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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.
Canon introduces first Hybrid Image Stabilization lens: EF 100mm Macro
Well, that was swift. Just 1.5 months after Canon got our camera juices flowing with its Hybrid Image Stabilizer technology, along comes the very first lens to incorporate it. Quietly announced alongside two other vanilla lenses and its EOS 7D, the 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens is the first from the outfit to feature Hybrid IS. As you well know by now, said tech compensates for both angle and shift camera shake up to four shutter speed steps, and it's fully compatible with all EOS cameras. As you can likely tell from the title, this one's ideal for closeups and portrait-length telephoto shots, but you'll be paying through the nose in order to get it in your arsenal. In other words, you'll be parting with $1,049 come late September. Gotta pay for delectation, bub.[Via HotHardware]
Canon's Hybrid Image Stabilizer tech takes the blur out of your twist and shake
In the past few years image stabilization has gone from a big-money feature available only in the priciest of lenses to something of an afterthought in the most boring compacts. So, what's a high-priced lens to do if it wants to maintain its exclusivity? Why, invent a new flavor of stabilization, of course. Canon is introducing its Hybrid Image Stabilizer technology, set for inclusion in some mystery lens before the end of the year. It compensates for camera shake on two axes: rotationally and linearly, meaning you should be able to get smooth shots whether you're on the Tilt-a-Whirl or a wooden roller coaster. Canon isn't indicating just yet how much this new Hybrid IS lens will cost, or when other bits of glass will follow in its pixel-perfect footsteps, but is indicating it'll be included in "a wide range of products" -- we'd guess none will be cheap.[Via Photography BLOG]
