Canon's PowerShot range of digital cameras has a deserved reputation for reliability, versatility and high quality images and the latest model is no exception. The SX110 IS is a straight upgrade replacement for the popular SX100 IS and as SX stands for “Super Zoom” (someone needs a spelling lesson), there are no prizes for guessing the main selling point of this model.

With a choice of either silver or black casing, the SX110 IS feels comfortably light but firm in the hand with the main controls on the back built around a central scroll wheel. The mode control on top gives both beginners and experienced photographers a range of settings to suit your experience level and the wide-view, 3-inch LCD screen is more than sufficient when lining up your shots.

The 10x optical zoom (featuring a 35mm film equivalent focal length of 36-360mm) is the star of the show here, enabling you to reach that bit further at sporting events or picking out distant details when on holiday. As the main problem with zooming is camera shake, here Canon's optical image stabilizer and motion detection technology spring into action, together with a high ISO Auto setting, to do an excellent job at restricting blur.

Picture quality is further enhanced through the 9-megapixel resolution and the camera employs Canon's DIGIC III image processor with iSAPS, designed for clear, sharp images and fast response times. If you're unfamiliar with it, iSAPS is an original scene-recognition technology that's claimed to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.

As you'd expect, you can customise your settings with 20 shooting modes including 8 Special Scene Modes and Easy Mode for those who like all the work done for them. Easy Mode also limits playback options to simple image viewing and deletion functions. On the other hand, if you want maximum control over exposure and white balance, etc., than you can switch to full manual control and customise settings for special effects or unusual lighting.

This is a particularly good camera for portrait photography as Canon's Advanced Face Detection Technology automatically sets focus, exposure, flash and white balance for both solo portraits and group shots. In addition, Face Select & Track lets you highlight one face among several in a scene and it will lock onto that person even if they move around. Instant access to this function is via the conveniently located Face Selector Button just above the scroll wheel. As an extra bonus, auto red-eye correction is standard both in shooting and playback.

Operation is smooth and the clarity and authenticity of the images, especially in zoom mode, are highly impressive.

Verdict
A worthy successor to the SX100 IS, this is a perfect camera to take with you on holiday or to sporting events where you need that extra bit of zoom capacity and focus accuracy, together with multiple portrait photography options.

Company: Canon

Contact: 01737 220000

Tags: canon powershot liquid crystal display digital camera zoom lens digic international organization for standardization image stabilization photography