Canon PowerShot SD110 3MP Digital Elph with 2x Optical Zoom

Optics and Resolution

The PowerShot SD110 can create images of intense color and terrific quality--even in your biggest prints.

Movie Mode
The PowerShot SD110 lets you capture high-resolution 30-second video clips with sound at 640 x 480 (10 frames per second). You can also capture 3-minute movies at lower resolutions: 320 x 240 and 160 x 120 (both at 15 frames per second).

More Features

• Quick Shot function reduces the time lag between pressing the shutter button and starting exposure
• Nine-point artificial-intelligence autofocus (AiAF) for fast and sharp images, even with off-center subjects
• 1.5-inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD (118,000 pixels)
• Real-image optical zoom viewfinder
• Built-in flash with auto, redeye reduction, and slow sync modes
• Record a voice memo of up to 60 seconds and attach to images
• Shutter speed: 1/2000-15 seconds
• White balance control: Auto, preset (daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, fluorescent H), or custom white balance
• 2x to 10x zoom into captured images while reviewing via LCD
• Continuous shooting: 2.2 frames (maximum 12 images)

• DIGIC Imaging Processor: While much technical discussion of digital cameras centers around the optics and the CCD sensor, the complex task of image rendering is the job of the image processor--the "brains" of a digital camera. Canon's latest, exclusive DIGIC imaging processor significantly enhances digital camera performance in numerous areas. DIGIC's high-speed signal processing is combined with high-capacity buffering to give Canon digital cameras fast response and continuous shooting capability unmatched by other digital cameras. DIGIC delivers longer battery life and beautiful, rich color rendition with far fewer white saturation problems. And DIGIC's unequaled precision delivers clear, noise-free images that are demonstrably superior.
• iSAPS Technology: Canon iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology dramatically improves the performance of AF (autofocus), AE (autoexposure), and AWB (auto white balance). By analyzing a huge volume of photography data accumulated over 60 years and the manufacturing of over 150 million cameras, Canon engineers arrived at statistical relationships among focal length, focus distance, scene brightness, and other factors. Equipped with this "foreknowledge," Canon PowerShot cameras can optimize AF/AE/AWB settings for any given scene more rapidly and more effectively.
• Multipoint AiAF: Canon's wide-area, multipoint AiAF (artificial-intelligence autofocus) automatically selects one or more focusing points based on factors such as subject position and motion. AiAF works in conjunction with iSAPS Technology to more quickly and accurately achieve autofocus under a wide variety of shooting conditions. You get fast, accurate AF whether you hold the camera horizontally or vertically, whether you have stationary or moving subjects, with off-center subjects, and even in low-light or low-contrast situations.

Advanced Printing
The camera features Canon's Print/Share button, which illuminates when a successful connection is made between the camera's USB port and a PictBridge-compatible printer or Windows PC. When it is lit, pushing the button will print the currently displayed image (based on the printer's default PictBridge or Direct Printer settings) or automatically transfer the image to your PC. When connected to a Canon compact photo printer, the camera/printer combination allows for "movie-prints" (sequential frames of a movie clip printed as thumbnails on a single card) and photo IDs (passport-style ID photographs).

Direct Photo Printers
For large-format desktop printing, try one of the Direct Photo Printers which allow you to print directly in one of two ways: plugging the compatible PowerShot camera into the Direct Photo Printer using the supplied cable, or simply inserting a memory card with a supplied adapter. You can also connect the printer to your computer, for more options. Print high-resolution, borderless images in postcard size or as 8.5 x 11s within minutes.

	Canon Direct Printers
	i9900	i900D	i960	i860	i80	i475D	i560	S830D	S530D
PowerShot SD110
	CP-330	CP-300	CP-220	CP-200	CP-100	CP-10

Storage and Transfer
Images and video are stored on tiny Secure Digital (SD) memory cards; the camera is also compatible with MultiMedia cards (MMC). The included 16 MB card holds approximately 21 images at the large/fine setting. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1 connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based computer running Windows Me/2000/XP or Mac OS 8.6 or later without your having to install any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NB-3L). With the LCD on, you will get approximately 210 shots; with the LCD off, 550 shots. It measures 3.35 x 2.20 x 0.94 inches and weighs 5.82 ounces without batteries.

What's in the Box
The package contains the PowerShot SD110 digital camera, a 16 MB Secure Digital memory card, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NB-3L), a battery charger (CB-2LU), USB and A/V cables, and a wrist strap. The software supplied on the CD-ROM includes the browsing and printing programs ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch and the photo- and movie-manipulation programs ArcSoft PhotoStudio and VideoImpression.

The biggest detractor for this camera is the optical zoom, however. It's just not as much as I would prefer, but that's a personal thing and others may find it works well for their needs. Since I have the larger Fujifilm camera to fill in for those times when I need a lot of optical zoom, the SD110 is perfect for just about any other situation. I also like the fact that it takes video with sound, the first of all of my digicams to offer audio recording.

The 3.2 MP is more than enough for quality photos, and I'm quite satisfied with the resolution. The flash seems a little harsh, but just a bit so. I like the fact that opperates on a rechargable battery, although this may present problems if you run out of juice somewhere where it's not possible to plug in the charger (camping trips, foreign countries, etc). In that case, it's wise to bring around a full charged back up battery.

I also bought a Lexar MMC/SD Reader and 256 MB memory card while at the store. The reader plugs into my computer via the USB port and the memory card is removed from the camera and inserted into the reader, which then uploads the photos. It's good to avoid draining the battery by directly hooking up the camera to the computer, although it's obviously not necessary if you don't wish to purchase it at an additional cost.


BIG BANG FOR THE BUCK   October 3, 2004
Julian Nam (San Diego, CA)
47 out of 48 found this review helpful

This is one of the best point-and-shoot 3 megapixel cameras currently produced. As with all Canon PowerShot SD series cameras, the SD110 is very easy to use. Key features include an adequate 2x optical zoom, bright 1.5" LCD screen, and movie video with sound mode. In addition, it focuses quickly, the flash is bright, and the battery life is generous. While the S410 is better than the SD110 in megapixels (4 mp vs. 3 mp) and in zoom (3x vs. 2x), the SD110 is better than the S410 in that:

(1) The SD110 is a smidgeon smaller. You'll notice the difference in your pocket.
(2) The SD110 has a better movie resolution. 640x480 on the SD110; 320x240 on the S410.
(3) The SD110 has fewer buttons in the back panel making it slightly easier to use.
(4) The SD110 is about $100 cheaper.

The optical zoom on the SD110 is less than ideal, but it has all the other must-have features, and it packs that in a teeny-tiny body--you can easily carry this in (guys) your pocket or (gals) your purse. Plus it's packaged in a beautiful white-silver exterior. A must-have accessory is a much bigger SecureDigital memory card (get at least a 256MB card). An extra battery would also be helpful--since this camera comes with an external charger--so that you will always have a fresh battery handy.

EDIT (11/27/04): Canon has introduced the PowerShot SD200 which gives you 3x optical zoom, a 2" LCD screen, and a host of other improvements.


SD100 + PictBridge   April 23, 2004
Salty F (Tempe, AZ)
48 out of 50 found this review helpful

I've chose this camera over Pentax Optio S4, Minolta Xg, and I've tried SD100 as well. Both Minolta and Pentax had better specs (x3 Zoom, 4Mp), however SD110 ends up making better pictures, and with no effort what so ever.

It is, probably, one of the easiest cameras to use. Automatic settings work perfect in almost all the cases. If you'd want to get comparable picture quality from other cameras you'll have to fiddle with manual controls for a few minutes, otherwise you get 4Mp worth of crap (and with high zoom factor as well).

Manual mode is rather simple, although lets you take good night shots (up to 15 sec. exposures). Macro mode is not as great as in other cameras, though.

Start up time is fast enough. Zoom is fast and very easy to control. Other controls are also well placed. One feature I particularly like is that it has separate "Func" and "Menu" buttons. "Menu" has basic camera settings, which are not used very often, and the "Func" menu contains all the picture settings, such as exposure compensation, ISO mode, compression quality, resolution, etc. It makes it much easier to find and change the settings you really need. The only thing I find inconvenient is the lack of a separate "quick view" button. It is necessary to use the mode selector instead.

Movie mode could be better too. Zoom and exposure are fixed the same moment you start shooting, so you do not have the same flexibility as a regular video camera (or Minolta Xg) has. At 640x480 resolution, max you can get is 30 sec at 15 fps, which makes this mode pretty much useless. The 320x240 mode is more practical in this sense. And the in-camera movie editing can help save some storage space when you need it.

As for the lens, you do get some purple fringing in rare cases. Vignetting is lower than in other ultra-compacts. Auto focus and resolution are also pretty good compared to the competition. I guess Canon decided to go a different way than the competition. They traded off zoom ratio instead of picture quality for the compactness.

To put it all together. If you want fast and easy to use point-and-shoot camera that takes great pictures as well, there is nothing better to choose from. Even considering all its weak points, it is still the best camera there is in its market segment.

I regret that I didn't get an SD100 for $60 less, though. Since I print all my pictures at Costco anyways, and do not need the stupid PictBridge button.


SD110   November 13, 2004
nixie
54 out of 57 found this review helpful

I can describe this camera in one word: FABULOUS. This little camera is the whole deal, all rolled up into a tiny package. It has everything you'd need. It takes great picture with amazing clarity and vibrant colors, the videos are of great quality, and on top of that, it is the most adorable camera I've ever seen.

The 16MB memory card included with this camera is much too small, so I'd definitely recommend buying one that is at least 256MB. I have a 512MB SanDisk memory card. On the highest setting for this camera (superfine at 2048x1536), it holds about 302 pictures. On the lowest (normal at 640x480), it holds 4419.

Battery life has been okay. It's not amazing, but it is pretty good, considering the camera's size and functions. If you turn off the LCD, it saves a lot of battery, but I definitely prefer to use it. Also, some people have recommended buying an extra battery. I personally have not, but if you are going to be going on a trip where you won't be able to plug in the battery charger, it'd be helpful.

The body of the SD110 is very sturdy. It's a cool silver-white metal (though at times it looks almost champage. Amazon's pictures are somewhat misleading because the color of the camera looks different in real life) and has not yet gotten a scratch. Just in case, however, I bought the PSC-50 soft leather case. Though I wish it was included, it's only an additional $10 and can keep your camera in tip-top shape.

If you are just a snap-shot photographer like me (I take pictures of friends, etc), then this is the best camera to get. If you are looking for something more professional and need more than 2X optical zoom, then you might want to reconsider. All in all, this is an amazing camera, and you should most definitely buy it!