Camera Dojo

Canon PowerShot S100: is the 2011 pocket camera still worth it?

The short answer

Yes, the Canon PowerShot S100 is still worth buying if you want a 2011 pocket camera with RAW, a 24-120mm f/2.0-5.9 lens and strong low-light results at the wide end, and can live with a lens error that hit some units and a battery rated at about 200 shots.

Used copies cost $434 to $454 at MPB on November 2, 2026, about what Canon asked new in 2011 ($429.99), so buy from a seller that offers a warranty.

Sensor
1/1.7-inch CMOS, 12.1 MP
Lens
24-120mm, f/2.0-5.9
Battery
NB-5L, about 200 shots
Used price
$434 to $454 (Oct 2026)
Check used pricesWhat owners say

Built from 118 opinions from 29 pages and videos. Not yet tested by Camera Dojo. Updated .

Black Canon PowerShot S100 from the front with its pop-up flash raised, on a plain white background
Photo: Anna16, CC BY-SA 3.0

The short version

Reviewers in 2011 and 2012 agreed on the strengths: excellent image quality for a compact, clean files in dim light at the wide end, a lens control ring and grip that make it quick to shoot, good 1080p video and a body small enough to carry everywhere. Expert Reviews called its low-light photos the best it had seen from a conventional compact, and PCMag found it the sharpest high-end compact it had measured.

The weak points are just as consistent. Every battery opinion in the research is negative, the lens dims to f/5.9 when zoomed, there is no viewfinder or hot shoe, and owners report the lens error even outside Canon's 2012 recall range, which no longer brings a free repair. If you want the CCD look of early digicams, the S100 is the wrong pick: it was the first S model with a CMOS sensor, and its CCD siblings are the PowerShot S95 and the G12.

Good fit if

  • You want RAW, manual control and a 24mm f/2.0 lens in a true pocket camera, about 26mm deep
  • You shoot indoors and at night at the wide end, where reviewers found clean files up to about ISO 1600
  • You want GPS tags or a route log built into the camera
  • You want 1080p video and the option to zoom while recording
  • You want a small camera for a dive housing: Canon's WP-DC43 is rated to 40m, Ikelite's housing to 60m

Think twice if

  • You want the CCD rendering of early digicams: look at the S95 or G12 instead
  • You need all-day battery life without carrying a spare
  • You shoot mostly zoomed in or in dim light at 120mm, where the lens is down to f/5.9
  • You want a viewfinder or a hot shoe for an external flash
  • A lens repair would ruin the deal for you: owners report the lens error on copies outside Canon's recall range too

Canon PowerShot S series: S90, S95, S100, S110 and S120

The S100 sits in the middle of Canon's S line of pocket cameras for enthusiasts. All five models below use a 1/1.7-inch sensor; the S90 and S95 have a CCD, and the S100 onward use CMOS. Used prices are MPB listings on November 2, 2026.

ModelYearSensorWhy look for it
PowerShot S9020091/1.7-inch CCD, 10.0 MPA CCD sensor and a 28-105mm f/2.0-4.9 lens, for buyers after the early digicam look.
PowerShot S9520101/1.7-inch CCD, 10.0 MPThe same 28-105mm f/2.0-4.9 range and the last CCD model in the line. It takes the NB-6L battery, not the NB-5L. MPB: $399 to $534. See the S95 page.
PowerShot S10020111/1.7-inch CMOS, 12.1 MPThis camera: the first CMOS model, with a wider 24-120mm f/2.0-5.9 lens, the line's first 1080p video and built-in GPS. MPB: $434 to $454.
PowerShot S11020121/1.7-inch CMOS, 12.1 MPNearly the same camera plus a touchscreen and Wi-Fi, minus the GPS, on the same NB-5L battery. MPB: $439 (Good) and $494 (Excellent), plus one spares-and-repairs unit at $134.
PowerShot S12020131/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS, 12.1 MPA brighter f/1.8-5.7 lens, DIGIC 6 and 1080p at 60 fps, and dearer used: MPB $539 to $569. See the S120 page.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, mpb.com, mpb.com, mpb.com, mpb.com

What owners and reviewers say, topic by topic

We sorted 118 opinions about the PowerShot S100 from 29 pages and videos on 20 websites and channels. Each row shows how many people raised a topic and how many of them were positive. Open a row to read short quotes, each linked to its source.

Owner voices are thin: 18 of the opinions come from owners, mostly in the Flickr S100 group plus one repair blog, and most editorial reviews date from the 2011-2012 launch. Reliability rests on seven opinions, so read the lens error reports as warnings, not a failure rate. Reddit, DPReview and retailer reviews could not be read.

  1. Image look79% positiveof 19

    Fifteen of 19 opinions are positive about image quality, and PCMag called it the sharpest high-end compact it had measured. The mixed and negative notes are about warm, saturated color, soft shots at the long end and blown highlights in bright sun.

  2. Ease of use89% positiveof 19

    Seventeen of 19 opinions praise the handling: the lens control ring, the new front grip, fast autofocus and a 0.3-second shutter lag. The two complaints are a small shutter button near the mode dial and about 2.5 seconds between shots in one video review.

  3. Low light and flash67% positiveof 15

    Ten of 15 opinions are positive about low-light results, with clean files reported to about ISO 1600. The complaints come back to the lens dimming to f/5.9 when zoomed, a flash too weak at the long end, and The Verge's view that the S95 was slightly better in low light.

  4. Video83% positiveof 12

    Ten of 12 opinions rate the 1080p video highly, especially zooming while recording and clean footage at f/2.0. The complaints are a 16-minute clip limit, little manual control in video, audible zoom noise and noisy low-light clips.

  5. Batteries and charging0% positiveof 11

    All 11 battery opinions are negative: the NB-5L is rated at about 200 shots, and GPS logging drains it faster, even overnight with the camera off. Reviewers and owners alike say to carry a spare.

  6. Size and weight100% positiveof 9

    All nine opinions agree it is a true pocket camera, 26mm deep by Expert Reviews' measure, that owners carry everywhere.

  7. Screen and viewfinder50% positiveof 8

    The 3-inch, 461,000-dot screen is called bright and usable in sunlight, but there is no viewfinder and no room to add one. One reviewer found the live view lags badly in low light, and another says it goes blank during high-speed bursts.

  8. Price and value63% positiveof 8

    At $429.99 in 2011, two reviewers called it a lot of money for a compact, while an owner who paid $230 said you can't get a better camera at that price. Used copies at MPB now cost about the same as the launch price.

  9. Build quality86% positiveof 7

    Reviewers describe a slim, sturdy metal body, and one owner's S100 kept working after getting wet in a rucksack. The one negative comes from an owner who opened the lens and expects its plastic zoom parts to wear out.

  10. Reliability today14% positiveof 7

    Only seven opinions, but pointed ones: owners describe the lens error after about six weeks, seven months and two years, including on a camera outside Canon's recall range, and one had a failing shutter button. Canon's free repairs earned praise, and one repaired camera ran past 5,000 photos.

  11. Memory cards and transfer33% positiveof 3

    Only three opinions: there is no internal memory, Canon recommends Class 6 or faster cards for 1080p, and one owner uses an Eye-Fi card for Wi-Fi transfer.

PositiveMixedNegative

Canon S100 vs S95: CMOS or CCD?

PowerShot S100 (2011)PowerShot S95 (2010)
Sensor1/1.7-inch CMOS, 12.1 MP1/1.7-inch CCD, 10.0 MP
Lens24-120mm, f/2.0-5.928-105mm, f/2.0-4.9
Video1080p at 24 fps, the first in the S lineNo 1080p
GPSBuilt in, with a route loggerNone
BatteryNB-5LNB-6L
Used at MPB, Oct 28, 2026$434 to $454$399 to $534

Pick the PowerShot S100 (2011) if

  • You want the wider 24mm view and the longer 120mm reach
  • You shoot video and want 1080p
  • You want GPS tags or a route log of your trip

Pick the PowerShot S95 (2010) if

  • You want a CCD sensor for the early digicam look
  • You care more about stills than video: The Verge's 2012 video review found the S95 slightly better for still images, and cheaper new
  • You already own NB-6L batteries

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, photographyblog.com, youtube.com, mpb.com, mpb.com

Best settings for the Canon PowerShot S100

Settings that reviewers and owners recommend for getting the most out of the S100's sensor and controls.

  1. 1

    Shoot RAW in P, Tv, Av or M

    RAW is not available in Auto, Low Light or SCN. Set the dial to P, Tv, Av, M or C and choose RAW or RAW plus JPEG. If files suddenly come out as JPEG only, owners in the Flickr S100 group say the camera records JPEG only in Auto, and the mode dial can get turned in a pocket or case.

  2. 2

    Set ISO by hand above 1600

    Auto ISO stops at 1600 even though the camera goes to 6400. CNET found JPEGs excellent to ISO 200 and quite good to 800, with RAW usable at 1600, and Popular Photography found ISO 3200 RAW files just acceptable.

  3. 3

    Assign the lens ring

    Press the ring function button on the back to set the ring to ISO, aperture, shutter speed, focus, white balance, step zoom and more. Popular Photography used it for exposure compensation, since the rear wheel does not change it by default.

  4. 4

    Use step zoom for repeatable framing

    Step zoom jumps between 24, 28, 35, 50, 85, 100 and 120mm. If slow clicks fail to change the focal length, the camera needs firmware 1.0.2.0.

  5. 5

    Stay wide in dim light

    The lens is f/2.0 at 24mm but already f/3.5 at 35mm, f/4 at 50mm and f/5.9 at 120mm, per Popular Photography and Photography Blog. Indoors, stay at the wide end and step closer instead of zooming.

  6. 6

    Use the ND filter in bright sun

    The built-in 3-stop ND filter lets you keep f/2.0 outdoors for a softer background, instead of stopping down.

  7. 7

    Turn GPS off unless you need it

    The GPS logger keeps checking your position even when the camera is off, which drains the battery. Popular Photography would only turn it on for sightseeing trips.

  8. 8

    Add sharpening and skip handheld HDR

    Default JPEGs look a little soft, so raise in-camera sharpening or sharpen in your editor. The HDR mode merges three frames and ghosts if anything moves, so use a tripod for it.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, flickr.com, cnet.com, popphoto.com, photographyblog.com, flickr.com, cameralabs.com, trustedreviews.com

Canon S100 battery, charger and memory cards

The S100 runs on Canon's NB-5L lithium-ion pack, rated at 1120mAh, and Canon rates it at about 200 shots or 300 minutes of video per charge. It is not the NB-6L from the S90 and S95, so spares from those cameras will not fit; the S110 uses the same NB-5L. The original box held the battery, a charger, a wrist strap, a USB cable and a software CD.

That 200-shot rating is the camera's best-known weakness. Popular Photography found it about accurate, and Digital Trends needed to recharge after three hours of shooting with GPS used only now and then. Carry at least one spare. Third-party packs work: a 2012 owner said a pair of Wasabi batteries performed like Canon's own, and in 2014 another owner put a new NB-5L at $10-$15, though those prices are old.

There is no internal memory, so nothing records without a card. The S100 takes SD, SDHC and SDXC, and Canon recommends Class 6 or faster for 1080p video. SDXC cards (64GB and up) use exFAT, which Windows Vista SP1 and later and Mac OS X 10.6.5 and later can read; if an old card reader balks, a 32GB or smaller SDHC card avoids the problem.

Video clips stop at the 4GB file limit, which Cameralabs says arrives at about 14 minutes at 1080p. Expert Reviews cites a 16-minute clip limit.

Turn the GPS logger off before you put the camera away: it keeps logging with the camera off, and Photo Review warns it will drain the battery overnight.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, cameralabs.com, photographyblog.com, popphoto.com, digitaltrends.com, flickr.com, flickr.com, en.wikipedia.org, expertreviews.co.uk, photoreview.com.au

How to get the look from a Canon S100

S95

Straight JPEGs have Canon's warm, saturated color: Digital Trends says Canons tend to over-saturate and lean warm, and the S100 is no exception, and The Verge saw oversaturated blue skies. If you like that punchy snapshot look, leave it alone; if not, shoot RAW and pull it back.

For a soft background, shoot at 24mm and f/2.0 and get close. The lens focuses down to 3 cm at the wide end, and Photography Blog says it can blur backgrounds in a way most compacts struggle to match. Watch the edges at 24mm, where Popular Photography calls the barrel distortion very noticeable in group shots.

The pop-up flash rises at least a centimeter clear of the lens and gave Photography Blog good indoor exposures with no red-eye, though with visible vignetting at 24mm. There is no hot shoe for an external flash. For the bright, direct-flash night look, see the Y2K digicam look guide.

If you want the CCD rendering people chase on early digicams, the S100 is not that camera, because it uses CMOS. The CCD models in this family are the S90, the S95 and the G12, and there are more picks in the best vintage digicams.

  • Creative filters: 10 effects, including HDR, nostalgic, toy camera, fish-eye, miniature and monochrome
  • My Colors: Positive Film, vivid, neutral, sepia and B/W

Sources: digitaltrends.com, youtube.com, photographyblog.com, popphoto.com, trustedreviews.com, en.wikipedia.org

What to check before buying a used Canon S100

  1. 1

    Make sure it is the 2011 camera

    An unrelated camera was sold in the US in 2000 as the PowerShot S100 Digital ELPH, a 2.0 MP model that takes CompactFlash cards, so read the listing. The one you want has 12.1 MP, a 24-120mm lens and an NB-5L battery.

  2. 2

    Cycle the lens several times

    Turn the camera on and off and zoom end to end several times. Walk away if the lens moves a little, stops, and the screen shows a lens error.

  3. 3

    Do not trust the serial number

    Canon's 2012 advisory named serials starting 29 through 41, but owners with 43 and 44 prefixes also got the error, and the free repair program is over, so a serial number outside that range is no guarantee.

  4. 4

    Test the shutter button

    Half press and fully press it many times. One owner's S100 developed an intermittent fault after about 18 months where it focused but would not take the picture.

  5. 5

    Ask about the firmware

    Firmware 1.0.2.0 fixed the control ring's step zoom skipping. Canon's newsletter says it is for cameras on 1.0.0.0 or 1.0.1.0 and that the glitch does not always occur, so ask which version is installed, but treat it as a minor point.

  6. 6

    Get a warranty or a return window

    MPB sells its used S100s with a 6-month warranty and the NB-5L battery, CB-2LX charger and strap included. From a private seller, ask for a return window long enough to run a few hundred shots.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, flickr.com, flickr.com, flickr.com, flickr.com, flickr.com, mpb.com

Canon PowerShot S100 specs at a glance

Specs come from Photography Blog's copy of Canon's spec sheet and from Wikipedia. The two give different weights, so both are listed.

Canon PowerShot S100 key specifications
SpecPowerShot S100
AnnouncedSeptember 2011, $429.99 at launch
Sensor1/1.7-inch CMOS, 12.1 MP (4000 x 3000)
ProcessorDIGIC 5
Lens5.2-26.0mm (24-120mm equivalent), f/2.0-5.9, 5x zoom
StabilizationLens-shift, rated at 4 stops
ISO80 to 6400 (Auto up to 1600)
Shutter speeds15 s to 1/2000 s
BurstAbout 2.3 fps; 9.6 fps for 8 frames in High-speed Burst HQ
Video1080p at 24 fps; 720p and 480p at 30 fps
Screen3.0-inch, about 461,000 dots; no viewfinder
ExtrasBuilt-in GPS with logger, 3-stop ND filter, 3 cm macro
BatteryNB-5L, about 200 shots per charge
MemorySD, SDHC, SDXC; no internal memory
Size and weight98.9 x 59.8 x 26.7 mm; 173 g without battery (Wikipedia) or 198 g (Photography Blog)

Sources: photographyblog.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, popphoto.com

Canon S100 lens error and other known problems

Canon's own S100 support pages could not be read, so these come from 2012 news reports, Wikipedia, reviews and owner posts; they show what goes wrong, not how often.

Lens error: the lens jams and the camera shows a lens error message

Raised in 8 opinions

How you notice
The lens moves a little, stops, and the screen shows a lens error and asks you to restart. Canon blamed a part coming loose inside the lens, often after heat and humidity, according to Reviewed's July 2012 report; owners whose cameras were repaired describe a torn flexible circuit.
Fix
Canon's 2012 advisory offered free repairs for US and Puerto Rico owners with serial numbers starting 29 through 41, and in practice fixed other units too, but Wikipedia says that ended when Canon stopped servicing the S100. Today the options are an independent repair shop or a DIY swap of the lens unit.
Typical cost
No US shop price list was found. One owner was quoted 30 days and $300 at a service center (no country given), and a 2015 DIY repair used a lens assembly from eBay for about $20 shipped.

Sources: reviewed.com, engadget.com, en.wikipedia.org, flickr.com, flickr.com, kj6aku.wordpress.com

Short battery life

Raised in 11 opinions

How you notice
Rated at about 200 shots per charge. Digital Trends needed to recharge after three hours of shooting, and GPS logging can drain a battery overnight with the camera off.
Fix
Carry a spare NB-5L and turn the GPS logger off when you don't need it.
Typical cost
A used MPB copy comes with one NB-5L and the CB-2LX charger. No current US price for spares could be read; in 2014 an owner put a new NB-5L at $10-$15.

Sources: photographyblog.com, digitaltrends.com, photoreview.com.au, flickr.com, mpb.com

Shutter button that sometimes won't fire

Raised in 1 opinion

How you notice
A half press focuses, but the camera sometimes does not take the picture. One owner's started after about 18 months of use.
Fix
No home fix was reported in the owner threads; it needs a repair shop.
Typical cost
No US repair price was found.

Sources: flickr.com

Control ring step zoom skips (early firmware)

How you notice
With the ring set to step zoom, turning it slowly one click at a time may not change the focal length.
Fix
Install firmware 1.0.2.0, released in February 2013 according to a Canon USA newsletter an owner posted. Canon's newsletter says it is for cameras on 1.0.0.0 or 1.0.1.0, and that the glitch does not always occur. Canon's download page could not be read, so confirm the file is still offered.
Typical cost
Free.

Sources: flickr.com

Dim lens and weak flash when zoomed in

Raised in 3 opinions

How you notice
The aperture falls from f/2.0 at 24mm to f/3.5 at 35mm and f/5.9 at 120mm, so zoomed indoor shots need a high ISO. Photo Review found the flash too weak for correct exposure at the long end below ISO 400.
Fix
Stay at the wide end and step closer, set ISO by hand (Auto stops at 1600), or lean on the stabilizer.
Typical cost
None; this is a design limit, not a fault.

Sources: popphoto.com, photographyblog.com, photoreview.com.au

Soft JPEGs and fringing in RAW files

How you notice
Photography Blog found images a little soft at the default sharpening; Popular Photography and CNET saw noticeable fringing on high-contrast edges in RAW files.
Fix
Raise in-camera sharpening, or shoot RAW and remove fringing in your editor. CNET notes the camera already corrects it in JPEGs.
Typical cost
Free.

Sources: photographyblog.com, popphoto.com, cnet.com

Laggy live view in low light

Raised in 1 opinion

How you notice
The Underwater Photography Guide found the screen image can lag considerably in dim conditions, on both review cameras.
Fix
No known fix. The reviewer hoped a firmware update would address it; the only later update found, version 1.0.2.0, fixed the step zoom instead.
Typical cost
None.

Sources: uwphotographyguide.com

Photos taken with a Canon PowerShot S100

Three photos a Wikimedia Commons contributor took with a PowerShot S100 in Florianópolis, Brazil, in January 2013; the file notes name the S100 as the camera.

What a Canon PowerShot S100 costs today

The S100 has long been discontinued, so used is the only way to buy one. On November 2, 2026, MPB listed two used copies at $434 and $454. That is about the same as the $429.99 Canon asked at launch in 2011.

  • MPB

    Used, Like new, Body, NB-5L battery, CB-2LX charger and wrist strap; 6-month warranty

    $454

    See listing

  • MPB

    Used, Excellent, Same kit plus original packaging; 6-month warranty

    $434

    See listing

  • Canon (2011 launch)

    New, historical, US list price at launch

    $429.99

    See listing

  • Best Buy, Chicago (owner report, 2012)

    New, historical, What an owner paid

    About $450

    See listing

  • US retailer clearance (owner report, about 2013)

    New, historical, An owner's second body, bought as a backup

    $199

    See listing

Prices checked on November 2, 2026. They move every week, so treat them as a range, not a quote. MPB blocks automated checks, so its prices were read in a browser. eBay sold listings, KEH, B&H and Adorama could not be read, so they are left out. The 2012 and 2013 figures are owner reports from the Flickr S100 group, shown for history only.

Video reviews worth your time

  • Canon PowerShot S100 Review - The Best Compact Camera

    Jon Rettinger, 2012

    The Canon PowerShot S100 is highly recommended as a top-tier advanced point-and-shoot camera, offering exceptional image quality and manual controls in a compact body, with only minor drawbacks in battery life.

    • 0:24 Introduction of the Canon PowerShot S100.
    • 1:47 Overview of the built-in GPS functionality.
    • 2:23 Sample photos captured with the camera.
    • 4:24 Demonstration of the electronic pop-up flash.

  • Canon PowerShot S100 review

    shortsharpreviews, 2012

    The Canon PowerShot S100 offers outstanding low-light photo quality and advanced manual controls in a pocket-sized body, despite modest shot speeds and battery life.

    • 0:02 Camera design and body overview
    • 0:13 Low-light sample photo evaluation
    • 0:27 Exploring manual controls and customization menus
    • 0:47 Side-by-side photo comparison with rival cameras

  • Canon Powershot S100 review

    The Verge, 2012

    The Canon PowerShot S100 adds video improvements, GPS, and better zoom, but its still image quality in low light falls slightly short of its predecessor.

    • 0:05 Comparing the S100 with the S90 and S95.
    • 0:20 Highlighting the new front grip bar design.
    • 0:36 Demonstrating photo geotagging with GPS on a laptop.
    • 0:43 Testing video recording using the dedicated button.

  • Canon Powershot S100 Review - Don't Buy It Until You Watch These

    Noreen MaddyX, 2013

    The Canon PowerShot S100 is presented as a user-friendly and portable compact camera featuring high-quality image processing and full HD video capability.

    • 0:00 Introduction to the Canon PowerShot S100.
    • 0:16 Mention of 12.1 MP sensor and DIGIC 5 image processor.
    • 0:34 Overview of 1080p HD video and display screen features.
    • 0:44 Discussion on image clarity and suitability for travel.

  • Testing Canon PowerShot S100 compact digital camera, is it still good in 2024?

    RadBob, 2024

    The Canon PowerShot S100 is a feature-packed compact camera offering upgraded image processing, extended zoom range, Full HD video, and enhanced ergonomic grips.

    • 0:02 Overview of the compact body and controls of the Canon PowerShot S100.
    • 1:04 Testing the 24-120mm zoom lens capability using a model fire truck.
    • 2:50 Demonstrating the Full HD video controls and dedicated recording button.
    • 4:14 Highlighting the new finger and thumb grip design features.

Questions people ask about the PowerShot S100

Is the Canon PowerShot S100 still good in 2026?

For a pocket camera with RAW, a 24mm f/2.0 lens and full manual control, yes: launch reviewers put its image quality and low-light results at the top of the compact class, and owners still carry it everywhere. The catches are age and stamina, since the lens error hit some units and the battery lasts about 200 shots. With used copies at $434 to $454 at MPB on November 2, 2026, buy from a seller that offers a warranty.

Sources: expertreviews.co.uk, uk.pcmag.com, mpb.com

How old is the Canon PowerShot S100?

Canon announced it in September 2011 as the successor to the PowerShot S95, so in 2026 it is about 15 years old. The S110 replaced it in 2012. Don't confuse it with the unrelated PowerShot S100 Digital ELPH from 2000, a 2.0 MP camera.

Sources: cameralabs.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org

What is the Canon S100 lens error, and what does it cost to fix?

The lens jams partway, stops, and the screen shows a lens error. In 2012 Canon said a part inside the lens could come loose, often triggered by heat and humidity, and offered free repairs to US and Puerto Rico owners with serial numbers starting 29 through 41; Wikipedia says those free repairs ended when Canon stopped servicing the S100. No current US shop price list turned up. One owner in a Flickr lens error thread was quoted $300 and 30 days at an unnamed service center (no country given), and a 2015 DIY repair used a lens assembly from eBay for about $20 shipped.

Sources: reviewed.com, engadget.com, en.wikipedia.org, flickr.com, kj6aku.wordpress.com

Why did my Canon S100 stop working all of a sudden?

The sudden failure S100 owners describe most often is the lens error, with the lens stuck out and an error message on the screen. If the camera complains about a fully charged battery, an owner's advice is to try a second NB-5L before blaming the camera. If it focuses but won't fire, that matches the intermittent shutter button fault one Flickr owner reports.

Sources: flickr.com, flickr.com, flickr.com

Why are my Canon S100 photos blurry?

Rule out camera shake first: in a Flickr S100 group thread, an owner was told to put the camera on a tripod or firm surface and use the countdown timer, and that a blurry shot then probably points to a fault. Otherwise the reviews name a few S100 causes: default JPEG sharpening that Photography Blog found a little soft (raise it in the camera or in an editor), an HDR mode that merges three frames and ghosts or blurs if the camera moves, and a lens that is already f/5.9 at 120mm, so shutter speeds drop in dim light. One owner found telephoto shots soft while 24mm shots were very sharp, so shoot the same scene wide to compare.

Sources: flickr.com, photographyblog.com, popphoto.com, trustedreviews.com, flickr.com

How long does a Canon S100 last?

No official shutter life figure turned up for the S100. Owner reports vary widely: lens errors appeared after about six weeks, seven months and two years, while one repaired camera passed 5,000 photos with no further trouble, and another owner asked the same question at 6,200 shutter clicks. Treat any used S100 as a camera that may need a lens repair someday.

Sources: flickr.com, flickr.com, flickr.com, kj6aku.wordpress.com

What battery does the Canon S100 use?

The Canon NB-5L, rated at 1120mAh and about 200 shots per charge, fewer with GPS on. The S90 and S95 use the NB-6L, which does not fit. Canon's optional AC adapter kit for the S100 is the ACK-DC30.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, cameralabs.com, photographyblog.com

Should I buy the Canon S100 or the S110?

They are nearly the same camera: the S110 adds a touchscreen and Wi-Fi and drops the GPS. One owner in the Flickr S100 group put it simply: the S110 if you want Wi-Fi or the touchscreen, the S100 for a lower price or GPS. On November 2, 2026, MPB had working used S110s at $439 and $494 against $434 to $454 for the S100.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, flickr.com, mpb.com, mpb.com

What people compare it with

  • Canon PowerShot S95

    The 2010 predecessor with a 10 MP CCD and a 28-105mm f/2.0-4.9 lens, the pick if you want the CCD look in the same pocket size. MPB asked $399 to $534 on November 2, 2026.

  • Canon PowerShot S110

    The 2012 successor: same sensor, lens and NB-5L battery, plus a touchscreen and Wi-Fi, minus GPS. MPB asked $439 to $494 for working units.

  • Canon PowerShot S120

    The 2013 model with a brighter f/1.8-5.7 lens and 1080p at 60 fps, for $539 to $569 used at MPB.

  • Sony RX100

    A 1-inch sensor in a pocket body. Owners in the Flickr S100 group say it is better in low light, and one noted it cost more than twice as much as the S100 at the time, while the Canon is thinner, lighter and zooms further.

Every source behind this page

Read them yourself. How we pick and count them is in our methodology.

Show all 46 sources

Manuals and references 17

Editorial reviews 15

Forums 8

Video reviews 5

Independent blogs 1

  • Digicams

    Canon PowerShot S95

    Canon PowerShot S95 (2010): what owners and reviewers say, the lens error and battery issues to check, best settings, and used prices of $399 to $534.

  • Digicams

    Canon PowerShot S120

    Canon PowerShot S120 (2013): what reviewers and owners say, battery and lens problems, best settings, and used prices of $539 to $569 in November 2026.

  • Digicams

    Canon PowerShot G12

    Canon PowerShot G12: what reviewers and owners say, the lens and screen faults to check, the best settings, and what a used one costs in November 2026.

  • Digicams

    Sony RX100 series (RX100 to RX100 VII)

    Sony RX100 I to VII: what owners and reviewers say, which model to buy, lens errors to check, battery tips, and prices from $455 certified used to $1,498 new.

  • Digicams

    The Best Vintage Digital Cameras in 2026: 7 Digicams Worth Buying

    The best vintage digital camera for most people is a Canon ELPH like the SD1000, $199 at a shop that tests. 7 digicam picks, US prices and what to check.

  • Digicams

    What Is a Digicam? Old Digital Cameras, Prices and Digicam vs iPhone

    A digicam is a digital camera, but today the word means a 2000s compact point-and-shoot. Why they're back, US prices and how a digicam compares with an iPhone.