Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Silver Digital Camera {8MP}

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS: Pocketable 3x Zoom With Optical Stabilization

The SD1100 IS packs a 8 megapixel CCD sensor into a body weighing 165 g, small enough to disappear into a jacket pocket. Its 38-114mm equivalent lens covers a practical 3x range at a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture, giving you a reasonable amount of light-gathering ability for a camera this size. Optical image stabilization backs up handheld shots at the longer end of the zoom, and the macro mode focuses down to 3 cm for close-up work on flowers, food, or small objects.

ISO sensitivity runs from 80 to 1600, with a High ISO Auto mode built around motion detection to help the camera choose settings when subjects are moving. Exposure compensation is available at plus or minus 2 EV in 1/3-stop steps, giving you fine control over brightness even without shutter or aperture priority modes. The 2.5-inch screen with 230,000 dots handles composition and playback, backed by an optical tunnel viewfinder for framing in bright conditions.

Continuous shooting runs at 1.3 fps, and video tops out at 640 x 480 at 30fps, useful for casual clips than serious video work. Built-in flash covers subjects out to 3.50 meters, with slow sync and red-eye reduction modes on hand for varied lighting. This is a camera built around grab-and-go simplicity, a straightforward point-and-shoot design that still gives you manual control over exposure compensation and ISO when you need it.

Who It's For

Travel photographers who want a camera light enough to carry all day will appreciate the 165 g weight and pocket-friendly 87 x 55 x 22 mm body. Casual portrait and family shooters benefit from the f/2.8 maximum aperture and built-in flash rated to 3.50 meters, useful for indoor gatherings and low-light snapshots. Anyone shooting close-up subjects, flowers, small objects, or food, gets real use from the 3 cm macro focus range. Photographers who want some manual say over their exposures without a full manual mode will find the plus or minus 2 EV exposure compensation and ISO range from 80 to 1600 give them a workable degree of control over brightness and noise in a simple point-and-shoot format.

Key Features

• 8.0MP 1/2.5" CCD sensor with 4:3 and 16:9 image ratios
• 38-114mm equivalent 3x optical zoom with f/2.8 maximum aperture
• Optical image stabilization for handheld shooting
• Macro focusing down to 3 cm, normal focus at 30 cm
• 2.5-inch 230,000-dot screen with optical tunnel viewfinder
• ISO 80–1600 with High ISO Auto motion detection
• Built-in flash with slow sync and red-eye reduction
• 1.3 fps continuous shooting, 640 x 480 video at 30fps

FAQ

What's the actual zoom range on the SD1100 IS?

38-114mm equivalent, which is a 3x optical range. Bright f/2.8 maximum aperture across the zoom, so you get usable light even at the long end.

Does it have image stabilization?

Yes, optical image stabilization. It helps with handheld shooting, especially when you're stretched out at 114mm.

How close can you focus?

Macro mode focuses down to 3 cm. Normal focus distance is 30 cm, so you've got flexibility for close work on flowers, food, or detail shots.

What ISO range does it offer?

80 to 1600, plus Auto and High ISO Auto modes. High ISO Auto incorporates motion detection to help the camera choose settings when subjects are moving.

Can you control exposure manually?

No aperture priority or shutter priority modes, but you get exposure compensation at plus or minus 2 EV in 1/3-stop increments, giving you fine control over brightness.

What video specs does the SD1100 IS have?

640 x 480 at 30fps, useful for casual clips. Lower resolution options are available at 320 x 240 and 160 x 120.

How fast is the continuous shooting?

1.3 fps. It's a grab-and-shoot camera, not built for rapid-fire sequences.