When size and quality are important considerations, take a look at the Canon Optura S1. Its largest dimension measures in at 4.1 inches and it weighs less than a pound. Shoot with ease utilizing one of the several settings including automatic, shutter priority and aperture priority. Despite the small size of the camera, Canon still managed to fit a 2.5 inch LCD screen on it for easier framing. At the heart of the camera is a 1.5 megapixel sensor for capturing video and a 2 megapixel sensor for still images.

Standout features

• 1.5 megapixel sensor
• 4.1 inches at longest dimension
• Weighs less than a pound
• User friendly recording options
• Widescreen recording option

Features

The Optura S1 also features a widescreen recording option for those times when a 4:3 format doesn’t suit your needs. Change the settings quickly with the well positioned controls that make it easy to shoot with one hand. Exposure control is made simpler with the mode dial that allows the user to change between full automatic exposure, program auto exposure and scene base exposure. Still image capturing is made a bit easier with the incorporation of a slot for an SD card. Though there are no inputs for audio capture, the built in microphone’s sensitivity can be adjusted.

The battery mounts beneath the LCD so there is no option of buying a longer lasting cell. Despite this, the stock battery lasts about an hour of filming with the LCD open.

Night filming is made a little easier with the night mode that uses a slower shutter speed and slower frame rate that yield a less grainy image. Also of use is the built in light, though it is not as powerful as many would prefer.

Experts have given a thumbs up to the Optura S1’s compact size and video quality during daytime shooting. When the sun sets however, or you move indoors, the quality drops off quickly and the built in light offers very little luminescence. The S1 has responsive autofocus and auto exposure and the image stabilizer works well, even when zoomed in all the way. Only a slight amount of shake was evident when zoomed in.

Summary of Reviews from Across the Internet

Reviewers were relatively happen with the colors the Optura S1 captured (when in decent light), though sometimes they were a bit oversaturated. The camera captures the level of detail you would expect from a single CCD camera and the still frames were adequate for making small prints.

Overall, users have liked the camera. They have echoed the sentiments of the experts in regard to the color accuracy, ease of use and nice compact size. But, they have also echoed the sentiment that the low light and indoor shooting capabilities are poor.

Summary

Others would like to see a wider lens for filming at a closer distance. One trivial thing that was noted was the lack of a time stamp option for long term archiving of footage.

Several users would have liked to seen a better build quality instead of the plastic casing. Instead of a metal tripod thread, the Optura S1 has a plastic mount, which is easier to strip.

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