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The average consumer digicam has come far, far away from being just a point-and-shoot version of its older sibling, the digital SLR. The need of the average consumer for better pictures and a high-zoom lens on an easy-to-use camera, too, has been met, if you look at some of the models available in the market. Now, advanced features and better pictures -- traditionally associated with DSLRs -- have started percolating down to the entire range of cameras.
One such example is Canon's new SX100 IS, a neat little number that sports an 8MP sensor and a 10x optical zoom lens supported by an Optical Image Stabilization system. So how good is it?
The Camera

The sensor on this model is 8.0MP (effective), and there's a 10x Canon zoom lens with a focal length of 36 - 360 mm as well as a 4x Digital Zoom feature. As the name suggests, it has an Optical Image Stabilizer; this is a Lens Shift stabilizer system that provides up to three stops of camera shake correction. This is bound to be useful when the 10x zoom is using being used, because the effect of camera shake is directly proportional to the lens magnification.
Beginners will find the SX 100 IS a good option, since it has a variety of automatic controls and scene-mode options. It also offers a fully-manual mode that will be appreciated by more experienced users.
Featured on the camera are a 2.5-inch, 172,000 pixel resolution LCD, an ISO range of 80 to 1600, live histogram in record mode, and the usual PASM (Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Full Manual) modes.
We wouldn't say it's huge, but the SX100 isn't meant to fit in a shirt pocket.
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