The Canon PowerShot SX520

Without any anticipating leak, Canon today announced 2 new and inexpensive bridge cameras, the PowerShot SX520 HS and the PowerShot SX400 IS, having respectively a 42x (24-1008mm equivalent) and 30x (24-720mm equivalent) optical zoom. The PowerShot SX400 IS will be available in August 2014 in black or red for an estimated retail price of $249.99, the PowerShot SX500 HS digital camera will be available in September 2014 for an estimated retail price of $399.99

Canon press release:

Latest PowerShot Cameras Deliver Super-Zoom Reach And Creative Imaging Features To Inspire Endless Photographs And Videos

With an Impressive 42x and 30x Optical Zoom, respectively, Canon’s new PowerShot SX520 HS and PowerShot SX400 IS Digital Cameras Provide High-Quality Imaging Tools to Meet Varying User Needs

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 29, 2014 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced two new compact, super-zoom cameras: the PowerShot SX520 HS and the PowerShot SX400 IS digital cameras. Designed to give users the versatility and telephoto reach they need to capture subjects from far distances, these new cameras are packed with impressive features. The new PowerShot SX520 HS digital camera includes a high-powered 42x Optical Zoom lens (equivalent to 24-1008mm) and the Canon HS SYSTEM for clear sharp images and Full HD Video. With a 30x Optical Zoom (equivalent to 24-720mm), the PowerShot SX400 IS digital camera allows photographers to capture the moments that mean the most to them quickly and easily, even at long range.

“Our goal is to provide people who are passionate about photography with the imaging tools they need to capture the moments that inspire them,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The PowerShot SX520 HS and PowerShot SX400 IS digital cameras offer users features that help produce high quality-images and video with ease allowing them to capture their most creative shots.”

Building on the features of the PowerShot SX510 HS digital camera, the PowerShot SX520 HS digital camera incorporates a 42x Optical Zoom with Canon’s Optical Image Stabilization, ideal for active families that want to take high-quality close-up shots of their children’s soccer game or dance recitals. In addition to featuring a powerful optical zoom range, the SX520 HS digital camera combines a 16 MegapixeliHigh-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and Canon’s DIGIC 4+ Image Processor to create the Canon HS SYSTEM allowing for excellent low-light performance.

Giving users the ability to capture life in motion, the camera features a dedicated movie button so users can easily record 1080p Full HD video utilizing the camera’s full 42x optical zoom capability. The camera also features an enhanced grip for added handling comfort. Additionally, the camera’s Intelligent IS automatically chooses from one of eight modes to help optimize image stabilization for virtually shake-free images in various shooting conditions. The camera’s High Speed AF allows users to achieve fast autofocusing speeds to help capture every shot with ease. The PowerShot SX520 HS digital camera’s advanced Zoom Framing Assist feature intelligently controls the lens, making it easy to locate the main subject by zooming out, and then zooming back in quickly and automatically for dramatic close-ups with face detection where applicable.

Upgraded from its predecessor, the PowerShot SX520 HS digital camera features Canon’s Creative Shot mode that uses a combination of lighting, color and composition from the original image to create unique, artistic images. Smart AUTO technology selects 32 different pre-defined scenes for still shots and 21 scenes for video without the need to switch modes, making it possible to take beautiful images and video in a variety of situations. The Hybrid AUTO mode featured in the PowerShot SX520 HS camera creates a beautifully stabilized HD video clip (up to approximately four seconds) every time a user shoots a still image, then compiles the clips into a single movie that forms a “highlighted reel” for the day. This new camera is equipped with a built-in mini-HDMI port that makes it easy to connect to an HD TV set at home or on the road so everyone can comfortably enjoy viewing the footage.

With a compact design and a powerful 30x Optical Zoom range with Optical Image Stabilizer, the PowerShot SX400 IS digital camera is a versatile camera that can be used daily anytime, anywhere. The 16 Megapixeli CCD sensor and DIGIC 4+ image processor combine with Canon’s Intelligent IS system to provide users with outstanding functionality, while the updated grip design improves handling comfort. With Smart AUTO, the camera identifies an ideal image setting by intelligently selecting from one of 32 pre-defined modes for still shots and 21 scenes for video.

The PowerShot SX400 IS digital camera is always ready for action with a dedicated movie button to easily stop and start recording 720p HD video. Additionally, like the PowerShot SX520 HS camera, the PowerShot SX400 IS camera can record even far distances through the use of the camera’s full 30x zoom range. The PowerShot SX400 IS digital camera’s High Speed AF, upgraded from the previous model, helps to reduce lag time so that the perfect shot can be captured quickly and with ease.

The PowerShot SX500 HS digital camera will be available in September 2014 for an estimated retail price of $399.99.

The PowerShot SX400 IS digital camera will be available in August 2014 in black or red for an estimated retail price of $249.99.

A few days ago I featured a news originally reported by Canon Rumors. It was about an interview that DC.Watch (translated) had with some Canon representatives. Well, there was an error in the interpretation of the machine translated text.

The Canon reps never mentioned the possibility of a high-resolution camera. The error originated from the fact that the colors assigned to question and answer were not correct. In other words, the Google translator marked the question with the color of the answer. In reporting the interview, the question and the answer were confused, and the question was erroneously reported as the answer.

Thanks to DicaHub, I can clarify this. Dicahub was so kind to make his own translation of the interview and to send it to me:

Q: And this is only my personal impression, but after releasing of EF 100mm F2.8L IS USM Macro, I feel the resolution performance of EF lenses has been level-up remarkably, are there any differences compared before, about such the design level to the target (but not consider to view the pixel size based on print result), the design concept and so on?

Iwamoto: I can’t answer detailed, but as the pixel-count of the digital cameras are becoming more and more, the target level of the lens performace are definitely coming up gradually.

Q: How many pixel-count (or how small pixel pitch) to be resolved sufficiently are recent L lenses designed to be performed?

Shimada: The lenses are products with very long life after launching, so we are considering and developing with the target level that they can be performed with the future cameras.

Q: We can get really high definition detail if we take pictures with Sony A7R mounted recent L lenses via mount adapter. At this time the model with highest pixel count is 22MP EOS 5D Mark III, but regrettable, EOS 5D Mark III can’t get the greatness from L lenses.

(Following paragraph is green color, but black in Google translation. The mistake originated from here.)
↓
I opposite to increase pixel count to higher, but if there are high performance lenses matched to such pixel count (or pixel pitch), I also have some hope to see the true power of the resolution. There are launching of lenses with good image quality at the edges, so I expect the launching of higher pixel model of EOS.

But in that cases are there something to be missed by increasing resolution power of the lenses? I’ve heard it is difficult to get proper tones when resolution is increased…

Iwamoto: High quality lenses what we target are aimed to get high resolution and high contrast both. But if too focus to high resolution, the lenses will be larger and expensive, so considering such balance, we design to target such resolution performance matched to the era.

So, there is no official mention of a high-resolution camera by Canon.

Thanks again to DicaHub for helping clarify this.

Canon presented the results for 2Q 2014. As you can see there is a -4.1% in sales compared to the 2Q 2013.

• Presentation Material for 2Q 2014
• Results for 2Q 2014

 

 

Canon press release:

Canon Broadcast Lenses, Digital SLR Cameras and Lenses Are Top Choice Among Imaging Professionals Covering the Soccer Tournament in Brazil

Canon Follows Up on Their Strong Showing at February’s Big Game in New Jersey With Widespread Use by Imaging Professionals at the Soccer Tournament in Brazil

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 24, 2014 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce that Canon broadcast lenses were the most widely used broadcast lenses covering the matches of the recent Soccer Tournament in Brazil. Furthermore, the professional photographers tasked with capturing the riveting goals, ravenous fans, colorful scenery and nail-biting moments of the soccer matches utilized Canon DSLR cameras and lenses more than any other brand*.

This outstanding show of support for Canon equipment in Brazil follows Canon broadcast lenses being used extensively to broadcast The Big Game in New Jersey on February 2, 2014, as well as being the number one camera and lens choice for imaging professionals shooting from the sidelines of the game between Denver and Seattle. In support of professionals on the ground, the Canon Professional Services (CPS) team was on location at each of these sporting events, among countless others, to provide support to photographers, broadcasters and all imaging professionals.

“Canon is honored to help broadcast companies and news services bring the action of these high-profile sporting events to devoted fans across the world. It is a testament to our products and professional service and support that so many image makers at the pinnacle of their profession rely on Canon,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Throughout the soccer matches in Brazil, Canon broadcast field lenses were utilized to deliver footage of the thrilling tournament. Canon broadcast field lenses represented approximately 90 percent* share of all broadcast lenses used. Additionally, Canon broadcast lenses were used extensively to deliver The Big Game to more than 111 million television viewers.

A look to the sidelines in Brazil revealed a familiar sight to many sporting event fans — Canon EOS Digital SLR cameras, equipped with iconic white Canon telephoto EF lenses. Throughout the tournament, approximately 70 percent* of imaging professionals chose Canon DSLRs and lenses to capture and share the memorable moments of these passionate and prideful soccer matches. Much like The Big Game, in which 75 percent** of imaging professionals on the sideline of that gridiron matchup chose Canon equipment.

At each of the 12 stadiums that hosted Soccer matches in Brazil, CPS had teams of technical and professional representatives providing imaging professionals with convenient access to product support, equipment maintenance, and product loans.