Canon has today announced a new range opening camera in the shape of the 3.2 megapixel PowerShot A400, which is available in four colours – Silver, Sky Blue, Spring Green and Sunset Gold. It has a focal length of 45-100mm offering a 2.2x optical zoom and features 9-point AiAF technology, Intelligent Orientation Sensor, DIGIC processor as well as eight scene modes. Stills and video can be recorded and saved on to SD memory. The user interface also now supports two new languages, Portuguese and Russian. Price around $180.

Press Release:

Canon launches fun new PowerShots – in colour

PowerShot A400 – which is available in 4 attractive colours. The 3.2 Megapixel camera features a 2.2x optical zoom and DIGIC processor for superb image quality. The high performance 9-point AiAF autofocus, the Intelligent Orientation Sensor and 12 shooting modes ensure that it’s easy to take great images, even under challenging conditions.

This latest entry level model records to an SD memory card, allowing the camera body to be smaller and lighter. The A400 features an Intelligent Orientation Sensor, and can record up to 3-minute movie clips (new VGA quality up to 30 seconds). With a Print/Share button to simplify direct printing and uploading to Windows PCs, and a free 100 MB online photo album with Canon iMAGE GATEWAY, the A400 is designed to be fun and easy to use.

Zoom into high quality images

The A400 features the same technology found in Canon’s professional digital compact cameras – a DIGIC processor and iSAPS – so high image quality is assured. The purpose built DIGIC processor integrates all image processing algorithms onto a single chip to deliver fast write times, minimal shutter lag, optimal image definition and consistently precise and natural colour reproduction. iSAPS, an in-built photographer's assistant, analyses composition factors such as zoom position and luminosity in order to predict the type of photo being taken. This results in faster auto-focusing, more accurate auto-exposure and precise auto white balance.

The high quality 2.2x optical zoom lens has a focal length of 45 –100mm, making the A400 especially suitable for portrait photography. Taking close-ups is also simple with its 5cm macro function.

Functions for ease of use

While offering features to satisfy experienced photographers, the A400 is designed to be easy to use for first time digital camera users. The 9-point AiAF focuses quickly and accurately on subjects even when off-centre, and can be switched to single point (centre) AF. An auto-assist beam helps to focus in low light conditions.

With 12 shooting modes, the A400 makes it easy to capture the right image every time. In addition to the Auto, Manual, Stitch Assist and Movie modes, 8 ‘Special Scene Modes’ optimise the camera's white balance, exposure and other settings for specific shooting situations. These scene presets include ‘portrait’, ‘night scene’, ‘fireworks', 'foliage', 'beach', 'snow', 'underwater' and 'indoor'.

An Intelligent Orientation Sensor detects whether the camera is horizontal or vertical at the time of shooting. As well as displaying the images in the appropriate orientation for review, it helps optimise Auto Focus, Auto Exposure and Auto White Balance settings.

Designed for fun

Four colours add to the contemporary styling of the camera – colours available include Silver, Sky Blue, Spring Green and Sunset Gold . Because it records to an SD memory card, the A400 is approximately 10% lighter and 11% smaller than its predecessor (despite its added zoom lens), so the compact camera is easy to take anywhere. The optional all weather case means the camera is protected while still taking great shots, whether the user is skiing, surfing, snorkelling or even diving (case is waterproof to 3m).

The A400 records up to 3-minute movie clips (up to 30 seconds in the new VGA mode) with sound recording and playback. All movie clips can be cut and edited in-camera, and the camera easily connects to a TV for viewing movies or photographs.

Direct Printing made easy

The camera features Canon's Print/Share button, which lights up when a successful connection is made between the camera's USB port and a PictBridge compatible printer or Windows PC. Pushing the button when lit will initiate a print of the currently displayed image (based on the default PictBridge or Direct Print settings of the printer) or an automatic transfer of images to the PC. When connected to a Canon compact photo printer, the camera/printer combination allows for 'movie-prints' (sequential frames of a movie clip printed as thumbnails on a single card) and photo IDs (passport style ID photographs).

Personal online photo gallery

Free membership is included to Canon's online CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, with 100 Megabytes of free storage space for online album storing and sharing. Users can upload favourite images and now movies to the site and then direct friends and family to individually secure online 'albums'.

Extensive software

Software supplied includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, plus photo and movie manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoImpression and VideoImpression.

The A400 user interface is easy to use and features 2 new languages – Portuguese and Russian – bringing the total number of supported languages to 14.

Requires application software provided to be loaded on the PC and camera pre-settings to be selected.

Movie upload requires users to download and install the movie upload task, available after registration from the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY site.

Canon PowerShot A400 specifications