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| Canon Powershot A2100IS Review |
Overview For anyone looking to buy a great camera to use for travel and hiking, this could be it. Although there have been a few people who have had some issues with the LCD cracking, the vast majority of people who care for their camera properly have never run into a problem. Thanks to its its DIGIC4 image processor and 12.1 megapixel CCD, most people who buy this camera are quite pleased with the exceptional quality of its photographs. This is a great camera to replace your old one if you’re not looking to turn into a professional. Snapshots Because of its small design, the A2100IS is a great camera to take with you on trips. It gives you the ability to take great photographs with minimal skill and little fuss. The 12.1 megapixel CCD adds to the clarity of pictures, and with ISO speeds up to 1600, this is a great camera for anything and everything the average person would need for great photographs. Unfortunately, there isn’t a continuous shooting mode that is actually any faster than normal shooting, and if the flashis used, the reset time is quite lengthy when compared to many others.  Video On the new A2100IS, the video only records in 640x480 or 320x240 resolutions. This means that the quality isn’t as high as some other cameras in the same price range. Additionally, due to the battery type and the overall lack of features, this shouldn’t be viewed as a quality video and picture camera, but one that can perform either option acceptably. Photo Quality and Extras With the 12.1 megapixel CCD, poor image quality isn’t something you’re going to have to worry about. Combine the CCD with the multiple ISO speeds, and you get a great camera that reliably produces quality pictures. Additionally, Canon included a DIGIC4 image processor in this compact little camera, which also aids in the reliability of the quality of the pictures. Unfortunately, the photo quality doesn’t really make up for the lack of options and features. Some people have had limited success in taking “full manual” photos by manipulating all of the controls as much as they can, but generally speaking, this is an automatic camera. Onboard editing, before, during or after the shot is almost non-existent, and most of it must be done on a computer. Thankfully, there are memory cards and readers that make transferring pictures to a computer simple to do.  Downside In addition to the lack of features, there are additional drawbacks to this camera. Two notable issues are that it has a very weak LCD screen, and because it runs on AA batteries, the battery life is relatively low. Many people have complained about both of these issues, but there are far more who are very pleased with their cameras. Conclusion When shopping for a camera, it’s important to keep in mind what you want the primary use of your camera to be. Because of the known issues with screen breaks, this camera is NOT ideal for hiking or other vigorous activities where it could be bumped, dropped or otherwise damaged. However, if you’re looking for something to take on vacation to a big city, this will do wonderfully and produce exceptional photographs. Overall, this camera is a good buy for the beginning photographer, and with a price point of around $250, it is easy for almost anyone to work it into their budget. Nevertheless, it's important to remember that it is not a professional camera, and cannot be expected to behave as such. Sample Pictures Taken with the Canon Powershot A2100IS (click any of the images below to see the full resolution image)      |
