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Canon today
announces the release of its new
range-opening zoom lens digital camera, the
3.2 Megapixel PowerShot A75. The camera has
a number of new features including a
'Special Scene Mode' to deliver optimal
results in tricky lighting conditions and a
Print/Share button to simplify direct
printing and uploading to Windows PCs.
Shooting modes
The PowerShot A75 has 13 shooting modes,
which include a new 'Special Scene' mode.
Within the 'Special Scene' mode are six
selectable pre-sets that optimise the
camera's white balance, exposure and other
settings for specific shooting situations.
These scene modes are 'fireworks',
'foliage', 'beach', 'snow', 'underwater' and
'indoor'. Movie clips of up to 3 minutes (QVGA/QQVGA)
or 30 second (VGA) can be recorded, complete
with sound and with the option to cut and
edit in-camera.
Fast auto-focus
The 9-point AiAF is capable of focusing
the 3x optical zoom quickly even when the
subject is off-centre and can be switched to
single point (centre) AF. An auto-assist
beam helps to focus in low light conditions
and the camera has a 5cm closest focusing
distance. The flash can be synchronised to a
slow shutter speed and includes red-eye
reduction. With the monitor turned off, 2.2
shots per second shooting speed can be
maintained for a 12 shot burst at Large/Fine
resolution.
Latest to include DIGIC processor
The PowerShot A75 features the same
dedicated DIGIC processor now featured in
all Canon cameras up the EOS 10D Digital SLR
and professional series PowerShot Pro1,
taking advantage of the same processing
speed and award winning image processing
algorithms. An Intelligent Orientation
sensor detects the orientation of the camera
as shots are taken, automatically rotating
the image before playback.
Direct Printing made easy
The camera features Canon's new
Print/Share button, which lights up when a
successful connection is made between the
camera's USB port and a compatible printer
or Windows PC. Pushing the button when lit
will initiate a print of the currently
displayed image (based on the default
PictBridge or Direct Printer settings of the
printer) or an automatic transfer of images
to the PC . The camera will transfer all
images, all images not yet transferred, or
all images marked for transfer, depending on
what user settings have been selected in the
Camera's set up options.
Extended direct printing functions
The PowerShot A75 has also been given
extended PC-less direct printing
functionality. When connected to a Canon
Compact Photo printer, a Movie Print mode
divides the selected movie clip into equal
parts and prints up to 63 equally spaced
thumbnail frames onto a single sheet of
Postcard Size Paper (100 x 148 mm). This
feature is ideal for analysing a golf swing
or tennis serve, or 'freezing' an action
sequence. An ID Photo Print function
prints a number of durable passport photo
size images (of selected height and width)
to a single sheet. The camera can be used
for direct printing to any PictBridge
compatible printer, regardless of brand.
Accessories
A range of accessories is available,
including wide and tele-converter lenses, a
close up lens and a waterproof case offering
underwater protection up to a depth of 40m
and defence against dust, sand and snow. The
camera comes supplied with a 32MB high-speed
type CompactFlash (CF) card.
Software and access to CANON iMAGE
GATEWAY
Software supplied includes browsing and
printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows)
and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software
includes PhotoStitch, plus photo and movie
manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoStudio
and VideoImpression. Drivers include TWAIN
(Windows 98/2000) and WIA (Windows Me).
Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) support
allows the camera to connect to any Windows
XP and Mac OS X (v10.1/v10.2) system without
the requirement for a driver installation. |
