Canon has introduced two new digital cameras to its PowerShot line — the S40 and the S30. Positioned between the company’s S300 Digital ELPH and PowerShot G2 models, the new PowerShot models are the first in Canon’s line to provide direct print capabilities with the recently introduced S820D Bubble Jet Printer.
The PowerShot S40 and S30 share some common features: they both have a high-resolution 7.1 – 21.3mm 3x optical zoom lens (equivalent to a 35 – 105mm lens on a 35mm camera); 3-point autofocus; 13 different shooting modes; support for Type I and Type II CompactFlash cards; a USB interface; Movie Mode; and a new feature called My Camera Settings.
The cameras also support 13 different exposure modes which are broken down into two basic categories — “Image Zone,” a series of fully automatic settings that optimize the camera based on the scene, and “Creative Zone,” which offer the user more adjustment and control. The cameras also feature three different kinds of metering modes, two continuous shooting modes, a histogram display, the ability to attach voice memos to images,
The big difference between the two models is resolution: S40 is a 4.0 megapixel camera, however, while the S30 is a 3.2 megapixel model. The PowerShot S40 can produce images up to 2272 x 1704 pixels, while the S30 model is limited to 2048 x 1536. The S40 also features ISO settings from 50 to 400, while the S30 can also select an ISO 800 equivalent speed.
The new My Camera Settings feature enables users to customize settings for startup images and sounds, and sounds for shutter operation, the cameras’ self-timer, and camera settings adjustments.
The cameras ship with ArcSoft’s Camera Suite, a collection of still image and movie editing tools; ImageBrowser 2.1; PhotoStitch 3.1.2; and RAW Image Converter 1.2. Plug-in and USB mounting software is also included. “Canon is currently working together with Apple … to provide [support] for OS X’s Image Capture application as well,” noted the company.
Each camera comes equipped with a 16MB CompactFlash card; lithium-ion battery pack; battery charger; interface cable; AV cable; wrist strap; documentation and software. Optional accessories like the Soft Compact Case PSC30 model and the WP-DC300 Waterproof Case are also available for purchase separately.
Look for the PowerShot S30 and S40 models to hit the streets by the end of October. The cameras will carry street prices of about $599 and $799 respectively.