Digital Camera Home > Digital Camera Reviews > Canon Digital Cameras > Canon PowerShot S10

Canon PowerShot S10 Canon packs 2 megapixels and a 2x optical zoom into the smallest digicam yet! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet PowerShot S10 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on PowerShot S10 --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User Interface Review First Posted: 12/5/1999

User Interface
The S10 features a pretty user-friendly interface, although some of the menu navigation was complex (arrow buttons navigate but you have to remember to hit the Set button to select an option). All the controls are clearly labeled and relatively well laid out, with the exception of the rocker toggle button, which we wish was a little closer to the Menu and Set buttons. Let's look at each button individually:


Shutter Button
Located on the top right of the camera and silvery smooth, a half press sets the exposure and focus while a full press fires the shutter.


LCD Data Readout
Located at top left of the camera, a small black & white data readout displays a wide range of information about the camera's current modes and settings. You still need to enter the main LCD menu system (using the rear-panel color LCD screen) to make changes in most settings, but this readout at least saves you having to use the menu system just to check status.


Mode Dial
Also located on the top right of the camera, the mode dial is silver and notched for simple turning. This dial controls the operating mode of the camera with the following choices:

• Stitch Assist: lets you take multi frame panoramic shots to be assembled on a computer. (Exposure and white balance are "locked" when the first picture of the series is taken, and remain the same until you exit from the Stitch Assist mode. The left arrow key lets you "back up" to reshoot the picture just took, and the "Set" button starts a new panorama sequence.)
  
  
• Image: offers several preset exposure settings for various shooting conditions including:
  
  • Landscape
    
  • Fast Shutter
    
  • Slow Shutter
    
  • Night Scene
    
  • Black & White
    
    
• Manual: gives you control over minor exposure settings like white balance and exposure compensation. Settings made in manual mode are saved, and remain in effect even when the camera is turned off and back on again.
  
  
• Automatic: puts the camera in control of all exposure settings.
  
  
• Off: powers off the camera.
  
  
• Playback: allows you to review captured images.
  
  
• PC: allows the camera to download images into a computer.
  
  

Rocker Toggle Button
Located on the top right hand side of the back panel of the camera, marked with arrows in four directions and telephoto and wide angle icons.

• In Playback and all capture modes, this button navigates settings menus.
  
  
• In all capture modes, activates the optical zoom function (up and down arrows).
  
  
• In Automatic, Manual and Image capture modes, accesses the digital zoom function (up and down arrows) once the end of the telephoto range is reached.
  
  
• In Playback mode, scrolls through recorded images.
  
  

Macro / Jump Button
Located in the top middle of the back panel, marked with a black flower symbol and the word 'jump' in blue.

• In all capture modes, activates and deactivates the Macro function.
  
  
• In Playback mode, turns on the jump function which allows you to jump from the first to the tenth image and so on.
  
  

Continuous / Self-Timer / Magnification Button
Located to the left of the optical viewfinder on the back panel, marked with black continuous shooting and self-timer symbols as well as a blue magnifying glass.

• In all capture modes, cycles through the Self-Timer and Continuous Shooting modes.
  
  
• In Playback mode, allows you to digitally zoom into a recorded image.
  
  

Flash / Multi Button
Located to the left of the Continuous / Self-Timer / Magnification Button and marked with a black flash symbol and blue multi symbol.

• In all capture modes, cycles through the flash modes.
  
  
• In Playback mode, cycles between one and nine images on the screen.
  
  

+/- / WB Button
Located beneath the Macro/Jump button, to the right of the LCD monitor and marked with a black +/- and 'WB.'

• In Manual, Image and Stitch Assist, cycles between the exposure compensation (EV) settings bar and the white balance settings bar.
  
  

Menu Rocker Button
Located beneath the +/- / WB button, marked with the word 'menu' in black.

• In Playback and all four capture modes, accesses and dismisses the settings menus.
  
  

Set Rocker Button
Located on the bottom of the Menu button and marked with the word 'set' in black.

• In all settings menus, confirms menu selections.
  
  

Display
Located beneath the Menu/Set Rocker Button and marked with the word 'display' in black.

• In all capture modes, controls the LCD monitor. One press turns off the information display, a second turns off the image and a third recalls both.
  
  
• In Playback mode, shows the exposure information about the selected image.
  
  

CF Open Slide Switch
Located beneath the rocker toggle button, opens the CompactFlash slot.