See the latest technologies behind the newly announced compacts Canon SX500 IS and SX160 IS, each features is explained with details.
24mm wide-angle 30x optical zoom (PowerShot SX500 IS)
Developed using the same processes and quality standards employed to manufacture its world-famous range of professional lenses, Canon’s compact cameras benefit greatly from the company’s unrivalled heritage in lens design. The PowerShot SX500 IS features a 24mm wide-angle 30x optical zoom lens, which offers a highly versatile 35mm equivalent range of 24-720mm. Its advanced optical construction comprises 13 elements arranged in ten groups, including a UD lens to counter chromatic aberration and a low-dispersion aspherical lens element. The lens also features Canon’s industry-renowned lens shift-based (optical) image stabilisation technology, which combines with the high quality optics to enable the capture of consistently sharp, high-resolution, low-blur images.
28mm 16x optical zoom (PowerShot SX160 IS)
The PowerShot SX160 IS features a newly developed 16x optical zoom lens which offers a focal length equivalent of 28-448mm. The construction comprises of 11 elements in 9 groups, which are arranged into four moving groups.
Autofocus
Compared to the preceding models, the PowerShot SX500 IS and PowerShot SX160 IS offer improved shutter response times, thanks to more efficient AF algorithms and a reduction in the time required for the lens to move to the correctly focused position. The shoot time lag for PowerShot SX500 IS is just 0.3s and PowerShot SX160 IS is 0.29s.
ZoomPlus
ZoomPlus is an advanced digital zoom technology that allows users to extend the optical zoom range of their camera and get closer to their subject while maintaining high image quality. ZoomPlus uses advanced digital image processing algorithms to take advantage of the high image resolution offered by the sensor and DIGIC 4 processor, maintaining an image quality far superior to that offered by standard digital zoom. ZoomPlus extends the reach of the zoom on the PowerShot SX500 IS to 60x and the PowerShot SX160 IS to 32x.
To help users identify which zoom mode is currently being applied, the on-screen zoom bar is split into three sections. The first section shows the optical zoom created by the extending camera lens and the second section, in yellow, shows the level of ZoomPlus being used. A third section, in blue, shows standard digital zoom, which offers further magnification with a decrease in image quality.
Zoom Framing Assist (PowerShot SX500 IS)
When shooting with maximum zoom it can be difficult to keep track of a distant subject. At the press of a button Zoom Framing Assist quickly zooms out of the scene – permitting the user to find the subject and position it back in the original frame – the camera then zooms back in the moment the button is released.
Optical Image Stabilizer
Canon’s highly-effective optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology prevents image blur by dramatically reducing the effects of camera shake. In situations where image blur due to camera shake is more likely – such as in darker conditions or when shooting with the zoom extended – the optical Image Stabilizer can help images remain sharp through minute vibration gyros which detect camera movement caused by hand shake. These signals are processed by a single-chip IS controller, which discriminates between hand shake and intentional camera movements. Signals are then sent to the IS unit, which moves one of the lens elements accordingly to re-align the light rays and cancel out the effects of camera shake.
Intelligent IS
Intelligent IS is a technology that enables the camera to detect the shooting situation being captured and then select the most appropriate optical Image Stabilizer mode to prevent blur. As the nature of camera movement can change according to the shooting situation, there are seven different IS modes that can be used:
- Normal IS – This standard Image Stabilizer mode is appropriate for still image shooting where regular camera shake is corrected. Depending on the focal length and focal distance of the subject, the camera will apply the appropriate amount of angular (rotational) and shift-shake correction to obtain the best result.
- Panning IS – When shooting a moving subject such as a cyclist or moving cars at a race circuit, Panning IS detects the panning motion. This mode applies the Image Stabilizer in the axis opposite to that of the panning motion to ensure the subject remains clear and the panning effect is smooth.
- Macro IS – Macro IS corrects both angular and the more pronounced shift-shake which often occurs when shooting close ups of subjects such as flowers.
- Tripod mode – When the camera detects it is fixed on a tripod, tripod mode automatically turns the Image Stabilizer off as it is not needed.
- Dynamic IS – During movie shooting, this mode produces steadier video footage by compensating for low frequency vibrations that occur typically when users shoot movies while on the move.
- Powered IS – When users are shooting movies of distant subjects at the fullest extent of the telephoto zoom, Powered IS is used to ensure the subject remains still and clear, counteracting the more extreme camera shake that is produced when shooting using the telephoto setting.
- Dynamic and Macro IS – This mode is engaged when shooting movies of macro subjects and corrects any areas of blur caused by the shift and angular movement typical of macro shooting.
DIGIC 4
Canon’s DIGIC 4 (Digital Imaging Core) processor manages all of the camera’s primary functions to optimise operating efficiency. Advanced image processing algorithms deliver superb image detail and colour reproduction with accurate white balance and minimal noise. High-speed processing results in outstanding responsiveness, rapid auto focus and extended continuous shooting ability.
Smart Auto
Smart Auto mode is the ultimate automatic shooting mode, which makes use of multiple technologies including Scene Detection, Motion Detection, Face Detection and Advanced Subject Detection. Smart Auto mode can detect 32 different scenes and uses Scene Detection Technology to determine the shooting scene by analysing subject brightness, contrast, distance and overall hue.
In Smart Auto mode, a colour icon indicating the type of scene detected and the lighting conditions is shown on the LCD monitor. Smart Auto also includes enhanced
i-Contrast and Smart Flash Exposure, which ensure that brighter or darker areas are captured in sufficient detail in the final image by suppressing overexposed highlights and underexposed shadows. This enables any user, without any knowledge of camera settings, to take great quality photos.
Creative Filters
Additional shooting modes make it easier to capture high-quality, creative shots. These modes include:
- Creative Filters – A choice of filter effects allows users to have fun with their photography by creating images with greater impact or a different mood:
- Toy Camera Effect – Darkens the edges of the image, as well as carrying out image processing to increase the contrast of the overall image and re-create the effect of an older style or pinhole camera. Additionally, three effect types can be selected to attach to the image: Warm, Standard or Cool.
- Monochrome – Allows users to shoot with three types of monochromatic effects: black and white, sepia or blue.
- Fish-eye Effect –Mimics the distortion of a fish-eye lens with one of three levels of strength (weak, medium, strong).
- Super Vivid – Saturates the colours of an image for an intensely colourful effect.
- Poster Effect – Reduces the levels of colour gradation to give the image the retro feel of vintage posters.
- Miniature Effect – Gives the effect of a very narrow depth of field, making the scene look like a small-scale model. When shooting, designated portions of the top and bottom (or right and left side in vertical shooting) of the image are blurred, while the rest of the image remains in focus.
Large 7.5cm (3.0’’) LCD screen (PowerShot SX500 IS)
The 7.5 cm (3.0”), 460K dot, LCD screen has been designed to enhance the capture and playback of images and video, making it easy to navigate the enhanced menu system and to compose the perfect shot. A wide viewing angle also makes it easy to share images with friends, without transferring them first from the camera.
Large 7.5cm (3.0’’) LCD screen (PowerShot SX160 IS)
The 7.5 cm (3.0”), 230K dot, LCD screen has been designed to enhance the capture and playback of images and video, making it easy to navigate the enhanced menu system and to compose the perfect shot. A wide viewing angle also makes it easy to share images with friends, without transferring them first from the camera.
HD movies in 720p quality
Ready for playback in excellent quality on HD displays, High Definition video at 720p resolution is recorded in H.264 format, giving great quality video combined with excellent compression for a smaller file size.
A dedicated Movie Record Button activates instant movie recording, ensuring that every moment is captured. An HDMI-CEC connection port is available for connecting directly (via an optional cable) to HD displays such as high definition TVs. If users have a HDMI-CEC compliant display, they can control playback of images on the camera via the TV remote.
