Digital Home Thoughts - News & Reviews for the Digital Home

"The Canon IXUS 300 HS (also known as the SD4000 IS Digital ELPH) is a premium compact camera with some advanced features that grab the attention of any discerning photographer. These include a back-illuminated 10 megapixel CMOS sensor, a 3.8x, 28-106mm lens with a fastest aperture of f/2.0 and optical image stabiliser, 3.7 frames per second burst mode at full resolution, 720p HD movie recording with stereo sound and a HDMI port, 240fps movies, a 3 inch LCD screen, and Aperture and Shutter Priority exposure modes."

PhotographyBLOG reviews the latest and greatest Digital ELPH / IXUS camera from Canon, and generally were quite happy with it. Personally, I've given up on small sensor cameras, so while the specifications for a compact point-and-shoot are very enticing (fast 28mm wide f/2.0 class lens, manual controls, 240 FPS movies), the practice of cramming double-digit megapixels along with the new generation of EVIL cameras means I'm willing to put up with the extra bulk for better photos and more flexibility in shooting.

That said, I have been ranting at Canon for making so many ho-hum Powershot cameras, and it is refreshing to see them try something a little more adventurous. Also refreshing is seeing sensor manufacturers (in this case Sony) holding back on the megapixels a bit. Here's hoping that innovation in this incredibly crowded sector of the camera market continues to exist.

"...Canon is introducing a new member of its Digital ELPH range..., the PowerShot SD4000 (or IXUS 300HS in other parts of the globe). Boasting a 10 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 image processing engine and a 3.8x optical zoom, this one also features an f/2.0 lens and the company's own HS System in order to produce more satisfactory results in low light situations."

Sitting at the top of Canon's Digital ELPH series, the PowerShot SD4000 IS trades the 14.4MP sensor of the SD3500 IS for a 10.6MP unit that offers better low light performance - up to ISO 3200 - along with a faster capture speed (3.7 shots/sec vs. 0.7). The SD4000 IS is packed with features, of course, including 720p HD and stereo sound capability, along with both Aperture- and Shutter-priority modes, which seems interesting given the simplified physical control layout. But the big news here is Canon's new "HS System" which appears to deliver on its promise of improved low light photography, at least if the sample pictures provided are truly representative of the camera's performance.

"With the aid of Canon's new flatbed scanner, these treasured memories can now be transferred to high resolution digital storage. The CanoScan 9000F scans at 9600 x 9600 dots per inch in Film mode, benefits from instant power up thanks to white LED and can even automatically remove imperfections from scanned images to improve on the originals."

Is there really a market for high-resolution scanners anymore? Of course! Maybe you favour the warmth of traditional cameras. Maybe you still have a few shoe boxes of photos you want to archive. Fortunately, new scanners are still being made at ever higher scanning resolutions. Soon, you will be able to scan your pictures, and just say "enhance" in Photoshop CS5 and it will reveal everything around the photo! While all of my photos have been from a digital source for years, I have to wonder, for those of you who are photogs, do you rescan all your pictures the moment a higher resolution scanner comes out on the market?

"However, more than previous 1D series cameras, the 1D Mark IV has a lot to prove. Whereas, in the past, Canon's flagship models have been a fairly safe bet, autofocus problems with the 1D Mark III have cast a shadow over the range. Those problems, which appear to have come from a combination of manufacturing error, increased complexity of AF customization and the AF sensor occasionally being overwhelmed in bright conditions, have become notorious."

If you're a serious Canon shooter, the EOS-1D Mark IV has been on your "want" list since it was announced - this camera has a lot to offer, namely a 16 megapixel sensor with 10 fps shooting, 1080p video, and a huge jump from 19 to 39 cross-type autofocus spots (with an f/2.8 or faster lens mind you). dpreview's exhaustive review is worth a read if you're considering this camera.

"Canon announces today an update to their entry-level, low-cost PowerShot A series with the launch of four new cameras. The new PowerShots offer features that include a dedicated low light shooting mode and two new creative shooting modes (Super Vivid and Poster Effect)."

The picture above shows the new Canon PowerShot A3100 IS, which is the top model of the four new A-Series models, and features 12.1MP resolution. The other new models are the A3000 IS, with 10MP resolution, but otherwise seemingly identical specifications, and two new models at the lower end of the A-Series range: the PowerShot A495 and A490, which both offer 10MP, although with smaller LCD displays, lower optical zoom ranges, and no image stabilization. DigitalCameraReview makes note of the loss of manual controls in the A-Series line, but otherwise finds them of good value. I tend to be more disappointed, not only at the loss of manual controls, but also at the lack of an optical viewfinder, the move away from the AA battery standard, and the likely trade-offs - slower shooting speed and increased noise - that usually go along with a move to a higher pixel count. Am I simply out of step, or does anyone else miss the older PowerShot A-Series "advanced compact" models?

"Fun Printing For The Whole Family with Built-in Power Adapter & Voice Guidance. Now when you're on-the-go whether by yourself or with the friends and family, you can experience fun, easy photo printing! The SELPHY ES40 Compact Photo Printer features a great combination of quality and ease of use. With ink and paper in one cartridge, you'll be able to print borderless images in Credit Card and Postcard sizes, in color or black & white that will be water-resistant and last up to 100 years."

Canon have announced the Selphy ES40 Compact Photo Printer which has voice guidance built in to it. The voice guidance is a feature you can turn on and the printer will guide you through step by step instructions in order to print or add graphics to your images, without having to rely on a manual. The screen is 3.5 inch wide and navigation through the menus is controlled via the scroll wheel. I personally see the voice guidance as a gimmick, but I can certainly see how it might help others, especially those who find the menu's on small screens difficult to read. You can see the product specs on the Canon US site.

"I don't do a lot of P&S digicam reviews here, but the Canon Powershot G11 is interesting for a number of reasons. First Canon made the rather bold decision to lower the pixel count from 14.7MP in the G10 to 10MP in the G11. This runs pretty much counter to the industry practice of cramming ever more pixels onto the sensor, no matter what it does to the ultimate image quality. Second, the Canon Powershot G series has long been held up as a leader in P&S type digicams and G series cameras have been used by many photojournalists who want to shoot digital but for one reason or another can't use a DSLR. The G11 boast a "low light" mode with ISO settings up to 12800. That's pushing things even for a DSLR, so I was interested in just how a digicam with a tiny sensor (and tiny pixels) can do in low light. "

It's expected that when a manufacturer releases a new generation of a camera, it has even more pixels that it's predecessor.  More is better after all, right? It's interesting then that Canon decided to buck the trend with it's Powershot G11, and actually reduce the number of pixels from 14.7MP in the G10, to 10MP in the G11.  Take a look at the review to see whether Bob Atkins thinks this has been a good move by Canon or not.

"There are two major brands of 35mm camera in the pro and prosumer camera market - Canon and Nikon. Yes, Pentax, Sony, Olympus and a couple of others have their niches, but Nikon and Canon between them share the majority of the marketplace. Both companies have loaner and rapid repair programs for pros, and rental houses around the world typically carry bodies and lenses of both brands, while rental facilities for the other brands are almost nonexistent. Economics being what it is, few photographers own both systems at the same time. A couple of bodies and a selection of pro-grade lenses runs between $10-$20,000, and once a decision and investment has been made few bother to switch, or if they do so it isn't more often than every decade or two. Also, brand loyalty comes into play because no one likes admitting that they may have made an inappropriate buying decision. We see this carried to its extreme with the adolescent fanboy attitudes displayed on some web forums and camera clubs in defense of one brand over another."

The choice of camera body - especially the choice between Nikon and Canon - is an almost religious-level decision for some photographers, but as always the delightful Luminous Landscape has a thought-provoking article on the subject. As someone who switched from Canon to Nikon myself, I found myself agreeing with many of his points - though to be fair I had fairly limited experience with DSLRs at that point, switching to Nikon after owning only one Canon DSLR. This article was written in January of 2008, so the landscape has changed somewhat since then, but it's a great read for anyone in either the Canon or Nikon camp. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the article after you've read it!

"Canon Canada Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is proud to introduce the next evolution in the EOS 1D series of cameras: the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera. The EOS-1D Mark IV is a high-speed multimedia performance monster with a 16-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors, and 14-bit A/D data conversion, all at 10 frames-per-second (fps), with the widest ISO range Canon has produced to date. This new camera also features 1080p Full High-Definition video capture at selectable frame rates packaged in Canon's most rugged and durable professional camera body.

The crowning achievement of Canon's 1D Mark IV Digital SLR is its new autofocus system that starts with 45 AF points including 39 high-precision cross-type focusing points capable of tracking fast moving athletes or wildlife accurately at speeds up to 10 frames per second. With greater subject detection capability than ever before plus a newly redesigned AI Servo II AF predictive focusing algorithm, the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV camera sets new standards for autofocus performance among professional digital SLRs. Whether shooting for the six o'clock news or the front page, the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR is the quintessential camera to freeze fast-moving action with high-speed stills or capture stunning HD video with dynamic colour and image quality. To accompany the new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera, Canon is also announcing a new accessory, the WFT-E2 II A wireless file transmitter providing photographers with a wide range of professional digital connectivity options."

Wowzers...16.1 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, 10 frames per second continuous shooting, a three inch LCD screen, a 45-point auto-focus system with 39 cross-type points, and 1080p HD video. This is one monster of a camera, with a monster price to boot: $5499 CAD ($4999 USD MSRP). The rest of the press release is after the break, and if you want more images, check out dpreview.com. Read more...

"MISSISSAUGA, ON., September 1, 2009 - Canon Canada Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today introduced a revolutionary camera that redefines the highly competitive mid-range DSLR product category: the Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR camera. Professional photographers and advanced amateurs have been demanding higher performance and more diverse functions in their cameras, and Canon has answered - with the new EOS 7D. Far more than a slight improvement from a previous model, the EOS 7D DSLR is a brand new product that stands on its own with new features never before seen in any Canon camera. Whether it's shooting at eight frames per second (fps), focusing with the new Zone AF mode or recording 24p Full HD video, the EOS 7D DSLR camera satisfies the most rigorous professional requirements with durability, flexibility, high-resolution images and customizable controls. With its unprecedented out-of-the-box performance and high-end feature set, the EOS 7D is poised as the ultimate step-up camera for serious photographers or a second camera for professionals in the field."

18 megapixel CMOS sensor, 19-point autofocus system, ISO 6400, 1080p video capture at 24fps or 30fps, 3 inch display...and all for $1700 USD MSRP. There's a lot there to love if you're a Canon shooter. It's an EOS though, so It's not a full-frame camera, which I was expecting given the moniker of "7D". So Canon shooters, what do you think of this camera? The remainder of the press release is after the break. Oh yeah, and Canon announced three new lenses today as well. Read more...

OK, I've given up: I just can't keep up with Canon's release schedule for cameras. So the best I can do is tell you what they're doing, and show you what they look like, and leave the analysis up to you. ;-) This info comes from Canon Canada, so the prices below are in CAD. Looking at all the specs, it's clear that Canon has finally caught up with offering 720p video on a bunch of models, and they're keen on the concept of touch screens. Looking over this list, does anything catch your eye?

Canon PowerShot G11 Digital Camera

"The PowerShot G-series has long been the flagship of the PowerShot line. The new Canon PowerShot G11 Digital Camera further adds to the legacy of this award-winning series with its advanced features, variety of shooting modes and compatible EOS accessories which help to enhance one's photographic creativity. Designed for those looking for a pocket-sized camera with SLR functionality, this new powerful camera is ideal for the consumer who is looking to capture beautiful landscapes and professional portraits by offering:

• A 10.0-Megapixel High Sensitivity System to capture images with a powerful 5x Optical Zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization. Additionally, a 28mm (equivalent to 28-140 mm) wide-angle lens helps to get large groups into one shot at events such as a family reunion.
• A 7.1-centimetre vari-angle PureColor System LCD, new to the G-series, allowing for easier on-camera previewing and reviewing of images from nearly every angle, while still incorporating the optical viewfinder found on previous models.
• Scheduled to be available in October, estimated price of $599.99."

Canon PowerShot S90 Digital Camera

"For the professional photographer or advanced amateur interested in a versatile point and shoot camera, the PowerShot S90 provides a wealth of advanced technologies to capture those can't-miss moments. Other features of this camera include:

• A 10.0-Megapixel High Sensitivity System with a 3.8x Optical Zoom and Optical Image Stabilization.
• A customizable control ring for easy access and operation of manual or other creative shooting settings.
• A large 7.6-centimetre PureColor System LCD for even greater true life colour reproduction.
• Scheduled to be available in October, estimated price of $529.99." Read more...

Canon Canada just sent me this press release, and it sounds like an interesting system - as someone with sometimes less-than steady hands, I appreciate any and all advancements in image stabilization. Here's the press release:

"Canon Canada Inc. announced today the development of Hybrid Image Stabilizer (IS), the world's first* optical image stabilization technology that compensates for both angle camera shake and shift camera shake. The technology will be featured in interchangeable single lens reflex (SLR) camera lens planned for commercial release before the end of 2009.

Several different preventative methods and corrective procedures have been introduced to compensate for errors caused by camera shake, which occurs when a camera moves while its shutter is open and its image sensor is exposed to light.

Canon began researching methods to compensate for camera shake in the 1980s, and in 1995 launched the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, the world's first interchangeable SLR camera lens to feature a mechanism that compensates for optical camera shake. Since then, the company has continued to produce a variety of interchangeable lenses with image stabilization capabilities, and boasts a total of 21 such lenses in its current product lineup. Read more...

"For the consumer who wants and needs to have a printer that can print, copy and scan, the new Canon PIXMA Photo AIO Printers provide all this and more. The new PIXMA MP560 Wireless2 Photo AIO Printer is the most compact Canon inkjet printer to have both wireless capabilities and built-in Auto Duplex Printing. This new AIO Printer, the successor to the popular PIXMA MP620 Wireless Photo AIO Printer, also is the first Canon PIXMA Printer to have the ability to print out pictures directly from a USB Flash Memory device3. With a new sleek design, the PIXMA MP560 Photo AIO Printer features five individual ink tanks with the ChromaLife100+ ink system providing more vibrant and longer-lasting photos. The PIXMA MP560 printer can print out a photo-lab quality borderless 4"x 6" in approximately 39 seconds6. The 5.1-centimetre LCD screen and integrated Easy-Scroll Wheel allow for easy navigation through menus and viewing images. Under the new ISO print speed standard, the PIXMA MP560 AIO Photo Printer will deliver output at approximately 9.2 ipm for black-and-white documents and approximately 6.0 ipm for colour4. The estimated retail price of the PIXMA MP560 Photo AIO Printer is $169.995."

First the printer: looks nice. Canon printers have always been nice and fast, and produce high-quality prints. The fact that you get built-in auto-duplex printing and wireless connectivity for $169 CAD is impressive. If you need a good all-around printer, one of these two new printers look like a safe bet. Now for a tangent: Canon has a problem. Read more...

"The 500D/T1i doesn't quite have to be the everyman camera that its predecessors were. The introduction of the Rebel XS (1000D) in June 2008 means the T1i no longer has to appeal to everybody who doesn't want to stretch to buying into the 50D class. As a result, the 450D was able to bulk up its feature set to include a selection of features that price-conscious shoppers don't necessarily realize they want, such as a larger viewfinder and spot metering. The result was probably the most complete Rebel we'd seen."

If you're a Canon shooter, or looking to invest in your first DSLR and want something a big higher than entry-level, the Canon Digital Rebel T1i [Affiliate] is worth checking out. It earns the "High Recommended" rating from dpreview.com.

"If you've held the XSi or XTi, you've held the T1i. It checks in a wee bit smaller and lighter than the D5000 (in case you weren't aware, we'll be doing that with some frequency throughout), though it doesn't feel "cheaper." In fact, we'd argue that the T1i feels a bit more "professional" (as in, sturdy, solid and less like a toy) than the D5000. More rubberized grips were in place, the whole body felt exceptionally rigid and one-handed operation is totally feasible thanks to the left-aligned rear LCD monitor."

Both the EOS Rebel T1i and D5000 slide in under the $1000 barrier and provide wonderful pictures, however, each camera has the edge in different areas. Engadget provides their impressions on each, showing where each DSLR shines and where they need work. With the prices getting lower, some of you may be looking into delving into the DSLR market. Beware that the low price of these cameras only represent the body. Getting lenses, filters and accessories will cost you more, and soon you'll find yourself with enough equipment to run your own photography studio and wonder what happened.

"In September of 2008 Canon announced dual successors to the S5 IS. The cheaper of the two models is the Powershot SX10 IS, which features a 10 MP CCD sensor behind a 20X image stabilized lens, with the more expensive camera - the SX1 IS - adding RAW mode, a CMOS sensor, faster continuous shooting speed, and HD 1080p video recording."

If you're looking to take a step above camera phones and point-and-click cameras, it is a good bet you have investigated larger, heftier cameras that won't fit in your pocket. Of course, these cameras don't just offer a larger body, but a wealth of additional features and controls both in hardware and software to let you take stunning pictures. The Canon SX1 IS is positioned to be one of these, especially with the use of a CMOS sensor, but DPReview remains unimpressed, actually favouring its cheaper sibling's results. I haven't taken the leap to a better class camera than what is on my phone, but when the time comes, I want it to provide a noticable difference. Looking at the test pictures taken with the camera it looks like I'd be passing by the SX1 IS.

"There's a full explanation of the differences between the 500D/T1i and it predecessor on the coming pages but, in general terms, it's a gentle re-working of the 450D. So you get the 15MP sensor much like the one that appears in the 50D, helping this to become the first entry-level DSLR to feature video (and 1080p HD video at that). You also get the lovely 920,000 dot VGA monitor that has been slowly working its way down most manufacturer's DSLR line-ups. There are a handful of other specification tweaks that come from the use of the latest Digic 4 processor but essentially this is most of a 50D stuffed into the familiar 450D body."

In typical dpreview.com fashion, this preview walks through all the major components in the new Rebel T1i, essentially giving you an online version of the manual before you get your hands on the camera. If such a thing tickles your geek fancy, go check it out...

"Canon announces the new 15.1MP EOS 500D which offers photographers an outstanding combination of features. Following the launch of the first Canon EOS camera to shoot movies - the EOS 5D Mark II in September 2008 - Canon now brings Full High Definition (HD) video capability to consumers in a compact and lightweight DSLR. The new EOS 500D features a 15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor - ideal for large detailed prints or enormous cropping possibilities. For shooting in near-dark conditions, the EOS 500D offers a high ISO sensitivity up to 3200 which is expandable to 12800, giving photographers the power to shoot in the dimmest light conditions. Outstanding noise reduction is made possible by Canon's DIGIC 4 processor."

The press release has the full details, but here are the specs you're probably curious about: the DIGIC 4 CMOS sensor snaps up to 3.4 frames per second at 15.1 megapixels, it has a three inch display with 920,000 dot resolution, the ISO goes up to 12,800, and it does 720p video at 30fps and 1080p video at 20fps, both in Quicktime MOV format (h.264). The MSRP is $899 USD. That's a lot of camera, and some great video functins, for the price. What I'm a bit curious about those is that 20fps 1080p video capture - on Canon's product page for it, it has the "Full HD 1080" gold logo - but I always assumed that in order to quality for that your product had to hit 30fps. 20fps is kind of weak Kung-fu if you ask me...but, heck, 720p video looks excellent so this camera will deliver some nice results.

"The Canon PowerShot SX200 IS ($349) is a compact ultra zoom camera with a 12X wide-angle zoom lens, image stabilization, full manual controls, HD video recording, and a 3-inch LCD display. That sounds an awful lot like Panasonic's ultra-popular Lumix DMC-TZ5 -- easily the best camera in this class in 2008 -- though that camera is soon to be replaced with the even more impressive DMC-ZS3 (also known as the TZ7). Regardless, the SX200 is a pretty nice step-up from the SX110 that came before it. Some other features of note include a "Smart Auto" (scene detection) mode, face and blink detection, automatic redeye removal, and an HDMI port. Is the PowerShot SX200 a good choice for a go-anywhere ultra zoom camera? Find out now in our review!"

Wow, I wasn't expecting a review of this camera quite so soon! Jeff Keller got his hands on this new point and shoot camera from Canon and puts it through its paces. Boasting 12x optical zoom, 12.1 megapixels, and 720p video recording using h.264. This a very thorough review and revealed a show-stopping weakness in this camera: the optical zoom doesn't work when you're shooting a video! I'm amazined that Canon couldn't make that work (or chose not to) because my Panasonic LUMIX can accomplish that. It's also a bit bizarre that the flash pops up when you turn on the camera, regardless of whether or not it needs to fire it, and won't go back down until you turn off the power. Still, it might be a good choice for some people - but be sure to consider the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS3 as an option.

"Canon today strengthens its reputation for excellence in digital compact camera design with two new models: the slimmest ever Digital IXUS model, the 12.1 Megapixel Digital IXUS 100 IS, and the 10 Megapixel Digital IXUS 95 IS. Both models feature a new Smart Auto mode, which uses Canon's Scene Detection Technology to help users take great shots with ease. The Digital IXUS 100 IS also includes the option to shoot HD movies (1280 x 720, 30fps) and HDMI connectivity."

It seems like I've been waiting forever for this to happen: Canon finally released a point and shoot camera with HD video! We've seen 720p recording on small cameras for about two years now, going back to a Kodak camera if memory serves, and all the while Canon and Nikon, the two big guns in the camera industry, seemed to ignore this move toward HD video. These are the European model numbers, so after I post this I'll jump over to Canon USA's site and see what's new there...

UPDATE: Looks like the IXUS 100 IS is the PowerShot SD870 IS over here in North America. It comes in four swanky colours, including black, silver, a tacky gold, and a ruby red. The IXUS 95 IS is the PowerShot SD1200 IS and is available in even more colours...