facebook rss twitter

Canon PowerShot N is creative so you don’t have to be

by Mark Tyson on 7 January 2013, 16:03

Tags: Canon (TYO:7751)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qabq2v

Add to My Vault: x

Canon has unveiled a range of new cameras including several compacts to be shown off at CES this week. Among the usual PowerShot and A series snappers there is something a little different; The Canon PowerShot N. It’s easy to spot because of its shape – it’s almost square. This squat little camera uses a new “Creative Shot” mode which “intuitively analyzes an image and automatically creates a series of five artistic photos of the original with varying composition, lighting and color for an array of options that are ready to impress”. Then, what does every creative want to do with their pictures? Yes, the camera makes it easy to share the artistic compositions using its “enhanced wireless capabilities”.

Explaining the USPs and utility of the new camera, Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. said “An ever-increasing number of internet users continue to post their own photos and videos online. The new PowerShot N opens up a new dimension of photographic expression, helping people express their personal style and creative flair with powerful innovative Canon technologies.”

The shape and built-in automatic creative filters aren’t the only unusual things about the configuration of the PowerShot N. In a bold move Canon has changed the physical interface of the camera and located the shutter and zoom controls on the lens extrusion. “The outer ring controls the shutter, which can be released from any point on the ring, and the inner ring controls the zoom, so managing the PowerShot N is easy and effortless,” optimistically explains the Canon press release. You can also take pictures by prodding the touch-screen.

Canon PowerShot N main specifications

Lens

28mm wide-angle, f3.0-5.9, 8x optical zoom, Intelligent IS System

Sensor

12.1- megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor

Video

1080p Full HD video

Interfaces

Mobile Device Connect Button for wireless transfers (Wi-Fi, no cellular option)

Dimensions

3.09 x 2.37 x 1.15 inches, 2.8-inch touch screen

Image processing

DIGIC 5 Image Processor, 58 scenes of Smart AUTO, Creative Shot, touch screen in-camera commenting

Price

US$299 available from April 2013

 

The touch screen on the camera back can tilt by 90 degrees, Canon says that this “encourages users to capture images from a wide array of angles and positions effectively in virtually any location” though there have been cameras before this one with much more flexible pivoting screens.

When you have taken your pictures and they look the way you want, the camera can copy images to your iOS or Android device using the free Canon CameraWindow app. In addition to your phone the Mobile Device Connect button can send photos/videos directly to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or via email.

The PowerShot N is an interesting new camera from Canon; but will this innovation by rewarded by popularity?



HEXUS Forums :: 12 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
The ultimate instagram :L interesting that they've put a DIGIC 5 inside - I guess the creative effects take a fair chuck of processing.
Well they have large stock of DIGIC 5 - no point re-ordering an old design in fewer numbers.

And I'm impressed. I think it's neat, and a great expression of taking digital cameras beyond merely emulating their analogue ancestors.
it is instant instagram, or iinstagram!
:)
I must be getting old because I find the flood of new digicams with these “connected” features pretty annoying. Quite like the idea of smarter cameras that can do in-camera processing, but I really can't see the point of the ones that make upload to Facebook etc a number one feature - unless you're talking about cheapie “handbag” point-n-shoot fodder of course.

And, of course, no one makes mention of the hit on battery life that all this wireless and smarts would have. :(