I don't feel I NEED them right now. That would colour my decision. As indeed it did.

[RobDickinson]

S105 isnt going to be around for a year..

[LongQ]

RobDickinson said:

S105 isnt going to be around for a year..

Maybe not Rob .. but iirc the s90 to S95 gap was less than a year.

However my S105 comment was made with my my tongue firmly stuck in my cheek and on the basis that pre-announcement (if it counts and if the S105 ever comes into existence) may be less than a year away now ...

[RobDickinson]

I'm guessing the s100 should have been out November/early december but due to quakes/Thailand etc it was deleyed.

S90 to S95 was a very minor tweak fixing some usability issues.

[LongQ]

RobDickinson said:

I'm guessing the s100 should have been out November/early december but due to quakes/Thailand etc it was deleyed.

S90 to S95 was a very minor tweak fixing some usability issues.

True.

S100 was available in the US in November and the UK in early December.