Two new Canon high-performance compact cameras deliver the big shots
WITH the recent advancement of backside illumination (BSI) sensor combined with the plethora of bells and whistles and apps you can fit in a smartphone, camera manufacturers face the tough job of convincing consumers to take a look at their recent offerings these days.
In recent years, it’s just not enough for them to offer what the market has defined as segments-point-and-shoot (P&S) or advance P&S, or P&S with standard zoom (28mm to 50 or 80mm), or P&S with standard to telephoto zoom (28mm to 100 or 120mm).
Because of the stringent competition from smartphones, P&S with super zooms (28mm-300mm) and almost everything but the kitchen sink, now includes features like image stabilization, cleaner high ISO photographs, 1080p videos with film-like frame rate all in an amazingly super compact package are not uncommon.
And why not? If this spells the difference between mediocre and professional imagery, or web-use to eye-popping print enlargements, the extra room you will make to fit in your bag that fits such camera will be truly worth the effort.
Canon PowerShot G7X
The new PowerShot G7X is that hybrid camera: its size sits between compact to super-compact P&S with advance features at a price below $700.
Featuring a fast f/1.8-f/2.8 lens with 24100 mm (35 mm film equivalent) 4.2x optical zoom, and Canon’s DIGIC 6 image processor, the new PowerShot G7X produces exceptional image quality despite its compact size.
Take note that this camera bears a large 1.0-inch 20.2 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor usually relegated to a high-end P&S in bulkier package. This is roughly four times the surface area of the 1/2.3-inch sensors found in many of today’s compact digital cameras.
Its large sensor allows each individual pixel to capture more light for cleaner image even at high ISO settings. Combined with the DIGIC 6, the PowerShot G7X produces exceptional photos with reduced noise and rich color gradation even at its maximum ISO of 12800.
Targeting the prosumers, this tiny wonder (4-inch wide, 2-inch tall) delivers high-speed auto focusing (AF), achieving focus in approximately 0.14 seconds, and a fast maximum consecutive shooting speed of approximately 6.5 frames per second.
Other features designed to satisfy advanced-amateur users include a 3.0-inch tilt-type 1.04-million-dot touch-panel LCD monitor which can tilt up 180 degrees for selfies or added flexibility in street photography, photojournalism or macro photography.
The camera employs a dual-level control dial that lets users easily adjust exposure while shooting and incorporates a control ring at the base of the lens barrel that allows convenient access to such assignable functions as zoom and ISO.
For Canon fans, with its features and controls, the PowerShot G7X is truly a prosumer camera in a S-series package. For photo enthusiasts, advance amateur to professional photographers, PowerShot G7X can be a definitive travel or street camera, or a pretty smart backup.
Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
Talk about big artillery—with a class-leading 21mm to 1365 mm f/3.4-f/6.5 lens (a 65x optical zoom magnification), the PowerShot SX60 HS provides complete coverage from ultra-wide to super telephoto angles of view.
A newly developed grip design, optimized for the camera’s powerful zooming capability, coupled with lens-shift type image stabilization, minimizes the potential for shake when shooting at long focal lengths.
Further boosting the SX60 HS’s already impressive optical zoom performance, ZoomPlus technology extends the zoom range to approximately 130x through digital magnification while maintaining a high level of image resolution. Additionally, Intelligent IS analyzes camera movement and applies the appropriate optical image stabilization method in accordance with the shooting situation.
Incorporating Canon’s HS system, which combines the DIGIC 6 image processor with a high-sensitivity image sensor, the SX60 HS makes possible the capture of exceptionally sharp and clear images with minimal noise even in low-light shooting environments.
The new PowerShot SX60 HS includes an approximately 920,000-dot high-definition LCD viewfinder as well as a 3.0-inch approximately 922,000-dot Vari-angle LCD monitor perfect for selfies and creative angles. The camera has hot shoe which can fit Speedlite flash units for Canon’s EOS series of interchangeable-lens cameras, as well as thirdparty radio or infra-red triggers.
In recent years, high-value-added compact, such as those equipped with a large sensor and high-magnification zoom lens, has been gaining increased attention. In response to this market trend, Canon is strengthening its high-end compact camera lineup by developing models that incorporate such appealing features.