Canon has launched the Powershot SX1 IS in the US market and has also announced a firmware update enabling RAW capture. Existing SX1 IS owners will also be able to download the Digital Photo Professional software to edit white balance, exposure compensation and sharpness of their RAW files before converting them to JPEG. The firmware will be available for download from mid-March 2009 while US users should be able to buy cameras from April at an MSRP of $599.

Press Release:

Ultimate image control: RAW shooting arrives for
the PowerShot SX1 IS

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 18 February 2009: Canon announces an exciting add-on for its celebrated PowerShot SX1 IS digital compact camera: firmware that allows users to capture images in RAW format.

Owners of the PowerShot SX1 IS will be able to download a firmware update which gives them the option of shooting images in high-detail, unprocessed RAW format. This is ideal for photographers seeking control over key image parameters after they shoot – rather than before.

Plus, for powerful, intuitive post-production, users of the PowerShot SX1 IS can also download Canon’s Digital Photo Professional software. This high-speed RAW editor lets users adjust key settings, such as white balance, exposure compensation and sharpness before conversion to JPEG.

The firmware will be available for download from mid-March. PowerShot SX1 IS owners should check http://web.canon.jp/imaging/BeBit-e.html for information and availability. Digital Photo Professional will also be available to download from the Canon BeBit site.