Canon Debuts Three New PowerShot Cameras

HD video capture and low-light performance are high on Canon’s list of priorities when it came to crafting the latest installments in their popular PowerShot Line. See below for a breakdown of the three new cams.

Canon PowerShot S95

As its name would suggest, Canon’s follow-up to their superb S90 compact has much in common with its predecessor. They have bumped up the SD video capture to 720p HD and have also added an in-camera HDR scene mode for those who want the look of HDR, but choose not to merge their images in post. Built-in IS compensates for angular and shift camera-shake, while the 3.8x f/2.0 lens returns to make the most of low-light situations. Inside you’ll find a Digic 4 image processor and a 10-megapixel High Sensitivity CCD, all of which seem very familiar to those who have used the S90. They have also kept the focus ring that surrounds the lens as well as the RAW capture capability, all while dropping the street price to $399.99, which is slightly cheaper than the S90 was when it debuted.

Having spent a little hands-on time with the camera, we noticed that they also changed a few design elements on the body itself. It’s nothing major, but we can only hope it helps remedy the S90’s annoying tendency to change your exposure every time something accidentally brushes the rotating wheel on the back.

Canon Power SD4500 IS

The follow up to the SD4000 IS is the only compact in this new bunch (or any Digital ELPH for that matter) to reach the magical 1080p HD video mark and comes packing an impressive 10x optical zoom lens. Because of its long reach, Canon has tweaked the standard IS to include Dynamic IS, which helps keep your videos from going all Cloverfield [Read: Shaky] as you walk around. If you want even more video-specific options, you’ll also be interested in the Super Slow Motion, which can capture 240 frames-per-second (at reduced resolution, of course). It’s fast in still mode, too, offering up 8.4 fps in its high-speed burst mode. Expect it later this month for $349.99.

Canon PowerShot SX130 IS

While it can’t match the 1080p video of the SD4500 IS or the f/2 lens of the S95, the SX130 IS offers up a solid spec sheet for its $249 price tag. Its 3-inch LCD display, optical image stabilization and 720p video are complimented by a 12x zoom lens. Like most value-oriented compacts, it also piles on the shooting effects, adding the simulated Miniature, Fisheye, Poster and Super Vivid options. Look for it to hit shelves later this month.

We’ll get some hands-on impressions and reviews along to you as soon as retail units are available.