NewsFebruary 2009

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Canon unveils PowerShot SX200 IS zoom compact

Pre-PMA 2009: Canon has jumped into the small-body, moderate zoom market (think Panasonic TZ5) with the PowerShot SX200 IS zoom compact. Sporting a 12.1 MP sensor, image-stabilized lens with 12x Optical zoom (28 - 336mm equiv) and a 3.0" LCD, it includes a host of features including the Smart Auto mode and enhanced Easy mode, Enhanced Face Detection with Face Select & Track, Face Self-Timer, Auto Red-Eye Correction and HD video recording.

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• Press Release
• Technologies Explained
• Specifications
• Additional images

Press Release:

The new PowerShot SX200 IS: Canon’s super compact wide zoom

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 18 February 2009: Canon today strengthens its PowerShot range of digital cameras with the launch of the PowerShot SX200 IS – a new Super Zoom model in a strikingly compact body. With a wide-angle (28mm) 12x optical zoom lens and powered by Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor for ultra-fast performance and outstanding image quality, this 12.1 Megapixel camera is the ideal travel companion. Richly detailed movies can be shot in High Definition (720p, 30fps), with a built-in HDMI connection for playback on HD televisions. The addition of a full Manual shooting mode gives users control when they want it.

Designed with travel in mind
With a classic aluminium design available in black, blue or red the PowerShot SX200 IS packs a lot into a compact body, making it the perfect camera for the keen traveller. A powerful 12x zoom lens, beginning at a wide 28mm, tackles landscape shots or distant subjects with equal effectiveness. Canon’s 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer technology combats the blur caused by camera shake – even at the telephoto end of the zoom range and in low-light situations.

Small on size, big on quality
Incredible 12.1 Megapixel resolution is captured by the camera’s sensor, offering the freedom to crop or enlarge images to perfection with no loss in detail. Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor uses improved algorithms and calculation accuracy, allowing the PowerShot SX200 IS to deliver ultra-fast operation, and rich, low-noise images with outstanding clarity and colour reproduction.

Intelligent features for maximum creativity
For maximum results with minimum effort, the PowerShot SX200 IS incorporates a new Smart Auto mode and enhanced Easy mode. Both of these modes use Canon’s Scene Detection Technology to analyse the shooting scene in detail – checking subject brightness, contrast, distance and overall hue – then select optimum settings accordingly. Photographers wanting total control over their shots can switch to a full Manual control mode.

DIGIC 4 processing also drives greater accuracy in Canon’s other intelligent technologies. Improved Motion Detection and Servo AF aid blur-free capture of moving subjects, while i-Contrast brightens dark areas of images without blowing out lighter areas. Canon’s Face Detection Technology now includes new
Blink Detection, to help avoid the disappointment of mistimed portrait shots. FaceSelf-Timer simplifies group shots or self portraits by waiting until the user enters the frame before shooting.

Movies in High Definition
For moments that deserve a place on TV, users can supplement their still images with continuous video clips in breathtaking High Definition (720p). The integrated HDMI connection allows instant playback on any HDTV.

The large 3.0” LCD allows easy framing and detailed review of shots and movies alike, with a wide viewing angle enabling easy sharing. In addition, a clever new User Interface provides on-screen Hints and Tips – perfect for users looking to learn more about how different settings affect shots.

“With a combination of high zoom power, high resolution and High Definition video capability, the PowerShot SX200 IS lets you capture your adventures in uncompromising detail,” said Rainer Fuehres, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe.

• Compact, 12x optical zoom starting at wide-angle 28mm
• 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer lens
• 12.1 Megapixels
• DIGIC 4 for ultra-fast response, superb image quality and intelligent technologies
• Smart Auto mode with Scene Detection Technology
• Combats blur with IS, Motion Detection Technology and Servo AF
• People shots made easy with Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB and Face Select & Track, plus FaceSelf-Timer and Auto Red-Eye Correction
• 3.0”, high resolution LCD
• High Definition (720p) movie with HDMI connection
• Shooting modes include Manual control and Easy mode
• New, easy-to-use User Interface with hints and tips
• Classic aluminium design available in black, blue and red

Printing
The PowerShot SX200 IS features 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 SX200 IS features a user interface that supports 26 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 Farsi.

Memory Card Support
In addition to SD, SDHC and MMC memory cards, the PowerShot SX200 IS supports MMCplus and HC MMCplus card formats.

Software and CANON iMAGE GATEWAY
The PowerShot SX200 IS comes bundled with the following Canon Software:

• ZoomBrowser EX 6.3 (Windows), ImageBrowser 6.3 (Macintosh): For organising 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) / XP SP2-3 and Macintosh OS X v10.4-10.5. Both cameras support 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 SX200 IS 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 SX200 IS can be combined with the following accessories:

• Soft Case (DCC-1000)
• High Power Flash (HF-DC1)
• AC Adapter Kit (ACK-DC30)
• HDMI Cable (HTC-100)

Technologies Explained:

Key Messages:

• AUTO mode is new for 1H09 in February launched Canon Cameras
• Latest Smart AUTO mode now incorporates advanced Scene Detection Technology
• Smart Auto makes it even easier for users to get better quality images with a press of the shutter button
• DIGIC 4 enables Smart Auto to be more accurate and give better images.

Introduction
Spring 2009 sees the launch of a new step-change in image quality for Canon cameras. For as long as most users can remember, AUTO mode has been a feature of point and shoot cameras -allowing minimal intervention or expertise needed to achieve satisfactory focus and exposure.  Since the introduction and rise of digital photography, there have been many technological advances and additional shooting modes, yet AUTO mode remains the staple favourite of many snappers.  Research conducted by Canon also reveals that AUTO is one of the most frequently used shooting modes.

Cameras with IQ
From today Canon are making AUTO mode different. The latest range of Digital Still Camera products launched incorporate a new smart system that uses Scene Detection Technology, which along with other advanced Canon technologies, leads to one of the most comprehensive and clever AUTO modes ever seen on a digital camera. Whilst complex in technology, Smart AUTO still delivers the peace of mind and ease of use for point and shooters that has always been expected from selecting the familiar green icon mode.

With intelligent and integrated use of key functions such as focus, exposure, ISO sensitivity, flash, dynamic range adjustments and Intelligent Contrast Correction, Canon Cameras have never been so smart.  Added to these Canon Motion Detection and Face Detection Technology plus advanced Noise Reduction, together with pleasing colour rendition all delivered by the DIGIC 4 processor, mean when selecting AUTO mode on these latest models, users can be assured of the best in image quality even in more challenging shooting conditions.

Smart Auto overview:
Using Scene Detection Technology, Smart AUTO can distinguish parameters allowing the camera to carry out optimum processing for a shot by:

• Detecting people
• Evaluating Distances
• Evaluating Subject and camera movement information
• Analysing Scene Brightness
• Analysing Colour

Canon PowerShot SX200 IS specifications

Sensor	• 1/2.3" Type CCD • 12.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 4000 x 3000 • 3264 x 2448 • 2592 x 1944 • 1600 x 1200 • 640 x 480 • 320 x 140 • 4000 x 2248
Movie clips	• 1280 x 720 @ 30fps [HD] • 640 x 480 @ 30fps [L] • 320 x 240 @ 30fps [M]
Maximum clip length	• Upto 4GB or 1/2 hour [HD] • Upto 4GB or 1 hour [L or M]
File formats	• JPEG (Exif v2.2) • DPOF 1.1 • MOV [H.264 + Linear PCM (Monaural) • WAVE (Sound Files)
Lens	• 28 - 336mm (35mm equiv) • 12x optical zoom • F3.4-5.3
Image stabilization	Yes (Lens-Shift)
Digital zoom	up to 4x
Focus	TTL
AF area modes	• Face Detection AiAF / 9 point • 1-point AF (center or Face Select and Track)
AF lock	Yes (On/Off Selectable)
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	Closest focus distance 0 cm
Metering	• Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame) • Center-weighted average • Spot (center or linked to Face Detection)
ISO sensitivity	• 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	15-1/3200 sec
Modes	• Auto • Program AE • Shutter priority AE • Aperture priority AE • Manual • Easy • Portrait • Landscape • Night Snapshot
Scene modes	• Portrait • Kids & Pets • Indoor • Sunset • Fireworks • Long Shutter • Beach • Underwater • Aquarium • Foliage • Snow • ISO 3200 • Digital Macro • Color Accent • Color Swap • Stitch Assist
White balance	• Auto (including Face Detection WB) • Daylight • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent • Fluorescent H • Custom
Self timer	• 2 or 10sec • Custom or Face Self Timer
Continuous shooting	• Approx 0.8 fps
Image parameters	My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color)
Flash	Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync • Face Detection FE compensation • Safety FE compensation • Flash exposure lock • +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments. Face Detection FE • Range (30cm - 3.2m (W) / 2m (T) • Manual : 3 levels with internal flash • External HF-DC1 flash (optional)
LCD monitor	• 3.0" TFT • 230,000 pixels • 100% coverage • Adjustable
Connectivity	• HDMI connector • USB Hi-Speed • AV out (PAL / NTSC switchable)
Storage	• SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
Power	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-5L
Weight (no batt)	220 g
Dimensions	103 x 61 x 38 mm