Canon PowerShot N
CES 2013 has only just begun and already Canon has eight new compact cameras and camcorders to show off – all of which will be available in Ireland in the coming months.
PowerShot N
Taking most of the limelight among the new releases is the PowerShot N, a unique-looking square camera that’s built for instant sharing with social networks.
Featuring a 12.1MP CMOS sensor, advanced DIGIC 5 image processor, and Canon’s HS System supporting a maximum ISO of 6,400, the PowerShot N comes equipped with a 28mm 8x optical zoom lens, with ZoomPlus technology expanding zoom up to 16x at full resolution.
The symmetrical design features innovative zoom and shoot operation lens rings. While one lens ring is turned in either direction to operate the zoom, a second ring is used as the shutter release, so that the camera can be used in any orientation. This is also helped by the tilting 2.8-inch touchscreen.
Technologies such as Intelligent IS come as standard, plus Hybrid Auto, which records four seconds before every shot in 720p resolution, then uses Smart Auto technology to determine the best settings to capture the perfect shot. At the end of the day, these four-second clips are merged into one to tell a ‘behind the scenes’ story. There’s also Creative Shot mode, which automatically generates five alternative versions to the original image, adjusting variables such as composition, exposure, focus point, white balance, gradation and contrast based on an analysis of the scene.
Using the camera’s Wi-Fi connectivity, users can connect and share images and video with one touch of the Mobile Device Connect button. As well as sharing, this enables wireless printing and transfer to computers and devices.
The USB-charged PowerShot N is also capable of shooting 1080p full-HD video and a Super Slow Motion Movie mode allows for users to get creative. There’s no GPS functionality built in, but the camera uses GPS via mobile, which adds location information to images using a smartphone or tablet and the free Canon app.
The PowerShot N is available in white or black, and will reach Ireland in early April at an RRP of €349.
PowerShot A1400
Canon has also unveiled two new A-series PowerShot compact cameras. The first of which, the A1400, features a 2.7-inch LCD screen, DIGIC 4 image processor, 16MP sensor and 28mm wide-angle Canon lens capable of 5x optical zoom, which can extend to 10x with Canon’s ZoomPlus technology.
The A1400 can also record 720p HD movies at the touch of a dedicated video record button, while Digital IS automatically detects motion either from the camera or the subject and adjusts the camera’s ISO or shutter speed, or even shoots multiple images, when required to produce crisp and clear images.
An optical viewfinder allows users to take photos the old-fashioned way, and a new Eco mode helps to conserve battery life by automatically shutting down some features, such as the display, when not in use. This is particularly welcome on the A1400, which takes two AA batteries.
This shortcoming could be what makes the PowerShot A1400 so affordable, though, and it will be available from late February at an RRP of €129.
PowerShot A3500 IS
The A3500 IS features the same basic specifications as the A1400, only it loses the optical viewfinder, gains a rechargeable Li-ion battery, and its image stabilisation technology uses Intelligent IS. Its LCD screen is also slightly larger at 3 inches.
It also comes with additional capabilities, such as Wi-Fi connectivity and location tagging using GPS via mobile. The A3500 IS is also more pocket-friendly than the A1400, and is available in a choice of four colours: black, purple, red and silver.
The A3500 IS will hit stores in Ireland in early March at an RRP of €169.
IXUS 140
Following the PowerShot A3500 IS is the IXUS 140, which again comes with all the features of the former, only this time with a lens capable of 8x optical zoom extendable to 16x with Canon’s ZoomPlus technology.
The display on the IXUS is higher quality than the PowerShot models, with a 3-inch PureColor II G LCD screen.
This compact, pocket-friendly camera is just 20.6mm wide and comes in a choice of four colours: charcoal grey, silver, red and pink. It will be available from late February at an RRP of €209, as stylish design will always set you back that bit more.
LEGRIA HF R-series
Moving on from Canon’s new compact cameras, we also have some new consumer camcorders to introduce you to. Canon’s R-series of entry-level camcorders are intended to be affordable, compact and easy to use.
Three new models have been introduced – the HF R48, HF R46 and HF R406 – all of which can record full-HD video using Canon’s HD Camera System comprising a 3.2MP full-HD CMOS sensor and Canon’s new DIGIC DV4 imaging platform, which enables users to record high bit-rate and low bit-rate formats simultaneously with the R46 and R48 models.
Canon LEGRIA HF R48
The 3-inch capacitive touchscreen display makes operation easy for novice users while built-in optical image stabilisation and Intelligent IS promise to keep images free from blur. There’s even a Dynamic IS mode, which employs five-axis optical image stabilisation to correct rolling and rotational camera shake that occurs when walking.
Each of these camcorders comes with a Canon HD video lens with 32x optical zoom and support for 53x advanced zoom. For clear audio, the R-series camcorders come with Audio Scene Select technology. Using this, users can enable any of five different modes with sound settings optimised for the scene being shot, including noise reduction, music and speech.
Canon LEGRIA HF R46
The R48 and R46 models are also equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, and a Live Streaming feature allows users to monitor and record video remotely using a mobile device and Canon’s new CameraAccess app.
Canon LEGRIA HF R406
The new LEGRIA HF R-series camcorders will be available in Ireland from March. The R48 with 32GB of internal storage has an RRP of €549, while the 8GB R46 – which is available in black, red or white – has an RRP of €449. The R406 has no internal memory and its RRP is set at €339.
LEGRIA HF G25
Finally, there’s Canon’s new flagship camcorder for aspiring videographers, the LEGRIA HF G25. Canon boasts that this camcorder’s HD Camera System can deliver professional-standard results, driven by a Canon HD CMOS PRO image sensor that now offers a 20pc improvement in light sensitivity over its predecessor, the LEGRIA HF G10.
The LEGRIA HF G25 also packs an optical 30.4mm wide-angle HD video lens capable of a maximum f1.8 aperture, with anti-reflective structure to prevent light reflections or glare. Canon’s Optical Image Stabiliser technology counteracts camera shake throughout the 10x optical zoom range, while Intelligent IS technology with four modes ensures shots are blur-free.
As well as an internal microphone and audio equaliser, the G25 comes with Audio Scene Select technology and Zoom Mic mode to adjust microphone directionality, improving sound quality when closing in on more distant subjects.
The camcorder’s compact body features extensive manual controls and a 3.5-inch LCD. A new lens hood and lens barrier replaces the traditional lens cap and brings with it enhanced protection and quicker functionality as it’s operated by a single switch.
Double Slot and Relay Recording support allow users to record movies with two memory cards simultaneously or switch from the 32GB internal storage to one memory card and then the next.
In-camera down-conversion prepares movies for uploading to the web, while eight pre-loaded cinema-look filters can be refined on-screen and users can add titles or create green screen effects using Touch Decoration and the supplied stylus.
The LEGRIA HF G25 will be available in Ireland in February at an RRP of €1,199.
