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| Click photo to see more views of Canon's new SD Series PowerShots. |
Welcoming the busy spring shooting season, Canon has added three new point-and-shoot cameras to their high-end SD line. Both featuring an optical viewfinder in addition to 230,000-dot, 2.5-inch LCDs, the PowerShot SD890 IS packs an f/3.2-5.7, 37-185mm (35mm equivalent) 5x optical zoom lens; while the PowerShot SD770 IS offers an f/2.8-4.9, 35-105mm (35mm equivalent)3x lens. The PowerShot SD790 IS includes the same lens as the SD770 IS but drops the optical viewfinder in favor of a larger, 3.0-inch, 230,000-dot LCD. All three offer 10-megapixel sensors and lens-shift optical image stabilization.
With a width of 3.8-in. and height of 2.3-in., the high-end SD890 IS is the largest of the bunch. The camera just misses entry into the ultra-thin compact category with a depth of 1.1-inches. It can fire off 320 shots before recharging its lithium-ion battery per CIPA ratings. At 0.8-inches deep, the SD790 IS appeals to size conscious shooters, easily slipping into a pants pocket. The 3.6-in. wide, 2.2-in. tall camera can capture 330 frames with a fully charged lithium-ion battery per CIPA standards. Prized as featuring the slimmest body of any optically stabilized Canon ELPH ever produced, the SD770 IS has a thickness of 0.8-inches, width of 3.4-in. and height of 2.2-in. The camera is available in both matte silver and two-tone finishes and can snap 300 images on a single charge per CIPA standards. All three cameras are compatible with SD, SDHC and MMC media.
The cameras use Canon's DIGIC III imaging processor, which the company claims cuts start up, autofocus and shutter response times, while improving image quality and battery life. Improvements on the SD line include Canon’s intelligent anti-blur system, which combines Optical Image Stabilization, Motion Detection technology, Hi-ISO Auto and Noise Reduction technology to cut back on blur caused by camera shake at lower shutter speeds. Canon's Motion Detection technology recognizes motion in the frame and adjusts ISO and shutter speed settings depending on whether a subject is moving or stationary. It lowers ISO settings and shutter speeds to reduce noise for stationary subjects while raising both for fast moving objects.
Both the SD790 IS and SD770 IS offer a shutter speed range of 15-1/1500 sec., while the SD870 IS offers a shutter speed range of 15-1/1600 sec. All three models include image sensitivity settings ranging from ISO 80-1600. In continuous shooting mode, the SD790 IS and SD770 IS can capture full resolution images at 1.4 fps, while shooting speed drops to 1.2 fps with the SD890 IS. All three cameras can also record VGA video with sound at 30 fps and time-lapse videos at VGA resolution at 0.5 fps or 1 fps for up to two hours of recording.
The new digicams feature Canon's updated Face Detection technology, which can adjust focus and exposure to accommodate up to nine faces directly in front of the camera. Face Detection White Balance is used to produce more accurate skin tones. The cameras also include an optional AF-Point Zoom feature, which provides a magnified view of the main subject's face on the display, helping the photographer to choose the ideal moment to snap a photo. Other features include Automatic Red Eye Correction, which works with Face Detection to remove red eye during capture, an Image Inspection Tool for on-screen enlargement of captured photos, and a Trimming Function to crop images in camera.
Available in April, the Canon PowerShot SD890 IS and SD770 IS will retail for $399.99 and $299.99, respectively. The SD790 IS will arrive at the end of March with a MSRP of $349.99.
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