By Joshua Goldman
06/07/2009
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39005881,44809613p,00.htm

Let's be honest. A 3x or 4x optical zoom is not much help. Yes, it gets you a little closer if there's a fence or restraining order in the way, but you'll always want more. That's why stepping up to a 5x or 6x zoom such as the one on the Canon PowerShot A2100 IS makes a noticeable difference. Add the camera's very good photo quality, its 12-megapixel resolution and Canon's Digic 4 image processor, and you're in a much better position to get the shot you really want. But that's provided your target isn't moving too fast.

Design And Features

The A2100 IS is almost identical in design to last year's A2000 IS. However, the A2100's black wedge-shaped body is statelier-looking than the A2000's bland gray and silver. The wide part of the wedge is on the right side giving you a comfortably thick grip. Sticking it in a bigger pants pocket or jacket won't be a problem, though its weight won't let you forget it's there. Considering the A2100 IS has a 6x zoom lens and is powered by two AA batteries, the weight is forgivable. Worth noting is how fast it'll chomp through batteries. You'll want to invest in a pair of NiMH rechargeables that brings the shot count up significantly.

At first glance, it seems as if there's a lot going on with the controls on the A2100 IS. On top are a power button, shutter release with zoom ring, and mode dial with no fewer than 10 shooting options. Why so many for such a basic camera? Well, along with its program, auto, easy (auto without options), and movie modes, Canon has allocated five popular scene selections and a SCN choice for accessing less-used scene settings such as Sunset, Snow and Aquarium. While the mode dial looks quite busy, it is actually simple. Likewise, the back of the camera is loaded up with a directional pad and six buttons labeled in white (for shooting functions) and blue (for playback functions), but even novice users should quickly have things down pat.

Regardless of the controls, there's little reason to spend time hanging out in the menu system. However, for those times when it's necessary--say, to change the autofocus priority, adjust the LCD brightness, or switch when the image stabilization is engaged--navigation is straightforward.

If you're expecting to find the manual controls of earlier Canon A-series models, you'll be disappointed with the A2100 IS. The A590 IS is the only model in the current lineup that has aperture/shutter priority and manual exposure options. The A2100 IS' Program mode does give you control over ISO, white balance, autofocus type, light metering, and color effects, though. Plain and simple, the A2100 IS is designed for point-and-shoot use, and it does that extremely well. If only it were a bit faster at doing it.

Performance And Image Quality

From off to first shot takes an acceptable 1.9 seconds. The camera's 2-second shot-to-shot time is also comparatively decent for its class. However, turn on the flash and you'll be waiting an average 6.9 seconds between shots. Shutter lag felt long during use and in our tests it was 0.6 second in bright conditions and 0.9 second in dim light. Although there is no proper burst shooting mode, the A2100 IS makes up with unlimited continuous shooting at 1fps.

The A2100 IS has very good photo quality and the higher resolution lets you take better advantage of the results. Color, contrast, and white balance are particularly good. As is the norm for this class of cameras, the A2100 IS produces its best results at light sensitivities below ISO 200. Though there is some noise at all ISOs, it becomes more noticeable only at ISO 400. For the most part, details remain good. Actually, you can go up to ISO 800 and still have a usable photo at smaller sizes, as long as you can live with the reduced details and clarity. Center sharpness is good, but softens as you move to the edges of the frame. There is some typical barrel distortion and purple fringing, but this is in line with other cameras at this price point.

For a pure point-and-shoot, the Canon PowerShot A2100 IS is a good deal which delivers very good photo quality and the benefits of a greater zoom range and optical image stabilization. You just have to overlook its somewhat slow performance.