Digital Camera News

August 19, 2007

New Canon Series, 10x PowerShot SX100 IS Launched

Take a look at the new Canon PowerShot SX100

August 20, 2007 – In an eight-camera announcement this morning, Canon revealed one more surprise as the manufacturer launched a new digital camera series. The 8-megapixel PowerShot SX100 IS, the first in the series, is fitted with a 10x optical zoom image stabilized lens. The point-and-shoot includes Canon's latest generation of face detection with a new face select function and 640 LP movie mode. The PowerShot SX100 will have a price tag of $299 when the camera hits the shelves in October.

Representing the "new style" of Canon digital cameras, according to Chuck Westfall, Canon Director of Media and Customer Relationship, Consumer Imaging Group, the new PowerShot SX100 is targeted to Gen X and soccer parents. The camera’s architecture design is modeled after Canon’s entry-level A-series but possesses some exterior modifications. The SX100 ditches the optical viewfinder and adds a pull-up flash like the S-cameras to reduce red-eye. Even though the camera looks more like its budget line of cameras, the SX100 employs a more advanced, long 10x optical zoom.

The SX100 sits alongside Canon's 10x TX1 and the SLR-styled 12x PowerShot S5 IS that are both priced at a notably higher $499 retail price.

The Canon SX100 IS camera is "full featured but at a lower price point," said Westfall.

The 8-megapixel PowerShot SX100 is fitted with a 2.5-inch LCD screen. Equipped with the Digic III processor, the camera includes an upgraded face detection system that includes a new Face Select function. With the rotary dial, users can now select which face will be auto focused and auto exposed.

The SX100 IS also possesses a new 640 LP setting for video capture. It captures at the standard VGA resolution (640x480) at 30fps like previous cameras, but the new LP mode further compresses the JPEG files, thus doubling recording time capacity, according to Westfall. The compressed files could also benefit users looking to upload their videos to the Web.

The Canon SX100 IS accepts AA batteries.

Key Features:
10x optical zoom with image stabilization
Digic III processor
Face detection with face selection
640 LP movie mode

Spec Sheet

- Canon PowerShot SX100