Digital Elph Like its predecessors, the new Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS looks and feels great. Its price of about $ 249 is squarely in the field of media point-and-shoots, but its robust feature - including Canon DIGIC Quick III, a maximum aperture of f2.8, and outstanding image quality - it can compete with cameras that cost much more.

Although the SD1100 features a number of improvements on the older SD1000, the new model has some drawbacks. First, Canon 3mm shaved off the wide-angle end of the 3X optical zoom, giving it a 38-114mm focal length - that is to say ciao, wide-angle shots. The SD1100 also shoots a bit slower than its predecessor (although faster than its competitors at low prices), with a capacity of 1.3 frames per second burst. Finally, the Canon Elph softened up the old square edges, and I think that detracts from its sleek design and, surprisingly, its comfort in the hand.

However, the SD1100 is a remarkable little camera. Not only streamlined its bench to one of the most beautiful and seemingly durable-pointer shoots around, the model is perfect for the pocket and frankly pleasant to use. The SD1100’s buttons are logically placed, and its menu options - with the exception of some of the more esoteric settings - are easy to find. The video is the norm, and film lengths are limited only by your memory card the size.

Although the SD1100 lack true manual functionality - has no priority or shutter, it - his shooting modes and “manual” are stellar. It offers nine scene modes, including an excellent Macro mode, a mode Kids & Pets, and a new mode Sunset (infinitely more convenient than the Aquarium and Fireworks modes). Both the Night Snapshot mode and Low Syncro flash produced well-lit night shots (in the bar and on the street). For more control, along shutter setting slows the shutter speed up to 15 seconds.

As for the white balance, I seldom had to rely on something other than the automatic adjustment of the SD1100, although the camera has six white balance modes, plus a custom mode. However, I found Canon, the new “Face Detection Technology” and “Face Selection & Motion Selection ‘modes cumbersome and ineffective, and relies instead on hand and Focus AF (autofocus) Locks and excellent mode Measuring spot. (Call me old school.)

In our laboratory tests, the SD1100 scored higher on quality of the overall image that virtually all of its competitors. On the sharpness scale, only a handful of the camera we tested beat the SD1100 (including Kodak EasyShare V1253, the Fuji FinePix F50fd, and the Casio EX-Z1080), but all are more expensive. To combat the movement of the camera in low-light situations, Canon has added functionality Optical Image Stabilizer, but I think his presence quite remarkable - as it would probably be on most point-and-shoots.

Despite some minor problems, the SD1100 IS is a pleasure to use, and produces superb photos in his class. If you can get without a true wide-angle lens, you will be more than satisfied with the SD1100 IS. But man, does it look cool.

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