The Canon PowerShot SX100 IS, the first model in a new series launched in August 2007, pushes its way into the growing market of 10x optical zoom cameras with small bodies. It’s not quite a slim-bodied point-and-shoot, nor is it a chunkier mid-range zoom. Instead, the SX camera is an amalgam of the two, offering advanced point-and-shooters a long, stabilized lens at an affordable price. The 8-megapixel SX100 IS features Canon’s newest image processor, known for its excellent color accuracy, and updated face detection system. It retails for $299.

We perform a variety of image quality tests on digital cameras. Some of the prime determinants of image quality are color accuracy, dynamic range, resolution, and noise levels. Like all Canon PowerShot models released this year, the SX100 IS has excellent color accuracy except for minor inaccuracies in yellows and blues. Accurate color and white balance enable this camera to take images that are true-to-life. In addition to properly rendered colors, the camera produces sharp, detailed images. The SX100 IS also generally performs well in low light settings, such as nightclubs or evening weddings.

The camera does have a few weak spots at high ISO sensitivity settings, however. At ISO 800 or 1600 - used when shooting at night or in dark rooms without the flash - the camera produces images speckled with grainy noise, and contains limited dynamic range.

The PowerShot SX100 IS is Canon’s response to the Panasonic Lumix TZ3, the rival manufacturer’s top-selling camera and one of the highest performing non-SLR cameras we have tested this year. But unlike competitors that start out at $350 or more, like the Nikon Coolpix S10, the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS retails for less than $300.

The PowerShot SX100 IS has a 10x optically stabilized lens that compensates for camera shake. While Panasonic’s TZ3 also carries optical image stabilization, the Fujifilm FinePix S700 does not. The SX100 IS has a 2.5-inch, 172,000-pixel LCD screen, which meets the current size standards but falls short of the resolution standard. Most LCD monitors, including the TZ3’s 3-inch screen, have 230,000-pixel resolution.

For consumers looking to upgrade from entry-level digital cameras, the SX100 IS offers a combination of easy-to-use Auto modes and manual control options, including Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes.  

The SX100 IS utilizes an upgraded face detection system, thanks to its Digic III image processor. While many cameras, such as the Nikon S10, also include some variation of face detection technology, Canon’s new Face Select tool allows users to choose a specific face from a group of up to 35 to be the primary target for exposure and focus. Neither the Panasonic TZ3 nor the  Fujifilm S700 has face detection.

The Canon PowerShot SX100 supplies impressive image quality and an admirable feature set, including a 10x optically stabilized zoom lens. Its sub-$300 price tag and Face Select tool set the camera apart from competitors and provides a strong value for a range of consumers.