Those of you who have read a few of my previous reviews will release that I am somewhat addicted to cameras. I generally buy and sell them on a regular basis, which keeps my gadget addiction ticking over nicely. My latest contraption is the Canon 'Powershot SX110' - the updated version of the SX100, a camera that I previously owned and was impressed with.

Fitting into the 'compact' category, the nine Megapixel shooter is a sleek and rather pleasing looking device. It isn't quite as tiny as the really small cameras which can be purchased nowadays (110.6 x 70.4 x 44.7 mm), but it will just about squeeze into a shirt or jeans pocket. The slightly bulky size can be forgiven however, as the device houses an incredible 10x (36 - 360mm) optical zoom. Compared to most digital compacts which have an average of 3x optical zoom, the SX100 really is an impressive piece of equipment.

The camera, which takes an SD card as its main storage device, features a three inch LCD screen which is bright and fairly easy to view even in sunny conditions. Other features of note include an effective image stabilisation system which is designed to prevent blurry images caused by camera shake.


Build Quality
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The SX100 has an all plastic construction, meaning that it isn't quite as well made as its nearest superzoom rival - the all metal Panasonic 'TZ5'. That said, the camera does feel sturdy, and the choice of material means that the product remains fairly light at only 245 grams. The camera is comfortable to hold, and both the top dial and shutter buttons are in easy to access locations.


Picture Quality
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In general, the SX110's image quality is of a high standard, with a fairly decent tonal range and well saturated colours. There is a slight tendency to overexpose, resulting in some blown highlights - although it is only occasional and therefore not a big issue. Images show slight noise (grain) at the lowest ISO settings (80 - 100), whilst ISO 400 introduces more substantial noise but is still useable. ISO 1600 pushes the boundary of acceptability, and should only be used for emergencies - although it's always good to have the option in low light situations. Overall though, the camera produces sharp and pleasing results, placing it in the top quarter of cameras in its class.


Movie Mode
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The SX110 has a few different recording modes (all in AVI format) with a maximum resolution of 640 X 480 at thirty frames per second. Other options include a long play mode and a 320 X 240 setting. Clips are limited to 4 GB or 60 minutes (whatever comes first) and in general, the quality of the video is very good, producing decent results even in low light.


Battery Life
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The camera is powered by two AA batteries which fit into the underside of the handgrip. It is a bit unusual in this day and age for a camera not to ship with a rechargeable lithium pack - but with fairly good Ni-Mh batteries, you can probably get around 200-250 shots per charge, which is by no means bad.


User interface and menus
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Like the majority of Canon's compact range, the user interface is easy to use and should be understood by even digital camera novices. The are a wealth of options hidden away in the menu system, including access to some manual controls - which will impress the more advanced users.


Negatives
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Although there aren't many downsides with this model, the lack of an optical viewfinder may alienate some people. Also, like its predecessor, the flash takes a long time to recycle, meaning that there is a bit of a wait between shots in dim conditions. To be honest, this doesn't really bother me, as it don't use it much anyway - however, if you're a frequent party-goer, then this factor may be an issue.


Final Word
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Costing £186 from Amazon, and available for slightly less on eBay, I would give the Canon Powershot SX110 a high recommendation as a versatile and fun to use camera. Like its predecessor, the camera delivers an impressive image quality, and in combination with the great zoom range, I plan to keep this one for a while!


Technical Bits and Pieces
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MegaPixels: 9.0
Zoom: Optical 10x, Digital 4x (35mm equivalent: 36-360mm)
Aperture: f/2.8 - f/4.3
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments
ISO Sensitivity: 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Shutter Speed: 1/60 - 1/2500 sec
Monitor: 3.0" TFT, 230,000 pixels
Flash Modes: Auto, Manual Flash On / Off
Shooting Modes: Auto, Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Easy, Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Special Scene
Memory card: SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC plus, HC MMC plus.
Power: Batteries 2x Size-AA Alkaline or NiMH Batteries (NB4-300)
Dimensions: 110.6 x 70.4 x 44.7 mm
Weight: 245g