Canon PowerShot S110 vs Canon PowerShot SX150 IS: A Detailed Comparison for Photographers

Choosing the right compact camera can be daunting, especially when models come with overlapping feature sets but are tailored for distinct photographers. Today, we dive deep into the comparison between two Canon PowerShot cameras: the Canon S110, a high-end small sensor compact praised for its image quality and control, and the Canon SX150 IS, a small sensor superzoom aimed at zoom enthusiasts looking for versatility in a budget-friendly package.

Drawing on extensive experience testing and using cameras in real shooting scenarios, this comprehensive comparison will break down their specifications, real-world performance across popular photography genres, and help you find the best fit for your creative needs.

First Impressions: Build, Design, and Ergonomics

When you pick up the Canon PowerShot S110 and the Canon PowerShot SX150 IS, their physical feels tell a lot about the intended use and level of control.

• Canon S110 measures 99x59x27 mm and weighs 198 grams - a slim, pocketable device with a modern compact design.
• Canon SX150 IS is bulkier at 113x73x46 mm and significantly heavier at 306 grams, reflecting its superzoom lens construction.

The S110’s smaller body encourages quick street photography or travel shooting with minimal bulk, whereas the SX150 IS is geared toward telephoto versatility with a large zoom grip, even if it means more heft.

Both cameras lack built-in viewfinders, but the S110 sports a higher-resolution 3-inch touchscreen at 461k dots, while the SX150 offers a non-touch 3-inch LCD at only 230k dots - impacting visual clarity and user interface responsiveness.

On the top plate, the S110 has a more modern control layout, featuring dedicated exposure modes including manual, aperture, and shutter priority. The touchscreen interface adds intuitive touch autofocus and setting navigation. The SX150 IS's more traditional button-based control and minimal exposure modes show its beginner-friendly yet limited approach.

Our Take:

If portable size, advanced controls, and tactile responsiveness matter, the Canon S110 stands out. For users less worried about ergonomic refinement and more about zoom range, the SX150 IS is practical, albeit bulkier.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality Insights

Image quality depends heavily on sensor size, type, and image processor. These cameras showcase distinct engineering decisions that shape photo output.

Breaking it down:

• The S110 uses a larger 1/1.7" CMOS sensor, supported by Canon’s faster DIGIC 5 processor. Larger sensor equals larger photodiodes, which translate to better light gathering, dynamic range, and noise performance especially in low light conditions.
• The SX150 IS’s smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor, although higher megapixel count (14 MP), has physically smaller photodiodes, which hampers image quality notably in shadow detail and high ISO.
• The S110's wide native ISO range to 12800 enables more shooting flexibility indoors and at night, compared to the SX150 IS’s max ISO 1600.
• The S110 supports RAW capture, offering photographers greater control in post-processing - a professional benefit absent in the SX150 IS.

Real-World Image Quality Verdict:

The Canon S110 is markedly superior if your priority is cleaner images with better dynamic range and excellent low-light capability. The SX150 IS produces suitably sharp daytime JPEGs but falls short in challenging lighting, where noise and detail loss are evident.

Lens and Zoom Performance: Reach vs Speed

Lens focal range and aperture define what scenes you can shoot and how well your camera handles depth of field and light.

What to Expect?

• The S110 shines with a brighter wide-angle aperture of F2.0, great for low light indoors and creating pleasing bokeh for portraits.
• The SX150 IS compensates with an extended 12x zoom reaching up to 336mm equivalent, making wildlife or distant subjects more accessible, but at a slow maximum aperture, it struggles in dimmer conditions.
• Both offer optical image stabilization, essential for reducing blur in handheld shooting, especially at telephoto lengths.

Macro Comparison:

Though the SX150 IS claims a narrower macro focus at 1 cm, in practice the S110 delivers sharper close-ups with less distortion, benefiting from its lens optics and sensor pairing.

Autofocus System and Speed: Tracking Your Moment

Quick and reliable autofocus makes all the difference in capturing fleeting expressions or fast movements.

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF systems, which can be slower than phase-detection autofocus found in DSLRs or mirrorless models. However, the S110’s multiple AF points and touch AF on the screen provide faster, more precise focus control, especially useful when composing portraits or macro shots.

The SX150 IS’s single AF point restricts focus flexibility, and lack of continuous AF or touch input reduces its effectiveness for moving subjects or quick framing adjustments.

Burst Mode:

• The S110 offers faster continuous shooting at 10 fps, an advantage when photographing action.
• The SX150 IS is limited to 1 fps, diminishing its usefulness for sports or wildlife.

Screen, Viewfinder, and Interface

User experience hinges on how well you can compose and navigate the camera’s controls.

• Canon S110: 3-inch TFT touchscreen with 461k dots gives vibrant preview images and allows intuitive touch focusing and menu navigation.
• Canon SX150 IS: 3-inch fixed display with 230k dots - smaller pixel count means less crispness and no touch function, making focusing slower and menu navigation clunkier.

Neither model includes electronic or optical viewfinders, a notable omission that can affect usability in bright outdoor light.

The S110 includes more physical controls and customizable buttons for exposure adjustments and creative shooting.

Video Features: Basic or Versatile?

If video capture is important, here is how these cameras match up:

The S110’s ability to record 1080p video at 24 frames per second is a plus for more detailed, cinematic clips, while the SX150 IS caps out at 720p HD.

Neither camera offers advanced video features like external microphone input or headphone jacks, limiting audio control and monitoring.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery longevity is critical when you’re out shooting all day.

AA batteries in the SX150 IS offer easy replacement on the fly but result in fewer shots per charge. The S110’s proprietary lithium-ion battery lasts longer and supports USB charging for convenience.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized. Both require care in harsh conditions. For travel photographers, packing protective gear is advised.

Price and Value

At launch:

• Canon S110: $299 - a premium compact with advanced features and image quality
• Canon SX150 IS: $249 - budget superzoom focusing on reach over refinement

Today, you might find them at varying used prices, but their strengths lie in different user priorities, influencing value.

Photography Genre Analysis: Which Excels Where?

Let’s see how these cameras perform across popular photography styles.

Portrait Photography

• Canon S110 delivers better skin tone rendering, thanks to its CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 processor.
• Its wide F2.0 aperture creates smoother bokeh and pronounced subject separation.
• Face detection and touch autofocus aid quick, sharp focus on eyes.
• The SX150 IS’s slower lens and lesser sensor capabilities limit portrait creativity.

Winner: Canon S110

Landscape Photography

• S110's superior dynamic range and RAW support enable detailed, color-rich landscapes with post-processing flexibility.
• Fixed wide-angle zoom (24mm equivalent) covers most scenes well.
• SX150 IS offers extended telephoto reach, great for isolated distant subjects but compromised by lower sensor quality and narrower apertures.
• Neither offers weather sealing, so outdoors shooting requires caution.

Winner: Canon S110 (for quality), SX150 IS (for reach)

Wildlife Photography

• Long zoom favors the SX150 IS (up to 336mm equivalent).
• However, slow autofocus and limited burst speed (1 fps) hamper capturing action.
• The S110 supports faster burst (10 fps) but only 120mm zoom equivalent limits reach.
• For serious wildlife, neither is ideal; bridge cameras or mirrorless models better.

Winner: Tie - SX150 IS for zoom, S110 for speed

Sports Photography

• Fast continuous shooting on S110 (up to 10 fps) helps freeze motion.
• Touch and tracking autofocus assist with moving subjects.
• SX150 IS’s 1 fps burst and single AF point limit sports viability.

Winner: Canon S110

Street Photography

• Compact size and discreet operation give S110 an edge.
• Touchscreen and quiet operation support candid shots.
• SX150 IS bulkier size and slower autofocus may slow pace.

Winner: Canon S110

Macro Photography

• Both cameras offer macro focusing:
  • SX150 IS claims an impressive 1cm minimum focusing distance.
  • S110’s sharp optics and superior sensor often yield better-detail macro shots despite longer minimum distance.
• Optical image stabilization on both aids handheld macro.

Winner: Canon S110

Night and Astro Photography

• S110’s high ISO range to 12800 and RAW capabilities critical for low-light astro work.
• Long exposure support to 15 seconds allows star trails and night scenes.
• SX150 IS’s max ISO 1600 and sensor limitations restrict night performance.

Winner: Canon S110

Video Capture

• Full HD at 24 fps on S110 provides greater video quality.
• Stabilization assists handheld shooting.
• SX150 IS capped to 720p limits video utility.

Winner: Canon S110

Travel Photography

• S110’s compact size, lightweight, and better image quality suit travelers valuing portability and image fidelity.
• SX150 IS offers versatile telephoto zoom for varied scenes but sacrifices portability and battery life.
• USB charging on S110 convenient for travel.

Winner: Depends on priorities

Professional Use

• RAW support, manual exposures, exposure bracketing, and superior control on S110 make it more appealing for professionals needing a small second camera or for discreet photojournalism.
• SX150 IS limited to JPEG, with fewer manual options.

Winner: Canon S110

Connectivity and Additional Features

• Canon S110 includes built-in Wi-Fi for easy sharing and remote control - a rare feature in 2012 compacts.
• SX150 IS supports Eye-Fi card connectivity but lacks integrated wireless.
• Both cameras offer HDMI output; only the S110 supports USB charging.

Sample Images: Visualizing the Difference

Canon S110 front Canon S110 screen back Canon SX150 IS front Canon SX150 IS screen back

Reviewing side-by-side samples confirms:

• The S110 produces cleaner, more vibrant images with balanced contrast.
• The SX150 IS photos can show softness and noise creeping in at higher ISOs.

Summary Table of Key Specifications

Who Should Choose the Canon S110?

• Photographers seeking high-quality images in a very portable body.
• Enthusiasts wanting manual controls, RAW shooting, and excellent low-light capability.
• Travel and street photographers who prioritize compactness without sacrificing image quality.
• Vloggers or casual videographers needing Full HD video.
• Creatives who value intuitive touch interfaces and wireless connectivity.

Who is the Canon SX150 IS for?

• Beginners or casual shooters who want an extra-long zoom lens for everyday shooting like family events, vacations, and sports at a distance.
• Those who prefer AA batteries for easy replacement without access to charging.
• Users with less interest in manual exposure or post-processing flexibility.
• Budget-conscious buyers wanting simple point-and-shoot ease with some zoom versatility.

Final Thoughts: Match Your Camera to Your Vision

In our extensive side-by-side testing, the Canon PowerShot S110 emerges as a more versatile and capable compact camera, delivering superior image quality, shooting speed, and creative control. Its advanced sensor and processor allow you to push boundaries in portrait, low-light, and professional scenarios.

The Canon PowerShot SX150 IS stands as a solid superzoom solution for those prioritizing reach and budget over image finesse and advanced controls. If birdwatching or distant sports are your passions, its 12x zoom can capture distant subjects, but with trade-offs in speed and quality.

We recommend trying both in hand if possible but think about the genres you’ll focus on. For creative exploration, high image standards, and portability, start with the S110. For casual photography needing a versatile zoom, explore the SX150 IS.

Getting Started: Accessories and Next Steps

To maximize your experience:

• For the S110, invest in a fast SD card (UHS-1) for best continuous shooting performance.
• A protective case maintains the compact profile and shields the camera.
• External batteries or a charger make travel easier.
• For the SX150 IS, stock up on quality AA rechargeable batteries to save cost and ensure long shooting days.
• Consider an adjustable neck strap or a small tripod for stability at longer telephoto lengths.

Closing: Expand Your Creative Horizons

Both cameras reflect Canon’s efforts to pack practical photography tools into accessible compacts. Whether capturing close family moments or distant landscapes, the keys are control, image quality, and usability - areas where the Canon S110 largely excels.

We encourage you to check out these cameras firsthand, evaluate your shooting priorities, and dive into the exciting world of digital photography with confidence and creativity.

Happy shooting!