Lake Success, N.Y. – Canon USA introduced Wednesday three new
printers, six point-and-shoot digital still cameras and a flagship Vixia
HF S11 dual flash-memory HD camcorder.
The six new PowerShot cameras were designed
for a wide range of skill levels, from newbie photographers to seasoned
veterans looking for a compact point-and-shoot.
The printers include a Pixma wireless photo all-in-one (AIO)
printer, a Pixma inkjet business printer with PgR technology and a Selphy
compact photo printer with a voice guidance system.
All of the new cameras feature optical image stabilization (OIS)
and use the Digic 4 image processor.
Smart Auto technology in the cameras now tracks moving faces and
22 different shooting situations (up from 18 previously) by identifying the
surroundings to set proper lighting and focus.
Select models include 720p HD video capture and incorporate a
PureColor System LCD.
Also, for the first time from Canon, a PowerShot Digital Elph
camera will have a touchscreen user interface to easily navigate images and settings
menus.
Camera models include the PowerShot G11 ($500 suggested retail)
and S90 ($430), which both feature Canon’s new 10-megapixel high-sensitivity
system; the PowerShot SX20 IS ($400) and SX120 IS ($250); and the SD940 ($300)
and SD980 ($330).
The G11 and S90 models include a 10-megapixel high-sensitivity system
that Canon said it designed to enhance image quality in low-light situations
and reduce noise at high ISO speeds. Combined with the Digic 4 image processor,
the system produces a faster shutter speed to reduce subject blur and camera
shake in recorded images.
The PowerShot G11 adds a variety of new shooting modes and
compatible EOS accessories to provide SLR functionality in a pocket-sized form factor,
the company said.
Shipping in October, the G11 includes a 5x optical zoom (28-140mm
equivalent) lens with OIS, a 2.8-inch vari-angle PureColor System LCD, as well
as an optical viewfinder.
Slated to ship in October, the PowerShot S90 features a 3.8x
optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle f/2.0 capability to help produce sharper
images in low-light situations, customizable control ring to adjust shooting
settings, OIS and a 3-inch PureColor System LCD.
The PowerShot SX20 IS, which will ship in September, features a
12.1-megapixel sensor with a 20x wide-angle optical zoom lens and OIS,
720p/30fps video recording capability with HDMI output, a 2.5-inch vari-angle
PureColor System LCD and AA battery power source.
Also slated for September, the PowerShot SX120 has a 10-megapixel
sensor with 10x optical zoom lens and OIS, 3-inch LCD, Easy mode automatic
image setting system and a AA battery source.
Shipping in October, the PowerShot SD980,
meanwhile, is Canon’s first compact Elph series model to incorporate touchscreen
controls on its 3-inch PureColor system LCD.
Other features include 720p HD video recording with HDMI output;
a 5x optical zoom lens with an ultra-wide 24mm lens and OIS; 12.1-megapixel sensor;
and four color choices of silver, blue, purple and gold.
Shipping in September, the PowerShot SD940 IS digital Elph model
features a 12.1-megapixel sensor, 4x optical zoom with 28mm
wide-angle lens and OIS, 720p HD movie shooting capabilities, plus HDMI output
connector for easy playback of video and photos on an HDTV.
The camera also includes a 2.7-inch PureColor system LCD and
color options of muted metallic colors in blue, black, silver and brown.
Meanwhile, the company unveiled its new 2009 flagship HD
camcorder in the Vixia HF S11 with dual flash memory, which will ship in
mid-September at a $1,400 suggested retail. The unit offers both advanced HD
features and professional-level manual controls, and was introduced along with
the new RA-V1 ($120) remote-control adapter for tripod shooting, as an optional
accessory.
The Vixia HF S11 retains Canon’s core imaging technologies plus the
ability to record up to 24 hours of HD video to a 64GB internal flash drive and
the option of recording video directly to removable SDHC memory cards.
Also added is the new Dynamic SuperRange OIS system, which is
said to provide continuous shake adjustment throughout the entire zoom range.
It also addes an Advanced Video Snapshot mode that can create a highlight movie
to share with family and friends by recording a series of four second clips
when in shooting mode as well as in playback mode.
Other features include a Canon HD video lens, Canon-designed 8.59-megapixel
FullHD CMOS image sensor and Digic DV III image processor.
It also includes Canon face-detection technology, Instant
AutoFocus, and the ability to record in 24p cinema mode or 30p progressive mode.
The newly announced Pixma and Selphy printers were
developed to simplify the process of photo printing, Canon said. The
Selphy ES40 ($150) compact photo printer includes a voice guidance system offering
step-by-step instructions for printing and adding graphics to images without
having to rely on a manual.
The Pixma MP990 ($300) and Pixma MP640 ($240) wireless photo AIO
printers use an Auto Photo Fix II feature to correct common photo errors, including
under-exposures. The Auto Photo Fix II includes multi-zone exposure correction,
improvements in overall face detection, scene analysis, and brightness and
saturation correction.
Both models include built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, and use the
ChromaLife 100 + ink system with a maximum color resolution of 9,600
by 2,400 dpi.
Meanwhile, PgR technology in
the Pixma iX7000 ($400) inkjet business printer is said to enable professional-looking
document production in-house using plain paper while reducing overall printing
costs.
The printer uses clear ink in tandem with five LUCIA pigment inks
for plain paper printing to eliminate oversaturated and wrinkled documents,
Canon said.
Canon said it will provide special solution templates designed
for use exclusively with the ix7000 through Canon’s Creative Park Web site.
Templates will be available to print menus, sales offerings and
other office-related signs. The printer will produce documents at approximately
10.2 ipm for black-and-white and approximately 8.1 ipm for color.
