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Canon PowerShot A2600 and A1400 offer modest feature bumps, little incentive to upgrade
Every member of a company's CES lineup can't be a blockbuster -- that's certainly the case with this duo of mid-range Canon PowerShots. The A2600 and A1400 are fine point-and-shoots, sure, but they're destined for the bags of beginner shooters, with modest feature sets and price points to match. The A2600, which replaces last year's A2400, is the pricer of the two models, ringing in at $150 with a 16-megapixel CCD sensor, a 5x 28mm zoom lens with a maximum aperture range of f/2.8-6.9, along with a 3-inch, 230k-dot LCD. It can shoot 720p HD video and includes a Smart Auto mode for basic users, along with a new Eco mode, which dims the display after two seconds, powers it off completely after eight seconds, and jumps back to life with a single button press -- all in the name of an up to 30-percent boost in battery life. The $100 A1400 looks nearly identical to 2012's A1300, but adds in the imaging and power features outlined above. Spec-wise, the biggest difference between the A1400 and A2600 is the substitution of twin AA batteries for the latter camera's rechargeable cell. While manufacturers often boast about the flexibility of an AA-powered camera, considering that you can purchase these batteries anywhere on the globe, such a solution ultimately cuts back on Canon's expenses while potentially becoming quite pricey and inconvenient for the camera's owner. So, don't forget to factor in those double-As when it comes time to pull the trigger. Both PowerShot models are expected to hit stores next month, with the A2600 retailing for $150 and the A1400 running you about 100 bucks. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
