Canon PMA Announcements - New Cameras

[Jamdiver]

Thought i'd share with you all some Pre-PMA (Photo Marketing association announcements).

I think one of the rules when it comes to electronics and computers is that as soon as you buy something or it's manufactured it's obsolete!!
Since the latest and greatest thing is but a few weeks away :14::14:

And in that vein i'd like you all to take a look at some of Canon's new offerings...
Some seem particularly suited to the world of underwater photography...

Canon Powershot A700
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022108canona700.asp

The PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540 pack a vast array of additional high-end features into a remarkably compact space, including:

• Canon's DIGIC II image processor and iSAPS technology for fast, superb results
• Accurate focusing with FlexiZone AF/AE1 (PowerShot A700) and 9-point AiAF1
• ISO 800 shooting
• Widescreen (16:9) stills recording
• 30fps VGA movie recording
• 2.5" LCD with Night Display and Grid Line Display

So the A700 is 6MP with 6x optical zoom, think that would come in handy in framing and composing shots, particularly of skittish fish perhaps?

And most interesting to me at least is their bumping the ISO up to 800, with the ISO going that high i'd assume that settings of 200 and even 400 would become more useable with less noise.
Guess we'll have to wait and see.

They've also released a couple other models in the range, Powershot A540, A420, A430 and and A530..
All incorporating the new DIGIC II processor which is a great thing.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022107canona420.asp

You guys can see the rest of their releases(even a new DSLR) at dpreview, seems that manufacturers have moved away from the megapixel race and are now finding new ways of improving the image quality from these compacts (higher ISO, better quality lenses, faster operation) etc.

Any thoughts all??

Still waiting on my camera by the way.

 

[midwestdvr]

I wonder how big the port on the housing is gonna be? Also, I like th 2.5 inch LCD, really handy with shooting UW. But, I'm sticking with my a620 for a while. Got me the lenses and now just waiting to get the housing. I wouldn't mind that 6x zoom topside, though.

 

[Jamdiver]

I was thinking the same thing midwest, re the 6x zoom (seems particularly suited to telephoto situations) topside mostly.

You know how much I love shooting topside the zoom and higher ISO could come in very handy with low light, slow shutter speed shots.
I'm assuming that since it has the same DIGIC II processor it'll focus just as quickly which is one of the things I love about my A610.

Ciao.

 

[midwestdvr]

I know. I've used my a620 more on topside than UW. The diving I'm doing now are mostly to try out new equipment so UW cam gets left behind. I'll post some of my topside pics here some time.

 

[TaoH]

You guys can see the rest of their releases(even a new DSLR) at dpreview, seems that manufacturers have moved away from the megapixel race and are now finding new ways of improving the image quality from these compacts (higher ISO, better quality lenses, faster operation) etc.

If that's true, then it's about time...it's just too bad the typical consumer still looks for more pixels rather than a good lens. I've been standing behind reputable manufacturers for a long time because despite being in the megapixel race, they still used good lenses and had good features. I hate to see someone buy a high megapixel camera from some generic and unable to focus less than 6-ft away or in low light.

I prefer to get a DSLR, but that's way out of my budget right now. I have the A610 and I'm very happy with it. I really like how I can macro at 1cm away from my subject.

I hope to eventually get a housing to take it UW but I want to log more dives before I put a lot of attention to a camera underwater.

 

[Jamdiver]

I think consumers are becoming more discerning in regards to digital camera haciroku.

The hype and pomp about more megapixels equating much better image quality is starting to ring hollow to the average person, so manufacturers now have to differentiate themselves with more features, better image quality et cetera..

A610 is a great little camera, especially at macro I think it excels at that.

 

[hvulin]

any of the new ones support raw?

 

[Jamdiver]

Not that I know of hvulin at least in the point & shoot models..

If you go to Canon's Japanese site, you can see sample photos and all the specifications of the new cameras..

It's in english, .
http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/BeBit-e.html

 

[Mark_N]

Unfortunately I was eager to buy one of there latest cameras, the S2 IS when it first came out. My thinking was that with all the other underwater cases they had available they would surely have a case for this in the near future.

To my dismay they still do not and I have been told from customer support that there are no plans for one. Can't afford the IkeLite case and will likely have to buy a new camera for diving.

Please don't make my mistake...