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Canon's latest super-zoom camera packs a 40x lens and a low price
Canon is determined to leave no camera niche uncovered, it seems. Just a month after it kicked out an avalanche of PowerShot point-and-shoots, it's back with two more that fill what few holes are left. The SX410 IS super-zoom is the darling of the two, and improves on the still-young SX400 IS with an even longer-ranged 40x stabilized lens and a sharper 20.2-megapixel sensor for a modest $280 -- slightly more than the $250 SX400, but arguably a better deal if you just have to get up-close photos. There's sadly no WiFi or NFC, though, and you'll have to be content with recording 720p movies. The SX410 IS should hit shops in March.
Canon's newest connected cameras: when a smartphone still won't do
You know the drill: Smartphones are making compact cameras obsolete, killing the category and yada yada. But still! Camera makers launch a seemingly endless number of new models at CES, and Canon is a great example of that this year. It just unveiled no fewer than eight compact, superzoom and video cameras in the PowerShot, ELPH and VIXIA lines, along with a Pixma photo printer. The common thread among them is wireless connectivity: Each features WiFi and NFC (other than the ELPHs and VIXIA HF R600), letting you get social with your smartphone sans the optical drawbacks. The wireless aspect also provides connectivity with peripherals like Canon's Connection Station CS100 or the new Pixma MX492 photo printer.
Meet Canon's latest budget PowerShots, a trio of ELPHs
Canon's higher-end PowerShot cameras are certainly more compelling, but they're also expensive. If you're on a budget, you might want to settle for one of these ELPHs. Canon is introducing three new models this week, including the ELPH 150 IS, 140 IS and 135 -- they're priced at $150, $130 and $120, respectively. The latter duo replace the A2600 and A2500, while the 150 is a new addition to the lineup. That model includes a 20-megapixel CCD sensor, while the other two feature 16-megapixel CCDs. All three have DIGIC 4+ processors and 2.7-inch 230k-dot LCDs. They also shoot 720p video, which should certainly suffice for casual web use. The pricier two models include optical image stabilization -- in fact, the 140 IS and 135 are identical, save for the 135's lack of OIS. Those two include 8x optical zoom lenses, while the 150 IS packs a 10x zoom. All three cameras are scheduled to ship later this month.
Canon unveils WiFi-equipped PowerShot SX600 HS, ELPH 340HS point-and-shoots
It's hard to get excited about an ordinary point-and-shoot after Canon just showed off its funky PowerShot N100, but if practicality's the name of the game, this new duo will have you covered. The first model, the PowerShot SX600 HS, includes a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, a DIGIC 4+ processor, an 18x 25-450mm, f/3.8-6.9 optical zoom lens and a 3-inch 461k-dot LCD. There's also built-in WiFi and NFC, so you can pair the camera with an Android smartphone or tablet and transfer stills and video with ease. There's a Mobile Device Connect button, enabling instant access to wireless features, such as app control and uploads. The SX600 includes a Hybrid Auto mode, which records four seconds of video before each still photo; a Smart Auto mode with 32 pre-defined shooting modes; and a dedicated movie button, giving you instant access to 1080p captures. Next up is the PowerShot ELPH 340HS. This more portable cam will set you back 200 bucks, and includes a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, a DIGIC 4+ processor, a 12x 25-300mm, f/3.6-7.0 optical zoom lens and a 3-inch 461k-dot LCD. It also sports WiFi and NFC, with the same functionality outlined above, along with the same Hybrid Auto, Smart Auto and video shooting modes. The 340HS is expected to hit stores in March for $200, available in purple, black and silver. The $250 SX600 HS will be available a bit sooner -- it ships at the end of February in red, black and white.
Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 HS and 115 IS hands-on (video)
In Japan, they've been coined the IXUS 255 HS and IXUS 132, but folks in the US will probably recognize them as the ELPH 330 HS and 115 IS. By any name, they're Canon's two mid-range point-and-shoots for CP+, and while they were joined by the A2500 during this week's announcements, that latter model didn't seem to make it to the company's booth here in Yokohama. In any case, if you've handled an ELPH model in recent years, you know what to expect here -- Canon's design hasn't changed much, but we're not complaining. The 330 HS includes a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, compared to a 16-megapixel CCD in the slightly smaller 115 IS. Cosmetically, the biggest difference between the two is the powerful 10x optical zoom lens on the 330 HS, compared to a still-respectable 8x optic on the lower-end model. Both cameras offer the same familiar PowerShot UI, and they look nearly identical with the lens retracted. Zoomed in, however, it's clear which camera is the more capable of the bunch. Both performed very well during our hands-on at Canon's booth, though we'd definitely opt for the 330 HS, which offers a superior sensor and extended lens, not to mention built-in WiFi -- it's definitely worth spending an extra 60 bucks to snag the $230 HS model. Both cameras are set to ship beginning in March, but you can check them out in our walkthrough today, embedded just past the break.
Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS WiFi iPad transfer hands-on (video)
Sure, your iPad 2 has a camera, but that doesn't mean you should be using it to take pictures. One of the biggest point-and-shoot trends to pick up speed in 2012 is built-in WiFi, letting you capture higher quality stills and videos with your dedicated imaging device and transfer them directly to the web, or to a smartphone or tablet on the same WiFi network. The PowerShot ELPH 530 HS is Canon's latest pocket shooter to employ this feature, and the company had a few samples on hand at CP+ 2012 in Yokohama, Japan to demonstrate how it works.We took the 530 HS for a cordless spin, connecting the iPad to the camera's Ad-Hoc (point-to-point) network and launching the Canon CameraWindow app. After a few seconds (and quite a few taps on the 10-megapixel cam's 3.2-inch LCD), we had the two devices communicating, with a final click sending the image from the ELPH directly to the iPad's screen. That seconds-long connection delay may be inconsequential when transferring a day's worth of photos, but it's a slight inconvenience if you're only trying to transfer a single image. The camera also includes built-in Twitter and Facebook upload functionality, though, bypassing the Apple middleman entirely. The $349 ELPH 530 HS won't be shipping until April, at which point you may be refreshing your tablet as well. Jump past the break for a quick video demo.
Canon welcomes ELPH 530 HS / 320 HS, SX260 HS and D20 to PowerShot lineup
Alongside the new additions to Canon's A-Series of digital cameras, the company is also giving more demanding consumers a similar outpouring of love with four additional shooters in the PowerShot family, which sport a diverse array of features such as WiFi connectivity, 20x optical zoom and rugged designs. Leading the charge for the ELPH lineup is the 530 HS. Along with the 320 HS, it features the ability to wirelessly upload images to Canon's online portal, where users may then post their latest captures to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The ELPH 530 HS features a 12x optical zoom lens paired with a 10 megapixel sensor and is expected to retail for $349 in April. Meanwhile, the 320 HS delivers a 5x optical zoom lens and a 16.1 megapixel sensor. It'll carry a $280 price tag and is set to hit stores in March. Both ELPH models feature Canon's DIGIC 5 image processor, capture 1080p video and include a 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen.Those who roll Rear Window style may want to check out Canon's new SX260 HS, which packs a 25mm wide-angle lens that boasts up to 20x optical zoom. Like the latest ELPH's, it also offers the DIGIC 5 processor and captures 1080p video. Unique to the SX260 HS, it features GPS for location tagging and a burst shooting mode that captures a continuous 10.3 frames per second. It'll be available in March for $349 and is set to come in black, green and red finishes. Lastly, the D20 offers up a few ruggedized features for outdoor enthusiasts. It features underwater shooting abilities (including a specific macro mode), and is also said to be shock-proof and freeze-proof -- no mention of it tolerating heat, though. The D20 incorporates a 12.1 megapixel sensor, captures 1080p video and features a 5x optical zoom lens. It also offers GPS, but unlike the other cameras here, it uses the DIGIC 4 image processor. If you're considering the D20 for your next adventure, it'll be available in May for $349. You'll discover more about these four additions in the PR, after the break.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: digital cameras
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. With cameras popping up on tablets, smartphones and even Bluetooth headsets, there's a fairly good chance that there's already a device in your pocket capable of shooting high-res stills and HD video. But even with popular apps like Instagram on-board, mobile devices still can't match the versatility and image quality of a dedicated snapper. If you're looking to hide a new point-and-shoot under the tree this year, there are plenty of great options to consider, for any budget. So clear off the memory card and get ready to jump past the break for our top picks that will deliver -- and capture -- plenty of holiday cheer.
Canon announces PowerShot SX150 IS, ELPH 310 / 510 HS point-and-shoot cams
It's not every day that we see a new camera hit the market -- it only feels like it is. And today it's Canon's turn in the spotlight. Beefing up its point-and-shoot lineup with a trio of PowerShots, the company just announced its SX150 IS, ELPH 310 HS, and ELPH 510 HS -- that last one is billed as the thinnest camera to include a 12x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle. All three models include a new IS system, Smart Auto with 32 shooting scenes, high-speed burst, and HD video capture. Photographers looking for manual control may want to focus on the $250 14.1 megapixel SX150, which includes aperture- and shutter-priority modes, a discrete-shooting mode, and a 3-inch LCD, but uses a CCD sensor. If you don't mind sacrificing manual control in favor of a slimmer body design, the $260 ELPH 310 HS and $350 ELPH 510 HS both include 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensors with improved performance in low light, and 8x and 12x optical zoom lenses, respectively. Both ELPH models will ship in early October, while the SX150 is slated to hit stores in the beginning of September. Canon is also announcing a new flash -- the $150 HF-DC2 -- scheduled to ship just in time to capture bright holiday pics this December.%Gallery-131355%
Canon intros PowerShot SX-230, ELPH 100 / 300 / 500 HS
Eschewing the CCD of the past, Canon's new PowerShot lineup -- we know, it sounds like a familiar tune, but hear us out, these are new -- all boast a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensors. The quartet enjoys the 12.1 megapixel HS (High Sensitivity) sensor, an improved variant of the ones introduced a year back with the S90 and G11. In fact, the ELPH nomenclature has nixed "digital," "SD," and "IS" in favor of the more simplistic (but still elongated) "ELPH HS." So without further ado, the PowerShot ELPH 500 HS features a 3.2-inch touch panel screen, 4.4x optical zoom, ultra-wide angle 24mm lens with optical image stabilization, and color options including siiver, brown, and pink. The ultra-slim ELPH 300 HS has a 2.7-inch LCD, image stabilization, 4x zoom and a 24mm wide angle lens. On the lower end of the spectrum, the 100 HS comes in five colors, has a 4x optical zoom, a 3-inch LCD, and a 4x optical zoom -- otherwise, it shares many features of its bigger 300 HS brother. Meanwhile, the (non-ELPH) SX230 HS has a 14x zoom, GPS, and a 3-inch LCD. Price and release date? All are due in March (the 100 HS in the beginning of March, the rest by the end), with the 100 / 300 / 500 HS going for $199.99, $249.99, and $299.99, respectively, and the SX-230 for $349.99. Peruse the pics below -- enjoy! %Gallery-115796%
Canon SD4500 IS reviewed: gets recommended despite some glaring faults
Canon's latest midrange SD4500 point and shoot -- known as the IXUS 1000 HS in Europe -- has scored a "Recommended" review by the folks at Photography Blog thanks largely to its excellent image quality (particularly with night shots) and the presence of a big 10x zoom lens packed inside its Elph body. The testers were concerned, though, with the camera's poor 150-shot battery life, 36mm not-so-wide-angle setting and minimal physical controls -- which may drive experienced users loco from excessive button mashing. Its $299 price tag is also precariously close to the beloved Canon S95, which offers significantly better performance for only $70 more. Still, if your budget is rigid and size is key, the SD4500 should suit you and your pockets nicely. To read the full review by the folks at Photography Blog, thanks.
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's PowerShot SD990 IS and SD880 IS for 'trendsetting techies' -- right
Finishing off Canon's new gear launches today are the PowerShot SD990 IS and SD880 IS Digital Elph series of cameras. Both start with optical image stabilization and Canon's new DIGIC 4 image processor. The $400 SD990 IS then sprinkles in a 14.7 megapixel sensor, 3.7x optical zoom, and 2.5-inch LCD while the $300 SD880 IS drops the sensor to 10 megapixels while boosting the LCD and Zoom a bit to 3-inches and 4x, respectively. Both should land for retail sometime in October.%Gallery-32085%
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.
Hands-on with Canon's new PowerShot lineup
Lugging around a DSLR just isn't for everyone, and Canon's got the heart of the market covered with their Powershot digicams. The ELPH series has always focused on compact and stylish design, and the new 8-megapixel SD1100 IS is no exception. Small enough that you won't set off anyone's "photographer nearby" alarm, and you can even pick a color that blends with your wardrobe for more stealth; available in brown, pink, blue and champagne. Even quick snaps might turn out with the help of the image stabilization. A little less fashion minded (and less expensive) but no less capable are the A-series cams, the A590 IS, A580 and A470. We've spilled the details on these before, so check out the gallery if you're looking for your next P&S.%Gallery-15024%
Canon's PowerShot SD870 and SD950 IS Digital ELPHs pack the pixels
Looking for a dozen or so megapixels squeezed into a compact shooter are ya? Well, check Canon's latest then, the SD950 IS Digital ELPH (pictured) packs in a full 12.1 megapixels while the SD870 tones it down with just 8. The full-body titanium SD950 touts a 3.7x zoom with optical image stabilization, DIGIC III image processing, Canon's latest face recognition tech, an optical viewfinder (a rarity these days on compacts) and 2.5-inch scratch-resistant LCD with anti-reflection coating. Meanwhile, the SD870 opts for a 3.8x wide-angle optical zoom and 3-inch LCD. The SD950 and SD870 will cost you $450 and $400 respectively, when they hit shelves in September. Not what you're looking for? Stay tuned, Canon's got lots more coming today.%Gallery-6112%
Canon to auction 10 diamond-clad Digital ELPHs for the Red Cross
If you thought Minox's gold-plated DC1011 added some much needed bling to your life, Canon's celebratory IXUS cameras exemplify unnecessary luxury by sporting 380 diamonds apiece, and a hefty pricetag to prove it. As the Digital ELPH moniker turns 10 years old, Canon is auctioning up a diamond-crusted IXUS 65 (better known as the SD630 here in the States) per year of the brand's success, and all proceeds are being channeled to the Red Cross. Antwerp-based Eddie Elzas -- owner of the world's largest collection of colored diamonds -- happily provided the elegant coating found on the €40,000 ($50,788) "diamond IXUS," and also had a hand in hooking up nine "his and her" models, which will be sold through an undisclosed venue for €3,500 ($4,493.95) each. If you're feeling mighty charitable, and haven't already purchased your one fifty grand diamond-clad item for the year, feel free to place your wager on eBay -- otherwise, you should probably keep your sights on the less glamorous versions.[Via Far East Gizmos]
X-Loupe gives your Canon IXUS microscopic powers
Just like in 5th grade, some things are still pretty dang interesting when looked at up close. X-Loupe can help you in your quest of dang interesting stuff, by snapping onto a Canon IXUS camera (Digital ELPH in the States) and providing microscope-style 150x 5 megapixel photography. The unit has its own battery and LED lens ring, which should provide around 4 hours of magnification fun, and doesn't impede any of the usual IXUS features like preview, video recording or TV connectivity. X-Loupe can be obtained from the company of the same name for around $1450, and comes with a trio of lenses (60x, 100x and 150x) along with a Canon IXUS 65 camera to round out the package.[Via gizmag]
