Canon has announced a significant enlargement
of the 'A' series range of compacts, with five new models.
Of most interest to serious photographers are the PowerShot
A700 and A540. The range-topping 6 million pixel A700 offers
a 6x optical zoom, real-image optical viewfinder and ISO
sensitivity up to ISO 800. The A540 features 6 million pixels,
a 4x optical zoom, viewfinder and up to ISO 800. Both feature
full photographic control, 2.5-inch screens and the option
to add conversion lenses.
Press Release:
Canon broadens A-series range with two versatile models
for creative shooting
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 21 February
2006: Canon today releases two new PowerShot cameras
that combine ease of use with creative flexibility the
PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540. The 6.0 Megapixel PowerShot
A700 defines a new level of performance for the A-series
range with a 6x optical zoom lens featuring a real-image
optical viewfinder. The PowerShot A540 delivers 6.0 Megapixel
resolution and a high performance 4x optical zoom lens.
Both cameras feature an extensive range of creative shooting
modes and are compatible with optional converter lenses
for extended versatility.
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
With its powerful optical performance and rich feature
set, the PowerShot A700 is the new flagship of the A-series
range. The versatile PowerShot A540 is the replacement to
last year's popular PowerShot A520.
"The PowerShot A-series range stands for performance, ease
of use and affordability," explains Mogens Jensen, Head
of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. "By broadening the range
with these fully featured cameras, Canon is putting advanced
photography into the hands of the mainstream consumer."
Optics
A 6x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 35 - 210mm) on
the PowerShot A700 and 4x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent:
35 - 140mm) on the PowerShot A540 deliver crisp, bright
results that make the very most of the cameras' 6.0 Megapixel
resolution. In a first for a 6x optical zoom digital compact
camera, the PowerShot A700 features a real-image optical
viewfinder, allowing fast framing and precise manual focusing
without the LCD.
Each camera has optional Wide (0.7x) and Tele (1.75x) converter
lenses to extend the focal length range, for an effective
15x optical zoom with the PowerShot A700 and 10x optical
zoom with the PowerShot A540. Both are also compatible with
optional close-up lenses for detailed macro photography.
Designed for creativity
With 19 shooting modes on the PowerShot A700 and 20 shooting
modes on the PowerShot A540, both cameras are superbly equipped
for artistic photography. Creative Zone modes on each camera
include full Manual mode, Aperture Priority and Shutter
Speed Priority. Special Scene modes such as Night Snapshot
and Snow assist with tricky lighting conditions, while
Color Accent and Color Swap modes enable dramatic colour
effects to be applied to both images and movies direct from
the camera. Users can record smooth 30fps VGA quality movies
of up to 1GB with sound or create 60fps QVGA clips for sharp
slow motion playback. A handy Compact mode enables shooting
of small format clips of up to 3 minutes for easy sharing
via email. My Colors can also be applied to movies before
shooting.
The PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540 feature a new Widescreen
mode (2816 x 1584 recording pixels) for capturing still
images in 16:9 format perfect for viewing on widescreen
television or printing wide photos with a SELPHY Compact
Photo Printer.
Low light shooting
The addition of ISO 800 gives photographers the flexibility
to shoot without flash indoors and in other low light environments.
It also enables shooting at faster shutter speeds, increasing
image stability at full zoom and reducing unwanted motion
blur. The PowerShot A700 features a new High ISO Auto setting
that automatically sets exposure using the higher range
of ISO sensitivities. The advanced DIGIC II processor in
both cameras minimises noise at higher ISO levels.
Instant photo prints
Both cameras are PictBridge compliant for instant direct
printing to compatible printers, including all Canon SELPHY
CP Compact Photo Printers and most Canon PIXMA printers.
Users can also print ID photos and stills images from movies
when connected to a SELPHY CP Compact Photo Printer.
The handy Print/Share button on each camera allows one-touch
printing and hassle-free uploads to Windows or Macintosh
systems. A new Print menu makes it easier than ever to organise
print jobs direct from the camera.
The menu system on these cameras now features support for
23 languages, including Arabic.
Accessories
PowerShot A700:
- Tele-converter 1.75x lens (TC-DC58N)
- Wide-converter 0.7x lens (WC-DC58N)
- Conversion Lens Adapter (LA-DC58G)
- Close-Up Lens 250D (58mm)
- High Power Flash (HF-DC1)
- Soft Case (DCC-80)
- Compact AC Power Adapter (ACK800)
- Battery and Charger Kit (CBK4-300)
- NiMH Batteries (NB4-300)
PowerShot A540:
- Tele-converter 1.75x lens (TC-DC52A)
- Wide-converter 0.7x lens (WC-DC52)
The PowerShot A700 and the PowerShot A540 digital cameras
will be available in March for an estimated selling price
of $349.99 and $299.99, respectively.
PowerShot A700 / A540 specifications
-
| |
A700 |
A540 |
| Sensor |
1/2.5 " Type CCD
6.0 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes |
2816 x 2112
2816 x 1584
2272 x 1704
1600 x 1200
640 x 480 |
| Movie clips |
640 x 480 @ 30 / 15fps
320 x 240 @ 30 / 15fps
160 x 120 @ 30 / 15fps |
640 x 480 @ 30 / 15fps
320 x 240 @ 30 / 15 / 60fps
160 x 120 |
| File formats |
Still: JPEG (Exif 2.2)
Movie: AVI (Motion JPEG)
WAVE audio |
| Lens |
35-210mm equiv
F2.8-4.8
6x optical zoom |
35-140mm equiv
F2.6-5.5
4 x optical zoom |
| Conversion lenses |
Yes |
| Digital zoom |
up to 4x |
| Focus |
TTL
9-point AiAF
1-point AF (any position or fixed center) |
| AF assist lamp |
Yes |
| Focus distance |
Macro 1cm |
Macro 5cm |
| Metering |
Evaluative
Center-weighted average
Spot |
| ISO sensitivity |
Auto
High ISO Auto
ISO 80
ISO 100
ISO 200
ISO 400
ISO 800 |
Auto
ISO 80
ISO 100
ISO 200
ISO 400
ISO 800 |
| Exposure compensation |
+/- 2EV
1/3 stop increments |
| Shuttter speed |
15-1/2000 sec |
| Aperture |
F2.8-4.8 |
F2.6-5.5 |
| Modes |
Auto
Program AE
Shutter Priority AE
Aperture Priority AE
Manual
Portrait
Landscape
Night Scene
Stitch Assist
Movie
Special Scene |
| Scene modes |
Night Snapshot
Kids & Pet
Indoor
Foliage
Snow
Beach
Fireworks
Color Accent
Color Swap |
Night Snapshot
Kids & Pet
Indoor
Underwater
Foliage
Snow
Beach
Fireworks
Color Accent
Color Swap |
| White balance |
TTL
Auto
Daylight
Cloudy
Tungsten
Fluorescent
Fluorescent H
Custom |
| Self timer |
2 or 10secs
Custom |
| Continuous shooting |
approx. 2fps until card is full |
approx. 2.3fps until card is full |
| Image parameters |
My Colors (Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia,
B&W, Lighter skin tone, Darker skin tone,
Positive film, Custom color) |
| Flash |
Auto
Manual Flash On/Off
Slow synch
Red eye reduction
Second Curtain Synch
Range: 55cm-3.5m (wide) / 2.5m (tele) |
Auto
Manual Flash On/Off
Slow synch
Red eye reduction
Range: 30cm-3.5m (wide) / 2.2m (tele) |
| Viewfinder |
Yes |
Real- image zoom |
| LCD monitor |
2.5-inch P-Si TFT
115,000 pixels |
2.5-inch P-Si TFT
85,000 pixels |
| Connectivity |
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
AV out |
| Print compliance |
PictBridge
Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printers and PIXMA
Printers supporting PictBridge (ID Photo Print,
Movie Print supported on SELPHY CP printers only) |
| Storage |
16MB card supplied
SD/MMC compatible |
| Power |
2xAA Alkaline batteries or Ni-MH
(optional)
Optional AC adapter |
| Weight (no batt) |
200 g |
180 g |
| Dimensions |
94.5 x 66.5 x 43.4 mm |
90.4 x 64 x 43.2 mm |
Additional images
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