Canon Announce New Models

Canon have announced the EOS 5D MKII, the Powershot G10, the Powershot SX1 IS, the Digital Ixus/Elph 980 IS and the 870 IS. The 21.1 megapixel EOS 5D Mark II is Canon’s first DSLR camera to offer High Definition video capability. The new Canon 5D Mark II features a newly designed Canon CMOS sensor with ISO sensitivity up to 25600, a new DIGIC 4 processor, a 3.0” Clear View LCD with VGA resolution, and 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting. The HD Capture Mode features a full 1080 resolution at 30fp for upto 30 minutes video or 4GB whichever comes first. The EOS 5D MKII has body-only price SRP of $2,699 / €2,499 / £ 2,299 and will be available from the end of November. It will also be available in kit form with the EF 24-105mm f4.0L IS USM lens for an SRP of £3049.99 / €3999.99. The Canon PowerShot G10 features a 14.7 megapixel sensor and a 5x, 28-140mm zoom. This successor to the G9, also offers a large 3.0” PureColor LCD screen, a DIGIC 4 image processor, Canon’s new i-Contrast system to increase the dynamic range, and a Servo AF mode to continually adjust focus on a moving subject. It also like the G9, supports RAW. The Canon PowerShot G10 will be available from October for an SRP of £499.99 / €649.99. The PowerShot SX1 IS and PowerShot SX10 IS replace the PowerShot S5 IS, both the SX1 and SX10 feature a 20x wide-angle zoom lens, with USM and VCM for fast, silent, zooming, and optical Image Stabilizer. The Canon SX1 IS features a fast CMOS sensor which allows it to shoot full-resolution JPEGs at speeds up to 4fps. Both models also use Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor, and feature full HD movie capture and full manual control over both aperture and shutter speed. The Canon PowerShot SX1 IS will be available from December for an SRP of £519.99 / €679.99, whilst the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS will have an SRP of £359.99 / €469.99. The 14.7 Megapixel Digital IXUS 980 IS features several exciting ‘firsts’ – including a Manual Mode that allows for control of shutter speed and aperture. It also comes in "stylish, head-turning" black and the traditional IXUS silver. The 10 Megapixel Digital IXUS 870 IS features a 4.0x wide-angle (28mm) optical zoom, a high-resolution 3.0” PureColor LCD II, and comes finished in gold or silver. Both cameras use Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor. Both cameras offer smooth, 30fps VGA video shooting. Superior compression technology allows them store up to 40% more footage to memory card than their predecessors. The IXUS 980 IS will be available from late September for an SRP of £349.99 / €459.99. The IXUS 870 IS will be available from late September for an SRP of £269.99 / €349.99. The Photography Blog has published a hands on look at all these models at the links found below. Canon PowerShot G10 Canon PowerShot SX1 IS / SX10 IS Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS and 870 IS

Canon Tease With Possible 5D Successor

Canon are showcasing a number of ads using the old silhouette in the dark teaser ads. The photo doesn't really show much but you can see the first teaser at a page titled Destined Evolution, featuring the silhouette of a canon dslr against an image of the moon. Some sites are guessing its a new Canon 5D. The image below is what comes out of the teasers when you process the image in photoshop - silhouette certainly looks like that of a 5D.

Canon Eos 50D Announced

Canon have officially unveiled the EOS 50D. The 15.1 megapixel DSLR features an APS-C sized CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 image processor, up to ISO 12800 support, a 3.0-inch LCD with Live View, face detection, HDMI output, 6.3fps burst mode. It also uses the same AF system found in Canon's 40D but with a new Microadjustment feature. This Prosumer centric model should have an SRP of $1,599 with Canon's EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens -- $1,399 for the body only.

Canon Intros Three Vixia HD Camcorders

Canon have introduced a trio of HD based camcorders. The HF11 flash-based camcorder and the HG20 and HG21 hard drive-based camcorders all support the AVCHD video format with 24Mbps recording, should be available at retailers in September. The Vixia HF-11 features 32 GB of internal flash memory that supports up to 12 hours of video in LP mode and just under 3 hours at 24Mbps. The camera also features 12× video zoom, a 3.3 megapixel full HD CMOS sensor, and a 2.7-inch multi-angle LCD viewfinder display. It also sports USB 2.0 connectivity, component and composite output, and HDMI. The HF-11 should be available for suggested price of $1,199. The Vixia HG21 features 120 GB hard disk for up to 45 hours of LP recording or just over 11 hours of 24Mbps recording. The camera also features 12× video zoom, a 3.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, a 2.7-inch widescreen LCD viewfinder, and instant autofocus. The HG21 should be available for suggested price of $1,299, The HG20 features a 60 GB hard drive, and has much of what the HG21 features. The HG20 should be available for suggested price of $949. All cameras feature an SD/SDHC memory card slot.

CHDK - Hacking Your Canon Point & Shoot

lifehacker.com have posted an excellent article on the Canon Hacker's Development Kit. CHDK is a free, open source project with which you can add features like RAW shooting mode, live RGB histograms, additional photographic settings, motion-detection, time-lapse, longer video recording and even games onto your existing Canon camera. The beauty of CHDK is that it is non-permanent and non-destructive, you can use when you want to; CHDK makes no changes to your camera. Installing CHDK entails having a couple of files added to your camera's memory card. Removing it involves simply restarting your camera without the memory card present.

Canon Announce New Cameras and Lenses

Canon announced a slew of new cameras and lenses, including the 20MP Canon Eos 1Ds Mk III, the 10MP Eos 40D, and the Powershot G9. Other products include the SD (ixus) 950i P&S, the Digital IXUS 860 IS, PowerShot A650 IS and the PowerShot A720 IS. On the optical front they have released an updated version of their EF 14 mm F2.8 L USM lens, and also a couple of EF-s based lenses; the Canon 18-55 mm IS and 55-250 mm IS.