Pre-Photokina 2006: Canon's third new compact today is another image stabilized Ixus/ELPH, this time with a useful (and still fairly rare) 28-105mm wideangle zoom. The $449 / €449 SD800 IS Digital ELPH also features Digic III processor, large 2.5-inch screen, face detection technology and 7.1MP sensor.

  • US name: Canon PowerShot SD800 IS Digital ELPH
  • European name: Canon Digital IXUS 850 IS
  • Asian name: IXY Digital 900 IS

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Press Release:

Canon’s first wide angle Digital IXUS includes DIGIC III and Face Detection

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Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 14 September, 2006: Canon today debuts its latest offering for the style-conscious photo enthusiast – the Digital IXUS 850 IS. The 7.1 Megapixel camera introduces wide-angle zoom capability to the Digital IXUS range for the first time with an optical Image Stabilizer and 28mm (35mm equivalent) 3.8x optical zoom lens.

Geared to satisfy serious photographers, the ultra-compact Digital IXUS 850 IS stays true to its design heritage with a smoothly sculpted curvature design and all-metal finish. Enhanced performance and image quality are assured through Canon's latest DIGIC III image processor , which also enables low-noise ISO 1600 shooting and new Face Detection AF/AE – a Canon technology that detects up to nine faces in a frame and automatically optimises the focus and exposure for great people shots.
The Digital IXUS 850 IS will be available from early October.

Key specifications include:

  • 7.1 Megapixels and 3.8x zoom
  • Wide angle 28mm lens with Optical Image Stabilizer
  • DIGIC III with Advanced Noise Reduction and Face Detection
  • AF/AE Safety Zoom for extra telephoto reach
  • ISO 1600
  • High resolution 2.5" LCD17 shooting modes including VGA movies (30 fps) with sound
  • Range of optional accessories including Underwater Case

"This latest incarnation of the Digital IXUS shows just how far the range has developed since the original analogue IXUS was launched in 1996," explains Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. "By incorporating a string of firsts that will appeal to photo hobbyists – wide angle capability, DIGIC III and Face Detection AF/AE – IXUS continues to innovate."Wide-angle Digital IXUS.

Offering a focal length range of 28 – 105mm (35mm equivalent), the Digital IXUS 850 IS's 3.8x optical zoom lens allows photographers to capture wider panoramas, architectural photos and group shots. The lens incorporates Canon's optical Image Stabilizer to counteract the effects of camera shake for steadier performance in low light, at full zoom or when shooting from moving vehicles.

Image Quality
The 7.1 Megapixel sensor ensures that images are captured with all the detail needed for large photo quality prints. Taking advantage of the camera's resolving power, photographers can use the Safety Zoom feature to expand the zoom range without impacting on image quality – up to 15x zoom when shooting Small size images.

New DIGIC III Processor with Face Detection AF/AE
Delivering fast, responsive camera performance and superb image rendering, the new DIGIC III processor also drives Canon’s landmark Face Detection technology. Face Detection AF/AE ensures accurate and bright people shots by automatically detecting faces in a scene and optimising focus and exposure accordingly. The system is designed to cleverly revert to 9-point AiAF if it determines that the main subject is non-human, avoiding focusing errors at tourist attractions and other crowded locations. Face Detection AF/AE performs accurately with large groups and when subjects are distant or move within the frame. Because the technology is hardware-based, it operates at the same rapid speed as Canon's standard AiAF.

Shooting modes and My Colors
Adaptable to almost any shooting situation, the camera's 17 shooting modes include a new Aquarium Special Scene mode and a manual mode for selection of exposure settings such as White Balance and ISO – now made easier with the inclusion of a dedicated ISO button. For creative image manipulation in-camera, My Colors photo effects can be applied during and after shooting. A new My Category function simplifies image management by automatically tagging images with categories such as People, Scenery and Events, based on face detection and the shooting mode selected.

The camera’s movie functions include 30fps VGA recording with sound. Canon’s unique Intelligent Orientation Sensor automatically rotates vertically shot movies for playback on camera, PC or TV via the integrated AV Out connection.

LCD Enhancements
The Digital IXUS 850 IS's bright 2.5" LCD screen features a wide viewing angle for comfortable image framing and viewing. Benefiting from a screen resolution of 207,000 pixels, users can select the Image Inspection Tool to display a magnified section next to each captured shot straight after shooting. The magnified spot can be moved between AF points or to any area of the image, allowing users to check sharpness or facial expressions before leaving the scene. A selectable 3:2 ratio overlay aids composition by displaying the printable area for standard photo prints. The user interface (UI) has also been enhanced to speed up navigation between related camera settings. For accurate framing without the LCD, the camera retains a real-image optical viewfinder– useful in difficult lighting situations or when battery power is running low.

Canon PowerShot SD800 IS Digital Elph specifications

Sensor

• 1/2.5 " Type CCD
• 7.1 million effective pixels

Image sizes • 3072 x 2304
• 3072 x 1728
• 2592 x 1944
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200
• 640 x 480
Movie clips • 640 x 480 @ 30 / 15fps
• 320 x 240 @ 60 / 30 / 15fps
• 160 x 120 @ 15fps
File formats • JPEG Exif 2.2
• DCF
• DPOF
• AVI Motion JPEG with WAVE monaural
Lens • 28-105mm (35mm equiv)
• F2.8-5.8
• 3.8x optical zoom
Image stabilization Shift-type
Conversion lenses No
Digital zoom up to 4x
Focus TTL
AF area modes • AiAF (Face Detection / 9-point)
• 1-point AF (fixed center)
AF assist lamp Yes
Focus distance Closest 3cm
Metering • Evaluative
• Center-weighted average
• Spot
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• ISO 80
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600
Exposure compensation +/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments
Shuttter speed 15-1/1600 sec
Aperture F2.8-5.8
Modes • Auto
• Manual
• Digital Macro
• Color Accent
• Color Swap
• Stitch Assist
• Movie
• Special Scene
Scene modes • Portrait
• Night Snapshot
• Kids & Pets
• Indoor
• Foliage
• Snow
• Beach
• Fireworks
• Aquarium
• Underwater
White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Tungsten
• Fluorescent
• Fluorescent H
• Custom
Self timer Yes
Continuous shooting approx 1.7fps
Image parameters My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, B&W, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color)
Flash • Auto, Manual Flash on / off, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction
• Range: 50cm-4.0m (wide) / 2.0m (tele)
Viewfinder Real-image zoom
LCD monitor • 2.5-inch P-Si TFT
• 207,000 pixels
Connectivity • USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
• AV out
Print compliance • PictBridge
• Canon Selphy / Pixma
Storage • SD / SDHC / MMC card compatible
• 16 MB card supplied
Power • Rechargeable Li-ion battery NB-5L
• Charger included
• Optional AC adapter kit
Weight (no batt) 150 g
Dimensions 89.5 x 58 x 25.1 mm

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