The S100 is a similar camera to S90 and S95 with several significant improvements. It has improved noise reduction, white balance and shadow correction. This camera is the first camera in the S series line to use the CMOS Sensor which gives the camera a higher performance and better light sensitivity. The S100 is also the first camera in the series to feature 1080p video recording in 24 frames per second.[1]
Canon has acknowledged [2] that some PowerShot S100 digital cameras encounter a lens error caused by a disconnected part inside the camera. This makes the camera unusable. Canon offered free repairs well beyond the warranty date, even if the camera has a serial number outside the range mentioned in the product advisory; however, this ended when they stopped servicing the S100.
As of 2023, PowerShot S100 remains the only fixed lens camera in Canon lineup to feature shooting in RAW and embedding GPS data, using a built-in GPS receiver.
Raw image file format; one of few "point and shoot" cameras to have raw formatting. (Note: Raw format is not available in Auto, Low Light, and SCN modes. Raw is available in Program, Tv (shutter priority), Av (aperture priority), Manual, and Custom modes)
ISO sensitivity 80–6400 (in 1/3-step increments) and auto (up to ISO 1600).
Full manual control
Customizable Control Ring to control ISO, shutter speed, aperture, focus, or exposure compensation
Five photo aspect ratios: 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 1:1, 4:5
Video features
Recording Standard, Color Accent, Color Swap: 1920 × 1080 (24 frame/s), 1280 × 720 (30 frame/s), 640 × 480 (30)