Canon Powershot Camera

There are a wide range of Canon Powershot cameras of over 62 models starting from A series (31 models), G series (6 models) to S series (22 models) and Pro series (3+ models).

They comprise of simple point and shoot style of cameras to larger and expensive ones loaded with features excluding SLRs. This line of cameras is one of the best selling digital camera series worldwide.

Digital cameras, first released in the early 1990’s by Kodak, follow what is known as the pixel based 'camera-technology' in which each picture element (pixel) is a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor which generates electrical impulses on being excited by light.

Higher the number of pixels, sharper is the image. These electrical signals are converted to digital form and stored in memory or CD. Once in digital from, these images can be easily transported to a computer or a printer or a TV for instant viewing.

The A series cameras are medium size point and shoot cameras with 2 to 4 mega pixels CCD sensors. They are targeted at entry level amateurs. Some of the earlier models like A5, A20, A40 etc have been discontinued. The latest is the A430 introduced in February 2006 with the following important features: 4.2 mega pixel CCD, 4x optical zoom, 1.8” color LCD screen, 15 shooting modes, VGA movies with sound, USB port etc.

The G series of Canon Powershot camera is a mid level camera above the A series in terms of features. The main difference between the two series is provision for external flash, wider aperture for the lens, higher resolution, storing of images in RAW format and use of Li-Ion battery in the G series cameras. The G series has 6 models so far with G7 being the latest introduced in 2006.

Some common features of G series cameras include pixel size varying from 3.3 to 10 mega pixels, optical zoom from 3x to 6x, resolution from 2048 x 1536 to 3648 x 2736, built in flash, USB connectivity, option to fit wide or teleconverter lenses, shooting modes as in EOS series cameras etc.

The first of the S series Canon Powershot cameras, the S1 1S is a point and shoot camera with 3.2 mega pixels CCD sensors. It belongs to the super zoom category with an integrated 10x zoom and electronic view finder and 1.5” LCD rear panel. Weighing about 470 gm, it has a rounded body with deep grip.

The SD900 is on the higher end of S series digital cameras and was released in September 2006. It has 10 mega pixel CCD sensors, 37-111mm lens, 3x zoom, f/2.8 – 4.9 aperture and has DIGIC III OS image processor.

The Pro series cameras are in the top end of Canon Powershot cameras and naturally are the most expensive. The Pro 1 has 8.3 mega pixel CCD sensor, L series lens, 7x optical zoom in the range of 28 to 200mm, color electronic viewfinder, shutter speed of 1/4000 second and weighs a hefty 545gm.

Editor
Canon and Camera