Nov 10, 2001 04:20 AM
4279 Views
(Updated Nov 19, 2001 02:16 PM)
A good friend recently offered me the opportunity to try out his new Canon Powershot S10 and after using it several times I was reminded of the tactile pleasure and fun that accompanied my first experiences with the “Classic” Rollei 35. Both cameras are tiny (about the same size) feature sturdy all metal construction, have exceptional optics, and both are just plain “fun” to use. The first thing everyone always said whenever I pulled out my little Rollei was, “That’s cool, can I see it?” And that is exactly what anyone who sees the S10 says. It is amazing that Canon could make a “feature rich” digital camera as small as the S10 (Canon has since introduced the Canon S100 Digital Elph, which is even smaller, and has similar features) with an exceptional quality 2X zoom lens and 2.1 megapixel resolution. The lens retracts into the body when not in use (like the Rollei’s Collapsible lens) making the S10 a truly “pocketable” digital camera that can be taken anywhere. The S10’s tough and stylish brushed stainless steel body is scratch resistant (like the Rollei 35’s sexy all metal body) and well sealed against dirt and moisture.
Canon Powershot S10: Technical Specifications
Resolution: 2.1 Megapixel (1600x1200)
Sensor: 0.5” CCD
Viewfinder: Optical (high eye point) & Digital 1.8” TFT LCD
Lens: Optical (all glass with 3 aspherical elements) 2X zoom 6.3mm-12.6mm (35mm equivalent 35mm-70mm)
4X digital zoom
Aperture: f2.8-f8.0
Focusing: 18” to Infinity (Macro mode: 4.7”-18”)
Shutter: 2 seconds to 1/1000th second
Flash: built in (4 mode)
White Balance: 5 mode
ISO Settings: 100-400
Image Settings: 5 mode.
Storage Media: Compact Flash (Type I or II)
File Format(s): JPEG
Power: 2CR5 Lithium or Canon NiMH (battery charger & AC adapter optional $90-$110)
Included: 8mb Compact Flash (type I) card, USB interface, Video out, & Software: (Powershot Utilities, Adobe Photo Deluxe)
A “Tongue-in-Cheek” comparison
The Canon S10 is much easier to use than the Rollei 35, technological advances really make a difference in terms of features and overall usability. There is no comparison between the scale focusing (estimate the distance from the camera to subject and set the lens to that distance range) Rollei and the highly accurate multi point auto focus of the S10. The S10’s flash is automatic (although you have the option to turn it off) and works quite well, especially in low light situations (where the auto focus aid beam is a really helpful feature) with the Rollei you have to insert the external flash into the hot shoe on the BOTTOM of the camera, and then turn the camera upside down to take (completely manual) flash pictures.
The original Rollei had no on board metering (later models had a “center the needle” Cds meter) while the S10 provides both spot and center weighted metering options (in Manual Mode) the 2X Canon zoom is measurably better than most of the 3X zooms currently available, with superb resolution (700 lines horizontal & vertical) minimal distortion (.05 % barrel @ 6.3 mm (wide) and less than .03 % barrel @ 12.6 mm (tele) and virtually no chromatic aberration (color fringing) The lens is tack sharp and compares favorably with the 40/f3.5 Carl Zeiss Tessar on the Rollei 35, a “classic” camera, famous for its excellent optics.
Neat Features
An AE lock allows the user to “lock-in” auto exposure and flash setting before you snap the picture. Automatic white balance plus five manual “pre-sets” (and 3 ISO settings) permit the photographer the option of custom tailoring exposures to ambient light conditions. A built-in buffer memory provides continuous shooting in “burst-mode” of up to 1.7 FPS (even while shooting at the maximum quality level) A metal tripod mount for extra stability, a flash range of from 0.6 ft to 10.8 ft (even in total darkness….with auto focus aid beam) and the capability to manually adjust sharpness and contrast settings.
Conclusion
My only real complaints with the Canon S10 Powershot are the optical viewfinder that only shows 77 per cent of the actual picture area (this tends to encourage photographers to place the image subject “dead center” which makes for weak compositions) and the lack of an included battery charger. The high priced 2CR5 lithium only lasts about fifty minutes with the LCD in use (less if you use the focus aid beam or flash) making it almost a requirement to purchase the optional charger/AC adapter. Shutter lag time is about average, between (maximum) 1 second and (minimum)1/5 of a second.
Overall, the small size, rugged construction, excellent optics, and great feature set of the S10 make it a real treat to stick the camera in your pocket and take it along on all your adventures. Creating stunning digital images has never been easier, or more fun. The ability to use Compact Flash (type II) cards and the IBM MicroDrive (which allows over 230 maximum quality images to be stored) just add to the charm and usability of the S10. At less than $400 ($350-$370) the camera is a real bargain. If you’d like to take home a “classic” Rollei 35S (and get in touch with how compact photography was done before the dawn of the digital age) an excellent condition “used” example can usually be purchased for between $250-$300.
