Canon has introduced the new PowerShot G12 and SX30 IS. The 10-megapixel G12 has 720p high definition video capability with stereo sound, high dynamic range and multiple aspect ratios and a front control dial. The 14.1 megapixel SX30 IS point-and-shoot has a 35x wide-angle optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization, a bigger vari-angle LCD display and zoom framing assist.
For the first time in its PowerShot G-series, Canon has brought 720p high
definition movie recording with stereo audio to the PowerShot G12. There’s
also a new Miniature Effect added to the movie recording options and the
inclusion of a HDMI-out port caters for onward video playback on big screen
televisions. The G12 has Hybrid image stabilization technology, which is
said to compensate for both angular and shift camera shake, the automatic
scene selection capabilities offered by Smart Auto and a High Dynamic Range
(HDR) scene mode. HDR snaps three shots at different exposures to produce
one image containing very dark tones and bright highlights producing greater image details. Canon has placed a digital SLR-like control dial to the front of the camera and expanded the camera’s storage capacity options with the inclusion of SDXC compatibility.
The camera’s 10 megapixel CCD sensor works with the company’s own DIGIC 4 Image Processor to provide clear, exceptional images in low-light settings
as part of the HS (High Sensitivity) SYSTEM. The PowerShot G12 will be
available from October for an estimated selling price of US$500.
Canon says that the new PowerShot SX30 IS is the world’s first
point-and-shoot model to feature a 35x-Wide Angle Optical Zoom lens with
Optical Image Stabilization. This delivers ultra-wide 24mm to 840mm
telephoto capabilities and the addition of a new Zoom Framing Assist button
provides a means of getting to grips with all of the available lens
functionality. It has a 14.1 megapixel CCD sensor, Smart Auto and now
sports a bigger 2.7-inch, 230,000 dot vari-angle LCD. It also has ditched
the AA-size batteries of the SX20 IS before it in favor of a Lithium-ion
solution. There’s SDXC media card support and an outer body redesign gives
it different dimensions to the previous model at 4.84 x 3.64 x 4.24 inch
(122.9 x 92.4 x 107.7mm).
The SX30 IS keeps the same ISO80 to ISO1600 sensitivity capabilities of the
previous PowerShot SX20 IS model. The DIGIC 4 Image Processor and 720p high definition video with stereo audio still feature but the new camera gains
Miniature Effect and HDMI-out. The PowerShot SX30 IS will sell for $430, and will be available in late September.
