Cambridge World, Item Details: Canon Power Shoot S45

Canon PowerShot S45

Quality in the PowerShot S45 is driven by three major elements: Lens, Sensor and Image processing.

This camera is equipped with a compact, retractable 3x optical zoom covering the 35-105mm (35mm film equivalent) range. Constructed from 7 elements, including 2 aspherical elements, and arranged in 5 groups the high quality compact lens has a fast F2.8 maximum aperture to deliver great quality images shot after shot.

The new intelligent orientation sensor automatically rotates the images after each shot, it also ensures that before the shutter is released the camera can optimise its settings to best capture the scene. To then digitising the captured scene, the high quality 4.0 Megapixel CCD sensor employed in the award winning PowerShot S40 is used.

Once the shutter is released the images are processed by the high-speed DIGIC processor, which executes complex imaging algorithms that are optimised for low noise and high quality. These 3 elements combined in this compact digital camera deliver high-resolution photo prints and offers greater accuracy in colour reproduction.

Features

DiGiC processor - CCD control, AE/AF/AWB, signal processing, JPEG compression, memory card control, LCD monitor display).
Orientation sensor - tags images as portrait or landscape depending on the orientation of the camera at the time the shot was taken).
Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space (iSAPS) - Camera uses variables such as focus distance, exposure brightness and cross references these against a table of known scene types, uses this information to optimize image processing.
Custom exposure mode - A new mode dial position for quick recall of pre-programmed settings saved from any exposure mode (P, TV, Av, or M).
Focus bracketing - Enables the camera to take three shots in quick succession at positions before, at and after the current focus point. Only available with flash disabled.
Two manual white balance presets - You can now store manual white balance in either Custom1 or Custom2 white balance presets.
Manual flash output - Manually select flash output of 1/3, 2/3 or FULL. Available in Manual exposure, Aperture Priority (option) and Shutter Priority (option).
Flash sync selection - Select between 1st-curtain and 2nd-curtain sync.
9 point AiAF / Flexible AF point selection - In AiAF mode the camera utilizes a grid of nine AF areas. When manually selecting an AF area you can now select from any one of about 300 positions around the image frame.
Modified Photo Effects - Off, Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia, B&W, Custom. Photo effects have also been moved to the FUNC button and are available in all exposure modes.
FUNC button control - All major settings can be changed from the improved FUNC mode.
Improved control - Expanded range of settings allow you to enable or disable: Manual Focus zoom, AF assist beam, Auto Rotate, File No. Reset. And also change: Distance Units, USB mode
Intervalometer - A time lapse shooting feature, intervals of 1 - 60 mins, 2 - 100 shots
Movie clip length - Movie clips can now be recorded non-stop for up to 3 minutes
EXIF 2.2 - JPEG file header now includes full EXIF 2.2 information (ExifPrint standard)
Review Notes
Because of the S45's similarity to the S40 much of the first half of this review is based on the S40 review. Other changes include the addition of a vignette test and the removal of our 'wide wall' flash test.
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this review (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.
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