Cameras for newbie photographers launched

Canon unveiled a dozen new gadgets last week in an effort to make photography and video recording easier for Filipinos.

The 12 lightweight gadgets are loaded with various features -- from creative filters to a redesigned control layout -- to allow amateurs and first-time users to take quality pictures and shoot better videos.

The cameras, all capable of high-definition (HD) recording, also come in different colors to make them more attractive to women and children, Canon said.

Compact cameras


Canon has integrated 6 creative filters into the PowerShot A3300 IS, A3200 IS, A2200 and A1200 to enhance the users' photographic options instantly as they shoot.

The Monochrome effect allows users to shoot in black and white, sepia or blue, while Toy Camera effect conjures fun images that resemble photos shot with a pinhole camera.

Live Control helps one manually control camera settings such as brightness, saturation and tonal range, while the Discreet Function disables flash and sets the camera to mute for situations where disruptive functions are not appropriate.



Other features of the 4 PowerShot cameras include Fisheye and Miniature effect in Movie, which allows shooting at a slower frame rate.

Meanwhile, Canon's Powershot SX (SX 230 HS, and 220 HS) and IXUS series of compact digital cameras (IXUS 310 HS, 220 HS and 115 HS) boast of a Movie Digest feature, which offers a 4-second pre-record before the actual capture so users can record the full story behind every picture.



DSLRs



Canon claims that its 2 new digital single-lens reflex (DLSR) cameras "deliver many of the features shared by higher-end models."

The EOS 600D, for one, has an 18-megapixel sensor and a Scene Intelligent Auto feature which analyzes faces, color tones and movement to determine if a user is shooting people, sunsets or other scenes.

Once detected, the camera will automatically make adjustments to exposure, focus, color saturation and white balance to enhance the photo's look.

On the other hand, the 12.2-megapixel EOS 1100D has a redesigned control layout to make it easier for amateur photographers and first-time users.

All buttons are arranged on the right side of the camera to make one-handed operation possible, and frequently used controls are given larger buttons and are located near the thumb.

Its body is also light and more compact, so users will not be hampered by its size or weight.

Camcorder



Meanwhile, the VIXIA FS400 camcorder serves as an entry-level camera "suited for everyday use, for wanderlust travelers."

It boasts of an improved Snapshot mode, which takes video clips in short snippets, and a Dual Shot mode for users who like to alternate between taking video and still photos.

VIXIA FS400 also has a Pre-Recording function which automatically buffers 3 seconds of footage before a user starts recording, and a night scene mode that allows users to shoot dramatic, low-light scenes.

With these new offerings, Canon hopes to attract more Filipinos to go into photography and video recording, whether as a hobby or as a profession.

source: abs-cbnnews.com