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Canon today introduces the Powershot SD850 IS, which will replace the Powershot SD700 IS and adds a higher resolution 8.0-megapixel image sensor, a 2.5” “Pure Color” LCD screen, DIGIC III processor with face detection technology for both stills and movies, faster autofocus, improved exposures, flash, and overall speed.  The SD850 IS boasts a 4x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization, ISO 1600, Noise Reduction technology, 30fps VGA movie mode with stereo sound, time-lapse recording, and 18 shooting modes.  The SD850 IS will be available mid-June with an estimated selling price of $399.99. 

Canon today introduced the new Powershot S5 IS, which will replace the Powershot S3 IS in Canon’s line-up.  The S5 IS offers a huge 12x (36-432mm equivalent) optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization, DIGIC III processor which adds face detection technology, improved auto focus, auto exposure, and flash, a vari-angle 2.5” LCD screen, and a hot-shoe that will accept Canon’s EX Speedlite flashes.  The Powershot S5 IS will also feature an Ultra-Low Dispersion (UD) lens to reduce chromatic abberations at telephoto, and an Ultra-Sonic Motor (USM) for fast, silent zoom operation.  The Powershot S5 IS will be available in July with an estimated selling price of $499.99 (U.S.). 

As long-time readers of this site may know, I’ve been a fan of Canon’s Digital ELPH series of cameras since their inception back in the year 2000. This latest model—the PowerShot SD1000—is a stylish, easy-to-use, and responsive ultra-compact camera that takes good quality photos. While not perfect (but what is?), the SD1000 easily earns my recommendation.

The Canon Digital IXUS 70 is a wonderfully stylish ultra-compact which offers lightning-quick performance, outstanding low-light ability and a useful range of features. Value for money is also surprisingly good for what is usually an expensive brand. Its picture quality isn’t perfect, but it can produce good results under difficult circumstances. For social photography and holiday snaps it will not often disappoint.

The 7 megapixel images are noisy and slightly blurred at ISO 400, with ISO 800 and particularly 1600 being best avoided. With no optical image stabilisation system available, this limits the camera to good light photography only. ISO Auto Shift is a useful feature that’s sadly let down by the quality available at ISO 800, whilst beginners will love the Face Detection feature which provides well focused and exposed family pictures. So the Canon Digital IXUS 70 is obviously not going to satisfy everyone, as it doesn’t offer full manual control over aperture and shutter speeds and the image quality is not best in class, but if you want a stylish ultra-compact camera, the IXUS 70 is still well worth considering.

Bottom line - like it’s brother (A560), I was very happy with the Canon PowerShot A570 IS. With 7-megapixels of resolution, a 4x image stabilized optical zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD, great movie mode, awesome image quality, and loads of useful exposure modes, the A570 is sure to be a very popular model for 2007. At US$279 or less (4/2007), it’s only about $50 more than the A560, which we feel is well worth the added versatility of this new model. That said, the A570 will make an excellent choice for anyone who wants a capable, yet compact and affordable 7-meagpixel digicam.