Canon Rolls Out Four New PowerShots to Ship End of February
There’s a camera show right around the corner, PMA 2010, and while Canon isn’t going be attending, that’s not stopping them from participating in the ritual release of pre-show product announcements. For the end of February, Canon’s planning on releasing four new point-and-shoot PowerShots: the SX210 IS, SD3500 IS, SD1400 IS, and SD1300 IS.
Three of the four are updates to existing models, with the SD3500 the only new entrant. All of the cameras will have 14 megapixel resolution and HD (720p) video, except the SD1300 which will have 12 megapixels and VGA video. LCD viewfinders range in size from 2.7-inches (SD1300) to 3.5 inches (SD3500), with the SD3500 and SD1400 having touchscreens. (None of the cameras will have an optical viewfinder.) All are powered by a lithium ion rechargeable battery and support SD/SDHC memory cards.
An interesting addition to the SX210 and SD3500 is support for Eye-Fi, which packages storage and Wi-Fi. With Eye-Fi a user can upload images straight from camera to a computer or the Internet with a wireless connection. It also allows for WPS geotagging of images.
Prices range from $200 for the SD1300, up to $350 for the SX210.
Image Credit: Canon
Canon’s New EOS 7D: Bigger, Faster, Smarter, Stronger
Canon fired the latest salvo in the hotter-than-ever digital SLR wars this week, introducing its new EOS 7D. The $1699 (body-only) EOS 7D includes some now-familiar features, such as APS-C image sensor size (1.6x crop factor), 3-inch LCD with Live View, and Full HD Video.
The $1699 (body-only) EOS 7D includes some now-familiar features, such as the APS-C image sensor size (1.6x crop factor), 3-inch LCD with Live View, and Full HD Video. Here’s what’s new and different.
Bigger - The EOS 7D cranks up the size of several subsystems, including
-
18MP image sensor
-
Two DIGIC 4 image processors for faster image processing and better low-light performance
-
ISO expandable to 12,800
-
100% viewfinder coverage
-
19-point autofocus
-
63 zone dual-layer metering that uses AF and color information for better exposure and image quality
Faster - Shoot faster with the EOS 7D, thanks to
-
8 fps burst shooting (up to 126 large JPEG or up to 15 RAW; requires Ultra DMA Compact Flash Card)
-
1080HD video mode now offers frame rates up to 30 fps and includes adjustable frame rates for all supported video resolutions
Smarter - The EOS 7D provides a smarter viewfinder and AF system for better information and composition
-
New toggleable LCD overlay for better framing and focusing even in total darkness
-
New Spot AF mode for focusing on tiny areas of a scene
-
AF Point expansion (borrowed from the EOS 1D series) automatically shifts to adjacent focus points if the selected manual focus point loses focus
-
Improved automatic AF point selection and Zone AF
Stronger - The EOS 7D is designed to stand up to protracted use:
-
Magnesium body with dust and weather resistant features
-
Shutter rated for up to 150,000 cycles
Lens Options, Accessories and More Information
The EOS 7D will also be bundled with Canon’s 28-135mm EF IS lens, which provides framing comparable to a 45-215mm lens on a full-frame 35mm camera. The kit will sell for an estimated $1,899.
Wide-angle fans will want to consider Canon’s new 15-85mm EF-S IS (24-135 35mm equivalent) and 18-135mm EF-S IS (28-215mm 35mm equivalent) lenses.
Canon’s new optional WFT-E5A Wireless File Transmitter ($699.99) provides a variety of storage and backup options for the EOS 7D, including the ability to record to a USB external hard disk and an Ultra DMA Compact Flash card inside the camera at the same time, and it also supports geotagging through Bluetooth. Learn more about the EOS 7D and WFT-E5A here.
Learn more about the EOS 7D’s new AF features here.
Are you excited about the new features in the 7D? Wishing it had a different mix of goodies? Click Comment and sound off.
Photo courtesy Canon USA.
Canon Powershot SX10 IS Review
Trusted Reviews have reviewed the Canon Powershot SX10 IS, it has a wide angle 20x optical zoom lens, optical image stabilisation, ISO1600, a 10 megapixel CCD sensor, VGA video recording, and a swivel 2.5″ screen. The camera is available for £278
“The overall image quality is very good. The lens has fantastic centre sharpness, and the level of recorded detail is superb, among the best I’ve seen. Wide angle barrel distortion is kept to an acceptable minimum, and telephoto pincushion distortion is also thankfully mostly absent.”
Read more Canon Powershot SX10 IS Reviews: LetsGoDigital, Cameras.co.uk, DCResource, Cameralabs, Photography BLOG, Previews: SX10 IS at Photokina
Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR Review
Steves Digicams have reviewed the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR - the new flagship camera features a 21.1MP full frame CMOS sensor, ISO upto 25600, Full HD (1080, 30fps) movie recording, 3″ VGA LCD with Live View, 3.9fps JPEG shooting, 9-point AF + 6 Assist AF points, and Magnesium alloy body. The Canon 5D Mark II is available from Amazon UK:
“The long awaited replacement to the Well respected EOS Digital 5D is finally here. Canon’s new EOS Digital 5D Mark II builds off of all the features that made the 5D such a remarkable camera, adding the latest in technology that has been perfected over the past 3 years. With superb image quality and performance, the new 5DMk2 can confidently continue to fill the gap between Canon’s entry/consumer-level and all out pro dSLR models.”
Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR Reviews: The Digital Picture, Cameratown, Cameralabs, Ken Rockwell, ArtbyPhil, Photography BLOG, Digital Journalist, Previews: DPReview
Canon EOS 50D Digtial SLR Review
DPExpert have reviewed the new Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR - an update to the 40D - it features a new 15.1 megapixel sensor, 6.3fps shooting, Canon’s latest DIGIC 4 image processor, ISO upto 12800, 3″ screen with live view, sensor cleaning, 9 point AF, and face detection. Body only is available for £858:
“Some reviewers have been harsh in their criticism of the 50D, generally concluding that its image quality is not as good as the 40D. We tried extreme pixel peeping and there does seem to be some fall-off in sharpness and contrast but we doubt that it will be a problem in the realm of real photography. We certainly wouldn’t recommend that anyone rush out to replace their 40D with the new camera because the difference is not that great.”
Read more Canon EOS 50D Reviews: Digital Photography School, Steves Digicams, Bob Atkins, Imaging Resource, LetsGoDigital, DPReview, Digital Camera Info, CameraLabs, Photography BLOG, Roland Lim, Previews: Canon EOS 50D at Photokina.
Canon Powershot E1 Review
DPInterface have reviewed the new Canon Powershot E1 - a cute 10 megapixel camera with a 4x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilisation, 2.5″ screen, face detection, motion detection, 17 shooting modes including Easy Mode, Sunset mode and IS0 3200 mode, optical viewfinder. It is available in white, pink, and blue for £130
“You don’t have to have a whole lot of money to buy a fast point-and-shoot camera with good image quality and battery life like the PowerShot E1. Canon has done a good job in reaching out to the younger crowd as well; with arguably the cutest (but not tiniest) camera around which comes in three appealing colors and low price tag.”
Read more Canon Powershot E1 Reviews: Photography BLOG, Previews: E1 at Photokina
Canon Rolls Out EOS Rebel XS
Today, Canon USA announced the Canon EOS Rebel XS, a new low-cost digital SLR camera based on the XSi introduced earlier this year. The XS will reach US store shelves in August. In other parts of the world, the XS is known as the Rebel 1000D.
What’s Missing?
Compared to the XSi, the XS features a slightly lower resolution, 10.1MP (similar to that of the EOS Rebel XTi), and features 7-point autofocus, instead of the 9-point AF used by the XSi and XTi models.
A closer look at the specifications of the new model also indicates its continuous shooting speed, at 3 frames per second, is also slightly slower than the XSi’s 3.5 fps. The XS also features a 2.5-inch LCD display, which is smaller than the XSi’s 3-inch LCD, but the same size as the XTi’s.
What’s New?
In Large/Fine JPEG mode, the XS provides continuous shooting limited only by card capacity, instead of the XSi’s limit of about 53 shots per burst and the XTi’s limit of 27 per burst. The XS also shaves off a bit of weight, with the body weighing in at just 15.9 ounces, compared to the XSi’s 16.8 ounces.
What’s the Same?
The XS, like the XSi, features the new 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS (image stabilized) lens and offers Live View. Other specifications appear identical. Like its older sibling, the XS will be available in black or silver.
Building a Cheaper Bridge to Advanced Digital Photography
Canon’s aiming straight for digital photographers who are ready to move up from their point-and-shoot models. As the news release puts it: "…we see the Rebel XS as the bridge to help photographers cross over from the world of point-and-shoot cameras to digital SLR technology." The Rebel XS compares well to its sibling feature-wise.
But what if you need a more powerful flash than the short-range popgun fitted to the XS, XSi and older EOS cameras?
Meet the Speedlite 430EX II
In this case, the II stands for 20% faster recycling time than the original 430EX, and it also features a quick-lock attachment system, a metal mounting foot (more durable than the 430EX’s plastic foot), and can be set through the LCD screen on compatible EOS digital SLR cameras. Look for this $329.99 portable lighting wonder in August.
Are You Ready to Switch? Fight? Buy Another Body?
Whether you’re already in the Canon EOS digital camp, using a rival SLR (film or digital), or are just thinking about making the jump from a point-and-shoot camera to a DSLR, tell us what’s on your mind. Opinions wanted!
Images courtesy Canon USA.