A 10x zoom, optical stabilization, the DIGIC III processor, face detection, and priority modes...  The new PowerShot SX100 IS has a very interesting technical sheet and could very well represent a new line of competitively priced bridge cameras from Canon.

Handling

Don’t be mistaken, the SX100 IS is still an "economy" camera.  The all plastic body is a bit surprising in its lightness; however, in the end the SX100’s shape is attractive with its both retro and futuristic look.  On top, you will find a dial with classic auto, scene and video modes, and in addition the rarer P,S,A and M priority modes.   Attracting the eye on the back is a 2.5 inch LCD screen combined with another dial.  While the screen’s definition is rather low (172 000 pixels), display is still surprisingly precise and fluid while viewing angles are very large.  The dial proved to be very efficient in setting P,S,A and M priority modes or for exposure correction.  In Play mode, it also proved to be very useful for navigation through photos. 

Overall in terms of speed, the PowerShot SX100 IS is quite fast.  Autofocus is rapid, recording time is satisfactory, and only startup can seem a bit long.  The burst mode was a bit disappointing at one image per second in AF mode. 

The camera functions with two AAs and autonomy is just barely satisfactory with two alkaline batteries.  Moreover, it’s unfortunate that Canon didn’t separate the battery and memory card compartments because the latter tend to fall out upon opening. 

Finally, one last small disappointment was the lack of a true wide angle.

Image quality

There were no bad surprises for this new Canon. The lens produces nice images with satisfactory precision for a 10x zoom.  At 36 mm images are a bit deformed but distortion decreases with the zoom.  On heavily contrasted subjects purple fringes are rather noticeable but for 10x15 and 20x30 photos overall quality is up to expectations.  Noise control is consistent with other Canon cameras and there are nice images at 80 and 100 ISO with a degradation of details beyond 400 ISO.  Moreover, at 800 and 1600 ISO granulation becomes colored and significant.  Exposure is often good just like automatic white balance in natural light; however, under artificial lighting it’s much more surreal.  In our Barbie test shot, the flash produced unusually warm colors.  Finally, the macro mode impressed us once again and we found stabilization simply amazing.