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Canon PowerShot SX110 IS

Author	Cliff Smith
Published	3rd Oct 2008
Manufacturer	Canon
Price	£165.22 (Exc VAT)
as reviewed	£190.00 (Inc VAT)
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In November last year I reviewed the then-new PowerShot SX100 IS, the first model in a new series of compact cameras from Canon. The SX series are intended as “family cameras”, designed to be easy to use, but with enough versatility to appeal to more adventurous photographers. Canon has now added three new models to the SX range, with the launch last month of the 20x zoom SX1 IS and SX10 IS, and this, the 10x zoom, 9.0 megapixel SX110 IS.

It looks increasingly like the SX series is taking over from the venerable A-series as Canon’s primary mid-range compact cameras. While the latest A-series models, such as the A2000 IS lack the popular manual options of previous models, the SX110 IS has a full range of manual exposure options, plus other features that will appeal to more experienced photographers. It has a powerful pop-up flash, a large bright 3.0-inch 230k LCD monitor and a traditional, easy-to-use control interface.

The long-zoom compact market is still far from crowded, but nonetheless the SX110 IS has some formidable competition, primarily from Panasonic’s superb Lumix DMC-TZ5, which has a very similar specification with a 10x zoom lens, 9.1MP sensor and 3.0-inch monitor. However the TZ5 has a 28-280mm equivalent zoom range (the SX110 has 36-360mm), and that monitor has double the resolution of the Canon. The TZ5 is also a little cheaper, currently retailing at around £180. The SX110 will also see some competition from the 10MP 7.1x zoom Ricoh R8 (£145) and the new R10, although that camera will probably be more expensive.

The SX110 IS is not a small camera. Measuring 110.6 x 70.4 x 44.7mm and weighing around 300g including a pair of alkaline AA batteries it is significantly larger and heavier than the TZ5. It is really too big and heavy for convenient pocket portage, and would benefit from the additional purchase of a belt pouch. To be honest I’m surprised it only has a wrist strap, since I’ve seen smaller and lighter cameras with a neck strap. However the camera’s bulk reflects its excellent build quality. Despite its plastic body it feels solid and robust, the controls, battery hatch and pop-up flash are recessed and solidly mounted, and the curved shape is innately strong.

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Beowulff said on 5th October 2008

It's a shame to see Canon doing away with the "A" series' optical viewfinder, (10x zoom coupling the killer here?) and also the right-hand grip, which seems to ... more

Tom MacFarlane said on 10th October 2008

I currently use the SX100 and it is a superb camera. I have also used the Panasonic TZ3. All I can say, JimmyDee, is go for the Canon. This review - and in particular the images - ... more

Ross said on 25th October 2008

Like Bobsta and JimmyDee, I too was considering the Panasonic TZ5 but before I took the leap into Digital with my Olympus C-750 I had used a Canon A1 35mm for years, and I mean YEARS with not one camera fault showing up. Canon and Nikon lenses are the best in the world while maintaining some balance between cost and common sense.

I therefore plucked up the courage of my convictions, and after reading the spec sheets and pre-launch reviews of the SX110 I abandoned the idea of going for the TZ5 - and am so glad I did.

What you get with Canon's SX110 is years of photographic experience - this beast was not as easy (for me) to get to grips with at first, but after a couple of days, the menu systems became pretty obvious in most things. One thing that surprised me was the minimum aperture is F8 which I didn't realise beforehand - but as most lenses give their best performance at f8 or f5.6 this is not a problem unless you want long time exposures, eg to blur moving water, while using a tripod - 3/4 to 2 seconds etc. I still have my cokin Neutral Density filters for such situations so its not a problem.

In every other respect, the camera outperforms in every area when compared to my Olympus C-750 which I sold recently. Better than this, it outperforms in every area of my expectations - the sharpness of the lens, through the range, is incredible. The optical image stabilisation is done using ceramic guides which tweak the lens at the moment of exposure - when your back is against the wall, this gives you approx two stops extra hand holding stability - and of course, on a tripod at full zoom the IS completely secures a sharp image for you.

Macro, which is one of my great interests, performs stunningly, and the colours (try shooting flowers - wow!) are correctly saturated leaving little for photoshop to do.

I am SO glad I gave up on the Panasonic and bought this (3 weeks ago) and had I known how good this was I would have gone for the SX100 last year - still, just as well I suppose, the 3" LCD makes it an even better image making machine - If I may add, I bought a Manfrotto Modo Maxi tripod with integrated head - this has a 'leg spread' setting where the tripod head is about six inches from the ground (the tripod centre column unscrews just under the head to allow this to work) If you are into macro, grab one now - I paid about 45 quid which, given the quality and lightness (under a kg) is great - its only suitable for light cameras and partners my SX110 brilliantly!

So, go out and buy an SX110 now, or, next year when they replace it (SX120?) buy that instead!

Happy photography, Ross

Like Bobsta and JimmyDee, I too was considering the Panasonic TZ5 but before I took the leap into Digital with my Olympus C-750 I had used a Canon A1 35mm for years, and I mean YEA... more

xeos said on 14th November 2008

On the whole I really like the SX110. I feel that the only real downside is the high CCD noise when using high ISO settings. Unfortunately, in low light situations this is relative... more

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