Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Pros and Cons

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Pros and Cons - Review: Canon took an already excellent pocket long zoom digital camera and added GPS and Full HD video capability, resulting in an excellent travel camera that can both see far and wide, and can map your route along the way.

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Specifications
Resolution: 12.10 Megapixels
Lens: 14.00x zoom
(28-392mm eq.)
Viewfinder: LCD
LCD Size: 3.0 inch
ISO: 100-3200
Shutter: 15-1/3200
Max Aperture: 3.1
Dimensions: 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 62 x 33 mm)
Weight: 7.7 oz (218 g)
includes batteries
MSRP: $350

Pros: Great zoom range from 28mm to 392mm equivalent; Full HD and slow-motion video; excellent print quality.

Cons: Low battery life; some chromatic aberration; flash pops up when powered on every time.

Availability: the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS carries an MSRP of US$350, and comes in Black, Blue, and Pink.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS Specifications

Priced at US$250 -- the same as the ELPH 300 HS model it replaces -- the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS looks to be a relatively straightforward update to the earlier camera with similar styling and the same lens. As with its predecessor, it's a camera for somebody who favors an approachable, straightforward design with attractive styling over all the latest bells, whistles, and buttons.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS Specifications
Resolution: 16.10 Megapixels
Lens: 5.00x zoom
(24-120mm eq.)
Viewfinder: LCD
LCD Size: 3.0 inch
ISO: 100-3200
Shutter: 15-1/2000
Max Aperture: 2.7
Dimensions: 3.7 x 2.2 x 0.8 in.
(93 x 57 x 20 mm)
Weight: 4.8 oz (135 g)
includes batteries

Sensor resolution has been increased appreciably--if not dramatically--from twelve to 16 megapixels, from a CMOS image sensor. A 5x optical zoom lens provides a 35mm-equivalent range of 24-120mm, a generous wide-angle to a moderate telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from f/2.7 to f/5.9 across the zoom range. Sensitivity varies to a maximum of ISO 3,200 equivalent, unchanged from the 300 HS. Burst shooting is possible at up to 5.8 frames per second, although it isn't clear whether this is at full resolution.

The control layout has been tweaked slightly, moving the mode switch to the top panel, and making the Menu button smaller and more distinct from those around it. These changes have freed up just enough space to increase the size of the LCD panel from 2.7 to 3.0 inches, providing a little bit more room on which to preview and review your images.

Helpfully, Canon has included a true optical image stabilization system in the ELPH 110 HS, which combats blur from camera shake, and this has been upgraded from that in the preceding model. The 110 HS includes the same Intelligent IS image stabilization system which we saw previously in Canon PowerShot models announced last Fall, which offers six different modes of operation, taking account of different shooting situations such as shooting macro photos, panning to follow action, or shooting with the camera mounted on a tripod, and configures the IS system appropriately. It also provides for a greater range of correction when shooting movies.

Canon PowerShot A800 Review and Specifications

The Canon PowerShot A800 is based around a 10-megapixel, 1/2.3"-type CCD image sensor coupled to a 3.3x optical zoom lens that offers focal lengths ranging from a rather tight 37mm wide angle to a moderate 122mm telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from f/3.0 to f/5.8 across the zoom range. Images on the Canon A800 must be framed and reviewed on its 2.5-inch LCD panel, as there's no true optical viewfinder on this camera. The PowerShot A800's display has a resolution of 115,000 dots (~38,000 pixels, with three dots per pixel).

Canon PowerShot A800 Specifications
Resolution: 10.00 Megapixels
Lens: 3.30x zoom
(37-122mm eq.)
Viewfinder: LCD
LCD Size: 2.5 inch
ISO: 100-1600
Shutter: 15-1/2000
Max Aperture: 3.0
Dimensions: 3.7 x 2.4 x 1.2 in.
(94 x 62 x 31 mm)
Weight: 6.6 oz (186 g)
includes batteries

The Canon A800's sensor allows sensitivities ranging from ISO 100 to ISO 1,600 equivalents, extending to ISO 3,200 in Low Light mode. Exposures are determined using Evaluative, Center-weighted Average or Spot metering, and direct control of shutter speed or aperture isn't possible on this camera (except for a "Long Shutter" mode which lets you choose shutter speeds between 1 and 15 seconds). 2.0EV of exposure compensation is available, in 1/3EV increments. Seven white balance modes are available on the Canon A800 - Auto, Manual, or five presets. The PowerShot A800's built-in flash strobe has a range of only 9.8 feet at wide angle, dropping to 6.6 feet at telephoto, and recharges in around ten seconds.

The PowerShot A800 offers Canon's Smart Auto mode, which intelligently selects optimal settings automatically for you based on 19 predefined shooting situations. Thirteen manually selected scene modes are also available, consisting of: Blur Reduction, Portrait, Kids & Pets, Face Self-timer, Low Light, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Beach, Foliage, Snow, Sunset, Fireworks and Long Shutter.

As well as still images, the PowerShot A800 can capture video clips at VGA (640x480) and QVGA (320x240) resolutions, both at 30 frames-per-second. The Canon PowerShot A800 stores images on SD / SDHC / SDXC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus cards, and draws power from two AA batteries. Battery life is rated at 500 shots on a charge, to CIPA testing standards using NiMH rechargeable batteries. Connectivity options include USB 2.0 high-speed data and NTSC / PAL standard definition video.

The Canon PowerShot A800 ships from mid-February 2011, priced at around US$90. Available colors are black, silver and red.

Canon EOS T2i (Rebel T2i, Canon 550D) Review and Specifications

The Canon EOS Rebel T2i takes the reins from the company's existing T1i model as the flagship of its consumer-oriented EOS Rebel camera series. Externally, the Canon T2i looks very much like its predecessor, being almost identical in overall size but with softer, more gently rounded shoulders. Under the skin, the Canon T2i brings a few features from Canon's prosumer EOS 7D model into a Rebel-class body, creating a baby brother to the 7D.

Canon EOS T2i (Rebel T2i, Canon 550D) Specifications
Resolution: 18.00 Megapixels
Kit Lens: 3.00x zoom
18-55mm
(29-88mm eq.)
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD
LCD Size: 3.0 inch
ISO: 100-12800
Shutter: 30-1/4000
Max Aperture: 3.5
Dimensions: 5.1 x 3.8 x 3.0 in.
(130 x 97 x 76 mm)
Weight: 26.0 oz (736 g)
includes batteries, kit lens

Sporting an 18-megapixel sensor similar to that of the 7D, the Canon Rebel T2i doesn't shoot quite as fast as its big brother, but its frame rate is slightly increased over the T1i, from 3.4 to 3.7 frames per second, despite the resolution increase. The most obvious external changes include a new 3:2 ratio LCD with 1.04 million dots of resolution, a dedicated live view / movie button, and a restyling of several other buttons to make them easy to locate and identify by touch.

Card compatibility on the Canon T2i includes SD, SDHC, and SDXC, and a new Eye-Fi status screen improves user awareness of these special wireless SD cards.

The Canon T2i's ISO ranges from 100 to 6,400, with a special high ISO option of 12,800. Movie mode also has expanded ability, covering 1080p recording at 24, 25, and 30 fps, rather than the T1i's more limited 20 fps. Manual video exposure is also available, as is an external mic input jack. The Canon T2i is also particularly unusual in also allowing single autofocus operations during movie recording.

The Canon EOS Rebel T2i shipped from February 2010, with kit pricing set at US$899, including the same EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS kit lens that previously shipped with the T1i. The Canon EOS Rebel XSi has officially been discontinued, leaving the flagship T2i with two Rebel-class siblings -- the entry-level Rebel XS, and the mid-level T1i.