Speed ​​King

I had a moment hesitated to S120 to write a review, because that's a high-end compact for connoisseurs of the matter. I was not sure if my skills are sufficient to this audience to provide appropriate information. After I had now read the first review to the camera, I threw my caution to the wind and write but what.

When purchasing a new camera, I wavered between the S120 and the G16, which are technically similar in many respects. A G11 and I have a SLR, but I barely benütze. First, I scanned the 200-page PDF operation manuals of the cameras on the Canon Page and then read the test on chip. Since I could not see a big difference in quality in the chip test photos (on both cameras is probably the same sensor installed) I chose wg. the smaller housing and the shorter focal length for the S120.

It is pointless to list the specifications of the camera, much more interesting because it's like working alleged by Canon features in practice.

Of note is the incredible speed at which the camera goes to work. For JPEG image size 4000x3000 Camera actually makes 9 frames per second, the thing rattles like a machine gun. This pace keeps the camera when using an SDHC UHS-1 card and JPEG compression Superfine 80 images long by, then it is a bit slower. In JPEG RAW plus there are 2 Thermal Rec per second and with RAW only about 3 recordings. This pace JPEG continuous shooting I always missed with compact cameras. Photographed one man in society, then one usually gets at a single recording a facial expression which is not advantageous. With 50 shooting but are always a few here that are really great. In any case can not be praised enough, the speed of the camera, I find the pace sensational.

In the green Auto mode makes the camera what she wants, is at herumhüpfendem AF cursor to objects in front of the lens sharp as it deems fit, is roaring with Gimmik facial recognition around and selects any internal exposure from any programs. This automatic mode, I almost never use, so the following statements relate to the other modes P, Tv, Av and M.

Night shots succeed at the shortest focal length of 24mm KB and thus possible maximum aperture of f / 1.8 very well. The ISO value can be set manually 80-12800, very good possibility is to set a maximum ISO value, the camera will not exceed, but rather if possible below. The level of noise reduction can be adjusted in 3 steps. In any case one can in lit indoor, on a Christmas market or in a shopping street at night make flawless recordings without ever using the flash.

Is that enough available light is still not sufficient, so the camera recommends switching the flash on the display. This extends not automatic but there is left a slide switch which can power up the flash, the like it very much. Once you hochgepoppt the flash can be in the menu to set different options: automatic flash, the camera uses the flash itself to when it thinks it ought to be, flash a flash always, Flash off superfluous, because I can push down the flash mechanically, and Flash Slow Sync. = Slower shutter speed for background fill. That's my favorite program. My recommendation for such recordings: Program P, Metering Multi-pattern, flash intensity 2, then to focus on the object in the foreground and slightly off center pivot (the S120 has a yes AF lock) and pull the trigger. The multi-segment metering is important, otherwise the beblitzte object is always too bright. In any case, quite a few recordings I have succeeded where you can not see that was ever flashed with these settings. In Flash mode, the synchronization on the 2nd curtain can be adjusted, in M ​​mode I have thus made very nice recordings.

On Lens is a large adjustment which you can assign any function, for example, setting the shutter speed. I like that, it feels so nice to nostalgic.

Unfortunately, I've been struggling with an unclear image, at least more than the G11. Blurred shots have 2 major causes incorrect focus or camera shake. That it is the Focus, I do not think so. The camera focussed fairly accurately and fast, better than the G11. Only sometimes there are oddities. To set up as the camera against the night sky then of course there is nothing to focus. I would expect that it provides the focus to infinity, making it but not always. I practically sec get blurry photos only at slow shutter speeds like 1/20 I suspect that the reason is not the optimal image stabilization; with the G11 I get often at 1/8 sec still a sharp photo. The blurred photos occur in both single shots and continuous shooting. For continuous shooting, some images in the set are sometimes, not always, sharp and others blurred. Possibly the processor is so busy during saving the shooting, that he has no more time for image stabilization and then drop outs. Perhaps it is so that in the small case of the S120 have enough room to install an equally effective image stabilization, as in the G11 and analog probably the G16.

When storage format at first I was a problem. I put JPEG images made a camera JPEGs, I put a RAW made them RAWs, but I turned JPEGs plus a RAW then the recording has not been saved as a JPEG and even in RAW, but the camera saved 2 RAW images, which is then probably a software problem. (Update 13:12 .: RAW + JPEG works on detours but, please read in the comments.)

The automatic white balance works very well, shooting in neon lighting see properly out. Problems with the color temperature is only available in fill flash mode because the color of the object beblitzten fits naturally not getting along with the background. Since only helps rework.

The scene programs, Canon tries probably due to the fast processor of possibilities I did not know so far.

First there is the program HDR shooting without a tripod. Actually one would have for HDR images sure to use a tripod and best yet the self-timer to avoid camera shake. The program HDR without tripod, the camera takes 3 shots rapidly which are then assembled by the software to. The HDR effect whose intensity can be adjusted is, to advantage, but the images are not really sharp even at high shutter speeds. Since I prefer but then the combination bracketing, Photomatix and tripod; a tripod mount, the camera. Then there's the program beautiful night scene. The camera takes 3 shots in rapid succession, which are then assembled into a. This, however, should be no move away from the lens, but even then I can see no great advantage to the single shot. Presumably, this program is a HDR version with subdued highlights. The attenuation of the highlights you can also submit einstellten in the manual programs menu always even.

As for the noise performance at high ISO speeds so that is a significant advance for the G11. Depending on the output size can be used recordings to ISO 1600/3200 yet. Who wants to have really good shots at high ISO values ​​can not ignore RAW and DxO, DxO there for both the S120 as well as the G16, a camera module.

The battery is ok. When fully charged, I have done on a Christmas Market 800 shots, including 10 with lightning, but no video.

The camera has jack to view the images both a mini USB as well as a mini-HD right on your TV. The flap of the bushes is a disaster, who has constructed that had a very bad day. Videos are quite nice, you can also mechanically zooming while filming. The autofocus is in low light when filming a bit sluggish. A battery problem or a problem with the battery indicator as do models of SX270 / 280 series does not have the camera. Next I can about films say anything because I do not understand it and not interested in me.

From the image quality, the speed and the low-light capabilities of the camera I am very impressed. The feel is also very nice, feels like fine mechanics and not by plastic. Dissatisfied I'm just using the image stabilization. The halt was particularly important for a low-light camera.

I do not know yet if I'll keep the S120, or at least take a G16. The advantage of the 120 is the small housing and the minimum focal length of 24mm, the drawback is the strongly decreasing light intensity when zooming and image stabilization. Advantage of the G16 would be the optical viewfinder, the I use but even at the G11 barely. She also has a hot shoe. A system flash but I do not really need because you anyway hardly need flash with the S120 and fill-in flash reaches the built-in flash in conjunction with the initial focal length of f / 1.8 and High ISO all.

A key consideration is the camera size. The S120 I can easily carry in your pocket without it bothering me, the big G models interfere there already. The smallness of the camera it is that makes photographing in society as pleasant. If you sit with people at the table and photographed with a SLR, then that is often bothersome. It then keeps someone the DSLR including giant lens on his head, as one who looks often unnatural. The S120, however, does not interfere, especially since you do not even need flash. People see and although know that is photographed, take it but hardly noticed.

Basically my camera like it very much, I forgive 4 stars, I draw from an account of the not so effective image stabilizer.

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Review Revision 15:12. I had complained to my first version things turned out in retrospect to be incorrect operation.