Canon launches new cameras, Smile Campaign

MANILA, Philippines - Do you have a P250,000 smile? Canon Philippines has an ongoing photo and video contest that aims to capture a nation’s smiles and award the winner that big sum.

This clever campaign also ushers in a wide array of new Canon digital cameras, camcorders and photo printers that are technically endowed to capture any smile.

The new models of Canon PowerShot and IXUS digital cameras range from 10 megapixels to 12.1 megapixels with 2.5-inch or 3-inch LCD screens. They also have from 3.3 to 12 times zooming capabilities and one model could even shoot photos 10 meters deep into the water.

A standout feature added to some of the new digital camcorders is HD (high-definition) movie recording. This upgrade is present in the new PowerShot SX200 IS, D10, A2100 IS and A1100 IS as well as in the IXUS 100 IS and IXUS 110 IS.

Most models have also been upgraded to the Canon DIGIC 4 imaging processor, which provides high-speed rendering of fine details, natural color reproduction, low noise and greater signal processing speed.

Other innovations crammed into the shrinking bodies of Canon’s new digital cameras allow for enhanced shutter lag-time response and real-time face detection and tracking.

The so-called Continuous Servo AF keeps moving subjects in constant focus, while Face Detection Self-Timer captures the shot only when the photographer enters the frame.

The Intelligent Contrast Correction can also be activated to brighten up underexposed subjects in conditions of harsh backlighting or poor lighting.

Intelligent and weatherproof

Not knowing anything or having very basic skills in photography is not much of an issue anymore as today’s digital cameras can think and do the work for you.

For example, Canon’s new cameras have the Smart AUTO that combines the power of DIGIC 4 with Canon’s Scene Detection Technology to distinguish 18 different kinds of shooting situations and automatically optimize camera settings.

And the cameras can tell when the subject blinked! The IXUS 100 IS and 110 IS and the PowerShot SX200 IS and D10 models have Blink Detection feature that alerts photographers when any of their subjects has his or her eyes closed before they take the picture — a cool feature unless, of course, the blinking is intentional.

A new graphic user interface designed to improve operability is also added to the IXUS 110 IS to make the menu and settings even easier to navigate. Called Active Display, it lets users to give their camera a little tilt and shake to the side to go from one photo to the next without pressing any button.

One particular model can even tell if you’re up or down, meaning if you’re shooting on the mountains or in the deep blue sea.

Just in time for summer is Canon’s PowerShot D10 multi-terrain camera that is waterproof down to 10 meters and freeze-resistant down to -10 degrees. A tough polycarbonate exterior keeps it shockproof up to four feet. It has a 3x optical zoom 35-105mm lens with OIS, and Servo AF for better focus.

The new Canon digital cameras have suggested retail prices starting from P9,450 for the PowerShot A480 to P23,950 for the IXUS 110 IS.

Smile Campaign

Canon’s business growth of 22 percent last year and 12 percent for the first two months of 2009 give the company reasons to smile, said Ramon Artificio, Canon Marketing Philippines president and CEO.

He kicked off the media launch of the Canon Smile Expo ’09 the other week that showcased the new Canon products and the Canon Image Nation Capture Every Smile contest. The stills and video competition is open to all Filipinos.

“With our latest products and the Smile Campaign, we will weather the recession this year,” said Artificio.

On that note, he invited interested contest participants to log on and register at www.canon.com.ph/smile and start capturing smiles.