Canon's PowerShot SD1100 IS gets reviewed

Like pretty much every other Digital ELPH preceding it, Canon's flagship SD1100 IS garnered nothing but the utmost praise in a recent Imaging-Resource review. Okay, so maybe critics did kvetch about slight noise at ISO 800, a somewhat confusing interface, and a not-particularly-useful digital zoom, but this point-and-shoot managed to get it right in the areas that matter most. Build quality and design were both smiled upon, the image stabilization performed as advertised and the image quality was deemed "excellent." Of note, they did find very minor chromatic aberration in the wide angle shots, but considering the size of this shooter, results were seen as fantastic. Overall, it looks like Canon has produced yet another winner in the pocket-friendly camera department, but feel free to take a gander at the in-depth review waiting in the read link below.

[Kobe_No_Means_No @ May 16th 2008 8:02PM]

This is NOT Canon's flagship point-and-shoot. Just because it has the highest model number does not mean it's the flagship. The SD1100 is the middle model in Canon's lineup. Canon's flagship right now is the SD950, which has a larger sensor. The "best" Canon point-and-shoot, in many experts opinion, is the SD870, which has image stabilization, 3" LCD, as well as a wide angle (28mm) lens.

Canon's model numbers are pretty confusing, but I'm very disappointed at Engadget for not knowing this. As a tech website you should at the very least understand the basic lineup of the cameras.

[Victor @ May 16th 2008 8:03PM]

Dang it, i was about to say the same thing

[polvadis @ May 16th 2008 10:45PM]

Yeah, I personally love how Canon's model numbers on the SD line make absolutely no sense at all. Common sense dictates the higher the number the better the product... but the SD team didn't get the memo and are still printing the wrong cover sheets on their TPS reports.

[SteveS @ May 17th 2008 12:46PM]

Reminds me of when I got my SD300 several years ago. Everyone thought it was a 3MP camera since the S400 was a 4MP shooter...

[jaalin @ May 16th 2008 8:09PM]

this was already reviewed over 2 months ago? http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd1100is/

[For2itous @ May 16th 2008 8:22PM]

True, and there are already 57 reviews on Amazon....

[Bruce Sturman @ May 16th 2008 8:35PM]

YAWN....

[Brannigan's Law @ May 16th 2008 8:37PM]

Yeah... I bought mine almost 2 months ago at Best Buy. But now that we're done bashing our beloved friend Engaget in the head... I do love camera. I've owned 2 other point and clicks from Cannon and this one is definitely a step up for its price class.

[mrpoo @ May 16th 2008 8:38PM]

I enjoy most other posts on engadget, but honestly the ones about cameras border on embarassing. I would be happy if the site just stuck to all gadgets other than cameras, cause it's just cranking up the lameness.

[Liam @ May 16th 2008 8:44PM]

It's an exercise in trying to write as if you understand what you're saying. Always fun.

[striggity @ May 16th 2008 9:28PM]

You'd be surprised...but there are people who are (get this) really into cameras...and therefor...posts like these are (wow...get this too) VALUED. Just because you see no point doesn't mean there is one.

[giuliop @ May 17th 2008 4:58AM]

You value post that give months old and wrong information? Wow, you must REALLY be into cameras.

[saq @ May 16th 2008 8:43PM]

I've got the SD1100 and I really do love it. The new interface is kinda funky, but after playing with it for an our it makes sense (mostly). The image quality is fantastic, the autofocus and optic image stabilization is amazing, and it can turn on and take a picture really really damn quick (like 2 seconds). Its also incredibly compact.

[rektide @ May 16th 2008 9:57PM]

STOP REWARDING MEDIOCRACY

[F3 @ May 17th 2008 2:36AM]

**mediocrity

[mrpoo @ May 17th 2008 6:04AM]

Now that's what I call irony! You shall be rewarded for this post.

[BuddhaDog @ May 17th 2008 3:21AM]

Come on Engadget! This was dissapointing. 'Flagship' and '..get reviewed' ..thought you guys were geeks and knew what you were talking about. You better fire the person who wrote this crap of a story and get your facts straight next time. Amateurs!

[sdragon @ May 17th 2008 6:40AM]

another winner in the pocket-camera area? Is this cam brand new? Compared to the Panasonic DMC FX-500, I have the feeling this cam lacks a lot!!

[WickedEast @ May 17th 2008 1:57PM]

You're right compared to a 400$ camera, this 200$ cam does lack a bit. -sarcasm-

[Cuthbert @ May 17th 2008 10:30AM]

It's disappointing that Canon offers only one wide angle model in its compact range. I have used Canon Elphs for years and they are very good. But now I use my Panasonic Lumix TZ5 more because it has a 28m wide angle lens which makes such a difference. Also the menu system is so much easier to use - I still get confused with the Canon one even after all this time.

[Bad Beaver @ May 17th 2008 10:46AM]

Optical viewfinder? Nice!

[conservative @ May 17th 2008 4:12PM]

'it can turn on and take a picture really really damn quick (like 2 seconds).'

2 seconds?

An SLR will be ready to take a picture before you can move your finger from the power switch to the shutter release.

[timothy @ May 17th 2008 5:01PM]

Way overpriced... How about a Kodak Z1285

[Qugeist @ May 17th 2008 5:09PM]

Looks impressive, although I not buying a camera any time soon. Got a Sony T-70 with similar specs.

[Roadmaster @ May 19th 2008 12:03PM]

I just bought an SD1100 and I've been very satisfied. Do keep in mind this is a point & shoot camera; when I need manual control over shooting parameters, I still use my trusty A80, and of course the SD1100 is hardly a match for any DSLR. However, within the point & shoot realm, it shines where it counts: it starts up quite fast (closer to 1.5 seconds), is quick to focus and snap (about 0.3 seconds, or almost instantly if you pre-focus), chooses adequate parameters without the user needing to do anything but, well, point & shoot, and is also incredibly compact so is a snap to take anywhere.

Remember, the worst picture is the one you never get to take, and having a light, portable and FAST camera will go a long way towards bettering your changes of snapping those pictures.

[Nana @ Jun 9th 2008 10:29AM]

Im using this cam for over 2 months now.. Its really a great camera. Compact and cute. I bought it in Singapore .(here it is called Canon IXUS 80 IS).