Canon unveils new digital cameras, camcorder, printer

Riding high on its 10th anniversary in the Philippines, Canon launched last week a barrage of new PowerShot and IXUS digital cameras as well as a new high-definition (HD) hard disk drive camcorder and a new SELPHY photo printer.

For advanced users, the P31,950 PowerShot G9 succeeds the popular and feature-rich G7 with a stunning, new 12.1-megapixel high resolution CCD and a new 3-inch high-resolution wide-viewing angle Pure Colour LCD screen, while the new P21,950 PowerShot SX100 IS, also with a 12.1-MP resolution, combines a high-powered 10x zoom with superb functionality.

For consumers looking to blend value with performance, Canon’s P24,950 12.1-MP Po­werShot A650 IS and P19,950 8-MP A720 IS update the mid-range PowerShot A-series with increased pixel capture capability without compromising on the point-and-shoot simplicity of their predecessors.

At the core of the new Po­werShot cameras’ performance is Canon’s most powerful imaging processor to date — DIGIC III — featuring advanced Noise Reduction and Face Detection technologies that automatically detect faces in the frame and optimize focus and exposure accordingly.

They also feature Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS), which significantly suppresses blur and minimizes image shake when holding the ca­meras. DIGIC III extends battery life with lower power consumption and allows a higher definition output on a monitor with true-to-life color.

All new models come equipped with an AF Frame Resize function that reduces the size of the AF frame for subjects that are too small or difficult to focus on.

In addition, the PowerShot G9, A650 IS and A720 IS come with the new FlexiZone AF and AE functions, which are useful for framing subjects that are not at the center of the screen.

Noise Reduction ensures that images remain sharp and clear even in dim lighting or while shooting moving subjects. Users can take advantage of sensitivity of up to ISO 1600 in situations where flashes are prohibited such as in museums and concerts or when capturing natural surroundings without using flash.

The new PowerShot cameras also feature enhanced Red-Eye Correction during playback. The cameras can automatically detect “red eye” in portrait shots and correct them.

A new Image Resize function also allows captured images to be resized into three sizes during playback and viewing on-camera, giving greater flexibility to share files with others.

For the IXUS line, Canon launched the P24,950 ultra-compact 8.0-MP IXUS 860 IS and the P28,950 flagship 12.1-MP IXUS 960 IS, both sporting smooth, sculpted lines in an elegant all-metal finish.

The combination of the new high-resolution CCD sensors, Canon’s DIGIC III and Optical Image Stabilizer, and new retractable lens units offer unparalleled photographic performance in the 860 IS and 960 IS.

The design of the IXUS 860 IS and 960 IS represent a departure from the traditional rectangular IXUS with solid metal construction and aesthetically sculptured contours.

With the use of metals such as stainless steel (IXUS 860 IS) and titanium (IXUS 960 IS), the IXUS cameras are elegant beauties, yet lightweight and durable.

Image Resize functions as well as Pure Colour LCD monitors and Face Detection technologies are just some of the advanced features these IXUS models share with their Po­werShot counterparts.

For low-light situations, the IXUS 960 IS also includes an ultra-sensitive ISO 3200 high-speed shooting scene mode under the Special Scene mode.

On the camcorder side, one can now easily record and share up to 15 hours of HD footage, thanks to Canon’s feature-rich new HG10 AVCHD hard disk drive camcorder.

“The HG10 HD camcorder is ideal for preserving life’s most important moments,” said Ramon Arteficio, president and CEO of Canon Marketing Philippines Inc.

“Whether it is recording the 30 seconds of a grandchild’s first at-bat or non-stop recording at a wedding, hard disk drive camcorders are beginning to dominate the High Definition market, and with good reason,” Arteficio added.

Jam-packed into the P74,950 HG10 HD’s deceptively small body is a range of exclusive Canon features to help make home movies mimic big-budget productions. First of which is a 10x HD video lens that features SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization to help correct camera shake during hand-held filming or when the camera is in motion.

The Full-HD CMOS Sensor captures images at 1920 x 1080 resolution and Canon’s revolutionary Instant AF system offers a dramatic improvement in auto focus speed and accuracy (compared to traditional auto focus systems). Additionally, the camcorder, which boasts Canon’s proprietary DIGIC DV II Image Processor, features 24p Cinema Mode, allowing consumers to achieve the look and feel of film.

The HG10 helps make sure no moment is missed with the ability to capture 3.1-MP photos to a miniSD card. And with the Photo Grab function, users can grab 2.0-MP (1920 x 1080) stills directly from the HD video footage during playback.

In addition, the HG10 HD camcorder’s Quick Start function wakes the camera from standby mode nearly instantly, ready to record at a moment’s notice.

Ease of use is yet another plus. The HG10 HD camcorder features a new Navigation Control Dial on the LCD panel, enabling users to access the menu easier for improved operability and enhanced ability to search for scenes.

Sharing video from nearly any angle is now easier than ever with a bright 2.7-inch Widescreen Multi-Angle Vivid LCD. What’s more, consumers can enjoy easy one-cable connection to HD TVs, thanks to a built-in HDMI terminal.

The HG10 is bundled with a powerful software suite from Corel (compatible with Windows XP and Vista only). Corel Software includes AVCHD Editing in which users can trim, reorder and combine scenes, as well as add music titles and transitions, allowing the user to burn edited video onto either a full-sized AVCHD DVD or Standard Definition DVD.

What’s more, the HG10 HD camcorder comes equipped with a Backup Utility Disc, enabling users to safely back up recorded video onto a computer’s hard drive.

Last but not least, Canon launched its new Selphy ES20, a user-friendly photo printer that delivers high-quality prints while offering a host of convenient photo editing features to unleash a new photo printing culture for consumers.

Loaded with creative editing features, the stylish and decorative Selphy ES20 produces up to 300 x 600 dpi quality photo prints using a dye-sublimation system that provides excellent color gradations and durability for high image quality.

For wireless printing from mobile phones, end-users need only fit the optional Bluetooth adaptor to the Selphy ES20.

The ES20 has a large 2.5-inch TFT LCD and supports an amazing 21 types of memory cards, including the popular SD Memory Cards and SDHC (SD High-Capacity) cards, as well as the Compact Flash cards used in digital SLRs. All card slots can print directly with any PictBridge-compatible digital cameras.

The Selphy ES20 also boasts Canon’s DIGIC II imaging processor as well as Face Detection. It even lets you rescue overly bright or extremely dark photos with the dodging and burning dynamic range optimization feature with or without a computer.

The ES20 printer also lets users select from a choice of 16 thematic frames — from birthdays to Christmas — that add color to photographs for postcard prints.

It also has clip art to spice up photos and six calendar templates to create individualized calendars. Other features like the ID Photo Print, Speech Bubbles and decorative frames provide for unlimited fun and creativity.

A special black and white integrated ink and paper cartridge allows users to experiment with black and white photo prints for a classic look. Prices of the Selphy ES20 were not announced during the launch.