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Canon's frenzy of upgrades
By Robert Dubbin (February 18, 2005)
Canon's 2005 PMA lineup features some impressive updates to existing models, a couple of high-resolution DIGIC II point-and-shoots, and a new entry-level dSLR. The PowerShot A510 and A520, announced a couple weeks before the show, serve as slimmer, more portable versions of Canon's popular A75 and A85 cameras. Two new cameras featuring Canon's speedy DIGIC II image-processing system are the 5-megapixel IXUS 50 and the 7.1-megapixel IXUS 700; they boast high resolution counts in comparatively diminutive frames. The EOS 350D SLR updates the original EOS 300D with DIGIC II processing, a more compact design, and a feature set broad enough to compete in the current US$1,000 (S$1,699) SLR market.
| Model |
Price &
availability |
Specifications |
Special
features |
Canon PowerShot
A510 |
US$199 (S$399)
Available soon |
3.2-megapixel (effective) CCD sensor; F2.6-to-F5.5, 35mm-to-140mm
(35mm-camera equivalent) 4x zoom lens; SD/MMC media |
The PowerShot A510 is the jazzed-up successor to Canon's PowerShot A75;
it's 13 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter, with a longer zoom range and SD
media instead of CompactFlash. |
Canon PowerShot
A520 |
US$299 (S$499)
Available soon |
4-megapixel (effective) CCD sensor; F2.6-to-F5.5, 35mm-to-140mm
(35mm-camera equivalent) 4x zoom lens; SD/MMC media |
An updated version of the PowerShot A85, the A520 boasts a smaller,
lighter body and improved optical zoom range but retains the A85's generous
array of manual features. |
Canon Digital IXUS 50 |
US$399 (S$699)
March 2005 |
5-megapixel (effective) CCD sensor; F2.8-to-F4.9, 35mm-to-105mm
(35mm-camera equivalent) 3x zoom lens; SD/MMC media |
Armed with Canon's DIGIC II processing system, the IXUS 50 can
take VGA (640x480) movies at an impressive 60fps and shoot in full-resolution
burst mode at 2.1fps. |
Canon Digital IXUS 700 |
US$499 (S$899)
April 2005 |
7.1-megapixel (effective) CCD sensor; F2.8-to-F4.9, 37mm-to-111mm
(35mm-camera equivalent) 3x zoom lens; SD/MMC media |
This tiny camera has big resolution and a DIGIC II processing system,
but the 37mm wide-angle focal length is a bit narrow. |
Canon EOS 350D |
US$999 (S$1,999) with EF-S 18mm-to-55mm, F3.5-to-5.6 zoom lens;
US$899 (S$1,899) (body only)
March 2005 |
8-megapixel (effective) CMOS sensor; compatible with Canon EF-mount
lenses; CompactFlash media |
An updated version of the EOS 300D, the EOS 350D offers more advanced
features and customizable controls, and it promises faster shooting
performance. |
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