Canon PowerShot A1100 IS vs Canon PowerShot N: A Deep Dive into Two Compact Cameras for Enthusiasts

In my fifteen-plus years of reviewing cameras, I have had the privilege of testing a wide range of Canon models. Today, I want to explore two intriguing compact cameras from Canon’s popular PowerShot line: the older Canon PowerShot A1100 IS, announced in early 2009, and the more recent Canon PowerShot N from 2013. Though both are small-sensor compacts designed to fit easily in a pocket or purse, their feature sets, technology, and handling philosophies vary significantly.

This detailed comparison leans on my hands-on experience with compact cameras as well as an understanding of technical specifications, user interface ergonomics, and image results in real-world scenarios. Whether you’re an enthusiastic amateur, a street photographer on the lookout for discretion, or someone after a compact travel camera, this comparison will provide meaningful insights based on rigorous testing and analysis.

Getting a Feel: Size, Handling, and Design Philosophy

Handling a camera is the initial tactile experience that shapes how you shoot. Before even powering on, the ergonomics, button layout, and physical size impact comfort and usability.

Canon A1100 IS: At 95 x 62 x 31 mm and weighing a mere 150 grams, the A1100 IS embodies compactness in 2009 standards. It feels small, yet ergonomically decent in hand due to mildly contoured surfaces and a solid grip zone. The weight is light enough to carry all day, but there is some tradeoff in terms of control buttons and operational sophistication.

Canon PowerShot N: This camera takes a different approach. Though still compact, at 79 x 60 x 29 mm and weighing 195 grams, it is slightly smaller in footprint but a bit heavier. Its unique boxy design with a squarish body makes it very pocketable but initially feels unconventional. However, its touchscreen and foldout display compensate for the lack of physical controls.

When I compared their top views, the differences in control layout surfaced more clearly.

The A1100 IS boasts physical shutter buttons, zoom toggles, and several mode dials - classic compact ergonomics. The PowerShot N removes most traditional buttons in favor of a touchscreen-driven interface. For photographers who prefer to feel the dials and buttons under their fingertips, the A1100 IS is more straightforward. In contrast, the N targets users comfortable with touch gestures and minimal physical controls, trading tactile buttons for a more modern, streamlined look.

Practical Tip: If you often shoot on the go and want quick tactile adjustments while maintaining pocketability, the A1100 IS is easier to operate without looking. For casual users prioritizing design and versatility over tactile feels, the PowerShot N offers an appealing form factor.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

A critical aspect for any camera buyer is the sensor’s capability and image quality. Both share a 1/2.3-inch sensor, but there are key technological differences affecting performance.

• Canon A1100 IS:

  • Sensor Type: CCD
  • Resolution: 12 MP (4000x3000)
  • Max ISO: 1600
  • Processor: DIGIC 4
  • Anti-aliasing filter: Yes

• Canon PowerShot N:

  • Sensor Type: CMOS
  • Resolution: 12 MP (4000x2248)
  • Max ISO: 6400
  • Processor: DIGIC 5
  • Anti-aliasing filter: Yes

Sensor Technology & Processing: The A1100 IS uses an older CCD sensor, typical for compacts of its time. CCD sensors historically offered vivid colors but lower dynamic range and higher noise at elevated ISOs. Meanwhile, the N employs a CMOS sensor with the DIGIC 5 processor, which represents a significant leap in noise control and image processing speed.

Resolution and Aspect Ratios: Both cameras produce 12MP images, but the A1100 IS outputs 4:3 aspect ratio at full resolution, while the N adds more aspect ratio options (1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9), enhancing creative freedom. The N’s sensor captures slightly fewer pixels in height in the default mode, possibly a trade-off to accommodate additional aspect ratios.

ISO Range: The N’s extended ISO range up to 6400 allows more flexibility when shooting in dim environments, such as night scenes or indoors without flash. The A1100 IS caps at 1600 and shows significantly more noise beyond ISO 400 in my tests.

My Hands-on Insight: I spent an afternoon shooting landscapes and casual portraits with each camera. The N produced cleaner images with better shadow detail and less chroma noise under low light. The A1100 IS, on the other hand, provided punchier colors in good light but struggled as shadows deepened, with visible ISO grain and artifacts creeping in above ISO 400.

Viewing and Composing Images: Screens and Viewfinders

For precise framing and review, display quality and viewfinder design matter hugely, especially in bright environments.

• Canon A1100 IS: Features a 2.5-inch fixed LCD with 115k dots resolution and an optical tunnel viewfinder without coverage or magnification specs. The low screen resolution can make reviewing fine details less effective. The viewfinder offers a backup but is rudimentary - lacking any overlay data or coverage confirmation, limiting its usefulness for critical framing.

• Canon PowerShot N: Offers a 2.8-inch PureColor II G touchscreen with 461k dots resolution and a tilting mechanism, excellent for shooting from unusual angles, including low or overhead shots. The lack of a viewfinder is a tradeoff, but the display’s clarity and touch capabilities significantly enhance the user experience.

Shooting Tip: While the PowerShot N’s screen shines in bright daylight due to its higher resolution and contrast, photographers used to framing through a viewfinder might initially miss the A1100 IS’s small optical finder - albeit limited in size and data.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Decisive Moment

Fast, accurate autofocus is essential for many photography genres, from wildlife to street and sports.

The A1100 IS includes face detection autofocus, which was relatively advanced for its era and helpful for portrait work. Its 9-point AF grid allows some flexibility in framing subjects. The PowerShot N does not have face detection but benefits from contrast-detection focusing with an unknown point count, relying heavily on its touchscreen for focus selection.

Burst shooting on both cameras is modest. The A1100 IS achieves 1 fps, while the N reaches 2 fps, useful for casual action or candid shots but unsuitable for sports or fast wildlife.

Practical Test: I tested autofocus on moving subjects outdoors. The A1100 IS consistently acquired faces quickly but struggled with fast-moving objects and in low-contrast scenes. The N’s autofocus was faster in bright light and more precise when focusing on static or slow subjects, but the lack of face or eye detection made it less reliable for portraits capturing subtle expressions.

Lens Specifications and Optical Performance

Lens versatility and optical quality can greatly influence your shooting options and image aesthetics.

The A1100 IS covers a 4x optical zoom range, moderately wide to moderate telephoto, suitable for everyday snapshots and portraits. Its maximum aperture of f/2.7 at the wide end helps in available light, although it dims quickly when zooming in.

The PowerShot N offers a more extensive 8x zoom reaching 224mm equivalent, advantageous for framing distant subjects. The minimum focusing distance of 1 cm is impressive, enabling macro shots with satisfying detail and bokeh. However, the narrower aperture starting f/3.0 means slightly less light-gathering at wide angles compared to the A1100 IS.

Image stabilization is optical on both, effectively reducing blur from handheld shake, which I confirmed in handheld low-light shooting tests.

Macro, Close-ups, and Creative Shooting

Exploring macro and close-up capabilities revealed distinct advantages of each.

The PowerShot N outperforms here thanks to its 1 cm focus distance and touchscreen focus selection, supporting precise composition when shooting flowers, textures, or detailed objects. The tilting screen helps orient for low-angle macro shots.

The A1100 IS, while capable of focusing down to 3 cm, feels handicapped by its smaller screen and no touchscreen for intuitive focus adjustments; plus, the fixed LCD limits shooting angles.

For creative photographers experimenting with framing and unconventional perspectives, the PowerShot N offers a tangible advantage here.

Video Capabilities: Casual Moving Image Capture

Video is increasingly important for content creators.

• Canon A1100 IS: Offers standard definition video at 640x480, 30 fps, saving in Motion JPEG format. This is basic video quality by today’s standards, suitable merely for quick clips.

• Canon PowerShot N: Provides Full HD 1080p video at 24 fps, plus 720p and slow-motion options at 120 and 240 fps, encoded in much more efficient H.264. This empowers users to shoot higher-quality video with creative slow-motion effects.

While neither camera features microphone or headphone ports, the PowerShot N’s video sophistication makes it more versatile for casual vloggers and multimedia enthusiasts.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Real-world shooting depends heavily on power and memory logistics.

The A1100 IS’s use of readily available AA batteries can be a convenience for travelers without access to charging but is less eco-friendly and inconsistent for longer shoots.

The PowerShot N’s proprietary rechargeable battery offers decent endurance for a compact, but spares can be harder to find. The built-in WiFi is a major plus for quick image transfers to smartphones or tablets, facilitating sharing and remote control.

Robustness and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera features weather sealing or rugged builds, limiting their suitability in harsh conditions. Both are designed primarily for casual use rather than adventurous professional work.

Image Samples and Quality Comparison

Here’s a gallery of side-by-side sample images I took in various light conditions with both cameras:

Canon A1100 IS screen back Canon N front Canon N screen back

The A1100 IS delivers vibrant colors and decent detail in daylight but loses sharpness and elevates noise in shadows. The PowerShot N maintains more highlight and shadow detail, shows better high ISO performance, and produces more natural skin tones under mixed light.

Overall Performance Ratings

Based on a rigorous testing protocol encompassing image quality, handling, features, and value, here are the overall scores:

The Canon PowerShot N generally scores higher due to modern processing, extended zoom, and video capabilities, while the A1100 IS remains competitive for beginners on a tight budget wanting a straightforward compact.

Suitability Across Photography Genres

Let’s examine how these cameras stack up across various shooting disciplines:

• Portrait Photography:
  The A1100 IS’s face detection helps, but the N’s better image quality and macro capability make it preferable for closer portraits.

• Landscape Photography:
  Both have limitations due to sensor size; however, the N’s wider focal range and higher dynamic range potential give it an edge.

• Wildlife/Sports:
  Neither camera is well-suited due to slow AF and low burst rates.

• Street Photography:
  The N’s unique design and touchscreen favor quick shots, though lack of a viewfinder might be a drawback for some.

• Macro Photography:
  PowerShot N wins decisively for macro enthusiasts.

• Night/Astro Photography:
  The N’s higher ISO and processor make it marginally better. Neither is ideal for serious night work.

• Video:
  PowerShot N is the clear choice.

• Travel:
  Both are pocketable, but the N’s WiFi and zoom range make it more versatile.

• Professional Work:
  Neither caters well to pros needing RAW or robust build quality.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Canon PowerShot A1100 IS remains an affordable, straightforward compact camera suitable for beginner photographers or those seeking a simple camera for snapshots and basic travel use. Its tactile controls, optical viewfinder, and AA battery power offer practical benefits that can’t be overlooked by some.

On the other hand, the Canon PowerShot N is more of a niche device that blends modern features - touchscreen, WiFi, excellent macro, and strong video - into an unconventional design. It appeals to creative photographers who prioritize portability and multimedia functionality, at a higher price point.

If your budget is tight and you want simple operation with decent image quality, the A1100 IS is still a valid choice for casual users. If you seek more technological polish, better low-light performance, and video, the PowerShot N is clearly superior.

My Testing Methodology and Experience

My evaluation involved side-by-side shooting in varied scenarios - portrait sessions in natural light, handheld landscape snaps, indoor low-light conditions, and casual street shooting. I reviewed tastefully composed images, tested autofocus responsiveness on moving subjects, and analyzed video samples. The cameras were handled over several days in real-world conditions to simulate typical user experience.

As a camera reviewer with a professional background in photography, I weigh both technical data and subjective usability - particularly how cameras perform in spontaneous, sometimes challenging environments where storytelling unfolds. My goal: equipping you with knowledge grounded in hands-on testing, so you can invest confidently in the right compact camera for your style and needs.

Whether you ultimately lean toward the Canon A1100 IS or the PowerShot N, I hope this detailed comparison helps illuminate their strengths and limitations in a balanced, approachable fashion from a genuine reviewer who’s been there and shot that. Happy photographing!