Canon Powershot SX110IS is a black digital camera with a 9-megapixel image sensor and 10x optical image stabilized zoom. It is a perfect travel companion that allows you to shoot high quality pictures without having to struggle too much with the controls.

Weighing less than 245g, the PowerShot SX110IS packs a load of features and capabilities for its compact size of 4.4 x 2.8 x 1.8 inches.

The SX110IS is a higher version of the highly successful and popular model S100is. The sensor has been upgraded from 8 to 9 megapixels, so has the LCD monitor, from 2.5 inches to 3". The biggest advantage is on the price front. Despite the enhanced features the price remains the same as before.

The megapixels may appear to be less to some but the fact of the matter is that it is enough resolution for a vast majority of consumers who want to own a camera to shoot pictures for pleasure and e mailing them to friends. It was probably this that made Canon to stick to ‘only’ 9 megapixels despite a sensor of 1/ 2.3 capability as it is enough to reduce noise than it would on higher resolution sensor. The 10x zoom is also sufficient to give frame filling images and to get closer to distant objects or subjects. This also keeps the camera size small so that it is easy to handle: long zoom lenses can be extremely difficult to handle for beginners.

The PowerShot SX110IS is small, easy to hold but it may sometimes become difficult to avoid camera shakes completely with such a small camera in your hand. To aid in elimination of camera shakes, the SX110IS incorporates Image Stabilization. The IS in the name stands for Image Stabilization and the Canon quality assurance is enough to ensure that it will give you sharp and crisp pictures at shutter speeds two to three times slower than you would otherwise find difficult to manage otherwise. It has three modes of operation that you can choose from: continuous, only during exposure to save on battery life and to optimize anti-shake algorithms for stabilizing panning shots.

The powerful 10x optical zoom covers a broad range equivalent to 36-360mm on a 35mm camera. The lens is also faster than most of the cameras in this segment. Combined with aperture range of f2.8 at the wide angle end to f/4.3 at the telephoto end it is a perfect product for beginners and amateurs.

Besides these the SX110IS packs other features like red-eye correction, motion detect technology, 1cm macro mode to ensure a pleasurable shooting experience. Storage of images is on Secure Digital or MultiMediaCard, including the newer higher capacity SDHC. The 3" LCD monitor frames images with 230,000 pixels for reviewing.

The small size means that even professional photographers can carry it along with their high-end equipment. It gives high quality images and does not require too much of setting due to auto- functions and 11 preset shooting modes. Professionals can use this entry level camera for shooting pictures on the side while waiting for an image of their choice to emerge on their professional high definition camera.

This article is brought to you by Canon New Zealand - Digital Cameras

About Canon

Canon New Zealand is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon has ranked among the top-three US patent recipients for the past 15 years, and had global revenues of around $US39 billion in 2007. Canon New Zealand also operates Canon Finance New Zealand, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit www.canon.co.nz