Canon at CES 2013
The new Canon Powershot N. An accessory for your smartphone?
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is currently underway in Las Vegas, NV. Technically I guess it starts tomorrow (Jan 8th 2013) and runs through Friday Jan 11th 2013. Contrary to the popular saying, in the case of CES what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas!
No sign yet of any major (or minor) Canon EOS DSLR or Lens announcement. Once could me made in the next few days though. Major DSLR annoucements aren't usually done at CES, since it's really more of an electronics show than a photo show, though these days the line is blurring somewhat.
Canon Powershot ELPH 130IS. 16MP, wireless connectivity, 28-224mm IS lens
Canon have announced a few consumer digicams though, along with video cameras and printer updates. The PowerShot ELPH 130 IS ($199.99), PowerShot A2600 ($14.99) and PowerShot A1400 ($109.99) are relatively conventional updates of existing consumer digicams. All feature a 16MP sensor, a zoom lens and HD video. The ELPH 130 has optical stabilization, while the A2600 and A1400 have digital IS. The A1400 still has an optical viewfinder, a rarity these days.
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Canon Powershot N in white
The more interesting/innovative/unusual camera is the Powershot N. At appears to be designed as a smartphone accessory and act as a sort of higher quality wireless remote camera for a smartphone. It's pretty much fully touch screen driven and it features a tilting LCD screen. There's one touch wireless connectivity to a smartphone or any wiFi hotspot, so you can shoot and transfer the images directly to the web. It will also take a shot and automatically apply different filters and crops to it for "artistic" effect (though it's not clear who is the artist here, the photographer or the camera). A quick way to upload 12MP instagrams to your facebook page I guess. With smartphone cameras being used by more and more people and with consumer digicam sales falling, it looks like the Powershot N is an attempt to grab on to what's left of a dwindling market. At $299.99 it's cheaper than the $500 Samsung Galaxy camera, which is basically an Android smartphone without the phone and with a digicam grafted onto it. 4G service is extra of course (for the Samsung, the Canon Powershot N only supports WiFi).
Here's the press release on the new Canon Powershot Digicams
And here's the press release for the Powershot N
Helping people's creativity bubble to the surface, the PowerShot N offers Creative Shot, a new imaging mode that intuitively analyzes an image and automatically creates a series of five artistic photos of the original with varying composition, lighting and color for an array of options that are ready to impress. In addition, the new PowerShot is equipped with enhanced wireless capabilities that connect the camera to a variety of mobile devices instantly, so users can upload and comment on their images while on-the-go.
In addition to offering powerful artistic and connectivity functions, the PowerShot N features a 2.8-inch capacitive, tilt-touch panel LCD, allowing users to capture creative images at unique angles. With a shutter and zoom ring, both located on the top and bottom of the lens, images can be snapped from virtually any position so the perfect shot is always within reach.
The PowerShot N offers an 8x optical zoom and a 28mm wide-angle lens, packaged with a 12.1- megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor, so your moments can be captured and preserved in stunning quality. Users can also record beautiful 1080p Full HD video with a dedicated movie button, so life's moving moments are not missed. With the built-in Hybrid Auto and Face ID systems, pin-sharp focus can be achieved quickly and easily while the camera automatically recognizes and focuses on familiar faces. For the ultimate in shooting convenience, Canon's Intelligent IS System allows the camera to automatically select the optimal image stabilization settings according to the shooting conditions, taking the guesswork out of identifying the ideal setting for each unique shot.
"An ever-increasing number of internet users continue to post their own photos and videos online," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "The new PowerShot N opens up a new dimension of photographic expression, helping people express their personal style and creative flair with powerful innovative Canon technologies."
Easy Connectivity Options for Convenient Sharing
The PowerShot N is equipped with enhanced wireless capabilities, so high-quality images can be shared with friends and family even while on-the-go. After an initial one-time set-up, the new Mobile Device Connect Button connects the camera to a variety of mobile devices for quick and easy sharing. Users simply press the Mobile Device Connect Button and launch Canon's free CameraWindow applicationi, available on both the iOS and Android operating systemsii, to wirelessly transfer photos and videos to their device. Frequently used devices and accounts are conveniently stored in the camera's wireless history menu for quick one-touch access.With these enhanced wireless capabilities, users now have the ability to comment on their uploaded photos directly from the camera - so being part of conversations taking place on social networking sites is easy and convenient. In addition, individuals can control the destination of Facebook uploads - choosing to share content with everyone, or post photos only to selected Facebook groups. Users can also instantly upload images wirelessly from the camera to Canon iMAGE GATEWAYiii, and automatically upload them to a computer remotely. Photos can also be printed wirelessly using Wireless PictBridgeiv on select Canon printers, including the new PIXMA MG6320 or PIXMA MX922 Wireless Photo All-In-One printers, so special moments can be preserved and cherished.
The Ultimate Tool to Capture Creativity
Creative Shot, available on the PowerShot N, is an easy, yet powerful tool to add artistic effects to your photos. In Creative Shot mode, users compose their shot and let the PowerShot N analyze the photo to apply a series of artistic elements by varying composition, lighting and color. After an image is captured, Creative Shot will render five different variations of the shot in different color modes, crops, and styles, delivering creative new perspectives automatically while still maintaining the original image.In addition, the new PowerShot N offers 58 scenes of Smart AUTO and provides an 8x Optical Zoom to help users capture the ultimate creative shot. A first-ever for the PowerShot line-up, the camera's shutter and zoom buttons are located on top and bottom of the lens so high and low-angle shots can be easily captured. The PowerShot N features Smart Shutter, enabling users to start tracking a subject simply by pressing the intuitive touch panel LCD, and then capture the image by lifting their finger off the screen. For added flexibility, the image on the screen rotates with the camera - so people can capture even the most unique shot.
Sleek, Small and Designed for Portability
With a sleek and distinct design, the PowerShot N measures 3.09 x 2.37 x 1.15 inches, making it ideal for quick on-the-go shooting. This camera features a 2.8-inch capacitive tilt touch panel LCD, which offers 90 degrees of tilt, encourages users to capture images from a wide array of angles and positions effectively in virtually any location. The top-mounted hinge keeps the PowerShot N compact for convenient on-the-go shooting and easy, one handed operation.The camera's 28mm wide-angle 8x optical zoom lens and shutter are both operated on the camera's dual-ring lens. The outer ring controls the shutter, which can be released from any point on the ring, and the inner ring controls the zoom, so managing the PowerShot N is easy and effortless. With these innovative new design features, users now have the ability to shoot diagonally, horizontally and from low or high angles so even the most out-of-reach image can be captured with ease.
In addition, the PowerShot N offers a new ECO Mode, a feature that provides approximately 30 percent longer battery life when enabled, by dimming the screen and eventually shutting off the display after the device has been idle for 10 seconds, allowing users to shoot more and for longer. Adding to its portability and convenience, the camera features USB charging through a computer or traditional charging by the AC adaptor, allowing users to power-up from virtually anywhere.
Pricing and Availability
The PowerShot N is expected to be available in April 2013 for an estimated retail price of $299.99, in white or black.
"Our new PowerShot models have advanced features that give photographers an enhanced high-quality imaging experience allowing them to fulfill their day-to-day photography needs, express their vision and tell their story with ease, at a great value," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communication Group, Canon U.S.A."
PowerShot ELPH 130 IS Digital Camera
The wireless functionality built into the PowerShot ELPH 130 IS digital camera is easy and intuitive and provides users with more connectivity options. With the download of the free Canon CameraWindow app2 from an Android™ or iOS® app store, users can connect to both iOS or Android™ smartphones and tablets3 to wirelessly transfer photos and videos from their camera to their device. This camera also has the ability to connect directly to social networking sites using Canon's iMAGE GATEWAY4, making photos easily accessible and ready to share. In addition, the PowerShot ELPH 130 IS digital camera has the ability to connect to computers and select PowerShot cameras with wireless functionality, making it possible for images to be available in various locations. And for even more connectivity options, photos can be printed using PictBridge5 on select Canon printers, including the new PIXMA MG6320 or PIXMA MX922 Wireless Photo All-In-One printers.To make connecting easy, a new wireless history menu lists the last three connections used for uploading and sharing images. For users who want to share their images with friends and family, the advanced wireless functionality with social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube lets users comment directly from the camera. In addition, users can share images and directly comment to Facebook groups, so the effort of first sending the images to a smartphone, and then posting to Facebook is no longer necessary.
Additionally, with features such as an ECO Mode to help conserve battery life, an 8x-Optical Zoom with 28mm wide-angle lens, and 16-megapixel sensor with a DIGIC 4 Processor, the PowerShot ELPH 130 IS digital camera is a stylish, versatile and easy-to-use camera with advanced technologies for a great shot any time. Adding to its appeal, the camera also features Smart AUTO, which provides an effortless way to get great images in many situations. The 3-inch LCD screen and Intelligent IS also makes photographing easy, with a compact and sleek design. The PowerShot ELPH 130 IS digital camera will be available in a variety of stylish colors: red, grey and silver and is scheduled to be available in February for an estimated retail price of $199.99.
PowerShot A2600 Digital Camera
The PowerShot A2600 digital camera is an ideal user-friendly camera that creates high-quality images. It features a 16-megapixel sensor and 5x-Optical Zoom 28mm wide-angle lens to capture memories that last a lifetime. To make shooting simple, Smart AUTO automatically recognizes and chooses the best settings for 32 common shooting scenarios. 720p HD video is also available with a dedicated movie button to make memories come alive in vivid, lifelike detail. For users that are accustomed to the hustle and bustle of daily life, but looking to treasure those busy moments, the PowerShot A2600 digital camera also comes equipped with a new ECO mode that assists with battery conservation by turning off the 3.0 inch LCD screen when idle. In addition, Digital IS reduces the effect of camera shake and subject movement to help produce crisp, clear images. The PowerShot A2600 digital camera is scheduled to be available in February in five color options: black, silver, red, blue and pink, for an estimated retail price of $149.99.PowerShot A1400 Digital Camera
With an optical viewfinder, 16-megapixel sensor with a DIGIC 4 Processor, the PowerShot A1400 digital camera gives even the novice photographer the ability to capture spectacular images with ease. The 28mm wide-angle lens with 5x optical zoom aids in capturing great shots from a distance. The PowerShot A1400 digital camera is also equipped with HD Video, and ECO Mode that gives users a camera that is full of features, yet easy to use and economical, allowing for a high-quality imaging experience at a great value. In addition, the PowerShot A1400 digital camera is powered by two AA batteries, allowing for easy replacement whether you are away on an overseas vacation or spending the weekend camping. To make it possible to capture the most cherished moments, the PowerShot A1400 digital camera features Digital IS to help reduce the effects of camera shake and subject movement and a help button that gives users answers to common questions they may have about the camera's many high-quality functions. For even more imaging options, the PowerShot A1400 digital camera includes scene modes such as fisheye effect, toy camera effect and monochrome that give users creative freedom. The PowerShot A1400 digital camera is scheduled to be available in February for an estimated retail price of $109.99.