Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - PowerShot 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera - Silver
Average customer rating
4.1
(142 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 142 reviews
5 Stars
82
4 Stars
28
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
11
1 Star
12
77%of customers recommend this product.
(
110 out of
142)
Customer Reviews for Canon - PowerShot 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera - Silver
Customer Rating
5
Fifty years' experience in a pocket camera
on March 17, 2010
Posted by: SilverCam
from Martin County, Florida
As the title indicates, I have many years' experience in photography, and currently own seven professional-level cameras, one of which is digital. This Canon is my fourth digital camera.
The capabilities and modes in this camera very accurately automate most of the knowledge and techniques I have learned over these many years, yet they are easy to activate and understand. In the Program mode, the camera's images can be adjusted for over- and under-exposure compensation, a feature that is usually found only in expensive, advanced, and professional-level cameras. The A1100 iS does not have the level of manual control of professional cameras, but compensates with modes and function selections for almost every imaginable situation. For me, it is more than adequate, making the Canon an extremely gratifying back-up and casual-use camera. It is unobtrusive and convenient, so I carry it all the time, which allowed me to capture some shots I would otherwise have missed. Yet it is not so ridiculously thin and tiny that it is difficult to hold.
The color and resolution are almost uniformly superb. Dim-light and extremely bright conditions can be troublesome, which is true of most cameras, but the images are acceptable, and generally better than many other cameras produce. 12-megapixel images rival those of my professional-grade digital camera, which has a much larger image sensor. Only at extreme magnification is the professional camera's better resolution apparent.
In most cases, the 5-megapixel resolution is the best choice. It produces superb prints up to 8 X 10 inches, and excellent poster-size enlargements, so 4 X 6 prints are top-rate. You will also get twice as many images on a memory card. Shoot 12-megapixel images if you plan to enlarge them beyond 8 X 10, crop and enlarge a part of the image, project them, or sell them to a magazine.
The mode-selector dial on the top makes mode-selection almost instantaneous, far better than shuffling through menus. The controls and the menus are very intuitive and easy to use. They provide one-button, instantaneous access to all the most important adjustments. The review button next to the speaker displays the images without turning on the entire camera -- a very handy feature.
The zoom range is perfect for most situations. I would prefer a slightly wider wide-angle setting, but the 35-mm equivalent is fine for most landscape and tight indoor or group photos. The macro capability is terrific. It can be selected manually, using the very easy and intuitive circular toggle ring on the back, or the camera automatically adjusts to macro focus when in the Auto or Easy modes. However, be sure to use the view screen in Macro mode, otherwise the actual image will be off center (because of parallax).
The biggest drawback in the Easy mode is that the view screen is always turned on, and it is a heavy power drain, which is true of all digital cameras' view screens. For maximum battery life, turn off the view screen and use the optical view-finder; it's one of the foremost reasons I selected this camera. Also, obtain a set of rechargeable Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMH) batteries. They provide much longer operation than alkalines, and they are rechargeable. Search the Internet. One brand is consistently rated superior to all the others.
Flash-recycle time is slower than in most other cameras, so allow for the slightly greater delay.
The beautiful finish is slippery! Be sure to have the lanyard attached and on your wrist whenever you are carrying the camera.
The price, the features, and the capabilities make this camera an outstanding value. I like it so much that I've given one to each of my three children and bought a second, just in case the first one fails or is damaged.
For a professional or advanced photographer looking for a "knockabout" or small back-up camera, the A1100 iS is hard to beat. The casual photographer gets a near-professional-performance camera at a very reasonable price.
Pros: good battery life, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Glad I bought it
on July 18, 2009
Posted by: Ruby
from Illinois
I found this camera very easy to use. The instruction book with just the basics for starting out is great. For those that slammed the book, they need to put the CD that was provided in the box in their computer to get very detailed instructions on the cameras features (132 pages worth!) I like that you can use the viewfinder or the screen, it is very light weight, I found it very easy to delete the pics (something I could never figure out on my last camera, it took pics very quickly and I'm able to shoot again in about a second. I don't use my camera daily so I like that I can use AA's and not have to worry about it not being charged.
Pros: easy to use, Simple controls/menu, Nice features/settings, Bright LCD, excellent image quality, Good Low-Light Performance, Lightweight/Portable, good battery life, durable, the aa batteries are a plus
Cons: nothing i really don't like
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Information on battery
on February 1, 2010
Posted by: Chet
from Boca Raton, FL
Had A 1100 IS about a month - and have used it very limited. Even taking a few pics gave a low battery symbal - and this was regardless of new Alkilines or newly recharged rechargables.
Called Canon to make a complaint and met a very understanding "David" who walked me thru using a pencil eraser on the battery contacts! WOW! This seems to have solved at least a great part of the battery problem.
He offered that he had found this problem to be on several of the - even brand new units - which was the case in this unit.
This problem "solved" - I am looking forward to the many features that this camera has - even though these may be somewhat difficult to access. The online manual download and study is a MUST to take advantage of all that is offerred.
Called Canon to make a complaint and met a very understanding "David" who walked me thru using a pencil eraser on the battery contacts! WOW! This seems to have solved at least a great part of the battery problem.
He offered that he had found this problem to be on several of the - even brand new units - which was the case in this unit.
This problem "solved" - I am looking forward to the many features that this camera has - even though these may be somewhat difficult to access. The online manual download and study is a MUST to take advantage of all that is offerred.
Pros: Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable
Cons: Complicated controls/menu
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great All-around Camera
on November 10, 2009
Posted by: Birdie the Baker
from Middle Tennessee
This camera is such a good deal! The features cover every sort of photograph I would want to take, from everyday portraits/snapshots of people to stunning photos of sunsets and scenery, all with easy select and shoot menu choices. Everything is preset and ready to go! Even beginners can make perfect photographs with this thing! I am really impressed with the Image Stabilizing and "smart" face recognition- no more blurry red-eyed photos of people for me!
Pros: easy to use, Simple controls/menu, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, Good Low-Light Performance, Lightweight/Portable, good battery life
Cons: hard to hold, poor a/v out cover
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
2
slow, very slow
on December 14, 2009
Posted by: mdubois
from alaska
This camera is lightweight, easy to cary, great features however picture taking is very slow. I would highly recommend this camera for still shots but not for action, everyday shots. By the time the camera is ready to take a second shot the children have moved up to something else. I'm really surprise that nobody else has mentioned this in their reviews.
Pros: excellent image quality, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
Cons: slow picture taking
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
on March 23, 2010
Posted by: Big Daddy
from Menasha, WI.
Started taking pics. rite out of the box, before I even registered it. Happy with results, easyer then my last dig. camera. I did have a problem with registration. But its after buying the product that counts, called customer support, very helpful and polite, and thats a BIG plus in anything you buy, the support after. Thanks Canon
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
VERY USABLE AND ENJOYABLE
on December 7, 2009
Posted by: 7k
from WY, TN, NC, SC, AL, MS, TX
This purchase was to replace ann older model of the S series. I have been very satisfied with the picture quality and functions and ease of use. The replaceable batteries in lieu of chargers etc is fine for me. One needs to do a little study and practice to learn how to operate the system effectively.
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
batteries - arghhh
on February 2, 2010
Posted by: kabes
from Vermont
The battery life is the only complaint I have of the AS1100IS. I'm able to take about 15 pictures before I get a low battery symbol. I'm going to take an earlier reviewers advice and try taking an eraser to the battery contacts.
Pros: Nice features/settings, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
Cons: Short battery life
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com