Canon has announced two new advanced point and shoot cameras in the PowerShot G12 and PowerShot SX30 IS.
The Canon G12 features a 10MP sensor, 5x optical zoom lens and the ability to capture 720p HD video at 24 fps. Additionally, the G12 offers a sensistivity range of ISO 80-3200, and has a new HDR mode, which allows for multiple shots to be combined into one image. The G12 has a 2.8″ vari-angle LCD at 461k dot resolution.
The Canon G12 should be available in October 2010 at an initial retail price of $499.99. Check availability on Amazon.com.
The Canon SX30 IS is a superzoom camera with a 14.1MP sensor, 2.7-inch vari-angle LCD and a whopping 35x optical zoom lens (24-840mm equivalent). The SX30 IS can capture 720p HD video at 30 fps and offers a sensitivity range of ISO 80-1600.
The Canon SX30 IS should be available in September 2010 at an initial retail price of $429.99. Check availability on Amazon.com.
More details in the press release below.
Canon PowerShot Press Release
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., September 14, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the addition of the new PowerShot G12 and PowerShot SX30 IS Digital cameras with innovative features to help photo enthusiasts further develop their photographic capabilities. Once again setting the trend in the consumer digital camera market and solidifying its spot atop the PowerShot lineup, the PowerShot G12 will have High Definition (HD) video capture capabilities along with the HS (High Sensitivity) SYSTEM helping to produce outstanding quality in the toughest low-light conditions. The PowerShot SX30 IS Digital camera is the world’s first point-and-shoot model to feature a 35X-Wide Angle Optical Zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization, making those long distance shots that much easier to capture and then share with friends and family.1 Consumers have grown accustomed to PowerShot cameras providing brilliant image quality while also offering the latest technological upgrades. The addition of these new cameras helps solidify Canon’s position as the leader in the digital camera marketplace.
Canon’s HS SYSTEM
Since its inception, the Canon PowerShot G-series has differentiated itself from competing models with its ability to produce high-quality results. The PowerShot G12 lives up to this tradition with its wealth of features including the Canon HS SYSTEM which provides clear, exceptional images in low-light settings such as a sunset on the mountainside while on a camping trip. Canon’s DIGIC 4 Image Processor combined with the PowerShot G12’s 10-Megapixel High Sensitivity CCD sensor, make up Canon’s HS SYSTEM to enhance image quality and help reduce noise at high ISO levels. One of the many challenges photographers face shooting in the field is whether or not there will be sufficient light to capture that once in a lifetime shot. The HS SYSTEM helps deliver brilliant, sharp images without the use of the flash which can be shared for years to come.
Experience Life Through HD
With the PowerShot G12, the bar has been set higher yet again being the first PowerShot G-series model ever to record 720p HD video. Photographers will now not only get to experience the incredible quality of still images but also explore the world of HD video to relive those unforgettable moments time and time again. The new PowerShot SX30 IS also has 720p HD video capabilities and when used in combination with the new 35X-Wide Angle Optical Zoom lens will help secure memorable scenes from a child’s baseball game with extraordinary resolution, color and clarity. Both cameras also feature playback of audio in stereo sound in addition to the new Miniature Effect for movies mode, further adding to the flexibility when capturing memorable moments.
“Whether on vacation with the family or on assignment for work, consumers are always looking for the best way to capture that memorable moment,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. “The addition of these new cameras illustrates Canon’s commitment to providing them with greater shooting flexibility while preserving Canon’s heritage as an industry leader in not only still photography but the world of HD video as well.”
PowerShot G12 Digital Camera
As the feature set of the PowerShot G-series has evolved, the one mainstay has been the camera’s ability to provide complete creative control to the photographer. Keeping with tradition, the PowerShot G12 offers a full range of shooting and recording modes with new, exciting features such as High Dynamic Range (HDR) scene mode. Offering added flexibility to photographers, this scene mode allows for multiple shots to be combined into one image helping to capture the full magnitude of a scene that consists of very dark tones and bright highlights producing greater image details. With the use of a tripod, one push of the shutter button yields three sequential images with various exposures, and then combines them into a single optimized image. A feature such as this typically requires outside software, however, this process can be completed within the camera thus helping to eliminate one critical step in the creation and editing process. Another valuable addition to this new model is Canon’s Hybrid IS technology that compensates for angular and shift camera shake, helping to create a near perfect image.
The Canon PowerShot G12 has a large, bright 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD with 461,000 dots of resolution providing photographers with additional creative control whether holding the camera overhead or low to the ground. A new control dial has been added to the front of the camera as well for easy adjusting of camera settings similar to how users operate a Canon Digital SLR camera. Further adding to the overall appeal of the new Canon PowerShot G12 is a 5X-Optical Zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization and its wide-angle capabilities starting at 28mm, which will help when trying to get a sweeping landscape into one image. When using compatible optional accessories such as Speedlite flashes, an underwater housing and a tele-converter lens the photographic possibilities for users of this new camera are almost endless.
The estimated selling price of the PowerShot G12 is $499.99 and will be available in early October.*
PowerShot SX30 IS Digital Camera
The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Digital camera is the perfect companion for photo enthusiasts capturing memorable images or videos at sporting events or special occasions. The addition of the new super telephoto lens, which ranges from an ultra-wide 24mm to a maximum length of 840mm, will offer unrivaled results while opening up a whole new realm of possibilities for users along the photographic journey. Helping to make this journey that much easier is a new Zoom Framing Assist button to aid in the tracking and capturing of subjects from a great distance away while keeping the lens in focus. At extreme telephoto settings, holding a camera unsteady can cause the user to lose track of the subject and make it difficult to find the subject. The Zoom Framing Assist button allows the user to zoom out, find the subject and then zoom back in.
The PowerShot SX30 IS has a 14.1-Megapixel sensor, DIGIC 4 image processor and a large, 2.7-inch wide vari-angle LCD for easy viewing of images along with added flexibility when trying to compose overhead or low to the ground images. In addition, the PowerShot SX30 IS for the first time will use a Lithium ion rechargeable battery rather than the standard AA batteries found on previous models, making powering up the camera much easier.
The estimated selling price of the PowerShot SX30 IS is $429.99 and will be available in late September.*
G12–“One of the many challenges photographers face shooting in the field is whether or not there will be sufficient light to capture that once in a lifetime shot.”
Uhhh, that’s great-but if there is shutter lag which never gets mentioned in these specs that once in a lifetime shot is long gone when the shutter clicks. Unless you consider a shot of a tree a once in a lifetime shot.
And the Optical VF. I went to bhphoto.com and the specs don’t give coverage. i expect it is 80% or so which a’int good enough.
C’mon Canon and Nikon make a small mirrorless camera with a 100% optical VF and no shutter lag and you’ll sell boatloads of them.
Glad to see Canon improve on their SX20IS with the new SX30 model. Since the mid-60’s, I have owned many DSLR style point and shoot units, after owning a lifetime of cameras including a Fujica and Yashica rangefinders during the days when we had to manually, without exposure meters, calculate the exposures through some rules of thumbs and experience; Canon film SLRs – Ftb, AE-1, AE-1 Program, EF, F1 and EOS 600 and Olympus Pen F along with numerous lenses and three powerful flashes – Canon, Vivitar 283 and 285. I also owned a number of small units – Rollei A110, Minolta 16 and Minox B. Most of these I still have in my possession for whatever reason. That was the time when I was very serious about photography and even went to the Nikon School of Photography to learn better techniques. Lately, my desire for DSLR has waned and considered point-and-shoot models with today’s technology good enough for my business travels abroad. So I bought Canon’s first Powershot pocket unit, Fuji’s S5000 and S6000 models, Canon SX3-IS, SX5-IS and Panasonic Lumix with 12x zoom to carry in my pocket. Although I have lots of Canon ES lenses that would still work with new Canon DSLRs, I prefer the flexibility of the superzooms. With the more sensitive (ISO wise) and better resolution sensors and the image stabilization technologies, the slow (small apertures) are no longer major issues. I was going to get the HS10 from Fuji with its 30x zoom, but was disappointed they did not include their EXR sensor. Now, this SX30 from Canon is something I will be considering (I also like the new 60D with the swivel LCD display) With my experience in both SLR and small point and shoots, I would like to say that we now have technology in such a way that EVFs have grown to a state that they are an acceptable alternative to optical viewfinder. The speed of capture, sensitivity and resolution are such that they can be very useful alternative. I can also confidently say that people who think that we need the pentaprism and the mirror to reflect the image from the lens is necessary have got to think again. It is unfortunate the many people do not realize that the image seen by the EVF sensor or the LCD display at the back of the camera is the same actual image captured by the camera sensor through the lens without having to reflect the image through the mirror in pentaprism. The mirror and the pentaprism assembly just add mechanical complexity and bulk to the DSLR units. During my younger days, if you are a purist, you want to see the exact image as seen “through the lens”. That is why I had all those film SLRs. But I have news for people who think they know, the sensor image replicated by the EVF is as good if not better than the optical VF. We now have the technology where the sensor is more sensitive, brighter, have high resolution (900K +) and can even see in the dark better than the human eye. It would have been great if something like an SX30 with a fixed superzoom is equipped with at least an APS sized sensor. Then that would be all you need (unless you really need to take pictures of black cats inside dark unlit coal bins in the middle of moonless nights). No need to change lenses and worry about dust getting in on your sensors. To put the icing on the cake, make it out of magnesium and make it shockproof, splashproof and tolerate extreme temperatures. And that’s all you’d need. And, oh, don’t forget about the fully articulating LCD display.
So those purists who think they know but do not have the real knowledge or are swayed by advertizing, I say please read more or try out these models. You’d be surprised if you’d open your mind and not pretend you know. In summary, we now have the technology, all we need is to learn how to shoot well with proper composition, selection of subjects, etc., etc., then share the beauty of your composition with the rest of the world.
Just my own personal view.
Thank you.
Manny