Canon's new Powershot SD430 Wireless

Canon just announced their Powershot SD430 Wireless (or Digital IXUS Wireless outside of Americas) 5.3 megapixel digital camera. It features a 2-inch LCD, 3x optical zoom, MMC/SD card support, and USB 2.0 for tethered transfers. Of course, it's the wireless we're all jonesin' on — not only can you transfer stored images via WiFi to your PC or PictBridge compatible printer (via included Wireless Print Adapter) but you can also auto transfer them to your PC while you shoot and even operate the camera from the computer via included Canon software. In case you're wondering, Kodak's WiFi enabled EASYSHARE-ONE can't do that. Hell, while we're at it, the EASYSHARE-ONE is only a 4 megapixel shooter, sells for $100 more than the $500 SD430, and WiFi is added via SD card…it's not built-in (but is included). But don't fret (yet) Kodak 'cause these won't drop until December (Japan) and January (Europe).

[Via LetsGoDigital, Thanks Benny]

SD430 with included wireless print adapter

 

 

 

[Martin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I think these wifi-enabled cameras are simply a stroke of genius (although seemingly one of those, "Why didn't I think of that before?" things). If I am able, theoretically, to transfer pictures to a nearby PC without having to stop shooting, then this drastically reduces my reliance on storage media.

You'll always need it, because we're not always near a hotspot to connect with a PC, but I do think that as hotspots get more popular, eventually storage media might just disappear (wishful thinking).

[Ali @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I agree with the above poster. They are going to make life much easier for photographers. Imagine a two man team in a school party. One person is shooting and the other is wirelessly recieving them over Wifi to his laptop. He can then edit them and advertise them and can bag a lot more deals than they would have been able to before

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

"You'll always need it, because we're not always near a hotspot to connect with a PC"

Why do you need to be near a hotspot? Just use ad-hoc wireless mode. It would be shockingly short-sighted if these wi-fi cameras did not support ad-hoc connections.

I'm just waiting for the day that there's an SLR on the market with this feature. That'll really be something, as big as those files can get (meaning there's a lot more transferring going on).

[Arnold Jagt @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Can you say 'wireless, live, instant video studio waiting to happen'? Get five of these puppies up and going with a good laptop and "look Ma, no wires" video production. Fly cams, static shots, you name it. Good enough quality for Google video no doubt. Shoot, I think I am going to start my own TV network.

[oktane @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

#2, get with the times. Digital SLRs with WiFi have been available since 2003.

In 2003, Nikon introduced the Wireless Transmitter WT-1, which, attached to the digital SLR D2H, enables wireless image transfer. This was followed in 2004 with the Wireless Transmitter WT-2, which was designed for D2X.

Have you been living in a CAVE for the last two years? j/k

[RW @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Uhh, I thought the Kodak had 2 separate SD slots. The one on top is a pop-out slot for the wifi SDIO card and the other slot is next to the battery. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks.

Pic below is from the review done by Digitalcamerainfo.com

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/images/upload/Image/Kodak%20EasyShare-one/CardandBattery.gif

"The Kodak EasyShare-one provides the most internal memory by far of any compact digital camera. With 256 MB, the EasyShare-one successfully bridges the gap between a digital camera and a digital photo album. The camera also has a slot for SD or MMC cards and can accept cards up to 1 GB."

[pete @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Anyone know what wireless security these support?
Warpeeping anyone? :P
(C'mon people, someone can come up with something better then warpeeping...)

[Robert M. Hall @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Got some misinformation in that post - there is actually a seperate SDIO slot on the top of the Kodak for the WiFI card, in addition the SD slot on the bottom of the Kodak. You can have WiFi and up to 1 gig of SD ram active at the same time the WiFi card is installed.

That being said - this camera looks sweet, great featureset, and I love Canons - but I'll need to see the UI on this baby before plunking down any money.

[Chad @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

The Easyshare One has a seperate slot for the wi-fi card, you guys need to do your homework.

The Easyshare one also allows you to access the easyshare gallery (ofoto) and send emails from the camera. Eventually they'd like you to even be able to order prints right from the camera.

The Easyshare One also has a touchscreen.

But Canon fanboys unite.

[Thomas Ricker @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

RW, thanks. You're right, it does have two SD slots. I have ammended the post.

[Chip @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I've been usign this since 03, as #5 said, nikon has had the WT-1 out for a while. While it leaves a lot to be desired, a couple firmware updates have really made the device solid. It supports WEP 64 or 128 bit, and you can transfer in Ad-Hoc or Infrastucture mode. AND you can transfer right to an FTP Server as well, one of the greatest features we use. I use it when I"m covering the autoshows, if you want to see it in action, I"ll be using it at the SEMA Auto Show:
http://shows.autospies.com/live/

All you need is a hotspot.

If you're shooting an event(party), you could also bring in a projector/screen and show photos instantly on it. Some very cool ways to use this technology. Or, if you have a studio where you take kid shots, the parents can see real time on a bigger screen the photos you're taking.

[fifteen @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Can you go from camera-to-Flickr or just camera-to-computer?

[Tom W @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

If the camera can stream video wirelessly then it could be used as a wireless webcam or a remote security camera. THAT would be cool.

If it can't stream video, then they should add that feature.

[Olivier @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

When will Canon integrate a GPS in their digital cameras? It's one of the next wave of integration to see. Then, we'll have nice software using geopositioning data and mapping your pictures on maps... and see a new wave of apps around Google Earth and the likes!

[thefultonhow @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I'm sorry, but I don't see why there's so much hype about WiFi cameras. When I'm using my camera, I'm doing one of two things -- taking photos for eBay auctions, when it wouldn't be a huge step to pop out the SD card and put it in my computer's card reader, or taking photos while out and about, when I wouldn't be anywhere near a computer with the software to use this feature. And I'm usually using my camera for the second purpose (as most people seem to do), so the appeal of this function is even more limited to me.

Olivier's idea of including GPS in the camera does seem to be a pretty cool idea, though.

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Olivier, awesome idea. The potentials of having each picture you take tagged with not only an exact latitude longitude, but also an exact timestamp from GPS is incredible. It might take a little bit more time for GPS recievers to squeeze down in size, but I for one am sure this will happen.
Also, why not make a wifi enabled media player. As long as you are in range of a hotspot or your pc, your pc could play the songs, playlists, videos you want on demand. You would obviously need a pc that would run an application in order to connect to your player via the internet, but the possibility of this would be great. You could see the relation to this idea and the Slingbox...
http://www.slingmedia.com/
anyway just thought I'd add my few words.

[Samuel Lago @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I think your half way there, regarding GPS. It doesn't need to be built in, GPS co-ordinates are not as accurate as Wi-Fi triangulation and Wi-Fi is already present. Take Virtual Earth from MS, they allow for locations to be looked up via laptop Wi-Fi triangulation and in built up areas is much more accurate than GPS, so why not get the cam to hook up to MS VE, triangulate and then tag the photos. When they are loaded onto the PC (via a wireless connection) the PC can show a plain vector 3D map of ones area with all the images dotted wherever they were taken etc... Right in the OS, that would be cool!!

[Viper5DN @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I wonder if it will have the perpetual curve technology in the SD500/50 :)