Digital Camera News and Reviews

Canon PowerShot A1100 IS

Among the all the digital compact cameras Canon announced today we find the Canon PowerShot A1100 IS. The A1100 IS camera features an optical viewfinder and the new Smart Auto mode from Canon.

Some key features for the Canon PowerShot A1100 IS:
-12.1 megapixel sensor
-4x optical zoom lens (35 – 140mm)
-2.5″ LCD screen
-Optical viewfinder
-Smart Auto mode

The Canon PowerShot A1100 IS will be available in March 2009 and cost about $200.

Press release:
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 18 February 2009: Canon today gives everyone the power to take great photos, with the launch of the 12.1 Megapixel PowerShot A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS. For the ultimate in easy picture-taking, both models incorporate Canon’s new Scene Detection Technology – available via an improved Easy mode and new Smart Auto mode – for excellent results without effort.

Featuring optical zoom lenses of 4x and 6x respectively, the PowerShot A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS are powered by Canon’s latest DIGIC 4 image processor. This allows both models to deliver fast, responsive operation and outstanding, rich, detailed images. Replacing the A1000 and A2000 respectively, the PowerShot A1100 IS is available in blue, pink or silver, while the PowerShot A2100 IS features a classic black design.

Features

* 12.1 Megapixels
* Smart Auto and Easy shooting modes with Scene Detection Technology
* 4x/6x optical zoom (PowerShot A1100 IS/PowerShot A2100 IS) with optical Image Stabilizer
* DIGIC 4 processing delivers fast response times, high-quality images and intelligent technologies
* Combats blur with IS and Motion Detection Technology
* People shots made easy with Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB and Face Select & Track, plus FaceSelf-Timer and Auto Red-Eye Correction
* i-Contrast improves dynamic range in shooting or playback
* Available in Blue, Pink or Silver (PowerShot A1100 IS), or Black (PowerShot A2100 IS)
* Range of shooting modes
* 2.5” LCD plus OVF (PowerShot A1100 IS); 3.0” LCD (PowerShot A2100 IS)
* 30fps VGA movies with sound plus Long Play option
* Powered by AA batteries for convenience and flexibility

High resolution, high quality lens
Both cameras are capable of capturing incredible levels of detail by combining a 12.1 Megapixel sensor with a high quality zoom lens – allowing you to enlarge or creatively crop images while retaining outstanding image detail. With a 4x optical zoom, the PowerShot A1100 IS delivers a range of flexible framing options, while the PowerShot A2100 IS delivers extra telephoto reach via a 6x optical zoom. Canon’s optical Image Stabilizer technology helps guard photos against the blurring effects of camera shake.

Intelligent and easy to use
Both cameras incorporate two fully automatic modes: new Smart Auto mode and an improved Easy mode. These use Canon’s Scene Detection Technology, which analyses the shooting scene in detail – assessing subject brightness, contrast, distance and overall hue – and selecting from a choice of 18 possible modes to ensure optimal results for any scene.

Also featured are Motion Detection and Face Detection Technology, both of which offer improved performance thanks to DIGIC 4 processing.

Motion Detection Technology prevents blur by registering camera or subject movement and adjusting settings to compensate; Face Detection Technology detects up to 35 faces in a frame and automatically adjusts key focus and exposure settings so everyone looks their best. Canon’s i-Contrast allows users to bring out hidden detail – for example, in areas of shadow – by brightening dark areas in an image without blowing out lighter areas.

A wide range of shooting modes are available in each model, including dedicated Indoor and Kids & Pets modes. These take care of all the technical aspects of shooting in a host of common shooting situations. Users can choose to simply point-and-shoot for terrific results.

Designed for convenience
Both models feature high quality movies, capturing 30 frames per second for smooth results. Frame and review images and movies on the large LCDs – the PowerShot A2100 IS features a 3.0” high resolution screen with five levels of brightness adjustment, and the PowerShot A1100 IS has a 2.5” LCD plus the convenience of an optical viewfinder.

“Canon has raised the IQ of the PowerShot A-Series with the introduction of increasingly clever new technologies,” remarked Rainer Fuehres, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “The PowerShot A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS are practical, easy-to-use models designed to give anyone outstanding results.”

Printing
The PowerShot A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS feature 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 A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS feature 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 A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS support MMCplus and HC MMCplus card formats. Both cameras are supplied with a memory card.

Software and CANON iMAGE GATEWAY
The PowerShot A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS come 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 A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 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 A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS can be combined with the following accessories:

* Soft Case (DCC-85)
* High Power Flash (HF-DC1)
* AC Adaptor Kit (ACK800)
* Battery Charger Kit (CBK4-300)
* Ni-MH Batteries (NB4-300)

Printing
The PowerShot A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS feature 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 A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS feature 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 A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS support MMCplus and HC MMCplus card formats. Both cameras are supplied with a memory card.

Software and CANON iMAGE GATEWAY
The PowerShot A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS come 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 A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 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 A1100 IS and PowerShot A2100 IS can be combined with the following accessories:

* Soft Case (DCC-85)
* High Power Flash (HF-DC1)
* AC Adaptor Kit (ACK800)
* Battery Charger Kit (CBK4-300)
* Ni-MH Batteries (NB4-300)

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