Refurbished S100 or new S110?

Hey everyone,

So a while back I realized that I could use a good pocketable camera with good IQ, but never got around to purchasing a camera. My question is should I purchase a Direct from Canon refurbished S100, or should I just cough up the extra cash and go for the S110? I don't particularly care for the WiFi/GPS functionality, my main concerns are geared towards portability, IQ, and durability. I'm aware of the lens error problems which affected earlier S100 models, but since the S100 I would be purchasing would come directly from Canon would any potential lens issues be already taken care of?

What would be your opinion/choice if you had the option to buy either?

Thanks!

If you don't need GPS and Wifi, the S100 and S110 are essentially identical otherwise. So I'd get whichever is cheaper.

However, I wouldn't be so quick to discount the WiFi. It's pretty slick to be able to send photos to facebook/email/flickr, etc from anywhere in the world via your phone or tablet. My wife absolutely loves the wifi on her ELPH 330 for that reason. She can actually post pictures taken with a decent camera to instagram.

I've had both S100 and S110. Get the S110.

The S110's faster focus, fast response, touch screen, wifi is worth it. As for GPS on the old S100, it is not very useful. It dramatically shortens the battery life and it is slow at locking onto a location. With the S110, you can still get the GPS coordinates if you have a smart phone.

tkbslc wrote in post #16356109
If you don't need GPS and Wifi, the S100 and S110 are essentially identical otherwise. So I'd get whichever is cheaper.

However, I wouldn't be so quick to discount the WiFi. It's pretty slick to be able to send photos to facebook/email/flickr, etc from anywhere in the world via your phone or tablet. My wife absolutely loves the wifi on her ELPH 330 for that reason. She can actually post pictures taken with a decent camera to instagram.

That's a good point about the WiFi, and I'm definitely intrigued by it for sure, however I'm more than likely just going to use the good old USB cable to pull the photos onto my computer

DaaamnGina wrote in post #16356290
I've had both S100 and S110. Get the S110.

The S110's faster focus, fast response, touch screen, wifi is worth it. As for GPS on the old S100, it is not very useful. It dramatically shortens the battery life and it is slow at locking onto a location. With the S110, you can still get the GPS coordinates if you have a smart phone.

Is the S110 dramatically faster in acquiring / locking in focus, or is it merely a noticeable improvement? I don't plan on doing that much high paced / action photography with this camera. Also would you not be able to turn off the GPS functionality if battery life is a concern?

Yes, you can turn off GPS completely if you wish.

I bought my S100 from Canon Refurbished last July (I should have waited as the price has dropped $50 since then). I looked at and held both the S100 and S110 and decided that I liked the S100 better due to the little "finger grip" on the front. I cared not about GPS or WiFi. I have used it alot since then and was quite pleased until...

outmywindow wrote in post #16355762
I'm aware of the lens error problems which affected earlier S100 models, but since the S100 I would be purchasing would come directly from Canon would any potential lens issues be already taken care of?

Mine developed the lens problem last month and went back to Canon yesterday for service. Canon emailed me a return label and offered to fix it for free. I hope it lasts because I really liked the little S100.

Jon wrote in post #16356775
Yes, you can turn off GPS completely if you wish.

I appreciate the clarification! Actually I just found the section in the manuals talking about the GPS features after I read your post.

PapaGary wrote in post #16358865
I bought my S100 from Canon Refurbished last July (I should have waited as the price has dropped $50 since then). I looked at and held both the S100 and S110 and decided that I liked the S100 better due to the little "finger grip" on the front. I cared not about GPS or WiFi. I have used it alot since then and was quite pleased until...

Mine developed the lens problem last month and went back to Canon yesterday for service. Canon emailed me a return label and offered to fix it for free. I hope it lasts because I really liked the little S100.

Hmm, so from the sounds of it even the refurb'd S100 cameras are not necessarily clear from getting the error again it seems. I definitely agree with you on the finger grip, I would imagine that it makes it a little easier to handle. What about the S110? Has anyone encountered any issues while using it such as the lens errors? I know no camera is going to be 'everything'-proof, but I'd love to get at least 2-3 years use out of any camera that I would end up buying.

If you shoot mainly in P mode and daylight why not just get the 330HS? IQ is just as good at lower ISO's as the S100 & 110, maybe abit better as I've found the 330 to have a sharper lens. You also get more zoom (240mm vs 120mm), and it costs less (Amazon had them at $175). Also the 330 can do 1cm macro, the S100/110 are 3cm. Used to have the 300hs which was decent but the 330hs is a major improvement. The IQ and features of the S100 & 110 are not worth it's premium pricetag compared to some other, more affordable Powershot options. There's also the SX280 if you dont mind something larger, it has 20x zoom and more video options and Digic 6.

PineyPhotosLongIsland wrote in post #16359737
If you shoot mainly in P mode and daylight why not just get the 330HS? IQ is just as good at lower ISO's as the S100 & 110, maybe abit better as I've found the 330 to have a sharper lens. You also get more zoom (240mm vs 120mm), and it costs less (Amazon had them at $175). Also the 330 can do 1cm macro, the S100/110 are 3cm. Used to have the 300hs which was decent but the 330hs is a major improvement. The IQ and features of the S100 & 110 are not worth it's premium pricetag compared to some other, more affordable Powershot options. There's also the SX280 if you dont mind something larger, it has 20x zoom and more video options and Digic 6.

330 HS does look interesting, however I'd still like to shoot in M mode on occasions since I've been spoiled by manual controls after many years of using an SLR camera, and the built in ND filter on the S series looks to be my cup of tea as I'd be taking the camera on hikes and whatnot.

As a side note, I've also looked at the options on the (dark) other side and noticed the Nikon P330 has the same size sensor as the S series but I'm unaware of any potential pitfalls with that specific camera.

In any case, I'm inching closer towards taking a leap of faith for the S100. I suppose I'm just a bit too cautious because of any potential issues it might have.

outmywindow wrote in post #16363040
330 HS does look interesting, however I'd still like to shoot in M mode on occasions since I've been spoiled by manual controls after many years of using an SLR camera, and the built in ND filter on the S series looks to be my cup of tea as I'd be taking the camera on hikes and whatnot.

As a side note, I've also looked at the options on the (dark) other side and noticed the Nikon P330 has the same size sensor as the S series but I'm unaware of any potential pitfalls with that specific camera.

In any case, I'm inching closer towards taking a leap of faith for the S100. I suppose I'm just a bit too cautious because of any potential issues it might have.

Well there's always the s95, it doesn't have a built in ND filter but side by side with the S100/110 it's IQ seems much sharper and it probably has one of the best lenses on a Canon Compact.
I'm not sure what they're asking for the camera you're looking at, but I wouldn't spend much north of $200 for one.

outmywindow wrote in post #16356661
Is the S110 dramatically faster in acquiring / locking in focus, or is it merely a noticeable improvement?

It is not. If you didn't tell me which camera I was holding I wouldn't even notice.

My other $0.02
I'm not a fan of the touchscreen. I try to avoid it lol.

Keep in mind the camera has no onboard phone editing like most of have with our smartphones. For me this makes WiFi useless because I feel weird sharing photos that are straight out of the camera...unedited, uncropped, unsharpended, etc.

CactusJuice wrote in post #16370866
Keep in mind the camera has no onboard phone editing like most of have with our smartphones. For me this makes WiFi useless because I feel weird sharing photos that are straight out of the camera...unedited, uncropped, unsharpended, etc.

You can send them to phone, use an app for minor edits and post to any gallery or social media you want very easily from the phone. That's what my wife does with hers. It's really easy, and the phone can connect directly to camera from anywhere without needing to be near a wi-fi hotspot, etc.