Note: The Canon PowerSHot SX600, N100 and Elph 340 can all be pre-ordered now from Adorama. Orders shipped on a first-come, first-served basis; credit cards will not be charged until orders are shipped.
Canon PowerShot SX600 HS
Leading the pack of new Canon compact cameras introduced right before the start of the PMA@CES trade show is the Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, measuring a narrow 1 inches but packibng an 18x optical zoom (25-450mm 35mm equivalent) lens—something you won’t see on Smart Phones. The camera provides more compelling arguments via its built-in Wi-Fi that lets you transfer images and video directly to select social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, and Google Drive), mobile devices and your computer. You can operate your camera remotely via your iOS or Android smartphone or tablet, and use NFC for quick wireless connectivity. There are other photography trade shows in 2014 where we can expect Canon to announce more advanced cameras, but the company’s snapshooter offerings are on display this week in ‘Vegas.
Despite its pocket-sized dimensions that rival those of a typical smart phone, the PowerShot has a 16MP CMOS sensor, Digic 4+ image processor, and 1080p 30fps HD video capture. Under the hood, Canon claims that processing times for high-ISO shots has been shortened by 60 percent compared to the Digic 4 processory, with what they say is significantly less noise and improved color. A cool feature called Hybrid Auto records quick video clips before each still image, and compiles them together to create a short highlight reel, and Smart Auto intelligently selects appropriate camera settings based on 32 pre-defined shooting situations.
For the Instagram-oriented crowd, Canon’s added 46 creative filter options that can be applied to images and are grouped into retro, monochrome, special and natural categories. Canon’s Intelligent IS (Image Stabilization) corrects for normal camera movement as well as for panning when shooting laterally moving subjects, shooting macro, and disables Image Stabilization when it detects that the camera is on a tripod.
The Canon PowerShot SX600 will be available late February for approximately $249.99 in Black, Red, and White and can be pre-ordered now from Adorama.
Canon PowerShot N100
Possibly the most sophisticated Selfie camera to date, the Canon PowerShot N100 has an intriguing rear-facing wide-angle lens in a secondary camera for self-portraits, behind-the-scenes and reaction shots to the main still or video image capture by the 5x zoom front-facing lens. Wi-Fi and NFC equipped, the Canon N100 lets you transfer images and video directly to social networks, mobile devices and your computer. You can operate the camera remotely via your smartphone and tablet.
The Canon PowerShot N100 is equipped with a 5x zoom lens with a bright f/1.8 widest aperture which, teamed up with the intelligent 8-mode Optical Image Stabilizer, makes this compact camera well suited for low-light and selective focus photography.
Other cool features include
- Story Highlights, which automatically selects and compilse images into a highlight reel without software
- Mobile Device Connet Button lets you connect to Android or iOS mobile device
- 12MP CMOS sensor, Digic 6 image processor
- Creative Shot Mode
- 3-inch Touchscreen LCD
- 1080p Full HD video capture
Overall, sophisticated technology is boiled down into an easy to operate and flexible camera that crosses over into smart phone territory with the rear-facing lens, but goes beyond the capabilities of smart phones with its extensive use of highlight reel, creative modes and other options.
Canon has supplied several short videos that explain the PowerShot N100’s key features. Here they are and yes, they’re silent:
The Canon PowerShot N100 will be available from Adorama in Black or White for approximately $349.99, and can be pre-ordered now from Adorama.
Canon Elph 340
Rounding out the Canon selection is the more traditionally designed Canon PowerShot Elph 340 HS, the latest version of Canon’s fabled pocket-sized Elph line, which dates back to the film days. The ELPH 340, successor to the ELPH 330 HS, features a 12x optical zoom lens which is equivalent to 25mm-300mm on a 35mm sensor camera. It sports a 16-Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ Image Processor and is said to be able to ace low-light situations. It is expected to be available March in Purple, Silver, or Black and will cost approximately $199.95 at Adorama.
