A S C R A P B O O K O F S O L U T I O N S F O R T H E P H O T O G R A P H E R
Reviews of photography products that enhance the enjoyment of taking pictures. Published frequently but irregularly.
22 August 2013
Canon has introduced a number of new products, including a Facebook-ready version of its diminutive Power N, the PowerShot G16 plus three more PowerShots, two new AirPrint all-in-ones, an app to print images from social networking sites and a 55-250mm zoom.
Canon also added AirPrint compatibility to its newest Pixma printers including the MX922, MX522 and MX452 all-in-ones and the Pro-10 and Pro-100 13x19-inch printers. A firmware update enables the feature on these printers, although we couldn't find anything more recent than the Nov. 15, 2012 firmware for the Pro printers. We've asked Canon when the firmware will be released.
(Editor's note: Canon never responded and never issued an update for the Pro-10 or Pro-100 to enable AirPrint compatibility. Not a surprise given neither printer includes any wireless communications.)
Highlights from the announcements follow.
POWERSHOT N
A Canon Direct exclusive, the PowerShot N Facebook-ready digicam features a Facebook Connect Button to instantly share stills and videos on a user's Facebook account via a WiFi connection.
Its Face ID system can automatically recognize and focus on familiar faces. And Canon's Intelligent IS System automatically selects the best image stabilization settings.
With a 2.8-inch capacitive, tilt-touch panel LCD and both a shutter and zoom ring around the lens, the square N provides a more creative experience than shooting with a smartphone. The 8x optical zoom and a 28mm wide-angle lens, packaged with a 12.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor extend the power of the N.
You can also record high-quality 1080p Full HD video with a dedicated movie button. With Hybrid Auto users can automatically create a composite video of brief clips that are recorded while taking photos.
The N uses a Micro SD card to store images and can be charged with a USB cable.
Not sold in stores, the N will be available in September from Canon Direct for $299.99.
NEW POWERSHOTS
While other manufacturers are abandoning digicams in the face of the smartphone onslaught, Canon continues the evolution of his popular PowerShot line with four new models: the PowerShot G16, PowerShot S120, PowerShot SX510 HS and PowerShot SX170 IS.
"At Canon we are continually inspired to introduce the latest technological advancements to the PowerShot line of digital cameras," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "Although smartphone camera popularity is continually increasing, the PowerShot line of cameras offers features such as advanced image sensors, high-quality optics, low-light capabilities and extremely fast autofocusing speeds that, when combined, are unrivaled by smartphone technology."
These new PowerShots feature advanced DIGIC imaging technology with faster autofocusing speeds than was possible with previous PowerShot models. The PowerShot G16 and S120 also feature the new Star mode to capture the brilliance of a starry night sky, while the new Background Defocus mode softens backgrounds for a portraiture look.
More information on each model is in the press release below.
NEW PRINTERS
The two Pixma wireless all-in-ones, the $199.99 Pixma MG7120 and $149.99 MG5520, feature a new cloud-based Pixma Printing Solutions app (which is also available for current models) to print and scan images and documents directly from Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Dropbox, Picasa Web Albums, Evernote, Photobucket, Canon iMAGE GATEWAY3, Creative Park Premium and Creative Park.
The MG7120 features a dual front tray, direct disc printing and a hybrid ink system of six individual ink tanks, printing at a maximum color resolution of 9600x2400 dpi. It employs a 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen with Canon's Intelligent Touch System.
The MG5520 has a 2.5-inch LCD screen with a five-color hybrid ink system.
Both printers include Automatic Duplex printing and support Google Cloud Print 8 to print from Gmail and Google Docs on a compatible mobile digital device and from the Google Chrome browser for Mac, Windows, Linux and Chrome computers.
CLOUD CONNECTIVITY APP
The Canon PPS app is Canon's attempt "to unlock important images and documents that otherwise have been trapped on mobile devices and popular online services." The app is free for compatible iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. It's also available through the menu selections od the new MG7120 and MG5520 printers.
PPS can open several document formats including Word, Excel, JPEG and PDF.
"As today's lifestyle is increasingly mobile-focused, consumers are eager for easy-to-use tools that not only help make printing easier and more convenient -- but will also provide more opportunities to express creativity and connect with loved ones," said Ishizuka. "With the introduction of innovative platforms like Pixma Printing Solutions, Canon looks to provide users with convenient connectivity and access to online content quickly and easily."
PPS can also control the scanner on all-in-ones to scan directly to a compatible mobile device, as long as they are connected to the same network as the printer. Stored images can be printed directly from mobile devices as well, as long as they are connected to the same network as the printer. iOS users can upload commonly-used documents into the PPS app through the iTunes application program to be printed when needed.
For more information, see the introductory video.
EF-S 55-250MM ZOOM LENS
The $349.99 EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS STM telephoto zoom lens is designed for both still and video capture with the Canon 70D/Rebel SL1/Rebel T5i dSLRs. The sixth of Canon's Stepping Motor lenses captures still and video with reduced motor noise from the lens, minimizing the noise of the focusing motors.
"The addition of the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens to the STM family of lenses strengthens Canon's support for the growing number of photographers and video enthusiasts utilizing DSLRs to not only shoot high-quality still images but video too," Ishizuka said. "Noise reduction in movie mode is essential and video aficionados will particularly find the silent and smooth auto-focus capabilities of this new lens outstanding."
The lens will ship late next month, the company said.
POWERSHOT PRESS RELEASE
Four New Canon PowerShot Models Provide Impressive Image Quality, Powerful Optics and Fast Autofocusing
New Advanced Point-and-Shoot Lineup Includes the PowerShot G16, S120 and SX510 HS with Built-In WiFi and the New PowerShot SX170 IS Offers a Long Zoom in a Compact Camera Body
MELVILLE, N.Y. -- Adding to its trademark line of esteemed digital cameras, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the release of four new feature-packed PowerShot digital cameras: the PowerShot G16, PowerShot S120, PowerShot SX510 HS and PowerShot SX170 IS. Designed to help photo enthusiasts create high-quality images and videos, these cameras feature advanced DIGIC imaging technology to deliver superb image quality in portable, compact digital camera bodies. In addition, all four models have the ability to achieve faster autofocusing speeds than was possible with previous PowerShot models. The PowerShot G16 and S120 also feature the new Star mode to help users capture the brilliance of a starry night sky, while the new Background Defocus mode allows users to soften the background of their images for a portraiture look.
For the connected photographer, the PowerShot G16, S120 and SX510 HS digital cameras come with built-in WiFi technology that allows for outstanding quality images and video files to be wirelessly transferred from the camera to social networking sites through CANON iMAGE GATEWAY#, to a PC or users can upload images to virtually anywhere on their compatible iOS or Android device* with the download of the free Canon CameraWindow app. The WiFi setup process has been improved by Canon, making it easier than ever for users to initially setup these cameras. Software no longer needs to be installed onto a user's computer, so all initial setup can be accomplished from the user's smart device or computer, allowing for easy photo sharing on-the-go. Images can also be printed wirelessly using Wireless PictBridgei on select printers, including the Canon PIXMA MG7120 or PIXMA MG5520 Wireless Photo All-In-One printers, so special moments can be preserved and cherished for years to come.
"At Canon we are continually inspired to introduce the latest technological advancements to the PowerShot line of digital cameras," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "Although smartphone camera popularity is continually increasing, the PowerShot line of cameras offers features such as advanced image sensors, high-quality optics, low-light capabilities and extremely fast autofocusing speeds that, when combined, are unrivaled by smartphone technology."
PowerShot G16
The PowerShot G16 digital camera builds upon the success of the PowerShot G15 by utilizing some of Canon's most innovative technologies. The first PowerShot in the G-series to come equipped with built-in WiFi technology, the G16 has the ability to share images and video to social networking sites such as Facebook , Twitter , YouTube and Flickr or via email through the use of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY. Users can also upload images from almost anywhere via their compatible iOS or Android device with the download of the free Canon CameraWindow app.
The PowerShot G16 features a 28-140mm wide-angle lens with an aperture range of f1.8 to f2.8, which helps while shooting in low-light conditions or for users who want to create a dramatic shallow depth-of-field with soft backgrounds. The G16 is equipped with Canon's HS System, which combines a DIGIC 6 image processor and a 12.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor, allowing for enhanced low-light image quality.
With improved AF times and reduced shooting lag over previous G-series models, the advancements to Canon's AF system help ensure users never miss a shot. Continuous shooting speeds of up to 9.3 frames-per-second are possible with the PowerShot G16, allowing users to capture images in full resolution as they happen. The G16 also captures 1080p/60p Full HD video and includes a built-in stereo microphone and an HDMI output so users have the ability to view videos on their HDTV.
The PowerShot G16 also features new shooting modes to capture breathtaking images day or night. The new Star mode gives users the ability to capture the brilliance and wonder of the night sky through the use of three scene modes. "Star Nightscape" lets users shoot the radiance of stars in a landscape image, while the "Star Trails" mode captures trails of stars to turn them into a luminous still image. "Star Time Lapse Movie" captures continuous still images of the stars and then combines each to create a stunning video replicating the motion of the stars in the night sky.
In addition, the camera's creative handheld HDR Scene mode automatically combines multiple shots of a scene to help create an image with a greater dynamic range without the necessity for a tripod. HDR Scene mode includes Natural, Art Bold, Art Embossed, Art Standard and Art Vivid options.
For photographers who want the convenience and ease-of-use of a compact camera with the feel of a dSLR, the PowerShot G16 features dials and controls similar to those on Canon's EOS Digital SLR cameras. It is also compatible with Canon Speedlite flashes and select accessories.
The PowerShot G16 is scheduled to be available in October 2013 for an estimated retail price of $549.99.
PowerShot S120
Succeeding the PowerShot S110, the pocket-sized PowerShot S120 digital camera continues the tradition of built-in WiFi technology that allows for images and video to be shared to social networking sites or via email through the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY. Users can also download the free Canon CameraWindow app to their compatible iOS or Android device and upload images from virtually anywhere.
The PowerShot S120 features a sharp 24-120mm extra-wide-angle lens with an aperture range of f1.8-f5.7. It is equipped with Canon's HS System, which combines a DIGIC 6 image processor and a 12.1-Mp High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor allowing for enhanced low-light image quality. The advancements to Canon's AF system allow users to achieve significantly faster autofocusing speeds. The S120 allows for continuous capture of up to 12.1 frames per secondii at 12.1-megapixels. The camera also records 1080p/60p Full HD video and includes a built-in stereo microphone and convenient playback via HDMI output.
Multiple creative shot modes such as the new Star mode, Background Defocus mode and handheld HDR Scene mode give users the ability to create images they will be proud to share. Smart AUTO technology selects 58 different pre-defined scenes without the need to switch modes, making it possible to take beautiful images in a variety of situations.
The PowerShot S120 is scheduled be available in October 2013 for an estimated retail price of $449.99.
PowerShot SX510 HS
The compact PowerShot SX510 HSiii digital camera incorporates a 30x optical zoom 24mm wide-angle lens, Intelligent IS technology for sharp, vivid images, a 12.1-Mp CMOS sensor and Canon DIGIC 4 Image Processor that allows users to capture high-quality images. The camera also records 1080p Full HD video. The SX510 HS is equipped with built-in WiFi technology so that images and videos can be shared with friends and family wirelessly on social networking sites or via email through the use of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY. Users can also upload images from almost anywhere via their compatible iOS or Android device with the download of the free Canon CameraWindow app.
The camera's Zoom Framing Assist feature automatically maintains the correct distance from the subject using a face recognition sensor to track and capture subjects for sharp still and video images. Upgraded from previous PowerShot models, the AF speed helps dramatically reduce lag time so that perfect shot will be captured with ease.
The PowerShot SX510 HS is scheduled to be available in September 2013 for an estimated retail price of $249.99.
PowerShot SX170 IS
The PowerShot SX170 IS digital camera offers a long zoom in a compact camera body at an affordable price. The camera's 16x optical zoom with 28mm wide-angle lens and Optical Image Stabilization captures clear, vivid images whether a subject is up close or far away. Featuring High-Speed AF and Intelligent IS system that provides smooth video and sharp images via six stabilization modes, the SX170 IS operates with a DIGIC 4 Image Processor and a 16.0-Mp sensor to create high-quality images. With 720p HD video capability, users can shoot still and video images and view both via an HDTV using an HDMI connector.
Complete with Smart AUTO technology, the PowerShot SX170 IS automatically selects the optimal settings from 32 predefined shooting situations, which helps the user to capture the best image possible. Powered by a new lithium-ion battery that provides efficient battery life, the SX170 IS has a 3.0-inch LCD screen and an ergonomic body allowing users to comfortably hold the camera.
The PowerShot SX170 IS digital camera is scheduled be available in September 2013 for an estimated retail price of $179.99.
For more information about the PowerShot G16, S120, SX510 HS and SX170 IS digital camera models please visit: http://www.usa.canon.com/powershot.