Canon Intros a Trio of PowerShots Compact Point-and-Shoots: G7 X, SX60 and...

Canon Intros a Trio of PowerShots Compact Point-and-Shoots: G7 X, SX60 and N2

2002

Melville, NY—Canon expanded its PowerShot point-and-shoot lineup with three models: the PowerShot G7 X, its first portable P&S with a 1.0-inch sensor for high-quality photographs and videos; the PowerShot SX60 HS with a 65x optical zoom lens and a 2–1365mm equivalent focal range; and the PowerShot N2, uniquely styled with a selfie-ready, flip-up touch panel LCD to make it easy for social media fans to share their photos and videos via Wi-Fi and Near Field Communications (NFC).

“Canon continually strives to provide imaging enthusiasts with the tools they need to create high-quality images and videos,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon USA, Inc. “We believe in the talent of those passionate about photography and these three new PowerShot cameras allow photographers to capture, print and share their most amazing images.”

PowerShot G7 X. For those looking for DSLR features in a compact P&S body, the G7 X boasts a large, 1.0-inch, 20.2 megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and delivers an ISO range of 125–12,800. The sensor, along with a Digic 6 image processor, creates Canon’s HS (high-sensitivity) system, to deliver low-light performance so images and videos are clear and sharp.

Employing a Canon 4.2x optical zoom lens (24–100mm equivalent) with an aperture range of f/1.8–2.8 from wide to telephoto, the G7 X is built to capture everything from portraits and sweeping landscapes to creative macro shots. And the lens has a nine-blade curved aperture diaphragm to provide artistically blurred backgrounds, while a built-in ND filter expands creative options for stills and videos.

Also featured are a multi-angle, 3.0-inch, 1,040K-dot capacitive touch LCD panel, a high-speed autofocus system with 31 AF points spread across the picture area, and a 6.5-frames-per-sec continuous shooting speed. The camera supports both manual exposure control and the user’s choice of RAW, JPEG or RAW+JPEG recording formats. Manual control operability is via the touch panel, a programmable control ring on the lens, an exposure compensation dial and two customizable buttons.

For those who prefer automation, Smart Auto technology automatically selects 58 different predefined scenes for still shots and 21 for video. Additionally, the camera’s intelligent IS automatically chooses from one of eight modes to help optimize image stabilization for virtually shake-free images.

Multiple shooting modes are included: star mode offers four options to capture starry night skies; star portrait and star nightscape modes help capture the luminance of stars in the background and a foreground subject; star trails mode turns star movement into a still image; and star time-lapse movie mode makes video clips that show the movement of the stars against a static background. For more creative expression, there is creative shot mode for still images, with four filter categories (retro, monochrome, special and natural). And the camera’s High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode creates images with an artistic flare.

Photographers can also record Full HD 1080/60p video. Accessing the various video shooting modes is as easily done as automatic and manual focus, along with exposure settings, which can be controlled using the touch panel, the dial on the back of the camera or the lens’s control ring. An HDMI port permits playback on a HDTV.

The G7 X is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi, so users can share their images and videos online using compatible mobile devices. Via the “mobile device connect button,” users can connect to a smartphone or tablet, while uploading and storage of images and movies to the web is accomplished using Canon iMage Gateway. The camera also provides NFC. $699.99.

PowerShot SX60 HS. With a 65x optical zoom lens (21–1,365mm equivalent) and optical image stabilization for steady images, this camera brings even faraway action up close. It includes a 16.1MP CMOS sensor that pairs with a Digic 6 processor to create Canon’s HS system and enhance low-light image quality. Plus, Canon’s intelligent IS system provides users with eight-mode shake correction. For filmmakers, 1080/60p Full HD video capabilities feature a choice of automatic or manual exposure control along with a built-in stereo microphone and a port for an optional external stereo microphone.

Also featured are: face detection and a tracking AF system; 6.4-fps, full-resolution continuous shooting (without tracking AF); an EOS-style grip design; a 3.0-inch, 922K-dot vari-angle LCD for low- or high-angle shooting; a 922K-dot electronic viewfinder; a zoom framing assist function for shooting at extreme telephoto lengths that remembers the previous zoom position, zooms out to locate the subject and zooms back into the saved position when the button is released. Another function called zoom memory makes it possible to quickly return to the most recently used zoom position, even if the battery or memory card is replaced.

Creative shot and smart auto modes are also provided, which automatically selects optimal settings from 58 predefined scenes for stills and 21 for video. Full manual exposure and focus control are also offered, as well as a choice of JPEG, RAW, or JPEG+RAW capture modes. The camera is also compatible with Canon EX-series Speedlites.

The PowerShot SX60 HS camera comes with NFC and built-in Wi-Fi, and its mobile device connect button makes it easy to connect to a smartphone/tablet for transfer. Images and movies can be uploaded to the cloud via Canon iMage Gateway and shared on social media. $549.99.

PowerShot N2. This square-shaped P&S employs creative features, an 8x optical zoom lens (28–224mm equivalent), a 16.1MP CMOS sensor and a Digic 6 processor. Notable is its 2.8-inch, 180º tilt, capacitive touch LCD screen that combines with a new self-portrait mode for taking spontaneous selfies. The LCD also allows the capture of low-angle or difficult-to-shoot angles. And its new shutter ring functions with an all-round release, allowing users to hold the camera in various ways.

Other N2 features include: creative shot mode with added filters, like retro and monochrome; a movie shooting features that combines several movie clips automatically with special effects, including super slow motion, quick motion and filters; smart auto mode with 58 predefined scenes for stills and 21 for video for set-it-and-forget-it capture; built-in Wi-Fi and a mobile device connect button to sync with a smartphone or tablet for sharing; and NFC to link with Android devices.

Canon’s PowerShot N2 is scheduled to ship in December 2014 with a choice of black and white body colors for an SRP of $299.99. usa.canon.com

NO COMMENTS