Canon also took advantage of the PMA trade show to introduce five new digital cameras that will be available in April.
PowerShot S1 IS
The PowerShot S1 IS offers 3.2 megapixel images, 10x optical zoom, 3.2x digital zoom, optical Image Stabilization technology, and the ability to record movies at up to 30 frames per second with 640 x 480 resolution.
The PowerShot can also record film clips of up to an hour in length, depending on the memory card’s capacity and the remaining battery charge; Canon notes that a 1GB CompactFlash card is enough for an hour of footage. It’s also compatible with Type I and Type II Flash cards up to and over 2GB in size. Digital video features include zooming, changing auto exposure and auto white balance during a clip, and 16-bit sound with 22KHz sampling frequency.
Canon expects to ship the US$499 camera in April with four AA Alkaline batteries, a strap, a lens cap, USB and AV cables, and a 32MB Compact Flash card.
PowerShot Pro 1
The Pro 1 is a top-of-the-line camera capable of shooting 8 megapixel images at 3264 x 2448 pixels. It features a 28-200mm F/2.4-3.5 7x optical zoom lens that pulls in faraway subjects with a twist of a lens ring, a 2-inch LCD screen capable of displaying 235,000 pixels, a mode dial that includes two custom modes, and compatibility with all EX-series Canon Speedlites and Macro Lites.
In addition, the Pro 1 can record 640 x 480 resolution movies at 15 frames per second for up to 30 seconds per clip. Lower resolution movies with sound at 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 can run up to 3 minutes. Its slot accepts Type I or Type II CompactFlash cards, including Microdrives, and connectivity options include USB and an AV port for playback through a VCR or TV.
You’ll be able to find the PowerShot Pro 1 in stores in April. The estimated retail price is $999, and it will include a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack and charger, a wireless remote controller, a lens hood and 58mm filter adapter, USB and AV cables, and a 64MB CompactFlash card.
New PowerShot Digital ELPH cameras
Finally, Canon announced three new point-and-shoot PowerShot Digital ELPH cameras: the S500, the S410, and the SD110. They will be available in April with estimated prices of $499, $399, and $299, respectively. All three will ship with a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack and charger, USB and AV cables, and a 32MB CompactFlash card, except the SD110, which will come with a 16MB SD card. They’re compatible with Mac OS 9.0-9.2 or Mac OS X v.10.1 and v.10.2 (Jaguar).
The S500 model is a five megapixel camera that can shoot pictures in JPEG format and record video clips of up to 30 seconds in length at 640 x 480 resolution and 10 frames per second. You can also record videos of up to three minutes with sound at 15 frames per second if you drop the resolution to 320 x 240 or 160 x 120. It features a 3x optical, 4.1x digital zoom lens and a continuous burst mode capable of up to 2.2 frames per second at full resolution.
The S410 offers four megapixel images and digital video capabilities of 15 frames per second at 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 resolution for up to three minutes. It also features evaluative, center-weighted or spot metering for better exposure control, shutter speeds ranging from 15 seconds to 1/2000 of a second, and 3x optical, 3.6x digital zoom.
The SD110 is a 3.2 megapixel camera with 2x optical, 3.2x digital zoom and the ability to grab video clips of up to 30 seconds at 640 x 480 resolution or up to three minutes at 320 x 240 or 160 x 120.
Both the SD110 and the S500 will also be available as Coach Edition Gift Sets that will include the camera, a custom-made, black leather Coach carrying case, a Coach Edition metal neck strap, and a gift box. The estimated street prices will be $549 for the S500 and $349 for the SD110.