PowerShot S2 IS: Canon’s new monster zoom compact
Posted: 08 August 2005
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Camera represents convergence of Canon’s core imaging technologies in the areas of lens, image processing, digital still camera and digital video camera
Canon Middle East (CME) has announced the launch of the 12x optical zoom, 5.0 Megapixel PowerShot S2 IS. An exceptional blend of versatility with power, this worthy successor to the PowerShot S1 IS features optical Image Stabiliser technology, outstanding optics and 30 fps digital video camera quality extended video recording of up to 60 minutes with stereo sound.
Powered by the same DIGIC II processor found in Canon’s pro-series D-SLR cameras, the S2 IS features super-responsive 2.4 fps shooting, start up times and auto focus speeds almost twice as quick as that of its predecessor, 18 shooting modes and shutter speeds to 1/3200 of a second. The processor even makes it possible to capture a maximum resolution digital still whilst shooting video. As well as giving camera performance a real boost, DIGIC II also improves colour rendition and white balance accuracy, and speeds up playback review and scrolling. A USB 2.0 Hi-speed interface is provided for super quick image and video transfers.
“This is perhaps our most versatile digital still compact ever,” commented Gordon Jones, Pr esident, CME. “With both digital camera and digital video camera functionality rivalling many dedicated single function devices, the S2 IS represents a convergence of Canon’s core imaging technologies in the areas of lens, image processing, digital still camera and digital video camera development.”
The camera comes with the most powerful optical zoom (36 – 432mm[3] f/2.7-f.3.5) ever to equip a Canon compact camera features Canon’s renowned optical Image Stabiliser (IS) technology, significantly suppressing blur when taking stills and minimising image shake when shooting video footage. An Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lens element curbs chromatic aberrations – particularly at longer focal lengths – for extremely faithful colour reproduction and sharp definition. IS can be set to off, continuous (always on), shoot only (operates with shutter release) and panning mode (only up/down movement corrected - suitable for applications such as motor-sports). Pr oviding the equivalent of 2-3 stops, IS allows photographers to shoot with longer than normal exposures without increasing image blur, great for low light shooting at events where use of flash is inappropriate or not desirable – such as concerts and weddings.
The camera also boasts an impressive software package. Image and video library management and editing software includes ZoomBrowser EX 5.2 (for PC), ImageBrowser 5.1 (for Mac) and ArcSoft PhotoStudio, PhotoStitch for creating panoramas from multiple images, and the easy to use PhotoRecord printing application. The camera supports PTP for driverless file transfers to Windows XP or Mac OS X. Drivers include TWAIN (Windows 98/2000) and WIA (Windows Me).
Purchase of the S2 IS entitles customers to membership to the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, Canon’s online portal that offers users 100MB of online ‘personal gallery’ space for sharing stills and video with family and friends.
Posted by Editor Pipeline Magazine
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