Canon introduces ELPH 310 HS/IXUS 230 HS compact camera

Canon has launched the ELPH 310 HS (IXUS 230 HS in Europe), a surprisingly long zoom style compact. The squeezes an 8x zoom into the sort of tiny, colorful body we expect of the ELPH/IXUS series. The extra zoom (out to an impressive 224mm equiv), comes at the expense of the wide-angle capability, with the 230 HS's lens starting at a still fairly handy 28mm equiv, rather than the 24mm equivalent featured on recent comparable models. The lens also features the company's latest 'Intelligent' image stabilization. Beyond that there's a 12.1 back-illuminated CMOS sensor and 3.0" 460k dot LCD. It can also shoot 1080p24 HD video.

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Zoom into life – Canon unveils the amazing new IXUS 230 HS

London, UK, 23rd August 2011 – Canon today adds to its premium IXUS series with the launch of the IXUS 230 HS – a striking, super-slim 8x optical zoom camera that fuses leading optical technology with stand-out design. Elegantly-styled in six vibrant colours, the new model packs a powerful Canon lens into a thin metal body with a range of leading features, making it easy for users to capture memories in incredible detail.

The IXUS 230 HS is the latest in the IXUS line to benefit from the HS System, providing premium Canon image quality in all shooting conditions, and especially in low light. Ideal for parties, special occasions or holidays, the camera features a precision 28mm 8x optical zoom lens, and at just 22.1mm thick, is the world's slimmest camera of its type1. It's also among the first to include Canon's new Intelligent IS system, making it easy to capture richly-detailed and shake-free stills, or steady Full HD (1080p) movies.

IXUS style, HS System power
Fusing leading design with outstanding performance, the IXUS 230 HS is powered by Canon's HS System – a unique, optimised combination of a 12.1 Megapixel back- illuminated CMOS sensor and powerful DIGIC 4 processing. Providing superior image clarity, colour and detail, the HS System empowers users to shoot low-noise images in low light without the need for a tripod, or to capture the true ambience of a scene by shooting without using the flash. The HS System makes it easy for users of all levels to capture beautiful images, delivering striking quality with every shot.

Genuine Canon optics – compact precision and flexibility
Developed using decades of optical expertise, the IXUS 230 HS's genuine Canon lens is amazingly compact and versatile. Starting at a 28mm wide-angle and extending to a maximum telephoto focal length of 224mm, the unique lens design allows users to capture everything from sweeping landscapes to larger group shots, or zoom in to capture more distant subjects. Offering a high zoom with true portability, this camera delivers outstanding power in a body that can comfortably slip into any pocket.

Intelligent IS – more detail, less blur
The IXUS 230 HS is among the first-ever models to feature Canon's uniquely-powerful Intelligent IS system, which utilises Canon's highly-effective 3.5-stop optical Image Stabilizer to counter camera shake when shooting stills and Full HD movies.

Providing seven types of stabilisation2, Intelligent IS automatically identifies the shooting conditions and adapts the optical Image Stabilizer to prevent camera shake most effectively. Macro IS corrects exaggerated shift shake which occurs during close-up macro photography, while Powered IS works during movie shooting to counteract the exaggerated motion which occurs when shooting distant subjects using the zoom. In combination with Smart Auto, Intelligent IS works automatically so users can capture images that are rich in detail with minimal blur, without worrying about settings.

Shoot Full HD movies in an instant
The new model also captures stunning Full HD video at 24 frames per second (fps) with stereo sound. A dedicated Movie Record Button makes it easy to record instantly, ensuring no moment is ever missed. The 8x optical zoom can be used during video capture, and Intelligent IS includes Dynamic IS mode to counteract camera shake when recording whilst moving. An HDMI-CEC port makes it easy to share videos, allowing users to play images back on HDMI-compatible HD TVs and control playback using the TV remote.

A large, premium-quality 7.5cm (3.0") PureColor LCD II G display is perfect for image framing and playback, with a 460k-dot resolution that offers fine detail, high contrast and excellent colour reproduction. A tempered glass outer layer provides a wide viewing angle and resistance to scratches, and Hints & Tips throughout the user interface make operation easy, helping users to learn about their camera as they go.

Outstanding images made easy
Offering point-and-shoot ease, the IXUS 230 HS also features Canon's comprehensive Smart Auto mode. Designed to make photography easy, Smart Auto intelligently detects the shooting scene, before applying the optimal settings to achieve the best result. Truly automatic and refreshingly easy to use, Smart Auto ensures the user can focus exclusively on framing the shot – the camera takes care of everything else.

Smart Auto includes Face Detection Technology and Advanced Subject Detection Technology, locking onto human faces, pets, or other objects, such as cars, within a scene. Once identified, Servo AF/AE keeps subjects in focus and well-exposed, right up until the moment the image is captured. i-Contrast and Smart Flash Exposure, also included within Smart Auto, ensure subjects always look their best – reducing the appearance of harsh shadows and over-exposed highlights in the final shot.

High speed, limitless creativity
The IXUS 230 HS offers a number of high-speed shooting features for capturing fast- moving action. High-speed Burst is ideal for everything from sports to parties, capturing up to 8.7 shots/sec. at 3.0MP resolution, while full resolution 12.1MP images can be continuously captured at 3.5 shots/sec., right up to card capacity. For capturing the drama of high-speed action, Super Slow Motion Movie mode records images at 240fps (QVGA quality) or 120fps (VGA quality) and plays back at a fraction of real speed3.

To help users get the best results, Best Image Selection captures a high-speed sequence of shots and records the best image, and Handheld Night Scene captures a sequence of pictures and combines image data to produce one optimally exposed image with the minimum of blur. Creative shooting modes add a range of different perspectives to a scene, including Miniature Effect, Fish-eye Effect, Super Vivid and Poster Effect, Toy Camera Effect and Monochrome Effect. Miniature Effect also extends to movies, recording 1.5, 3 or 6 fps to create a time-lapse video with a visual impression of a small- scale model.

Movie Digest mode also provides an interesting way to capture the story behind the pictures – automatically recording the four seconds prior to a shot being taken, before combining each day's clips into a single movie.

Additionally, the IXUS 230 HS will also be compatible with the HF-DC2 – a new external flash unit that can be used to supplement the on-board flash.

Share stories with CANON iMAGE GATEWAY
Owners of the IXUS 230 HS can also join the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, an online facility for sharing photos and video. The CANON iMAGE GATEWAY Online Photo Album provides up to 2GB of personal storage capacity - enough room for hundreds of high-quality images. Mobile browsing is also supported, making it easy to view photos on the move.

IXUS 230 HS – key features:

• 8x zoom, 28mm wide lens. Intelligent IS
• HS System (12.1 MP)
• Smart, thin metal body
• 7.5 cm (3.0") PureColor II G LCD
• Full HD, Powered IS
• Smart Auto (32 scenes)
• High-speed Burst & Super Slow Motion Movie
• iFrame movie. Movie Digest
• Creative modes
• Hints & Tips
  

Canon IXUS 230 specifications

Additional images