Canon's
first 2-megapixel consumer digital camera is the PowerShot S10. equivalent
of a 35 to 70mm, instead of a 28 to 70mm.
The
"A" series body receives a few cosmetic changes. The
rubber padding around the mode dial is gone, here the dial is all metal
with a toothed edge. A new directional control, called the Omni Selector,
is mounted on a raised area of the upper right back, and is used to navigate
the camera's menus and set the zoom.
The mode dial has been enhanced by one new shooting mode, Image,
which serves to access the programs. Otherwise the familiar positions
are still present: Auto, Manual and Stitch-assist,
the latter making it simple to overlap a series of images which can be
assembled into panoramas later.
The
back of the S10 is where most of the ergonomic evolution of the design
has taken place. The LCD screen is reduced to 1.8" (all the "A"
series cameras came with a 2" screen), and the layout and shapes
of the controls have changed. Furthermore, a new button has been added
to control exposure
compensation and white
balance.
The menu button is now a rocker switch, the upper portion
used to call up the menu, while the lower serves to confirm
selections. Another design change is found in the placement
of the display button, which has moved to the lower right
side of the screen.
All these small modifications have improved Canon's original
concept and made the camera even easier to use and work.
The change in the LCD screen size is noticeable, but the
addition of a magnifying option makes it acceptable, particularly
in view of the fact that the screen has a high refresh
rate and excellent brightness.
