Canon debuts low-light lovin' PowerShot SD4000 IS digicam
By Darren Murph 
posted May 11th 2010 10:26AM
posted May 11th 2010 10:26AM
DESIGN MEETS FUNCTIONALITY WITH THE NEW CANON POWERSHOT DIGITAL ELPH CAMERA: THE POWERSHOT SD4000 IS DIGITAL ELPH CAMERA
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., May 11, 2010 – Placing top-level Canon features in a modern, stylish frame, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the newest addition to the PowerShot Digital ELPH camera series- the Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS Digital ELPH camera. This new powerhouse point-and-shoot camera is the first of the Digital ELPH series to offer a high-sensitivity system, known as Canon's HS SYSTEM, with a CMOS sensor and bright f/2.0 lens. Offering consumers the most enhanced image quality available in an ELPH series camera, these features help to capture those wonderful moments in low-light conditions. The PowerShot SD4000 IS Digital ELPH camera also has high definition (HD) movie-shooting capabilities, providing an additional option for cataloging memorable events. Primarily, the new PowerShot SD4000 IS is great for any user with an attention for up-to-date functionality and style.
Whether attending a relative's sunset wedding or meeting friends in a dimly lit restaurant, these are times where the new PowerShot SD4000 IS showcases its best attributes. The new 10-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, in conjunction with the DIGIC 4 image processor creates Canon's HS SYSTEM to enhance image quality in low-light situations and helps reduce noise at high ISO speeds. Along with Canon's HS SYSTEM, the f/2.0 lens allows more light to enter, permitting higher shutter speeds, for further reducing the effect of camera shake and increasing image sharpness and quality. In addition, the combination of Canon's HS SYSTEM and the f/2.0 lens enables users to take photos without a flash, resulting in a more natural look while providing greater depth of field, making it an exemplary tool for portrait photography. In addition, the PowerShot SD4000 IS has the fastest high-speed burst rate to date* in a Canon PowerShot Digital ELPH camera with 8.4 frames per second (fps). New to the ELPH cameras, the PowerShot SD4000 IS has aperture and shutter controls allowing for enhanced flexibility and creative control, making this camera great for shooters who are interested in getting even more out of their photography.
"With the introduction of the new PowerShot SD4000 IS, Canon is putting the power of high-quality photography in an ultra-compact size to amplify the experience and quality customers see when shooting with a Canon camera," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "The two functions in the HS SYSTEM allow our customers to capture the clearest pictures in any setting, resulting in more of a professional look."
For the Design-Centric
A treat for the eyes, the PowerShot SD4000 IS has beautifully crafted curves, texture and a modern look that appeals to a design-savvy user. With all of its new features, the Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS elevates the current ELPH series, offering advanced settings in a polished, sculpted, compact frame, making it an essential item to tote anywhere.
Get Creative with HD Movie
The addition of the HD Movie feature in the new PowerShot SD4000 IS is one of the most distinguished characteristics that makes this camera a must-have for anyone. This dual-purpose camera allows users to creatively compose video, helping to capture unforgettable moments from a child's first baseball game to a son or daughter walking up to the podium on Graduation Day. Users can also have more fun with HD movie footage by using the My Color function, composed of Color Swap and Color Accent options. In addition, video content is easily downloaded from the camera via USB connection and can be easily played back on your HDTV via an HDMI output connector.
Timing is Everything
As an added bonus, the new Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS has a new Super Slow Motion movie function that allows users to record video at a very high frame rate, possessing the appearance of slow motion when played back at regular speed. The Super Slow Motion movie function captures a subject at 240 frames-per-second (fps), and later plays back the footage at 30 fps, allowing each moment of footage to be appreciated in super slow motion while maintaining great image quality.
Additional Features
# A 3.0-inch wide angle (28mm equivalent) wide screen LCD allows for easy on-camera previewing and reviewing of menus and images.
# A 3.8X optical zoom with optical image stabilization helps to ensure images will be clear and how they were meant to be captured.
# Support of the high-spec SDXC memory cards with the maximum storage of two terabytes (TB) in SDA standard.
# Eye-Fi memory card connectivity, where wireless data can directly transfer to PCs.
# New scene modes, such as miniature and fish-eye effects help to increase overall creativity.
# Smart Shutter technology, which automatically takes pictures when a person smiles or winks; resulting in less re-takes.
The new Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS is available in three different color variations: red, black and silver. In addition, while supplies last, there will be an exclusive, limited edition white PowerShot SD4000 IS model available direct from Canon (www.shop.usa.canon.com). Scheduled to be available at the end of May, the Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS Digital ELPH camera retails for an estimated price of $349.99.
...no blue?
blue's my favorite color :(
eye fi needs special support? it would be nice to have gps/wifi from the camera itself.
@htd please stop replying in a way that doesn't relate to the person you replied to in any way.
@skyblaze personally i would like plain old black. but more importantly, when is Canon gonna finally update that SD970 IS that we all loved?
@skyblaze
I feel like Canon's been off with the colors, but that's just me. SD1100 series was the best.
Looks beautifull, little small lens, but that's ok.
I don't take pictures in the dark very much so not interesting for me...
@bartinspace really? This is not about dark, but low light conditions (even cloudy sky in the afternoon or your bedroom where you hide all the time.
@bartinspace
It's not necessarily about dark conditions only, getting more light on the sensor (which I assume is what they are implying with the back-light CMOS) allows you to use a lower ISO in all conditions, which means less noise and better photos as well as low-light performance.
Looks cool for sure. Now, where's the equivalent to FourThirds, NEX and NX?
@Atkins Theyre Canon. They don't need that stuff. They make the best compacts and (to 50% of who you ask) the best SLRs. And the best copiers, printers, medical imagers, satellite sensors, etc. They don't need to add a category that doesn't appeal to 90% of their customers.
@Jayratch "They don't need to add a category that doesn't appeal to 90% of their customers."
How do you get those numbers? :) This category IMHO is the future.
And while I agree that Canon's compacts are the best, that is starting to change.
That's quite a fast lens for a compact!
@who said what
You should like this:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10022005samsungex1.asp
@Atkins
That's a good one... but overall feature for feature, this one is better especially when it comes down to the video department.
@who said what Oh, for sure, but I found the lens impressive when I first saw it :)
I'm a little on edge now...
This, the Canon S90, or wait for the successor of the S90...
I just need a camera, and i'm willing to go to the Micro 4/3 category... Oh woe is me.
@deeveeance There's a big gap between the S90 and a FourThirds... You should decide what you need more precisely :)
@deeveeance Get G10 or G11 and be done with it.
These pocket cameras are great but always terrible if you try want to shoot in no-auto mode (yes you can do it, but there are like gzillion menus you have to go through)
@Jimbojones on my s90 i can change the aperture, exposure bias or iso with one touch with in AV mode. and all three buttons can be configured. it's not as easy as my 40d but it's doable.
@deeveeance
Sony launched NEX. Try that!
@Jimbojones
S90 and G11 us the same sensor and software, and the S90 actually has a brighter lens....Both of these cameras allow you to change all of your manual settings on the fly without going through menu's so I'm not sure what you're talking about there.
@deeveeanc
There is a HUGE difference between an S90 and a Micro 4/3rds camera. While very advanced the S90 is still a point and shoot, limited by it's low light capabilities.
@DavidW
Well... I think I might go for the NEX since it looks rather small. Small enough for an usher, such as myself, to mistake it for a PnS... That and it looks rather beastly, plus it has HD video and interchangeable lenses...
To be honest, i'm an 'enthusiast' photographer and just want great shots no matter what.
I think 10MP is still too much for compact cameras. Few people actually need that.
@revoltracers But when done right it improves image quality when scaling the picture down on a computer.
@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar
But noise isn't going anywhere even if you remove Bayer interpolation by resizing the photo : )
@revoltracers I kinda disagree, 10MP is exactly perfect number (actually 8-10 is perfect), don't forget that some of us crop and print slightly larger photos (no posters of course)
@revoltracers
Reducing the resolution of an image does reduce per-pixel noise in the resulting resized image.
Are you speaking from experience or hypothesizing?
@DanKennedy Oh well, if you put it that way, of course. I am speaking from experience. It's all about choices...
@revoltracers With regular compact digicams doing 12 and 14MP, 10MP is actually quite conservative.
Meh, after seeing what a dSLR can do, I am hesitant to invest in ANY PAS.
F/2.0 far away!
Hmmmm. Wonder how this little guy stacks up against the sanding tl350. Anyone know the resolution on the 240fps video?
@Jfunknastyb this camera shoots 720p in 30fps
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=20024#ModelTechSpecsAct
@Jfunknastyb
320x240 at 240 fps (actually a multiple of NTSC (8 x 29.97)).
Too bad they did also add 640x480 at 60 fps (it only has 30 fps at higher than 320x240 fps).
@AcHocAybArkA
Oops! Should be "Too bad they didn't also add..."
Oh dang, I wonder how this will compare to the 210fps on my Casio. I certainly trust Canon more, and appreciate the manual settings. I just might have to sell the Casio and get this puppy...
Never mind the pixel count. What's the physical size of the image sensor? That's ultimately what determines how well it handles low light photography.
@Garion From DPReview: 1/2.3" type back-illuminated CMOS
$349.99 for this camera the back is ugly back & unuser friendly on a camera more buttons are useful for quick response, Canon need to redesign the back buttons all other camera manufactures have good-looking buttons this in but ugly.
I just looked at the specs.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1005/10051101canonixus300hs.asp#specs and was somewhat disappointed to know that It has the usual 1/2.3" CMOS sensor.
I believe S90 (with 1/1.7" sensor) and f2 aperture will perform much better in low light.
Review of S90: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons90/page19.asp
@amitengadget I don't think they're meant to compete with each other. This is basically a pure consumer point and shoot cam-just one that happens to work really well even in lower light situations. The S90 is more of a prosumer/photogeek/gadgetnerd camera. Would be silly for Canon to release two identical cameras so it makes sense that this uses the consumer level sensor size and is a lot sleeker, is missing the dials, etc. on the S90.
@amitengadget On a side note, the S90 uses a 1/1.7" CCD while this uses that new back-illuminated CMOS so I'm actually not sure whether the S90 will be much better in low-light...we'll have to see some actual comparisons I guess.
Crap. That rear-illuminated sensor is the one feature I truly wish my SD940 IS had.
Looks delicious.
once again, they've igored creating an underwater case for this. less and less of their new cameras are getting them, that's not good, imo. guess i'm sticking with the 940is and my water case for now. It's not like I always use the water case, but almost all of the best shots I've ever taken have been on or in the water. I just spend too much time in the water to not have that feature, and the all-in-ones are all crappy in comparison so far.
Amazon had the damn black one listed for $289 and between the time I added it to my cart and went to check out, the evil sumbeetches yoinked it from being able to purchase... BASTARDS!!
Neat design, but whats up w/ the glass? At max res, wouldnt noise become a problem?
Wait, no RAW? Then it's not comparable to the S90.
Provided it's sensor is the same as the S90, this IS essentially the S90 successor, at least by the specs. (All the S90 really lacked was HD movie mode.)
@rocketrob
Ah, sensor is 1/2.3, and it still has the older 230k pixel LCD. So, not a successor to the S90. But the fast lens, and them deciding to keep it to 10MP should make it better than all their other powershots. As most know by now, higher MP without increasing sensor size just wastes disk space and gives you more noise.
Will get. I