NewsAugust 2008

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Three new Canon Powershots

Pre-Photokina 2008: Next up from Canon today is this trio of entry-level compact digital cameraso. The PowerShot A1000 IS and PowerShot A2000 IS replace the PowerShot A580 and PowerShot A720 IS respectively. Smaller in size than previous A series cameras, the new models have a 10.0MP sensor, advanced noise reduction, faster buffering speeds, Face Detection and Image Stabilization. These are joined by a 'ladies-exclusive' PowerShot E1, available in white, blue and pink. This curvaceous 10MP digital compact camera has 17 shooting modes, 2.5” LCD, Face Detection, Motion Detection and Long Play mode for videos.. All cameras offer beginners the option of switching to an Easy Mode enabling them to have a simplified menu, both for shooting and viewing.

Features at a glance

• 10.0 Megapixels
• Color variations
  Blue, Brown or Silver (PowerShot A1000 IS)
  White, Pink or Blue (PowerShot E1)
• 6x optical zoom lens with Image Stabilizer (PowerShot A2000 IS)
  4x optical zoom lens with Image Stabilizer (PowerShot A1000 IS,
  PowerShot E1)
• DIGIC III with iSAPs for clear, sharp images and fast response times
• 17 shooting modes including Easy Mode, Sunset mode and IS0 3200 mode
• Great people shots with Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB plus Face Select & Track
• Combats blur with High ISO Auto, optical Image Stabilizer,
  Motion Detection Technology
• Auto Red-Eye Correction in shooting and playback
• 2.5” (3.0” on PowerShot A2000 IS) LCD screen with wide viewing angle, plus real-image optical viewfinder (PowerShot A1000 IS and PowerShot E1 only)
• Smooth, 30fps VGA movies with Long Play mode
• All models powered by AA batteries for versatility

Jump to:

• Press Release
• Technologies explained
• Specifications
• Additional images

Press Release:

PowerShot reloaded: Canon introduces the new A-series and launches the E-Series

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 26 August 2008: Canon today re-imagines its PowerShot range with the launch of 3 stylish, extra-compact cameras. Replacing the PowerShot A580 and PowerShot A720 IS respectively, the 10MP PowerShot A1000 IS and PowerShot A2000 IS deliver outstanding PowerShot imaging in pocket-sized form, with designs around 25% smaller than those of their predecessors. In addition, an all-new type of PowerShot – the 10MP PowerShot E1, designed by women for women –brings head-turning, feminine style to the range. A new Easy Mode, featured on all three cameras, allows even complete beginners to take great photos with ease.

Ultra portable & stylish
All three models offer incredibly compact dimensions, making them the most portable PowerShot models to date. This new ultra-compact approach is complemented by stylish designs in a range of colour.
The smooth, tactile PowerShot A1000 IS comes in a choice of Blue, Brown or Silver, while the PowerShot E1 combines a unique, curvaceous aesthetic with White, Pink or Blue.
The PowerShot A2000 IS features a powerful 6 x zoom with a simple, bold design in gunmetal and silver.

Great photos, the easy way
Each camera incorporates a range of Canon technologies designed to make taking pictures effortless. A range of 17 different shooting modes includes a new
Easy Mode, which sees all shooting settings chosen automatically by the camera - perfect for beginners prone to making unsuitable adjustments. Easy Mode also limits Playback options to simple image viewing and deletion functions.

As well as powering features including Face Detection Technology, Canon’s
DIGIC III image processor enables quick response times, fast buffering speeds, and advanced noise reduction. iSAPS technology uses shooting scene data to optimize camera settings even before a shot is taken.

Intelligent technologies for better photos
Beautiful photography becomes effortless thanks to a full suite of Canon technologies – including Face Detection Technology (including Face Select & Track), Auto Red Eye Correction for perfect people shots.
To keep shots looking sharp, Motion Detection Technology – activated in High ISO Auto mode – uses Face Detection Technology, Canon’s powerful optical Image Stabilizer and scene information to identify subject motion and camera-shake. ISO is also optimized for minimum blur and maximum image quality.

“Today sees the PowerShot range taken to a new level,” commented Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “Each of these models offers the remarkable combination of pocket-friendly, outstanding PowerShot imaging.”

Printing
The PowerShot A1000 IS, PowerShot A2000 IS and PowerShot E1 feature a dedicated Print menu for quick access to direct print options. Full PictBridge support means users can print directly to any PictBridge compatible printer without the need for a PC. A Print/Share button allows one-touch printing and easy uploads to Windows or Mac systems.

Language
The PowerShot A1000 IS, PowerShot A2000 IS and PowerShot E1 feature a user interface that supports 25 languages: English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Greek, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, Romanian, Ukrainian and - new for Autumn 2008 - Farsi.

Memory Card Support
In addition to SD, SDHC and MMC memory cards, the PowerShot A1000 IS,  PowerShot A2000 IS and PowerShot E1 support MMCplus and HC MMCplus card formats.All three cameras are supplied with a 32MB memory card.

Software and CANON iMAGE GATEWAY
The PowerShot A1000 IS, PowerShot A2000 IS and PowerShot E1 come bundled with the following Canon Software:

• ZoomBrowser EX 6.1 (Windows), ImageBrowser 6.1 (Macintosh): For organizing and editing images, movies and slideshows, or creating and printing digital photo albums.
• PhotoStitch 3.1 (Windows), PhotoStitch 3.2 (Mac): For creating panoramic photos from multiple images.

The bundled software supports Windows Vista (including SP1) / and XP SP2 and Macintosh OS X v10.4-10.5. Each camera supports PTP for driverless transfer to Windows XP and Macintosh OS X, along with MTP for image and movie transfers to Windows Vista.

Purchasers of the PowerShot A1000 IS, PowerShot A2000 IS and PowerShot E1 are eligible for free membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, 100MB of online ‘personal gallery’ space for sharing stills and video with family and friends.

Optional Accessories
The PowerShot A1000 IS, PowerShot A2000 IS and PowerShot E1 can be combined with the following accessories:

• Soft Case (DCC-900) – PowerShot E1
• Soft Case (ECC-85) – PowerShot A1000 IS, PowerShot A2000 IS
• High power Flash (HF-DC1) – PowerShot A1000 IS, PowerShot A2000 IS,  PowerShot E1
• AC Adaptor Kit (ACK800) – PowerShot A1000 IS, PowerShot A2000 IS,  PowerShot E1
• Battery Charger Kit (CBK4-300) – PowerShot A1000 IS,
  PowerShot A2000 IS, PowerShot E1
• Ni-MH Batteries (NB4-300) – PowerShot A1000 IS, PowerShot A2000 IS,  PowerShot E1

Technologies Explained

DIGIC III
Canon’s DIGIC III (Digital Imaging Core) image processor manages all of the camera’s primary functions to optimize operating efficiency. Advanced image processing algorithms deliver superb image detail and colour reproduction with accurate white balance. High-speed processing results in outstanding responsiveness, rapid auto focus and extended continuous shooting ability.
DIGIC also powers advanced Noise Reduction Technology and Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB. Hasn’t been updated for WB?

Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB and Face Select & Track
Canon’s Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB system automatically detects up to nine faces within a frame before adjusting focus, exposure, flash and white balance to ensure optimal results. It is able to determine which faces are intended to be the subject, instantly reverting to the partnering 9-point AiAF system if no face is the primary subject. Face Select & Track allows the user to select a particular face to be the main subject of a photograph and track it, for the best possible results.

iSAPS
iSAPS (intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) automatically optimizes key camera settings before every shot. Each scene is analyses and cross-referenced against Photographic Space – a vast in-camera library of photographic data. This enables the camera to make optimal adjustments to auto exposure, auto focus and auto white balance before image capture occurs.

Optical Image Stabilizer
The PowerShot A1000 IS, PowerShot A2000 IS and PowerShot E1 all use a lens shift-type Image Stabilizer (IS) system to detect and correct slight camera shakes that can cause image blur. Minute vibration gyros detect lens tilting caused by hand shake. These signals – 4,000 per second – are processed by a single-chip IS controller, which discriminates between hand shake and unintentional camera movements. Shake signals are sent to the IS unit, which moves one of the lens elements accordingly to deflect the light rays and cancel out the effects of shake. For improved accuracy and responsiveness, the moving lens element is supported on tiny ceramic spheres. In addition to minimizing friction, ceramic spheres avoid some of the problems that can affect metal systems, such as thermal expansion and magnetism. The optical IS of both models allows photographers to shoot at shutter speeds up to 3 stops slower with no perceptible increase in image blur due to camera shake.

Additional images

Canon PowerShot E1 specifications

Sensor	• 1/2.3" Type CCD • 10.0 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 3648 x 2736 • 2816 x 2112 • 2272 x 1704 • 1600 x 1200 • 640 x 480 • 3648 x 2048
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 @ 30fps • 320 x 240 @ 30fps • 160 x 120 @ 15fps
Maximum clip length	• 640 x 480, 320 x 240: 4GB or 1 hour • 160 x 120: 3 mins
File formats	• JPEG (Exif v2.2) • DPOF 1.1 • AVI (Motion JPEG + WAVE)
Lens	• 35-140mm (35mm equiv) • 4x optical zoom • F2.7-5.6
Image stabilization	Yes (Lens-Shift)
Conversion lenses	No
Digital zoom	up to 4x
Focus	TTL
AF area modes	• Face Detection AiAF • 1-point AF (center or Face Select and Track)
AF lock	Yes (on/off selectable)
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	Closest focus distance 3 cm
Metering	• Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame) • Center-weighted average • Spot (center)
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • High ISO Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600
AE lock	Yes (on/off selectable)
Exposure compensation	+/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments
Shutter speed	15-1/1600 sec
Modes	• Auto • Program AE • Manual • Easy • Indoor • Portrait • Landscape • Night Snapshot • Kids & Pets • Special Scene • Stitch Assist • Movie
Scene modes	• Easy • Portrait • Landscape • Night Snapshot • Kids & Pets • Night Scene • Indoor • Foliage • Snow • Beach • Fireworks • Aquarium
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent • Fluorescent H • Custom
Self timer	2 or 10sec, custom
Continuous shooting	• Approx 1.3fps until card is full
Image parameters	My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Custom Color)
Flash	• Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Slow Sync, Red-eye reduction • +/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments • Face Detection FE compensation • Safety FE • Flash exposure lock • Range (Auto ISO):30cm - 4.0m (wide) / 2.0m (tele)
Viewfinder	Yes
LCD monitor	• 2.5-inch P-Si TFT • 115,000 pixels • 100% coverage
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed • AV out (PAL / NTSC switchable)
Print compliance	PictBridge
Storage	• SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus , HC MMCplus compatible • 32 MB card supplied
Power	• 2x AA Alkaline or NiMH batteries • Optional AC adapter ACK800
Weight (no batt)	160g
Dimensions	101 x 64 x 32 mm

PowerShot A1000 IS specifications

Sensor	• 1/2.3" Type CCD • 10.0 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 3648 x 2736 • 2816 x 2112 • 2272 x 1704 • 1600 x 1200 • 640 x 480 • 3648 x 2048
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 @ 30fps • 320 x 240 @ 30fps • 160 x 120 @ 15fps
Maximum clip length	• 640 x 480, 320 x 240: 4GB or 1 hour • 160 x 120: 3 mins
File formats	• JPEG (Exif v2.2) • DPOF 1.1 • AVI (Motion JPEG + WAVE)
Lens	• 35-140mm (35mm equiv) • 4x optical zoom • F2.7-5.6
Image stabilization	Yes (Lens-Shift)
Conversion lenses	No
Digital zoom	up to 4x
Focus	TTL
AF area modes	• Face Detection AiAF • 1-point AF (center or Face Select and Track)
AF lock	Yes (on/off selectable)
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	Closest focus distance 3 cm
Metering	• Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame) • Center-weighted average • Spot (center)
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • High ISO Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600
AE lock	Yes (on/off selectable)
Exposure compensation	+/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments
Shutter speed	15-1/1600 sec
Modes	• Auto • Program AE • Manual • Easy • Indoor • Portrait • Landscape • Night Snapshot • Kids & Pets • Special Scene • Stitch Assist • Movie
Scene modes	• Easy • Portrait • Landscape • Night Snapshot • Kids & Pets • Night Scene • Indoor • Foliage • Snow • Beach • Fireworks • Aquarium
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent • Fluorescent H • Custom
Self timer	2 or 10sec, custom
Continuous shooting	• Approx 1.3fps until card is full
Image parameters	My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Custom Color)
Flash	• Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Slow Sync, Red-eye reduction • +/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments • Face Detection FE compensation • Safety FE • Flash exposure lock • Range (Auto ISO):30cm - 4.0m (wide) / 2.0m (tele)
Viewfinder	Yes
LCD monitor	• 2.5-inch P-Si TFT • 115,000 pixels • 100% coverage
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed • AV out (PAL / NTSC switchable)
Print compliance	PictBridge
Storage	• SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus , HC MMCplus compatible • 32 MB card supplied
Power	• 2x AA Alkaline or NiMH batteries • Optional AC adapter ACK800
Weight (no batt)	155 g
Dimensions	96 x 63 x 31 mm

PowerShot A2000 IS specifications

Sensor	• 1/2.3" Type CCD • 10.0 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 3648 x 2736 • 2816 x 2112 • 2272 x 1704 • 1600 x 1200 • 640 x 480 • 3648 x 2048
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 @ 30fps • 320 x 240 @ 30fps • 160 x 120 @ 15fps
Maximum clip length	• 640 x 480, 320 x 240: 4GB or 1 hour • 160 x 120: 3 mins
File formats	• JPEG (Exif v2.2) • DPOF 1.1 • AVI (Motion JPEG + WAVE)
Lens	• 36-216mm (35mm equiv) • 4x optical zoom • F3.2-5.9
Image stabilization	Yes (Lens-Shift)
Conversion lenses	No
Digital zoom	up to 4x
Focus	TTL
AF area modes	• Face Detection AiAF • 1-point AF (center or Face Select and Track)
AF lock	Yes (on/off selectable)
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	Closest focus distance 3 cm
Metering	• Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame) • Center-weighted average • Spot (center)
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • High ISO Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600
AE lock	Yes (on/off selectable)
Exposure compensation	+/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments
Shutter speed	15-1/1600 sec
Modes	• Auto • Program AE • Manual • Easy • Indoor • Portrait • Landscape • Night Snapshot • Kids & Pets • Special Scene • Stitch Assist • Movie
Scene modes	• Easy • Portrait • Landscape • Night Snapshot • Kids & Pets • Night Scene • Indoor • Foliage • Snow • Beach • Fireworks • Aquarium
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent • Fluorescent H • Custom
Self timer	2 or 10sec, custom
Continuous shooting	• Approx 1.3fps until card is full
Image parameters	My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Custom Color)
Flash	• Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Slow Sync, Red-eye reduction • +/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments • Face Detection FE compensation • Safety FE • Flash exposure lock • Range (Auto ISO):30cm - 3.5m (wide) / 2.0m (tele)
Viewfinder	No
LCD monitor	• 3.0-inch P-Si TFT • 230,000 pixels • 100% coverage
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed • AV out (PAL / NTSC switchable)
Print compliance	PictBridge
Storage	• SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus , HC MMCplus compatible • 32 MB card supplied
Power	• 2x AA Alkaline or NiMH batteries • Optional AC adapter ACK800
Weight (no batt)	190g
Dimensions	102 x 64 x 32 mm