Canon has unveiled two new low-cost cameras that pack big zoom lenses into compact bodies. The PowerShot ELPH 340 HS  (known as the Ixus 265 HS in Europe) is slim and stylish, and sports an F3.6-7.0 25-200mm equiv. lens, 16 megapixel CMOS sensor, and 3-inch LCD. The SX600 is just a bit larger than the ELPH, but gains an 18X, F3.8-6.9 25-450mm equiv. lens and 1080/30p video recording. Both cameras have Wi-Fi with NFC, which Canon says is easier to use than on previous models.

The ELPH 340 HS will be available in March in three colors: purple, silver, and black. The SX600 will ship a month earlier, and comes in red, white, and black. The expected prices are $199.99 and $249.99 in the US.

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Press Release:

NEW SLEEK, COMPACT POWERSHOT DIGITAL CAMERAS OFFER SUPER-ZOOM LENSES, ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS AND THE ABILITY TO SHARE IMAGES AND VIDEO

New Cameras Include the Compact, Super Zoom PowerShot SX600 HS Digital Camera and the Stylish, Yet Powerful PowerShot ELPH 340 HS Digital Camera

MELVILLE, N.Y., January 6, 2014 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the addition of two new cameras to its PowerShot line-up: The PowerShot SX600 HS and the PowerShot ELPH 340 HS digital cameras. The PowerShot SX600 HS camera packs an impressive 18x optical zoom and 16-Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor into a beautifully sleek, compact and portable body so capturing close-up photos with high-image clarity is easy and stylish. The PowerShot ELPH 340 HS camera offers outstanding optical performance and versatility with a 12x optical zoom lens and16-Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor.  Both equipped with Wi-Fi® and Near Field Communication (NFCTM) capabilities, photographers can have outstanding image quality and the ability to share images and video with ease.

“These new PowerShot cameras enhance consumers’ enjoyment of photography through the unique combination of high-image quality, long-zoom ranges, ease-of-use and connectivity,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The advanced technologies these new models offer give users the cameras they need to have a photographic experience that allows them to capture high-quality images while on-the-go and share them with their loved ones.”

The Wi-Fi® connectivity options in the PowerShot SX600 HS and the PowerShot ELPH 340 HS cameras allow users to easily share beautiful images online with family and friends.  Using the Mobile Device Connect Button, users can connect to a compatible smartphone, a compatible tablet or a computer.  Connection to the computer is easily done using Canon’s Image Sync through the cloud. For the first time in Canon’s line-up, both cameras have the convenient connectivity of NFC offered on AndroidTM devices. With NFC, users press the Mobile Device Connect Button and tap their NFC-enabled Android device to the SX600 HS or ELPH 340 HS camera to send images from the camera to their compatible smartphone with ease. For even more convenience, photographers can control the camera remotely via the free Canon Camera Window app from virtually anywhere with their iOS® or Android device. After composing the image, the photographer controls the shutter from their compatible smartphone, so that the photographer can be included in the shot. 

Another first for the PowerShot SX and ELPH lines is Creative Shot mode. First introduced on the PowerShot N digital camera, Creative Shot mode is an easy yet powerful tool to add artistic effects to photos. In Creative Shot mode, users compose a shot and let the camera analyze the photo to apply a series of artistic elements. Creative Shot mode includes four categories with 46 filters total. The four filter categories are: Retro, Monochrome, Special, and Natural. Before an image is captured, users choose one of the four filter types and Creative Shot will automatically render five different variations of the shot in different composition, color and lighting styles, delivering creative new perspectives automatically while still maintaining the original image.

The cameras can also capture great video, recording high-quality 1080p Full HD video through a dedicated movie button. The Hybrid AUTO mode allows you to record up-to four seconds of video every time you shoot a still image, and then automatically joins the clips and pictures into a video that captures the essence of a vacation, an important event, or any time you are shooting many shots in a day.  Hybrid Auto automatically recognizes the scene and optimizes camera settings to capture the highest possible image quality creating a great looking highlight reel in a 720p HD video.

The PowerShot SX600 HS Digital Camera

In addition to enhanced connectivity and artistic options, the PowerShot SX600 HS camera features a long-zoom range in a compact point-and-shoot camera body.  Equivalent to 25-450mm, the SX600 HS camera’s powerful 18x optical zoom provides users with the high-quality optics the pocket-sized Canon PowerShot SX camera series is known for. The SX600 HS camera combines a 16-Megapixel CMOS sensor and Canon’s DIGIG 4+ Image Processor to create the Canon HS SYSTEM allowing for excellent low-light performance. 

The PowerShot SX600 HS digital camera is expected to be available at the end of February 2014 in red, white or black for an estimated retail price of $249.99.

The PowerShot ELPH 340 HS Digital Camera

The PowerShot ELPH 340 HS digital camera, successor to the ELPH 330 HS, features a 12x optical zoom lens which is equivalent to 25mm-300mm. Great for low-light scenes, the 16-Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ Image Processor work together to create the Canon HS SYSTEM helping to ensure images are captured in detail in dimly lit situations.

The PowerShot ELPH 340 HS is expected to be available in March 2014 in purple, silver or black for an estimated retail price of $199.99.

Specifications

 Canon PowerShot SX600 HSCanon PowerShot ELPH 340 HS (IXUS 265 HS)
Price
MSRP$249.99$199
Body type
Body typeCompactUltracompact
Sensor
Max resolution4608 x 3456
Other resolutions3264 x 2448, 2048 x 1536, 640 x 480, 4608 x 2592, 3264 x 1832, 1920 x 1080, 640 x 360, 4608 x 3072, 3264 x 2176, 2048 x 1368, 640 x 424, 3456 x 3456, 2448 x 2448, 1536 x 1536, 480 x 480
Image ratio w:h1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels16 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors17 megapixels
Sensor size1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
Sensor typeBSI-CMOSCMOS
ProcessorDIGIC 4+
Color spacesRGB
Color filter arrayPrimary color filter
Image
ISOAuto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
White balance presets5
Custom white balanceYes
Image stabilizationOptical
Uncompressed formatNo
JPEG quality levelsSuperfine, Fine
File format
  • JPEG, Exif 2.3 compliant / DPOF Version 1.1 compliant
  • JPEG (Exif v2.3)
Optics & Focus
Focal length (equiv.)25–450 mm25–300 mm
Optical zoom18×12×
Maximum apertureF3.8–6.9F3.6–7
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Face Detection
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Face Detection
Autofocus assist lampYes
Digital zoomYesYes (4X)
Manual focusYes
Normal focus range5 cm (1.97″)
Macro focus range5 cm (1.97″)1 cm (0.39″)
Number of focus points9
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCDFixed
Screen size3″
Screen dots461,000
Touch screenNo
Screen typePureColor II G (TFT)TFT LCD
Live viewYes
Viewfinder typeNone
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed15 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/2000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Hybrid Auto, Creative Shot, SCN
Scene modes
  • Auto, Hybrid Auto, P, Creative Shot1, Portrait, Smart Shutter2, High-Speed Burst, Handheld Night Scene, Low Light, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Snow, Fireworks, Long Shutter
  • Portrait, Smart Shutter, High-Speed Burst, Handheld Night Scene, Low Light, Snow, Fireworks, Long Shutter
Built-in flashYes
Flash range3.50 m (50 cm – 3.5 m (W) / 1.0 m – 2.0 m (T))4.00 m
External flashYes (Canon High Power Flash HF-DC2)No
Flash modesAuto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow SynchroAuto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Flash X sync speed1/2000 sec
Drive modes
  • Single, Continuous, Self-Timer
Continuous drive3.9 fps
Self-timerYes (2 or 10 sec, custom)
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
Exposure compensation±2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
WB BracketingNo
Videography features
Resolutions1920 x 1280 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
FormatH.264
MicrophoneMono
SpeakerMono
Storage
Storage typesSD/SDHC/SDXC
Connectivity
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMIYes
WirelessBuilt-In
Wireless notes802.11 b/g/n with NFC
Remote controlNo
Physical
Environmentally sealedNo
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionRechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-6LHRechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-11LH
Battery Life (CIPA)290190
Weight (inc. batteries)188 g (0.41 lb / 6.63 oz)147 g (0.32 lb / 5.19 oz)
Dimensions104 x 61 x 26 mm (4.09 x 2.4 x 1.02″)100 x 58 x 22 mm (3.93 x 2.27 x 0.88″)
Other features
Orientation sensorYes
GPSNone
GPS notesvia mobile (linked to compatible smartphone)