Canon refreshes PowerShot line with S110, G15 and SX50 HS

by Timothy Fernandez | <time>17 September 2012 4:00pm SGT</time>
<article class="feature"> <figure class="aligncenter"> <figcaption>The Canon PowerShot S110 now comes in glossy white, in addition to black and silver.
(Credit: Canon)</figcaption> </figure> Canon's PowerShot compacts have always been known for their consistently good image quality, with the higher-end models, such as the G12 and S100 being popular choices among enthusiasts. Well, the company has announced updates to those models as well as a new mega-zoom compact that features an impressive 50x optical zoom range.
PowerShot S110
Possibly the most exciting update here, the PowerShot S110 (top of page) is a follow-up to the S100 and comes with a new, more futuristic design. While the features may be similar to its predecessor--12.1-mepapixel CMOS sensor, 5x, 24-120mm zoom lens and an aperture range of F2.0-F5.9--Canon adds a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen and Wi-Fi connectivity into the mix.
PowerShot G15
<figure class="aligncenter"> <figcaption>The Canon PowerShot G15.
(Credit: Canon)</figcaption> </figure> Also announced was the PowerShot G15, which skips a few digits but serves as a follow-up to the G12. The new camera has a new 12.1-mepaixel CMOS sensor (the G12 had a 10-megapixel CCD sensor) and a 5x zoom lens that ranges from 28mm to 140mm. What's changed here is the new F1.8 to F2.8 zoom range and CMOS sensor, which could lead to better low-light performance. There's also a higher-resolution 920k-dot 3-inch LCD screen and some small tweaks to the camera's design.
PowerShot SX50 HS
<figure class="aligncenter"> <figcaption>The Canon PowerShot SX50 is the world's first compact camera with a 50x optical zoom lens.
(Credit: Canon)</figcaption> </figure> If you've not been impressed by Canon's megazoom cameras lately, the SX50 HS could change your mind. With a 50x zoom range (24mm to a whopping 1,200mm), a world's first on a compact, this camera would be the one to get if your subjects are always too far away. The new camera comes with a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, an ISO range of F3.4 to F6.5 and weighs about as much as entry-level dSLRs at 595g. It also has an improved image-stabilization system to prevent blurry images due to handshake.

The new cameras are expected to hit stores in Asia starting November with pricing to be announced at a later date.

Click here for the latest Photokina 2012 announcements.
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Canon EOS-1D X DXOMark Sensor Scores
OCTOBER 11, 2012 CANON 1D X FOLLOW ON OUR FORUM


For those that care
I was sent an email claiming the results of DXOMark’s testing of the Canon EOS-1D X. I have not yet seen it on their site, so don’t take these numbers as official until they’re up.

DxO score: 90
DR: 12.8
Color depth: 24.9 bits
ISO: 3296

Do what you will with these numbers. They do show that the 1D X has the “best” technical numbers as far as sensor testing goes. This puts the 1D X above the Nikon D4, but below the D600 & D800. I know people love to debate the numbers from DXOMark.

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 17, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced a new firmware update in response to user requests which further enhances the capabilities of Canon’s flagship EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. The EOS-1D X will now be capable of AF point illumination during AI Servo AF and cross-type AF for maximum apertures as small as f/8. The new firmware update is available now at no charge from the Canon U.S.A. website and can be downloaded by end users or through Canon Factory Service Centers.

AF Point Illumination During AI Servo AF
To support the needs of wedding, portrait, sports, wildlife, and theatrical performance photographers working in low light, the new firmware allows AF points in the EOS-1D X’s viewfinder to be illuminated in red when the shutter button is pressed halfway during AI Servo AF, for easy viewing of the selected point. This valuable feature will enhance the photographers’ ability to aim the camera accurately in low-light conditions, and when photographing dark subjects. To preserve exposure-metering accuracy, illumination is intermittent, not continuous. Three choices will be selectable from the menu system – Non-illuminated, Illuminated (Normal) and Illuminated (Brighter).

Cross-Type AF Support at f/8
The EOS-1D X is equipped with an innovative 61-point High Density Reticular AF System featuring up to 41 cross-type AF points, depending on the lens in use. The cross-type AF points recognize a wide variety of subject matter, making them highly desirable for maximum autofocus performance. Until now, cross-type AF on the EOS-1D X has been limited to EF lenses and lens/extender combinations with a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or larger. The new firmware allows cross-type autofocusing with the center AF point even when the maximum aperture of a Canon EF lens/extender combination becomes as small as f/8. Ideal for wildlife photographers and others who often use EF super-telephoto lenses with extenders, this new feature greatly expands the range of EF lens/extender combinations that support autofocus when used with the EOS-1D X.

If AF point expansion is selected with an f/8 maximum aperture lens/extender combination, the four AF points surrounding the center point will act as AF Assist points. This option effectively expands the size of the AF detection area to enhance autofocus performance with subjects that are small in the frame and difficult to track, such as small animals and birds in flight. AF points above and below the center will be sensitive to vertical contrast, while points to the left and right will be sensitive to horizontal contrast.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consum...OS1DX_firmware

NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR CANON EOS 5D MARK III DIGITAL SLR CAMERA PROVIDES UNCOMPRESSED HDMI OUTPUT SUPPORT AND IMPROVED AF PERFORMANCE
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 23, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced a new firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR camera that significantly improves the camera’s performance and usability. In response to requests from professionals working in the fields of cinema and television production, the firmware update enables the use of uncompressed HDMI Output support, making possible more efficient video editing and monitoring procedures. Additionally, the upgrade supports the advanced needs of photographers through improved AF performance when capturing still images.

Uncompressed HDMI Output Support
When shooting video, HDMI Output makes possible the recording of high-definition uncompressed video data (YCbCr 4:2:2, 8 bit) from the EOS 5D Mark III to an external recorder via the camera’s HDMI terminal. This, in turn, facilitates the editing of video data with minimal image degradation for greater on-site workflow efficiency during motion picture and video productions. Additionally, video being captured can be displayed on an external monitor, enabling real-time, on-site monitoring of high-definition video during shooting.

Improved AF Functionality
Even when the EOS 5D Mark III is equipped with an extender and lens making possible a maximum aperture of f/8, the firmware update supports AF employing the camera’s central cross-type points (currently compatible with maximum apertures up to f/5.6). Accordingly, the update will allow users to take advantage of AF when shooting distant subjects, benefitting sports and nature photographers, particularly when using telephoto lenses.

The new firmware update will be available, at no charge, in April 2013 from the Canon U.S.A. website and can be downloaded by end users or through Canon Factory Service Centers.

5D Mark III at B&H (Body | Kit) Amazon (Body | Kit), Adorama (Body | Kit)

DxOMark Sensor Scores[?]
Overall Score[?] 82
Portrait
(Color Depth)[?] 23.8 bits
Landscape
(Dynamic Range)[?] 11.8 Evs
Sports
(Low-Light ISO)[?] 2786 ISO

New Lenses
As suspected the new Canon EF 24-70 f/4L IS will be announced. This lens should appears as a kit lens with the upcoming EOS 6D. The other lens isn’t a new 50mm at this time, it’s actually going to be a new EF 35 f/2 IS. Pricing will also be higher than the previously unconfirmed suggestions.

EF24-70mm F4L IS USM


EF 24-70 f/4L IS




15 elements in 12 groups, two aspherical lens, lens configuration sheet 2 UD lens
9-blade circular aperture
Weatherproof
Full-time manual focus
Can switch to macro mode at the telephoto end
0.2m minimum focusing distance, 0.7 times the maximum magnification
Hybrid IS Image Stabilizer
77mm filter size
600g weight, 93mm length, 83.4mm in diameter
Released in mid-December
EF 35mm f/2 IS


EF 35 f/2 IS




10 elements in 8 groups, the lens structure is glass-molded aspherical lens
8-blade circular aperture
4 stop IS
AF motor ring USM, full-time manual focus
67mm filter size
335g weight, 62.6mm length, 77.9mm in diameter
Released in early December 2012
Source: [DI]
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Pinch Lens Caps
Canon has finally wised up and introduced pinch lens caps.

New lens caps – designed for greater ease and convenience
Canon’s ‘Mark II’ centre-pinch lens caps. From left to right: 82mm, 77mm, 72mm, 67mm, and 58mm.

Both new lenses also come with newly-designed Mark II lens caps, which incorporate a hook mechanism in the centre of the cover, as opposed to the sides. Simply pinching the hook allows users to quickly remove and replace caps mid-shoot, especially when using lens hoods. The re-designed lens caps will start to be rolled out across Canon’s entire EF lens range from the beginning of January 2013, and will also be available to buy separately.