Lake Success, NY—Canon USA added two PowerShot digital cameras to its lineup designed for on-the-go photographers looking for large, extended zoom lenses in compact point-and-shoot cameras. The cameras are expected to reach retail this month.
The new super-zoom models—the PowerShot SX500 IS and PowerShot SX160 IS—boast 30x and 16x optical zooms, respectively. Both are equipped with Canon’s latest advancements in autofocus (AF) technology, enhancing AF speeds over previous SX-series cameras with significantly reduced lag time.
Designed for style and borrowing from Canon’s optics heritage, the new models include Canon’s Intelligent Image Stabilization technology, which analyzes the scene being shot and compensates for camera movement for steady images and video even while panning or walking. For easy operation, both are also equipped with smart auto mode, which automatically applies optimum image settings for 32 shooting scenarios.
“In photography, there is no substitution for great optical zoom, and while our customers may not always be close to the action, these cameras are designed to help bring their photos and videos in close, with great image resolution and quality as if they were standing right there,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon USA.
PowerShot SX500 IS. With a 24mm wide-angle lens and a 30x optical zoom (up to 720mm), the SX500 IS utilizes a 16 megapixel sensor, a Digic 4 image processor and Canon’s Intelligent IS system that works even when recording HD video at full-telephoto zoom. Other features include a 3.0-inch LCD screen and a zoom framing assist function designed to make zooming in and framing subjects effortless. By pressing the zoom framing assist button on the lower front left of the camera, the lens will quickly zoom out to help shooters relocate and frame a subject. A frame box appears on the LCD as a guide to place the subject in, and releasing the button brings the camera back to the initial “zoomed-in” range. The lens retraction and extension is faster using this button than the zoom lever, and it allows photographers to keep the camera more stable for the shot. $329.99.
PowerShot SX160 IS. With a 16x optical zoom, the SX160 IS is a versatile camera offering an optical zoom range from 28mm wide up to 448mm. It also provides a 16 megapixel sensor, a Digic 4 processor and Canon’s Intelligent IS system. A dedicated movie button allows users to start and stop recording HD video instantly, and the camera uses its full range of optical zoom when recording, without sacrificing HD resolution. Other features include a 3.0-inch LCD, the use of AA batteries and a choice of red or black body colors. $229.99. usa.canon.com
