With the announcement this week of the new Canon PowerShot SX1 IS and SX200 IS digital cameras, it looks like Canon’s venerable S-Series superzoom line has been retired. The PowerShot S5 IS is no longer listed on the Canon USA PowerShot page and the new PowerShot SX1 IS has more zoom, a better sensor and better video capability. It’s clear that Canon intends the PowerShot SX1 IS to be their new all-purpose power camera for people who want to have it all in one compact, user-friendly package. It could even be the digital SLR challenger people have been waiting for. Reading between the lines of the press release reveals some interesting details about the new SX1 IS.
The Canon PowerShot SX1 IS and SX200 IS will make their debut next week at the annual PMA tradeshow (March 3 – 5) in Las Vegas. Along with the PowerShot G10, the new SX1 IS packs a lot of high-end features and performance into a small, powerful package. It has a new 10-megapixel CMOS sensor, an impressive 20x optical zoom lens (28-560mm equivalent) with optical image stabilization, and a flash hot shoe. Right now, the SX1 IS is the only camera in the Canon PowerShot lineup to use a CMOS sensor – the G10 doesn’t even have one. For the past few years CMOS technology has been reserved for digital SLRs, so it’s significant that this is the first compact camera that Canon has decided to grace with a CMOS sensor. Hopefully the new sensor will mean improved image quality. Like digital SLRs and the PowerShot G10, the SX1 IS captures in both RAW and JPEG. For composing and sharing flexibility it features a 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD. Adding to its all-purpose high-end functionality, the SX1 IS can capture 1080p video in the Movie Mode and videos and photos can be shared on your high-def TV with the camera’s built-in HDMI connector.
The second Canon SX-Series camera announced for PMA, the 12.1-megapixel PowerShot SX200 IS, has a 12x image-stabilized zoom lens (28-336mm equivalent). The SX200 IS can capture 720p HD video and has a 3-inch LCD screen for composing and viewing photos and videos. It will be available in late March for a suggested retail price of $349.99. The PowerShot SX1 IS should be in stores in April and sell for $599.99.
Canon 2009 PowerShot Digital Camera Lineup Press Release >>
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That SX1 sounds HOT! It might just be my dream camera. Can’t wait to see the image quality.
Yes, this might be your dream camera. It sure can do a lot. It will be bigger than your Panasonic TZ4. But I’m sure the image quality will be better. However, there’s no way the image quality will be as good as a digital SLR. And I would be surprised if the speed can compare – especially shutter-lag. Still, I have no doubt it will be a big step up from your current camera.
But would it meet the almighty standards of the stock agencies? I’m fine with carrying around a superzoom in my purse; it’s the DSLR that’s too big and heavy.