A brilliant successor to the S9600

I switched from its predecessor the S9600 on the S100 and also want to know read this review with this in mind. I have long wondered whether a transition is sinnvoill, because I was with the S9600 actually very happy. So some review went with the S100 even harshly and therefore I was very unsure if it would be worthwhile to upgrade. Now here the results that maybe others Umsteigefragenden will be a help:

* The camera is clearly heavier and larger. Although the S100 fits just about in the bag that I bought for the S9600, but it is clearly larger and considerably heavier. Who the S9600 already was heavy, the S100 should forget.

* The monitor is considerably larger and considerably better than that of the S9600.

* The optiosche image stabilizer is really well done and brings together with the weight of the camera into being incredibly quiet recordings. 1/10 freehand at close range are quite ok, 1/50 at full 400 Zoom also go.

* The image sensor is better really to worlds. ISO 400 were already borderline in the S9600 and ISO 800 only for memory shots. In the S100 ISO 400 is hardly distinguished from ISO 100 (hence the automatic ISO100-400 mode is a great help). Even at ISO 100 the image quality is by miles better than the S9600. One has the feeling that the 11 Mpixel actually arrive also.

* It has more influence on the properties of the image. You can color intensity, contrast and sharpness Adjust stage and save on 2 custom presets. Unfortunately, the Chroma mode has been dropped and replaced by Filmsimulationsmodi woirden, none matches the Chrome mode of S9600. By Custom settings you can but the hinbiegen itself.

* The automatic exposure is much better than the S9600. Even 'bad' shots like yellow flowers on dark grass lead to outstanding exposures without the in the S9600 already compulsory 1-2 points underexposure. The DRange mode also brings in high-contrast motifs much (ISO 400 that are automatically selected iA no problem).

* The autofocus light is significantly worse. Since only more diffused white light now is used (and not as in the S9600, a green pattern), does not work in some areas of the Auto Focus. Too Bad. Otherwise the auto focus in the center needs plenty Kolntrast. Blue sky with a few clouds can already be a problem.

* Newly added are the (somewhat hidden) exposure modes. The description is not available in very thin failed (eg the Fireworks mode Fireworks is suitable as a surprise), but some bring by tinkering good side effects to light. The mentioned Fireworks mode switches eg also the autofocus from (or to a predetermined setting). To document such a thing would not have been bad.

* Annoying is that you can not completely abderehen the image preview in the S100 is. This leads, for example, in moving scenes to the fact that one can no longer lead to a second shot because you just lose the object by the minimum 1.5 seconds preview. One can only by immediate half-pressing the shutter button minimize, because then the preview image will disappear. Toll is not but by far!

* The manuielle focus is so good or bad as the S9600. Right here I would have hoped for improvement. There are still no fixed infinity position and the manual adjustment by bike is extremely tedious. As I weep still after my Minolta A1.

* All write about CA. I can not confirm that. May it provide settings where CA is an issue, I could not find it so far (as of about 600 photos). Because even with the S9600 in certain situations CA was an issue seems to be at least become subjectively in S100 significantly better.

* The continuous shooting functions of the S100 are stored afloat very well and in combination with a class 6 SDHC card. Real action shots I lack to date, but seem very feasible with the first test shots.

* The video function is for 'snap videos' ok, a substitute for a video camera that is not guaranteed. Others can do better (but the S9600 is one certainly not to).

* The flap for the SD card slot is thin and the Plastikschnäpper act extremely cheap. Unfortunately, to get even (as in the S8000) with tweezers for pulling out the map.

Despite the various pros and cons, I see for me to switch to the S100 as a major step in the right direction. I'd also recommend other to switch!

What makes the announcement a few days ago S200 still an advantage to be seen. Whether it pays to wait is the next good question, the new sensor is again a little bit smaller and has a little more pixels. No reason therefore to hope for less noise, but hope dies last known. Due to the smaller sensor but obviously the same lens, the wide angle in the S200 is also very weak.