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Canon PowerShot S95, the SD4500 IS, and SX130 IS play the low-light, HD video cards
As camera makers shift from touting megapixels to low-light and HD video recording performance, in steps a trio of point-and-shoot cameras from Canon -- the PowerShot S95 pictured above and the SD4500 IS and SX130 IS both pictured after the break. The S95 update ($399.99 in late August) to last year's S90 combines Canon's DIGIC 4 image processing, a 10-megapixel high-sensitivity CCD sensor, and wide f/2.0 lens to enhance image quality and reduce noise at high ISO levels without resorting to a flash. It features a new high dynamic range (HDR) mode, 720p video recording, and mini HDMI for throwing that video up to the living room flat screen. the S95 is also the first PowerShot to feature Hybrid IS image stabilization to help with macro shots. The SX130 IS ($249.99 in August), meanwhile, offers a 12.1 megapixel CMOS and 12x optical zoom lens that relies on optical image stabilization to keep things stable. A 3-inch LCD, 720p video mode, and Miniature, Fisheye, Poster, and Super Vivid creative modes. Rounding things out is the Power SD4500 IS with 10x optical zoom, optical image stabilization, and a 1080p video mode with Dynamic IS that helps further stabilize the video while the shooter is in motion -- a first for a digital ELPH. Canon's even slapped in a 240fps super slow motion mode (at an unspecified resolution) from Casio's bag of tricks. Expect it to hit retail in September for $349.99.
Engadget's back to school guide: Digital cameras
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we've got our optical viewfinders set firmly on digital cameras -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Time for us to open up chapter two of this year's Back to School advice compendium. Up for discussion today are digital cameras, which have been in the gym all year working on their processing prowess and return today with 720p HD video as an almost standard feature. We've got a good cross-section of young pretenders and finely aged veterans for your perusal, so why not give your mouse a little exercise as well and click past the break?
Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS reviewed: great shots but no cigar
Liked the lop-eared design and low-light sensitivity of Canon's latest point and shoot, but wanted to be sure you'd get $350 worth of camera for the asking price? You're in luck: the PowerShot SD4000 IS, aka IXUS 300 HS, has just received its first painstakingly detailed review. Photography Blog found the back-illuminated 10 megapixel CMOS sensor snapped excellent low-noise shots in a variety of tests, though the camera's highly-touted HS System features -- a 240fps movie mode and 8.4fps burst speed -- took pictures too low-res to impress. The publication also took issue with the lack of dedicated physical controls, as it apparently took six clicks to delete a single picture, but overall thought the SD4000 a good choice for casual and experienced photographers alike albeit at a somewhat inflated price. If portraits of Ben Franklin are burning a hole in your pocket, however, you'll find it on sale today at usual suspects B&H, J&R and Adorama Camera.
Canon debuts low-light lovin' PowerShot SD4000 IS digicam
Ah, Spring. The season of pollen, grass mowing and enlarged electricity bills. Oh, and impending vacations. In order to get you prepared for that last one, Canon is introducing a new member of its Digital ELPH range today, the PowerShot SD4000 (or IXUS 300HS in other parts of the globe). Boasting a 10 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 image processing engine and a 3.8x optical zoom, this one also features an f/2.0 lens and the company's own HS System in order to produce more satisfactory results in low light situations. It also touts an 8.4fps burst capture rate, an HD movie mode, HDMI output support, a Super Slow Motion movie mode (240fps) and a 3-inch rear LCD. Those who love riding the cutting edge will also appreciate the SDXC and Eye-Fi support, and if you're already sold on the $349.99 device, you simply need to choose between red, silver, black or a limited edition white. Commence pondering. %Gallery-92747%
Maria Sharapova and Canon to give away diamond-clad SD1100 ISs
Maria Sharapova has already had her greatness spread over a number of Motorola handsets, but now the tennis queen is partnering up with long-time associate Canon in order to make five lucky individuals extraordinarily happy. As part of an elaborate marketing scheme, Canon and Maria (but mostly Canon) are cranking up a contest in which five Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS's are given away. But these aren't just any SD1100 ISs -- these are diamond-encrusted editions worth around $12,000 apiece. No word on whether Maria will actually touch the cameras before they're shipped out, but a boy can dream.[Via Luxist]
Canon ships 100 million compact digital cameras, 90 million of them broken with E18 lens errors
Okay, okay, we're kidding -- we definitely think it's quite an achievement that Canon's hit another camera milestone and shipped out 100 million compact digital cameras since the PowerShot 600 first rolled off the line in 1996, and it's no secret that the PowerShot line's terrific image quality and friendly UI have a lot to do with it. Still, they're fragile little buggers, aren't they? A quick count amongst Engadget eds reveals at least 10 broken Canon digicams, ranging from a 2000-vintage PowerShot S100 all the way to a more recent PowerShot SD850 IS, and we know we're not outside the curve -- have you felt our pain? And, more importantly, do you keep coming back for more? Let us know in comments![Via PhotographyBLOG]
Canon's PowerShot SD1100 IS gets reviewed
Like pretty much every other Digital ELPH preceding it, Canon's flagship SD1100 IS garnered nothing but the utmost praise in a recent Imaging-Resource review. Okay, so maybe critics did kvetch about slight noise at ISO 800, a somewhat confusing interface, and a not-particularly-useful digital zoom, but this point-and-shoot managed to get it right in the areas that matter most. Build quality and design were both smiled upon, the image stabilization performed as advertised and the image quality was deemed "excellent." Of note, they did find very minor chromatic aberration in the wide angle shots, but considering the size of this shooter, results were seen as fantastic. Overall, it looks like Canon has produced yet another winner in the pocket-friendly camera department, but feel free to take a gander at the in-depth review waiting in the read link below.
Canon debuts PowerShot SD1100 Digital ELPH fashioncam
While Canon has certainly courted the fashion set with its Digital ELPH line, the cameras have never slouched in the image quality realm. The SD1100 IS bests its SD1000 predecessor with a 8 megapixel sensor (over 7.2 megapixels) and the welcome addition of optical image stabilization. If you're more in it for the fashion than the pixels, the SD1100 aims to please with a bunch of new colors to complement the traditional silver. "Bohemian Brown," "Pink Melody," "Rhythm and Blue," and "Golden Tone" should provide a nice palette of selections for the discerning fashionista. There's a 2.5-inch LCD in back, and the DIGIC III inside, and the camera will be hitting stores in March for $250.%Gallery-14522%
Canon SD1000 Digital ELPH review roundup
So, you've seen our impressions: Canon's new PowerShot SD1000 Digital ELPH (aka Digital IXUS 70 in Europe) is undeniably hot. But can it hold up under pressure? Apparently so. Nobody in our roundup seemed blown away by the camera, image quality could be a teensy bit better, and ISO is higher than previous ELPH cams, but the camera's quality and classic ELPH charm seems to have won over even the most hardened of camera reviewers, who were all in agreement that this thing is much more than a fashioncam.Read - DigiCamReview (8/10)Read - PhotographyBLOG (4.1/5)Read - Steves DigicamsRead - DPExpert (Highly recommended)
Canon's PMA lineup in the wild
Unfortunately we have neither the budget nor the manpower to hit up every trade show that we'd like -- and truth be told, everyone's pretty cranky for about six months after CES -- so instead of getting our hands on the new gear at PMA, we're relying on the pros to capture some quality shots of the fresh releases. To cover Canon's unveiling of six new cams we've got Mark over at Photography Blog, who was able to get some quality face time with the EOS-1D Mark III DSLR, the just-revealed A-series PowerShots, and both new Digital Elphs (or IXUS, as they're known overseas) at a London launch event. Plus, if printers are your thing, you can check out the new Pixma lineup as well. All in all a nice set of shots, so if you want to see how these bad boys look when they're not all primped up for glossy press photos, hit the read link for a full gallery (select highlights are after the break).
Canon debuts SD750 and SD1000 Digital ELPH cameras
Two new compact and fashionable PowerShot Digital ELPHs from big C, the SD750 and SD1000. Canon seems to be mostly focused on the looks here: we've never seen a growed-up digicam manufacturer be so proud of "Dynamic Dual-Tone Elegance," but there's decent stuff under the hood. Like most of the PMA-bound cameras we've spotted, these include Face Detection-based auto focus, auto exposure and red-eye correction. There's also the DIGIC III Image processor, and ISO as high as 1600, but everybody comes for the basics: 3x zoom, 7.1 megapixel CCD and a 2.5-inch LCD in each shooter. The $300 SD750 gets a bit fancy on form factor, but manages to be a mere 0.75-inches thick, while the 4.5 ounce SD1000 keeps the the classic ELPH look and also retails for $300. Both should be out in March, and include 32MB SD cards for good luck, though no mention is made of SDHC. Remember, it's fashion first for this line.%Gallery-1748%
