Canon Power Shot Digital Camera Review

By Peter Gabriel

Ultra Compact 12.1 MP Camera

Canon’s new 2009 digital camera lineups are coming out later this month (March) and my inbox was hit with their usual PowerShot eNewsLetter promoting the “sleek, slender, and super smart” PowerShot SD 780 IS Digital ELPH. Offered in bright red, black, silver, and gold colors, the beautiful little compacts convey the meanings of passion, confident, classic, and luxury.

If you are disgusted by the heavy DSLR cameras with the same old looks, I am sure you will find the new Canon cameras refreshing. And the beauty isn’t just skin-deep, it comes packed with Canon’s digital camera innovations. For someone who wants more power, there are higher end Canon PowerShot SD960IS and Canon PowerShot SD970IS coming as well.

How often do you go out with friends at the café or bars, at the beach, or mountain biking? And how many times have you wished you had a good portable camera on hand to capture the moment ? You’ll say that “good” and “portable” don’t go together when the word comes to cameras, but I’d prove you wrong!

The Canon Power Shot SD780IS Digital Camera is as small as your wallet, and weighs less than a toothpaste tube, BUT has 12.1 mega pixel resolution, DIGIC 4 image processor, and bright LCD screen for stunning images. If that got you interested, read on!

So, I mentioned how small and portable this camera is. That means that you can carry it with you all the time, even in your pocket, and you won’t miss any more good shots. When the time is right, you just take it out, point, and shoot! It has lightning quick startup thanks to the DIGIC 4 image processor, which makes it ready for action whenever you are.

It’s good to note here that if this is your first camera, you’re going to absolutely love its user friendliness. There is a simple intuitive menu that won’t intimidate you at all, I promise! It figures out the best settings automatically (it basically thinks instead of you). It even has image stabilization. You just spot a picture-worthy situation and press a button - it’s that easy!

Oh, and did I mention that it records HD video in 720p? How cool is that? Your pocket camera not only has superb specs and a supermodel looks, but it also records video! HD video!!! If you haven’t already, it’s about time that you register an account at YouTube. I bet that soon you’ll have a lot to share with the world!

cannon powershot camera

The Canon Power Shot Digital Camera is ultra-compact, but at the same time with excellent quality. Its ease of use and vibrant images are among the features that make it one of the most desired gifts on wish lists!

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Cameras SLR : Canon EOS 1000D Digital Camera SLR - 10.1 Megapixel

Posted By Agus Mardiana

The baby brother to the EOS 450D, the Canon EOS 1000D is the typical, almost-identical, but slightly less-powerful, version of that camera.

Cameras Slr

With a 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor and technology inherited from Canon’s professional models, the EOS 1000D offers EOS imaging power in an affordable, easy-to-use package. The central focus point enables focusing even under low-light or low-contrast conditions.

Canon’s built-in dust prevention system guards images against the effects of dust in three ways: reducing dust generated inside the camera, shaking dust from the sensor each time the camera is turned on or off, and mapping stubborn dust spots for removal with the provided Digital Photo Professional software.

Features :

• 10.1 MP CMOS sensor
• Up to 3fps
• 7-point wide-area AF
• Self-Cleaning Image Sensor
• 2.5″ LCD with Live View mode
• DIGIC III processor
• SD/SDHC card slot
• Picture Styles processing
• Compact and lightweight
• Compatible with EF/EF-S lenses and EX Speedlites

Review By Lori Grunin

Design
Though it essentially uses the same body as the 450D, it shaves a couple of grams of the weight; it only weighs 450 grams. None require two-handed operation; when you push the button to change ISO, white balance, metering and so on, the menu persists while you navigate the options.

The biggest operational advantage the 1000D offers over competitors is My Menu, which, unlike some other features, it inherits from higher-end models. With My Menu you can build a go-to-list of the most frequently accessed menu settings - in our case, for instance, Format and Live View settings. For instance, you can change ISO sensitivity with either the dial or the navigation buttons, but can only navigate metering choices via the navigation buttons.

The AF indicators are tiny red dots that briefly flash when focus locks. Is it more annoying than the faint focus lines Sony uses?

Features
For the most part, the 1000D offers a solid set of entry-level specs: 10-megapixel, APS-C-size, CMOS sensor (for Canon’s traditional 1.6x focal-length multiplier) and 7-point user-selectable autofocus system. That falls between the Nikon D60’s paltry three-area AF and the 9- and 11-point AF systems in the competing Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and Pentax K200D, respectively. For example, shutter speeds range from 30 seconds to 1/4000th of a second, with a flash sync speed of 1/200th of a second, and the camera employs a 35-zone TTL-metering system. Canon also offers the BG-E5 battery grip.

Though it offers a Live View shooting mode with contrast-detection AF, Live View’s usefulness is limited without support from an articulating LCD, and it functions too slowly to be of any use with live subjects. Furthermore, all the manufacturers seem to incorrectly think that the equivalent of Canon’s Picture Styles - custom contrast, sharpness saturation and colour tone - are more important in this market segment than the capability to save groups of custom exposure, white balance, metering, drive-mode settings, and so on.

Performance

Once focused, shot-to-shot time typically takes about 0.7 second for RAW shots. Oddly, JPEG shooting is a much faster 0.4 second - these days there’s typically no difference between RAW and JPEG speed in dSLRs. Shooting RAW slows down after three frames and, like the 450D, maxes out at six frames; you’ll have to move to another class of camera if you take shooting your childrens’ soccer games really seriously.

Image Quality

The 1000D’s only really obvious advantage over the competition is its photo quality, which is quite good, especially at high ISO sensitivities. In general, colour and exposures are accurate (as accurate as you can get when the situation doesn’t require a spot meter), it renders a relatively broad dynamic range, and the kit lens delivers sharp photos for its class.

Conclusion

As to the first: if you crop a lot, need a spot meter, or merely want the larger LCD, then it’s worth paying a little extra for the 450D; otherwise, the 1000D will probably serve your needs well. For more information, check out our Which Canon digital SLR? feature. And if you want the best photo quality and/or need fast, low-light focus, the Canon 1000D outshines its competitors.

Canon Digital Cameras SLR : Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera

Posted By Agus Mardiana

A little bigger in so many ways, the Canon EOS 40D is nevertheless familiar. Canon made important additions, some to keep up with the market, and others to meet needs expressed by users. The final product is a mostly improved high-end digital SLR camera that, while not a compelling upgrade for most 20D and 30D owners, is a great digital SLR camera.

canon slr camera

Product Features and Technical Details

Product Features

1. 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
2. Large 3.0-inch LCD display with enhanced Live View and broadened color gamut
3. 6.5 frame-per-second continuous shooting capability (for bursts of up to 75 Large/Fine JPEGs or 17 RAW images)
4. sRAW mode; 35-zone metering system; integrated Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit
5. Powered by BP-511A, BP-511, or BP-512 lithium-ion battery pack; stores images on CF cards

canon slr camera

Technical Details

1. Color: Black
2. Type: Digital AF/AE SLR
3. Recording medium: CF Card Type I and II and external media (USB v2.0 hard drive, via optional wireless file transmitter)
4. Image format: 0.87 x 0.58 inches (APS-C size sensor)
5. Compatible lenses: Canon EF, EF-S, TS-E, and MP-E
6. Lens mount: Canon EF mount
7. Lens focal length conversion factor: 1.6x
8. Image sensor: High-sensitivity, high-resolution, single-plate CMOS
9. Pixels: Approximately 10.10 megapixels
10. Total pixels: Approximately 10.50 megapixels
11. Aspect ratio: 3:2 (horizontal: vertical)
12. Color filter system: RGB primary color filters
13. Low-pass filter: Fixed position in front of CMOS sensor
14. Recording format: DCF 2.0 (Exif 2.21); JPEG, RAW, and RAW+JPEG simultaneous recording possible; multiple options for recording images on memory card
15. Image format: JPEG, RAW (Canon CR2)
16. File size: JPEG/large: approximately 3.5 MB (3,888 x 2,592); JPEG/medium: approximately 2.1 MB (2,816 x 1,880); JPEG/small: approximatley 1.2 MB (1,936 x 1,288); RAW: approximately 12.4 MB (3,888 x 2,592); sRAW: approximately 7.1 MB (1,936 x 1,288)
17. Folders: Automatically created by camera
18. File numbering: Continuous, auto reset, manual reset
19. Color space: Selectable between sRGB and Adobe RGB
20. Interface: USB 2.0 high-speed mini-B port; NTSC/PAL for video output
21. White balance settings: Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten, white fluorescent light, flash, custom WB setting, user-set color temperature
22. Auto white balance: Yes, taken from imaging sensor
23. Personal white balance: White balance bracketing: 3 consecutive images written to CF card for each firing of shutter; up to +/- 3 levels in 1-step increments; white balance shift: blue/amber bias and/or magenta/green bias +/- up to 9 levels; manually set by user
24. Viewfinder type: Eye-level SLR with solid glass pentaprism
25. Coverage: Approximately 95 percent
26. Magnification: 0.95x (-1 dpt with 50mm lens at infinity)
27. Eyepoint: Approximately 22mm
28. Dioptric adjustment correction: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter
29. Mirror: Quick-return half mirror (transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60)
30. Viewfinder information: AF (AF points, focus confirmation light), Exposure (shutter speed, aperture, ISO speed, AE lock, exposure level, spot metering circle, exposure warning), Flash (flash ready, flash exposure compensation, high-speed sync, FE lock, red-eye reduction light), Image (monochrome shooting, maximum burst, white balance correction, CF card information)
31. Depth-of-field preview: Enabled with depth-of-field preview button; possible in Live View function
32. Eyepiece shutter: None
33. Autofocus type: TTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated CMOS sensor
34. AF points: 9 cross-type AF points, including center AF point; fully functional with f/5.6 or faster lenses
35. AF working range: EV -0.5 to 18
36. Focusing modes: Autofocus (One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF), manual
37. AF point selection: Automatic, manual
38. Selected AF point display: Superimposed red illumination in viewfinder; also visible on top or rear LCD panel when AF point select button is pressed
39. AF-assist beam: Intermittent firing of built-in flash
40. Metering modes: 35-zone TTL full-aperture metering: evaluative, partial, spot, center-weighted average
41. Exposure control systems: Program AE (shiftable), shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, auto depth-of-field AE (non-shiftable), full auto (non-shiftable), programmed image control modes, manual exposure, E-TTL II autoflash program AE
42. ISO speed range: Equivalent to ISO 100 to 1,600 (in 1/3-stop or whole increments)
43. Exposure compensation: +/- 3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-half increments
44. AE lock: Auto: applied in One-Shot AF mode with evaluative metering when focus is achieved; manual: by AE lock button in all metering modes
45. Shutter type: Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically controlled
46. Shutter speeds: 1/8,000 to 30 seconds (1/3-stop increments); X-sync at 1/250 of a second
47. Shutter release: Soft-touch electromagnetic
48. Self-timer: 10-second and 2-second delay
49. Remote control: Canon N3 type terminal
50. Flash type: Auto pop up, retractable, built-in flash in pentaprism
51. Guide number: 13/43
52. Recycling time: Roughly 3 seconds
53. Flash-ready indicator: In viewfinder
54. Flash coverage: 17mm lens focal length
55. Flash metering system: E-TTL II autoflash
56. LCD monitor: 3-inch TFT color
57. Pixels: Approximately 230,000
58. Coverage: 100 percent
59. Brightness control: 7 levels
60. Image display format: Single image, 4-image index, 9-image index, jump, magnified zoom (approximately 1.5x to 10x), histogram, AF point display, auto rotate, rotate; live view: view image before shooting on LCD monitor; live histogram and live simulation of exposure level possible with C.Fn IV-7-1
61. Highlight alert: In the single image display and info display, over-exposed highlight areas will blink
62. Protection: Single or all images in memory card
63. Erase: Single image, select images, all images in CF card or unprotected images
64. Direct printing from camera: Yes, with Print/Share button
65. Compatible printers: CP and SELPHY compact photo printers, PIXMA photo printers, and PictBridge-compatible printers (via USB cable, included with camera kit)
66. Settings: Print quantity, style (image, paper size, paper type, printing effects, layout), trimming, tilt correction (compatibility varies, depending upon printer in use)
67. Power source: Dedicated battery pack, AC adapter
68. Number of shots: Approximately 1,100 images (normal shooting, no flash); approximately 800 images (50 percent flash use)
69. Battery check: Automatic
70. Item width: 5.7 inches
71. Item height: 4.2 inches
72. Item depth: 2.9 inches
73. Item weight: 26.1 ounces
74. Warranty: 1 year parts and labor

canon slr camera

Review By Shawn Barnett

Look and feel. When it comes to viewing images, composing in Live View, or changing menu settings, the large LCD is great to have.The Canon 40D’s Rear Command dial and the Multi-controller joystick are roughly where they are on other models, including the 30D, EOS-5D, and EOS-1D Mark III.

Prominent on the back of the Canon 40D is one new button heretofore only seen on the 1D Mark III: the AF-ON button. By default when shooting in Creative zone modes (Program, Shutter, etc.), it works much the same as a half-press of the shutter button.

On the right, the major difference is a special area on the Status LCD dedicated to constant display of the current ISO, also optimized for the word “Auto,” another interesting addition to the 40D’s “Creative Mode” abilities (Auto ISO is the default in Full Auto and Scene modes).

Image quality. As is typical of this particular line of Canon digital SLR cameras, images from the Canon 40D are excellent. High ISO images printed at 13×19 inches are usable from ISO 100 to 800, with little noticeable noise, and little evidence of noise suppression. Impressive.

I managed the time to shoot in my basement studio, and the results are quite crisp, made easier by the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens. There were very few out-of-focus shots, which was a surprise after all the other experiences I had, but most cameras I test do well with my simple studio lighting setup.

The troubles I had with the Multi-point AF system disappeared when I switched to my usual single-point shooting mode, and I’m guessing that most photographers considering the 40D will care as much about the Multi-point AF problem as if I said that the Landscape mode underexposed by one stop (it doesn’t; that’s just an example). Most of the 40D’s target audience won’t use either mode.

However, if you do use Multi-point AF on occasion, and especially if you’re already used to a 20D or 30D, be prepared for an occasional mis-focus now and then. The older models weren’t perfect, to be sure, but the 40D’s behavior often caught me by surprise.