Lens Logic Verdict
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS is a great choice for anyone looking for a simple, compact camera that delivers solid results. With its 16.1MP sensor, vibrant colors, and 5x optical zoom, it’s perfect for everyday moments like family gatherings or travel. The slim design and easy-to-use controls make it ideal for beginners or those wanting to upgrade from their smartphone camera. While it’s not the best in low light or for fast-moving subjects, it shines when it comes to portability and ease of use. If you’re after a reliable camera that’s light on the wallet but big on performance, the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS is a smart pick. For anyone wanting better photos without the hassle of complex settings, this camera is definitely worth a look.
Pros
- Affordable price for a quality compact camera
- 16.1MP CMOS sensor delivers vibrant, natural colors
- 5x optical zoom lens for versatile shooting
- Slim and lightweight design, perfect for travel and portability
- Simple, beginner-friendly controls and auto modes
- Optical Image Stabilization reduces blur from shaky hands
- 1080p HD video recording with easy one-touch button
- Fast startup time, ready to shoot in about two seconds
- Available in multiple stylish color options
Cons
- Struggles in low light and high-contrast scenes
- Limited manual controls for advanced users
- Basic video capabilities (1080p/24fps) with no advanced features
- Short battery life (170-220 shots per charge)
- No Wi-Fi or wireless connectivity for easy photo sharing
- Not ideal for fast action or sports photography due to autofocus limitations
- Fixed lens limits creative options for specialized shots
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Mason knows photography inside and out. With 15 years of hands-on experience, he’s written about cameras, lenses, and gear of all kinds. He even spent five years as a journalist, diving deep into music and writing sharp, engaging stories. Now, Mason shares his photography knowledge, helping readers find the right gear and perfect their skills. He’s also proud of his unbeatable Wordle streak!
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The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS combines style, simplicity, and solid performance—perfect for capturing everyday moments. This handy point-and-shoot camera offers better quality than your phone while staying small enough for any pocket. It’s ideal for beginners who want good photos without learning complex settings.
Families will love how easy it is to capture birthday parties and vacations. Travelers will appreciate its lightweight design that won’t weigh down a day pack. If you’re looking to step up from smartphone photography without jumping to a bulky DSLR, the Canon ELPH 110 HS deserves your attention.
The camera strikes a good balance between price and features, giving you improved image quality for life’s special moments. Throughout this review, we’ll see if the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS delivers good value in today’s camera market.
Overview of the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS comes from Canon‘s popular ELPH series (called IXUS in some countries). These cameras are known for their slim design and easy-to-use features. Canon has built the ELPH brand around cameras that look good while taking good pictures.
In Canon’s lineup, this camera sits between the most basic models and their more advanced compact cameras. When compared to rivals like Nikon Coolpix and Sony Cyber-shot models, the Canon ELPH 110 HS stands out with Canon’s excellent color quality and simple menus that beginners can master quickly.
Key Selling Points
- 16.1MP CMOS sensor captures sharp, detailed images, especially in good lighting
- Optical Image Stabilization (IS) reduces blur from shaky hands
- Slim design weighs only 4.3 ounces, perfect for pockets and travel
- Available in five stylish colors: silver, black, red, blue, and pink
- 5x- optical zoom lens (24-120mm equivalent) for versatile shooting
- Simple controls and auto modes make photography easy for beginners
- 1080p HD video recording with one-touch button
- Fast startup time – ready to shoot in about two seconds
- Reliable autofocus system works well in good lighting
- Natural color reproduction, especially for skin tones
Design and Build Quality



Ergonomics
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS fits easily in your hand at just 3.7 x 2.2 x 0.8 inches. Despite its small size, the buttons are well-placed and easy to press. The mode switch lets you quickly change between auto and program modes, while the dedicated movie button starts recording videos instantly.
The camera’s layout is beginner-friendly. The controls are simple enough that even first-time users can start taking good photos right away without reading the manual. This makes it perfect for quick shots when opportunities arise.
Build Materials
The camera has a plastic body that keeps it lightweight. While not as premium-feeling as metal cameras, the plastic doesn’t feel cheap. The glossy finish gives it a stylish look, especially in the vibrant color options.
The color choices let you pick a camera that matches your style. The classic silver or black options offer a traditional look, while the red, blue, and pink versions add a fun pop of color to your photography gear.
User Experience
The menu system on the Canon ELPH 110 HS is refreshingly simple. Large icons and clear text help new users find settings quickly. The 3-inch LCD screen shows your subject clearly, though it can be hard to see in bright sunlight like most compact cameras.
The camera turns on quickly and is ready to shoot in about two seconds. This responsiveness means you’re less likely to miss spontaneous moments waiting for your camera to wake up.
Performance and Features
Image Quality
The 16.1MP CMOS sensor in the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS captures nice photos in good lighting. Colors look natural and pleasing, especially skin tones which have a warm, flattering quality. This makes the camera great for family photos and portraits.
In bright daylight, photos show good detail and vibrant colors. Where this camera shows limitations is in high-contrast scenes – bright skies might lose detail while shadows can look too dark. This is typical for compact cameras in this price range.
The ISO range goes from 100 to 3200. Photos look best at ISO 800 or lower. Higher settings show noticeable grain and loss of detail as the camera tries to brighten dim scenes.
Autofocus System
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS uses contrast-detection autofocus that works quickly in good light. It offers several focus modes including Face AiAF (which finds and focuses on faces), Center focus, and Tracking AF for moving subjects.
In dim lighting, the camera sometimes struggles to lock focus. It might hunt back and forth before finding the right focus point – or sometimes fail to focus at all. This is common with compact cameras but worth noting if you often shoot indoors.
For family gatherings, vacation photos, and everyday snapshots, the Canon ELPH 110 HS focuses reliably. It’s quick enough to capture smiling faces, scenic views, and pet antics in most situations.
The camera isn’t designed for sports or action photography. Fast-moving kids, athletes, or pets can be challenging to capture, especially when moving toward the camera. The burst shooting speed (about 5.8 frames per second) helps but requires good timing.
Video Capabilities
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS records 1080p Full HD video at 24 frames per second. Video quality is good in adequate lighting, showing the same pleasing colors as still photos. The H.264 format creates files that work well with most computers and editing software.
The built-in microphone captures clear audio when subjects are nearby. Wind noise can be a problem when shooting outdoors, and the camera lacks external microphone options.
The dedicated video button makes recording simple – press once and you’re filming, regardless of which photo mode you’re using. The zoom works during video recording, moving slowly to keep footage smooth and minimize motor noise in your audio.
The image stabilization helps keep videos steady, reducing the shakiness that often ruins handheld video. For best results, try to brace yourself against something solid when filming longer clips.
Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility
Built-In Zoom Lens
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS features a 5x optical zoom lens covering 24-120mm. This range handles everything from wide group shots to moderate telephoto for portraits and bringing distant subjects closer.
The lens opens to f/2.7 at wide angle and f/5.9 at full zoom. This is typical for slim cameras but means the lens performs best in good light. The Optical Image Stabilization helps prevent blur, especially when zoomed in or shooting in lower light.
Fixed Lens Limitations
As a fixed-lens camera, the Canon ELPH 110 HS cannot accept different lenses. You’re limited to the built-in 5x zoom for all your photos. This means no ultra-wide landscape shots or super-telephoto wildlife photos that specialized lenses would allow.
The lens quality is good for a compact camera but shows some softness in the corners at wide-angle settings. You might notice colored fringing around high-contrast edges in some situations – this is normal for compact cameras.
Real-World Examples
The 24mm wide-angle setting works well for landscapes, group photos, and interior shots where space is tight. You can fit the whole family in the frame without backing up too far.
The 120mm telephoto end is perfect for portraits, allowing you to fill the frame with your subject’s face from a comfortable distance. It also helps at zoos or tourist sites where you need to zoom in on details you can’t approach closely.
Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS vs Competitors
Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS vs Nikon Coolpix S9700
The Nikon Coolpix S9700 offers a more powerful 30x zoom compared to Canon’s 5x zoom. This makes the Nikon better for distant subjects. The Nikon also includes built-in GPS to tag your photos with location data – great for travel.
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS delivers more natural colors, especially for skin tones. Many users find Canon’s menu system more intuitive and easier to learn. Canon’s ELPH series also has a strong reputation for reliability over years of use.
Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX220
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX220 performs slightly better in low light thanks to its Exmor R sensor technology. Sony’s colors tend to be more vibrant and saturated, which some users prefer for landscape and nature photos.
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS offers a simpler interface that beginners find less intimidating. Canon’s approach focuses on getting good results with minimal fuss, while Sony packs in more features that can overwhelm new users.
Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS vs Canon PowerShot ELPH 130 IS
The newer Canon PowerShot ELPH 130 IS features a 12x optical zoom, giving you more reach than the 110 HS’s 5x zoom. The 130 IS also adds Wi-Fi connectivity for easy photo sharing to smartphones and social media.
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS costs less while delivering similar image quality. If you don’t specifically need extended zoom or wireless features, the 110 HS offers better value.
Who Is the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS For?
Perfect for beginners, the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS makes taking great photos easy. Its simple controls help new photographers capture beautiful shots without confusion. When traveling, this compact camera fits easily in your pocket while offering better zoom than any smartphone. Families love how quickly they can snap sharp pictures at parties and gatherings. For basic HD videos, it handles family events well, though it’s not meant for professional filming. At its price point, it beats smartphone cameras with its optical zoom and dedicated controls. If you want better photos without learning complex settings, this Canon ELPH is your answer.
FAQs About Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS
Is the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS good for beginners?
Yes, its simple controls and helpful auto modes make it perfect for beginners. The Smart Auto mode recognizes common scenes and adjusts settings automatically to help new users get good photos without technical knowledge.
Does the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS have Wi-Fi?
No, it doesn’t have Wi-Fi connectivity. You’ll need to connect it to a computer with the USB cable or remove the memory card to transfer photos. Newer ELPH models added Wi-Fi features.
Can I shoot in manual mode with the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS?
No, it doesn’t offer full manual exposure control. Program mode gives some flexibility with exposure compensation and white balance adjustments, but you can’t manually set aperture and shutter speed independently.
What is the battery life like on the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS?
The battery lasts for about 170-220 shots per charge depending on how you use the camera. Features like flash, zoom, and reviewing photos reduce battery life. For all-day outings, a spare battery is recommended.
Is the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS suitable for professional photography?
No, it’s not designed for professional work. Its smaller sensor, limited controls, and basic lens specifications don’t meet professional requirements. It works better as a casual camera for personal use.
Conclusion
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS proves itself as a reliable compact camera for everyday moments. Its best features – the 16.1MP sensor, optical stabilization, and easy controls – make photography fun and simple. While it won’t replace professional cameras, it’s perfect for casual photographers who want better quality than their phones offer. We recommend the Canon ELPH 110 HS for travelers, families, and beginners who need a trustworthy camera. Consider newer models if you want Wi-Fi sharing or advanced features. For capturing life’s special moments without hassle, this camera delivers excellent value.