The Canon PowerShot S is a series of digital cameras released by Canon, as part of the wider PowerShot range. The S-series was originally a line of compact point-and-shoot cameras, slowly evolving into a prosumer line of cameras slotting right beneath the G-series cameras. The line later branched off into Canon's line of super-zoom cameras. The PowerShot ELPH line is a branch of the S-series, due to its model number designations in the United States (with the S- and SD- prefixes), as well as the similarities between the PowerShot ELPH S100 and the PowerShot S10.
From the PowerShot S90 onwards the S-series continues a line of Canon compact digital cameras that commenced with the Ixus 900Ti and feature the Digic image processors and larger than average sensors as fitted to the advanced PowerShot G-series cameras. The Ixus / S-series and the equivalent G-series models are listed below:
The Sxx series is made up of two sub-series. The S10 and S20 were compact point-and-shoot cameras, while the S30-onwards were prosumer digital cameras that were the de-contented, lower-cost alternative to the equivalent G-series camera at the time.
Model
Release date
Sensor resolution, size, type
Video specifications
Lens (35 mm equiv) zoom, aperture
Image processor
LCD screen size, pixels
Card
Size W×H×D (mm)
Weight (body, g)
Photo
Notes
Point-and-Shoot
S10
October 1999
2.1 MP 1600×1200 1/2" CCD
No movie mode
35–70 mm (2×) f/2.8–4.0
1.8"
CF
105.4 × 69.4 × 33.8
270
Smallest true zoom 2 MP camera when released[1]S20
March 2000
3.3 MP 2048×1536 1/1.8" CCD
32–64 mm (2×) f/2.9–4.0
[2]
Prosumer
S30
September 2001
3.2 MP 2048×1536 1/1.8" CCD
320x240 15 fps
35–105 mm (3×) f/2.8–4.9
1.8"
CF
112 × 58 × 42
260
New larger body shape, addition of manual controls, added RAW support[3]
S40
October 2001
4.1 MP 2272×1704 1/1.8" CCD
[4]
S45
October 2002
DIGIC[5]
S50
March 2003
5.0 MP 2592×1944 1/1.8" CCD
[6]
S60
June 2004
640x480 10 fps
320x240 15 fps
28–100 mm (3.6×) f/2.8–5.3
114.0 × 56.5 × 38.8
230
First to use wide-angle lens, supports conversion lenses, smaller and lighter body with re-arranged rear panel[7]
S70
September 2004
7.1 MP 3072×2304 1/1.8" CCD
[8]S80
October 2005
8.0 MP 3264×2448 1/1.8" CCD
1024×768 15 fps
640x480 30 fps
DIGIC II
2.5" 115,000
SD, MMC
104.0 × 57.0 × 38.8
225
Redesigned smaller and lighter body, no RAW support. Includes new 4:3 HD Movie (1024x768) Mode[9]
S90
September 2009
10.0 MP 3648×2736 1/1.7" CCD
640x480 30 fps
28–105 mm (3.8×) f/2.0–4.9
DIGIC 4
3.0" 461,000
SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+
100.0 × 58.4 × 30.9
175
New High Sensitivity System and higher ISO speeds, f/2.0 lens, image stabilization. HD movie feature removed.[11] Bears similarity to earlier Powershot SD series models[10]S95
August 2010
720p 24 fps
99.8 × 58.4 × 29.5
170
Hybrid IS, 720p HD video.[12]S100
September 2011
12.1 MP 4000×3000 1/1.7" CMOS
1080p 24 fps
720p 30 fps
640x480 120 fps
320x240 240 fps
24–120 mm (5×) f/2.0–5.9
DIGIC 5
SD, SDHC, SDXC, Eye-Fi
98.9 × 59.8 × 26.7
173
GPS, 1080p HD video.[13] Not to be confused with the older S100, the first Digital IXUS/ELPH camera.
S110
September 2012
3.0" 461,000 touch screen
98.8 × 59.0 × 26.9
No GPS, 1080p HD video. IS. Wifi. Touch screen.
S120
August 2013
12.1 MP 4000×3000 1/1.7" BSI-CMOS
1080p 60 fps
24–120 mm (5×) f/2.0–5.9
DIGIC 5
3.0" 461,000
SD, SDHC, SDXC
100.0 × 59.0 × 26.0
181
WiFi. No RAW. 720p HD video.
The S1 to SX70 series consists of ultra-zoom cameras, having longer zoom ranges and a more extensive list of features. The SX100 and later SX models are a more compact, affordable spin-off. The "SX" stands for "Super Zoom." All S and SX models feature image stabilization, and most have full manual controls.
Model
Release date
Sensor resolution, size, type
Video Specification
Lens (35 mm equiv) zoom, aperture
Image processor
LCD screen size, pixels
Card
Size W×H×D (mm)
Weight (body, g)
Photo
Notes
Sx / SXx series
S1 IS
March 2004
3.2 MP 2048×1536 1/2.7" CCD
640x480 30 fps
38–380 (10×) f/2.8–3.1
DIGIC
1.5" vari-angle 114,000
CF
111.0 × 78.0 × 66.1
370
First in the series[14]S2 IS
June 2005
5.0 MP 2592×1944 1/2.5" CCD
36–432 (12×) f/2.7–3.5
DIGIC II
1.8" vari-angle 115,000
SD
113 × 78.0 × 75.5
405
[15]S3 IS
February 2006
6.0 MP 2816×2112 1/2.5" CCD
640x480 30 fps
320x240 60 fps
2.0" vari-angle 115,000
SD, SDHC, MMC
113.4 × 78.0 × 75.5
410
[16]
S5 IS
June 2007
8.0 MP 3264x2448 1/2.5" CCD
DIGIC III
2.5" vari-angle 207,000
117.0 × 80.0 × 77.7
450
First S series with hotshoe[17]
SX1 IS
December 2008
10 MP 3648×2736 1/2.3" CMOS
1080p 30 fps
28–560 (20×) f/2.8–5.7
DIGIC 4
2.8" vari-angle 230,000
SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+
128 × 88 × 88
585
Replaces S5 IS, first PowerShot to use CMOS, firmware update allows shooting in RAW, and full HD 1080p recording support[18]
SX10 IS
October 2008
10 MP 3648×2736 1/2.3" CCD
640x480 30 fps
2.5" vari-angle 230,000
124 × 88 × 87
560
Replaces S5 IS[19]
SX20 IS
August 2009
12 MP 4000×3000 1/2.3" CCD
720p 30 fps
Replaces SX10 IS[20]
SX30 IS
September 2010
14.1 MP 4320×3240 1/2.3" CCD
24-840 (35×) f/2.7-5.8
2.7" vari-angle 230,000
SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+
122.9 × 92.4 × 107.7
601
Replaces SX20 IS[21]
SX40 HS
September 2011
12.1 MP 4000×3000 1/2.3" CMOS
1080p 24 fps
21-1365 (65×) f/3.4-6.5
DIGIC 6
3.0" vari-angle 922,000
SD, SDHC, SDXC
127 mm × 91 mm × 114 mm
649
Replaces SX50 HS[24]
SX70 HS
22 October 2018
20.3 MP 5184 × 3888 1/2.3" CMOS
1080p 60 fps
4K 30 fps
21-1365 (65×) f/3.4-6.5
DIGIC 8
3.0" vari-angle 922,000
SD, SDHC, SDXC
127 mm × 90.9 mm × 116.6 mm
610
Replaces SX60 HS[25]
SX100 series (2007-2013, economic superzooms)
SX100 IS
August 2007
8.0 MP 3264×2448 1/2.5" CCD
640x480 30 fps
36–360 (10×) f/2.8–4.3
DIGIC III
2.5" fixed 172,000
SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+
108.7 × 71.4 × 46.7
265
Smaller spin-off of SX series[26]
SX110 IS
September 2008
9.0 MP 3456×2592 1/2.3" CCD
3.0" fixed 230,000
111 × 71 × 45
[27]
SX120 IS
August 2009
10.0 MP 3648×2736 1/2.5" CCD
DIGIC 4
111 × 71 × 45
245
[28]
SX130 IS
September 2010
12.1 MP 4000x3000 1/2.3" CCD
(C677 12 MP)
720p 30 fps
28-336 mm (12x) f/3.4-5.6
113.3 × 73.2 × 45.8
260
Replaces SX120 IS[29]
SX150 IS
August 2011
14.1 MP 4320 × 3240 1/2.3" CCD
SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+, Eye-Fi
258
Replaces SX130 IS[30]
SX160 IS
September 2012
16.0 MP 4608 × 3456 1/2.3" CCD
720p 25 fps
640x480 30 fps
28-448 mm (16x) f/3.5-5.9
111.0 × 72.5 × 44.1
291
Replaces SX150 IS
SX170 IS
2013
108.0 × 71 × 43.9
228
The only one in SX100-series that uses a Li-ion battery
SX200 series (2009-2013, advanced pocketable superzooms)
SX200 IS
March 2009
12.1 MP 4000x3000 1/2.3" CCD
3.0" fixed 461,000
SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+, Eye-Fi
106 × 59 × 33
No GPS[33]
SX230 HS
Adds GPS[33]
SX240 HS
February 2012
25–500 (20×) f/3.5–6.8
DIGIC 5
SD, SDHC, SDXC, Eye-Fi
106 × 61 × 33
224
No GPS.[34] Not sold in North America; the GPS-equipped SX260 HS, otherwise identical to this model, is sold there instead.[35]
SX260 HS
231
Adds GPS[34]
SX270 HS
April 2013
1080p 60 fps
640x480 120 fps
320x240 240 fps
DIGIC 6
SD, SDHC, SDXC
106.4 × 61.1 × 32.6
227
With GPS. There is also Wi-Fi. But not sold in North America; the GPS- is also equipped in SX280 HS and it is sold there instead.
SX280 HS
106.4 × 62.8 × 32.6
233
With GPS and Wi-fi
SX400 series (2014-, cheaper alternative to the SX500-series, no manual controls, CCD-sensors)
SX400 IS
October 2014
16.0 MP 4608x3456 1/2.3" CCD
720p 25 fps
640x480 30 fps
24-720 (30x) f/3.4-5.8
DIGIC 4+
3.0" fixed 230,000
SD, SDHC, SDXC
104.4 × 69.1 × 80.1
313
No Wi-Fi or GPS, Very similar to SX500 IS
SX410 IS
February 2015
20.0 MP 5152x3864 1/2.3" CCD
24-960 (40x) f/3.5-6.3
104.4 × 69.1 × 85.1
325
No Wi-Fi or GPS
SX420 IS
January 2016
24-1008 (42x) f/3.5-6.6
104 × 69 × 85
325
WiFI
SX430 IS
January 2017
24-1080 (45x) f/3.5-6.8
104.4 × 69.1 × 85.1
323
WiFi
SX500 series (2012-, cheaper and lighter alternative to SXx series)
SX500 IS
April 2012
16.0 MP 4608x3456 1/2.3" CCD
720p 25 fps
[2]
Prosumer
S30
September 2001
3.2 MP
New larger body shape, addition of manual controls, added RAW support[3]
S40
October 2001
4.1 MP
[4]
S45
October 2002
DIGIC
[5]
S50
March 2003
5.0 MP
[6]
S60
June 2004
640x480 10 fps
First to use wide-angle lens, supports conversion lenses, smaller and lighter body with re-arranged rear panel[7]
S70
September 2004
7.1 MP
New High Sensitivity System and higher ISO speeds, f/2.0 lens, image stabilization. HD movie feature removed.[11] Bears similarity to earlier Powershot SD series models[10]
S95
August 2010
720p 24 fps
99.8 × 58.4 × 29.5
170
Hybrid IS, 720p HD video.[12]
S100
September 2011
12.1 MP
GPS, 1080p HD video.[13] Not to be confused with the older S100, the first Digital IXUS/ELPH camera.
S110
September 2012
3.0" 461,000 touch screen
98.8 × 59.0 × 26.9
No GPS, 1080p HD video. IS. Wifi. Touch screen.
S120
August 2013
12.1 MP
WiFi. Touch screen. Maximum aperture 1.8.
S200
February 2014
10.0 MP
WiFi. No RAW. 720p HD video.
[2]
Prosumer
S30
September 2001
3.2 MP
New larger body shape, addition of manual controls, added RAW support[3]
S40
October 2001
4.1 MP.jpg)
[4]
S45
October 2002
DIGIC
[5]
S50
March 2003
5.0 MP
[6]
S60
June 2004
640x480 10 fps
First to use wide-angle lens, supports conversion lenses, smaller and lighter body with re-arranged rear panel[7]
S70
September 2004
7.1 MP
New High Sensitivity System and higher ISO speeds, f/2.0 lens, image stabilization. HD movie feature removed.[11] Bears similarity to earlier Powershot SD series models[10]
S95
August 2010
720p 24 fps
99.8 × 58.4 × 29.5
170
Hybrid IS, 720p HD video.[12]
S100
September 2011
12.1 MP
GPS, 1080p HD video.[13] Not to be confused with the older S100, the first Digital IXUS/ELPH camera.
S110
September 2012
3.0" 461,000 touch screen
98.8 × 59.0 × 26.9
No GPS, 1080p HD video. IS. Wifi. Touch screen.
S120
August 2013
12.1 MP
WiFi. Touch screen. Maximum aperture 1.8.
S200
February 2014
10.0 MP
WiFi. No RAW. 720p HD video.
First in the series[14]
S2 IS
June 2005
5.0 MP
[15]
S3 IS
February 2006
6.0 MP
[16]
S5 IS
June 2007
8.0 MP
First S series with hotshoe[17]
SX1 IS
December 2008
10 MP 
Replaces S5 IS, first PowerShot to use CMOS, firmware update allows shooting in RAW, and full HD 1080p recording support[18]
SX10 IS
October 2008
10 MP 
Replaces S5 IS[19]
SX20 IS
August 2009
12 MP
Replaces SX10 IS[20]
SX30 IS
September 2010
14.1 MP
Replaces SX20 IS[21]
SX40 HS
September 2011
12.1 MP
Replaces SX1/SX30 IS[22]
SX50 HS
September 2012
12.1 MP
Replaces SX40 HS[23]
SX60 HS
September 2014
16.1 MP
Replaces SX50 HS[24]
SX70 HS
22 October 2018
20.3 MP
Smaller spin-off of SX series[26]
SX110 IS
September 2008
9.0 MP
[27]
SX120 IS
August 2009
10.0 MP
[28]
SX130 IS
September 2010
12.1 MP
Replaces SX120 IS[29]
SX150 IS
August 2011
14.1 MP
Replaces SX130 IS[30]
SX160 IS
September 2012
16.0 MP
Replaces SX150 IS
SX170 IS
2013
108.0 × 71 × 43.9
228
The only one in SX100-series that uses a Li-ion battery
SX200 series (2009-2013, advanced pocketable superzooms)
SX200 IS
March 2009
12.1 MP
Adds HD video[31]
SX210 IS
March 2010
14.1 MP
[32]
SX220 HS
February 2011
12.1 MP
No GPS[33]
SX230 HS
Adds GPS[33]
SX240 HS
February 2012
25–500 (20×)
Adds GPS[34]
SX270 HS
April 2013
1080p 60 fps
With GPS. There is also Wi-Fi. But not sold in North America; the GPS- is also equipped in SX280 HS and it is sold there instead.
SX280 HS
106.4 × 62.8 × 32.6
233
With GPS and Wi-fi
SX400 series (2014-, cheaper alternative to the SX500-series, no manual controls, CCD-sensors)
SX400 IS
October 2014
16.0 MP
No Wi-Fi or GPS, Very similar to SX500 IS
SX410 IS
February 2015
20.0 MP
No Wi-Fi or GPS
SX420 IS
January 2016
24-1008 (42x) f/3.5-6.6
104 × 69 × 85
325
WiFI
SX430 IS
January 2017
24-1080 (45x) f/3.5-6.8
104.4 × 69.1 × 85.1
323
WiFi
SX500 series (2012-, cheaper and lighter alternative to SXx series)
SX500 IS
April 2012
16.0 MP
Improved Autofocus (AF). Not compatible for SD/SDHC Memory cards exceeding 8 GB capacity.
SX510 HS
August 2013
12.1 MP
Adds Wi-Fi
SX520 HS
2014
16.0 MP
Wi-Fi but no GPS. GPS via linked compatible smartphone ("camera connect").
SX540 HS
January 2016
20.2 MP
SX610 HS
January 2015
20.2 MP
SX620 HS
May 2016
25-625 (25x)
SX700 series (2014-, successor to the SX200-series)
SX700 HS
2014
16.0 MP
Remote shooting through WiFi
SX710 HS
January 2015
20.3 MP
SX730 HS
April 2017
3.0" tilting
SX740 HS
August 2018
1080p 60 fps
4K video[36]
First in the series[14]
S2 IS
June 2005
5.0 MP
[15]
S3 IS
February 2006
6.0 MP
[16]
S5 IS
June 2007
8.0 MP
First S series with hotshoe[17]
SX1 IS
December 2008
10 MP .jpg)
Replaces S5 IS, first PowerShot to use CMOS, firmware update allows shooting in RAW, and full HD 1080p recording support[18]
SX10 IS
October 2008
10 MP 
Replaces S5 IS[19]
SX20 IS
August 2009
12 MP
Replaces SX10 IS[20]
SX30 IS
September 2010
14.1 MP
Replaces SX20 IS[21]
SX40 HS
September 2011
12.1 MP
Replaces SX1/SX30 IS[22]
SX50 HS
September 2012
12.1 MP
Replaces SX40 HS[23]
SX60 HS
September 2014
16.1 MP
Replaces SX50 HS[24]
SX70 HS
22 October 2018
20.3 MP
.jpg)
Smaller spin-off of SX series[26]
SX110 IS
September 2008
9.0 MP
[27]
SX120 IS
August 2009
10.0 MP
[28]
SX130 IS
September 2010
12.1 MP
Replaces SX120 IS[29]
SX150 IS
August 2011
14.1 MP
Replaces SX130 IS[30]
SX160 IS
September 2012
16.0 MP
Replaces SX150 IS
SX170 IS
2013
108.0 × 71 × 43.9
228
The only one in SX100-series that uses a Li-ion battery
SX200 series (2009-2013, advanced pocketable superzooms)
SX200 IS
March 2009
12.1 MP
Adds HD video[31]
SX210 IS
March 2010
14.1 MP
[32]
SX220 HS
February 2011
12.1 MP
No GPS[33]
SX230 HS
Adds GPS[33]
SX240 HS
February 2012
25–500 (20×).jpg)
Adds GPS[34]
SX270 HS
April 2013
1080p 60 fps
With GPS. There is also Wi-Fi. But not sold in North America; the GPS- is also equipped in SX280 HS and it is sold there instead.
SX280 HS
106.4 × 62.8 × 32.6
233
With GPS and Wi-fi
SX400 series (2014-, cheaper alternative to the SX500-series, no manual controls, CCD-sensors)
SX400 IS
October 2014
16.0 MP
No Wi-Fi or GPS, Very similar to SX500 IS
SX410 IS
February 2015
20.0 MP
No Wi-Fi or GPS
SX420 IS
January 2016
24-1008 (42x) f/3.5-6.6
104 × 69 × 85
325
WiFI
SX430 IS
January 2017
24-1080 (45x) f/3.5-6.8
104.4 × 69.1 × 85.1
323
WiFi
SX500 series (2012-, cheaper and lighter alternative to SXx series)
SX500 IS
April 2012
16.0 MP
Improved Autofocus (AF). Not compatible for SD/SDHC Memory cards exceeding 8 GB capacity.
SX510 HS
August 2013
12.1 MP.png)
Adds Wi-Fi
SX520 HS
2014
16.0 MP
Wi-Fi but no GPS. GPS via linked compatible smartphone ("camera connect").
SX540 HS
January 2016
20.2 MP
SX610 HS
January 2015
20.2 MP
SX620 HS
May 2016
25-625 (25x)
SX700 series (2014-, successor to the SX200-series)
SX700 HS
2014
16.0 MP
Remote shooting through WiFi
SX710 HS
January 2015
20.3 MP.jpg)
SX730 HS
April 2017
3.0" tilting
SX740 HS
August 2018
1080p 60 fps
.jpg)
4K video[36]