How long will camera manufactures continue to keep cranking out cameras with the same flaws over and over again? Apparently, just a little bit longer. It’s like Canon and others are asleep at the wheel. Buying a Canon PowerShot SX100IS Digital could be a disappointing proposition for many, unless they’re informed of what the camera can and can’t do. So, in the spirit of spreading the word, let’s take a better second look at the SX100IS, and see what’s in store for the perspective purchaser.
The thing with cameras though, is that the technology changes so quickly, that by the time I finish writing this review, the next great batch of great cameras will hit the store shelves. Only too soon to be quickly followed by manufactures announcing the latest and greatest new features for the next round of cameras. If your into photography, and technology, this can be great fun. What with learning all the new jargon, buying all the latest gadgets, and generally just impressing the heck out of friends and family with all your geek wisdom.
And here’s another surprise. Expect a four or five second delay between taking pictures while the SX100IS flash recharges. Just like every other point and shoot out there. I know this doesn’t happen in the SLR camera category, but I also don’t believe I should have to spend $600 plus to get that feature. With the amount of money consumers have spent on digital cameras, the industry really needs to focus their R&D on this problem. Expecting point and shoot camera users to get the perfect picture the first time is unreasonable. Even the pros aren’t that good.
The truth be told, the basis of a good camera really hasn’t changed much in the past 50 years or so. You want a good quality lens, in a solid camera housing, that is capable of getting you a true to life quality image reproduction. The camera manufacturers have been greedily salivating over digital technology ever since it hit the photography field. They’ve never had so many reasons to release so many new models with so many new bells and whistles. Mind you, some of them are great, but some features are just plain useless. Or if not useless, then probably so buried amongst all the other menu features that most users never know they’re there let alone use them.
Every once in a while, you find a camera that seems to be the one for you. In the case of the SX100IS, I found myself somewhat wanting more. Unfortunately, I still have a few more gripes. Image quality, suffers in lighter environments. No viewfinder, which limits users options. LCD screen has no protection, and susceptible to scratching. Scroll wheel is too responsive, and prone to selecting wrong setting.
And, finally for those of you with bottomless pocketbooks, why not splurge and grab yourself a Canon EOS 5D for about $2000 plus change. With full frame technology at a very reasonable price, your bound to silence even the most ardent “film only” purists anywhere.
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