Archive for September, 2011
London, UK, 15th September 2011 – Canon today unveils the latest addition to its range of powerful, ultra-zoom compact cameras. Combining an incredible 35x ultrawide- angle zoom lens, full manual control and Full HD movie capture, the PowerShot SX40 HS is ideal for photographers who want the flexibility and control of a DSLR and the versatility of a huge focal range packed into a compact body.
Providing outstanding image quality, the PowerShot SX40 HS is among the first PowerShot models to feature Canon’s new DIGIC 5 image processor which boosts the performance of the HS System and offers advanced shooting options as well as supporting Full HD (1080p) movie capture. The amazing zoom range allows any subject to be captured with ease, from high-speed action at the racetrack to distant wildlife on the African plains and abstract close-ups. New Intelligent IS technology also ensures still images are crisp, and video footage is smooth and clear.
Ultra-powerful, ultra-zoom
The PowerShot SX40 HS is incredibly versatile, capturing subjects near and far with amazing precision thanks to one of the most powerful zooms on the market, which draws on the same optical expertise behind Canon’s industry-leading professional lenses. The versatile 35x zoom, with Ultrasonic and Voice Coil Motors to ensure fast, silent zooming and focusing, extends from a 24mm ultra-wide-angle to a maximum telephoto range of 840mm, enabling users to capture wide-angle shots of stunning landscapes as well as portraits and distant action.
The 4.5-stop optical Image Stabilizer has also been enhanced with new Intelligent IS technology that detects the shooting situation and automatically applies the most appropriate image stabilisation settings from seven possible modes1. For example, Panning IS is enabled when following the action of a racetrack, ensuring the IS system stabilises in only one direction, while Macro IS with Hybrid IS technology is perfect for shooting clear close-ups. Powered IS uses Canon camcorder technology to make it easy to film distant subjects with the long zoom, and Tripod mode switches off the Image Stabilizer when the camera is on a stable surface or attached to a tripod.
Raising the bar for image quality
The PowerShot SX40 HS is the latest model to feature the HS System, combining a high-sensitivity back-illuminated 12.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with Canon’s new breed of image processor to capture beautiful, low noise images in all conditions. The new DIGIC 5 image processor offers even more advanced noise reduction technology, giving up to 75% less noise2 at all ISO levels and producing more natural, blur-free results without needing to use a tripod or the flash. New Multi-area White Balance can make images look more natural by detecting situations where there are two different light sources and then applying area-specific white balance correction. For example, when shooting a casual portrait with flash inside a room lit with tungsten lighting, the camera will apply tungsten white balance on the background and flash white balance on the face, ensuring both the subject and the background keep their natural colours.
High speed, high drama
The new DIGIC 5 processor takes the high-speed shooting capabilities of the 12.1MP CMOS sensor to a new level, enabling photographers to capture every moment in stunning detail and quality. Photographers shooting fast-paced action can choose between shooting full resolution photos continuously to card capacity at 2.4 shots/sec., or with the new High-speed Burst HQ mode, a high-speed sequence of up to 8 full resolution shots can be captured at 10.3 shots/sec.
Alternatively, experiment with Super Slow Motion Movie – shooting VGA resolution video at 120fps (or QVGA resolution at 240fps) and playing it back at a fraction of the real speed3 – to add dramatic flair or analyse a goal or golf swing. For even greater support when shooting after dark without a tripod, Handheld Night Scene captures a high-speed sequence of shots, combining the image data to produce one well-exposed shot with minimal blur.
Full HD movies – shoot and share with ease
The dedicated movie button allows photographers to become videographers instantly, switching from high quality stills to Full HD (1080p) video at 24fps with stereo sound for fantastic home movies. The USM and VCM on the huge telephoto lens enable the PowerShot SX40 HS to zoom and focus quickly and silently, allowing photographers to make use of the full focal range whilst filming.
Sharing and editing your home movies also couldn’t be easier. The PowerShot SX40 HS supports the Apple iFrame Movie format, allowing video clips to be imported and immediately edited in common software programs, simplifying and accelerating the post-production process. Frame and view your footage on the 6.8 cm (2.7″) vari-angle PureColor II VA LCD screen, alternatively, share your footage and photos on the big screen, straight from the camera’s HDMI port. You can also use the remote control of an HDMI-CEC compatible HDTV to browse the camera from the comfort of your sofa – perfect for sharing holiday snaps or home movies with friends and family.
Manual control and creative support
For more advanced users, the PowerShot SX40 HS offers the complete flexibility of full manual control. On-screen Hints & Tips can also be engaged to guide beginners through the different camera settings, helping to develop their photographic skills with every new shot. Smart Auto has also been enhanced, detecting up to 32 different scenes4 and automatically adjusting the camera settings to capture the best possible image. Tracking AF allows the photographer to select an object and track it as it moves around the frame, ensuring off-centre compositions are perfectly in focus at the moment the photo is taken.
To add creative flair to every shot, the PowerShot SX40 HS also features a range of Creative Filters including Fish-eye Effect, Super Vivid, Poster Effect and Miniature Effect which also extends to movies. Toy Camera Effect recreates the nostalgic effects of a pinhole camera and Monochrome produces shots in black and white, sepia and blue tones.
Further extending its creative possibilities, the PowerShot SX40 HS can be used with Canon Speedlite EX flash units as well as a lens filter adapter and other accessories. This provides Canon compact camera users with many of the benefits of the EOS DSLR System, combined with the unsurpassed versatility of this model’s incredible zoom range.
Join the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY community
Owners of the PowerShot SX40 HS can also join the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, an online facility for sharing photos and video.
The CANON iMAGE GATEWAY Online Photo Album provides up to 2GB of personal storage capacity – enough room for hundreds of high-quality images.
PowerShot SX40 HS – key features :
- 35x ultra wide-angle zoom with USM
- Image Stabilizer (4.5-stop). Intelligent IS
- HS System (12.1 MP) with DIGIC 5
- Full HD, HDMI
- 6.8 cm (2.7″) vari-angle LCD, EVF
- Smart Auto, Multi-area WB
- High-speed Burst HQ
- Manual modes
- Zoom Framing Assist
- Range of accessories
Spec lists
I just wrote in the last post that I wouldn’t post detailed spec lists because they’re rarely, if ever true.
However, it looks like [NL] received the same email we did. I’ll post the spec list now for your entertainment.
5D Mark III
- 24MP
- Pro grade AF (not 7D like)
- 2 stops better ISO than 5D mk II
- Digic V
- 6 fps
- New video codec, not Raw. MPEG 4:2:2, new video functions such as tracking focus in video mode
- Compact body with improved weather sealed
- Same introduction price as the predecessor
1Ds Mark IV
- 54MP (no low pass filter)
- Decent 6400 ISO performance
- Same AF as 1D Mark IV
- 14 stops DR
- 16 bit Raw file (mode to be confirmed)
- Digic V
- Limited new HD video function in comparison with the 5D III
New GPS and wireless device accessories will be introduced around the same time.
Other bits of information from the same email.
- All current L lens can perform at the level of the 1Ds sensor resolution,there is no low pass filter in front of the sensor and there is digital on/off software switch to reduce moire.
- Video function in the new 1Ds is not as complete as the one on the 5D mk II and due the massive data reading of the sensor there is no MPEG 4:2:2 coded.
- It seems that in one of the prototype there was an option to shoot 16bit Raw files that this option cut down dramatically the fps.
- It’s rumored that Canon will also announced one zoom and 2 prime lens with the Ds camera.
As I said earlier, I’m not a big fan or believer of in-depth spec lists on cameras that are still more than a month away from announcement. If I didn’t post this, I’d get a ton of emails since it appeared on another popular rumor site. Rock and a hard place sort of thing.
Check the previous post for something I think is a bit more believable. I do hope some of you can point out any obvious flaws in this spec list that I have overlooked. Have fun!
cr
1Ds Mark IV strikes again
There is a lot of information floating through my inbox recently. Sorting through what is true, what is a wish and what is old recycled information is what keeps this site from getting boring.
There have been a couple of known sources say there is a lot of ”misinformation” or “fragmented information” out there. I dismiss highly detailed spec lists now, they’re just never true.
So why a post about a 1Ds Mark IV?
Well, new information has come from a few sources and when you put it all together, we may be getting somewhere.
Here is a breakdown of specs and features I have received.
1Ds Mark IV Speculations
- 30+ mp (most likely 32)
- 10fps (I have also heard 8)
- DIGIC V (No word on number of processors)
- 1D/1Ds Line Merged
- Announced around the 3rd week of October with an April, 2012 delivery
- The prototypes are/have been in the hands of Canon ambassadors
We did post recently that no DSLR would be coming in 2011, if I go by the above information, that’s still true with the April delivery. There can be grey areas with “announcement” and “delivery” when translating.
The first question I asked about the claimed MP and frame rate was; “Can you write to any cards that fast with 30+mp RAW files or would the camera have a giant buffer?” I haven’t heard back yet. I am also wondering if Canon figured out how to make a full frame sensor do 10fps. When speaking about APS-H in the 1D Mark IV, Canon themselves said they couldn’t recycle a full frame sensor fast enough to do 10fps. Hence Nikon’s 9fps on the D3/D3s.
Again, all of this is very vague and in my experience, vague is better.
cr
LensRentals.com
Our pals at LensRentals.com has the new Canon 300 f/2.8L IS II in stock!
Check it out
As for us at Lens Rentals Canada, it’s on order.
cr
From Art Wolfe’s Facebook Status
“I just wanted to extend an extra thank you to @Michael Gurley from Canon for bringing the keys to the candy store this past weekend for the workshop participants. Mike brought with him just about every Canon lens from the widest fish eyes, tilt shift, macro and on through through 800mm along with numerous backs including the new 1DS Mark 4. Everyone had a great time trying out new lenses and backs and we really appreciate it.”
Art would be a guy that would have an advanced look, I’m just not sure it wasn’t a typo. The NDA he’d be under would be strict.
*UPDATE*
Apparently Art updated his status to say “1D Mark IV”. Probably a typo………. The weird thing is he also removed the word “new”. Sometimes I randomly add the word “new” to sentences as new well.
*UPDATE 2*
Art Wolfe’s friend who posted the Facebook status line has written in with a big apology for riling up the Canon masses with a post that was in error. They were using 1Ds Mark IIIs and 1D Mark IVs on their workshop.
He apologizes for the frenzy that has been created.
cr
Lots came in
I have received a lot of small rumors throughout the week. There’s till life out there, even if there isn’t anything overly exciting.
I’ll break them down.
DIGIC V
Apparently DIGIC V will be powering the next Canon DSLRs. We all expect better noise reduction and processing speed, however there is also a “brand new feature”. I’m still waiting to find out what that is.
PowerShot G12 Replacement
There will be no G12 replacement in 2011.
2011 DSLR?
Most information I am receiving now seems to suggest there will be no DSLR announcement in 2011. There are definitely a lot of prototype bodies out there, we just won’t be hearing about them until 2012.
It was suggested this was to make sure Canon could meet the production demands that the Christmas and holiday seasons require.
It was also flatly said that “Canon will announce a new camera when it’s done, and not a minute before”. Canon has no desire to announce a camera and it not be available for 2-3 months.
Canon Mirrorless
The R&D is ongoing. There is no prototype cameras out to photographers though.
EF 24-70 f/2.8L II
Apparently in the October 2011 Popular Photography issue, they wrote a reference to an EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS II. I haven’t seen the magazine, but generally dismiss this sort of thing as a typo. I’ve never received solid info that the version II would have IS.
*UPDATE* As pointed out by a reader, any 24-70 with IS wouldn’t be designated with a “II”. I hate missing the obvious. :)
cr
Next announcements
Next Tuesday we will be seeing some more Canon announcements. Alas, no DSLRs will be announced. We’re reminding the folks of previous information.
PowerShot SX40 HS [CR3]
12mp
35x Zoom
HD Video
The second camera to be announced isn’t quite as definite, we’re pretty sure it’s an S95 replacement.
PowerShot S100 (tentative name) [CR2]
12mp
5X Zoom
G13?
Again, there has been nothing about a G13, so it looks like the G12 will remain a current product for the time being. Could this be a sign the series is taking a turn? Here’s hoping.
Another theory is the “S100″ rumors we’re hearing are actually for a G13 and the “S” series isn’t getting an upgrade.
cr
Sony, Panasonic & Olympus knocking at the door
Bloomberg has written an interesting article the higher ups at Canon have certainly taken notice of. That being their dropping marketshare in Japan along with Nikon to the mirrorless segment.
I haven’t had a problem with Canon being last to the game. I don’t personally like any of the true mirrorless options (you don’t count M9), none of them feel like cameras to me. Lots of people do though, and that’s cool. I was eager to see what Nikon came up with, though it doesn’t look too exciting to me.
I’ve always thought if Canon was going to get into it, they’d go all in. We’d see 3 mirrorless camera bodies, one high end mirrorless, a Canon M9 if you will (not a rangefinder). A prosumer middle camera body for the 5D user who wants IQ and portability, and then an entry level variant for the people that want more than a “G”.
I could be dreaming, or wishing. I’d just like to think Canon would be the company that did it right.
From Bloomberg
Canon Inc. and Nikon Corp. the world’s two biggest makers of high-end cameras, may be missing out on the industry’s biggest technology shift since film rolls became obsolete.
The two Tokyo-based companies use mirrors in all cameras with interchangeable lenses, a technique Sony Corp. (6758) is shifting away from. As a result, Canon and Nikon’s combined share of the Japanese market has fallen by 35 percent, while Sony’s share has doubled, according to estimates at research firm BCN Inc.
Read More
cr
EF & PL Mount Cameras
I’ve received more contact that EF and PL mount camcorders are coming from Canon over the next 6 months or so. We’d see the EF mount camera most likely before the end of 2011 and the higher end PL mount version sometime before Q2 in 2012.
The source said the EF mount camera looks to be “affordable” and would be extremely popular, the PL mount camera would be a higher end professional solution.
No mention of sensor size or specs on either camera. That is usually a good sign this far ahead of any sort of announcement.
Take any rumor of an EF mount video camera with a large grain of salt. This is a product that does not exist yet and has a potential to be a wishlist product.
cr
Back and forth
Everyone wants to know when Canon will announce their next camera bodies. I’m wondering the same thing. Daily, I am getting contradictory information. What this makes me believe is Canon doesn’t yet have an announcement date decided. The Japan disaster has had a deep and lasting effect on camera body production.
I’ve heard as early as October for a new DLSLR and as late as February. Some people are saying the 5D Mark III will be before the 1Ds Mark IV and others are saying it the other way around.
There is nothing solid I can pass on right now in regards to DSLRs, I just wanted to clear that up.
cr
![1Ds Mark IV & 5D Mark III [CR0.5]](http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/themes/magnet/scripts/timthumb.php?src=http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/canon5dmk211.jpg&a=t&h=100&w=200)
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![PowerShots Next Week [CR2-CR3]](http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/themes/magnet/scripts/timthumb.php?src=http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/canon_sx30is_slant-flash_550.jpg&a=t&h=100&w=200)
