The Canon PowerShot S is a series of digital cameras released by Canon. 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.
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G-series in a compact body
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 Ixus 900Ti and 960IS feature a titanium body.)
Compact S series
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.
Super Zoom S/SX series
The S1 to SX50 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 full manual controls.