Canon has announced its new camera lineup last week, boasting powerful new processors, sleek lines and, as might be expected, increased image quality. The line includes two new PowerShot cameras — one in its SX travel series, and another in the G series — along with the EOS 80D DSLR with a series of matching accessories. Here are the details:
EOS 80D
The EOS 80D is Canon’s new DSLR, aimed at enthusiasts who are looking to improve their photography skills. Canon has focused on making the EOS 80D highly customisable and adaptable, with a new 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6 processor, and a new 45 all cross-type point AF system and fast responsive 7fps shooting rate.
Along with the 80D, Canon has announced a series of accessories, including the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM all-purpose lens, an optional Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 for zoom control while shooting video footage and Canon’s first external microphone for the EOS series, the DM-E1 Microphone. Like the other new models, the 80D is geared for videography as well as stills photography, with the ability to shoot full HD video at 60p and optional inputs for both headphones and microphones. Its Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology helps to facilitate more accurate auto focus, with adjustable AF speed and tracking to allow fine control over auto focus sensitivity.
The EOS is also able to connect to a smartphone or tablet with Canon’s Camera Connect app, enabling wireless image sharing and remote control of zoom if paired with the PZ-E1 Zoom Adapter.
The camera has a native ISO 100-16,000 range, expandable to ISO 25,600, and is capable of shooting even in low light conditions. The 7560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor is able to measure both visible light and invisible infra-red light in order to give accurate exposure, and a (questionably named) White Priority setting helps shoot with the ideal white balance.
The EOS 80D and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM will be in Australia at the end of April 2016, while the Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 and DM-E1 Microphone are coming from June 2016. Again prices are down to dealer discretion.
[clear]
PowerShot SX720 HS
Canon’s PowerShot SX series boasts a long zoom, optimised for travellers, and the SX720 HS is no different. It’s even more travel-sized now, boasting the slimmest body for a superzoom camera yet. The SX720 combines a 20.3 MP CMOS sensor with DIGIC 6 processing to power Canon’s HS System, giving the camera the ability to shoot in full HD (as well as capturing stills), even in low light conditions.
With an ultra-wide angle 40x optical zoom and 80x ZoomPlus, the SX720 is designed for travellers. Software features include both the useful: an Intelligent Image Stabiliser that could be a godsend while on the move, and the questionable: something called Advanced Zoom Framing Assist, which “intelligently zooms in or out to compose your shot according to the number of people in the frame.” For the Instagram fanatics, the Creative Shot Mode automatically presents you with five different filtered versions of each photo. The SX720 HS also includes Dynamic IS and Auto Level for video footage, along with slow motion and double speed settings for those looking to take more than just pictures on their travels.
The G7X Mark II will be available from May 2016, with prices at dealer discretion.
[clear]
PowerShot G7X Mark II
The second new PowerShot camera announced last week is the G7X Mark II, which is touted as the first camera to include Canon’s new DIGIC 7 processor. While still a compact point-and-shoot, the G7X Mark II boasts in-depth manual and auto control, and promises “incredible image quality” with a 1.0-type 20.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and 4.2x optical zoom lens.
The DIGIC 7 enables super fast focus speeds and 8fps RAW continuous shooting, even in low light and low contrast situations. The Auto Lighting Optimiser can also provide smart lighting correction, while similar image stabilisation technology is on offer as in the SX720.
The GX7 seems to be geared towards consumers looking to get a little more hands-on, with a customisable Lens Control Ring for settings benefiting from incremental changes like aperture, shutter speed, ISO and focus. 14-bit RAW offers higher quality in the colours, but the camera also includes a number of colour pre-sets for simple shooting.
Canon is also pushing the movie-capturing abilities of its latest model, with the GX7 offering not only full HD video but also full manual control, image stabilisation and a time-lapse capture mode.
The G7X Mark II will be available from May 2016, with prices at dealer discretion.