Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

CANON has introduced its second generation EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens. The 70-200mm tele zoom range is popular with photographers for providing the focal length, maximum aperture and zoom power for capturing everything from studio portraits to fast-action sports.

Canon has enhanced the body structure to provide better durability and strength without a significant increase in weight, and improved optical performance by incorporating a fluorite element and a fifth UD element to help minimize secondary chromatic aberrations and produce better image quality with improved contrast and resolution through the entire zoom range.

The new lens design also features improved AF speed and has reduced the minimum focusing distance from the previous lens model’s 1.4 metres (4.6 feet) to 1.2 metres (3.9 feet) through the entire zoom range, allowing photographers to capture tighter portraiture shots in a small studio space. Also enhanced is the Image Stabilization which now allows hand holding for shutter speeds up to four steps slower than 1/focal length, a one step improvement over the previous lens model.

It retains the protective seals and fittings providing dust and water resistance for those photographers working in adverse conditions.

The new lens is compatible with Canon’s existing EF1.4X II and EF2X II Extenders as well as EF Extension Tubes and the 77mm Close-Up Lens 500D.

Scheduled to be delivered to Canadian dealers in April 2010, price to be determined.

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Canon PowerShot A3100 IS - Red

CANON has introduced four new PowerShot A Series digital cameras. The Canon PowerShot A3100 IS features 12.1MP resolution (1/2.3-in. CCD), 4x optical zoom (35-140mm equiv.), optical Image Stabilization, 2.7-in. (230k-dot) LCD screen, Smart AUTO, Scene Modes, Face Detection Self-Timer, and Movie 640 x 480 @ 30 fps. The Canon PowerShot A3000 IS features 10M resolution (1/2.3-in. CCD), 4x optical zoom (35-140mm equiv.), optical Image Stabilization, 2.7-in. (230k-dot) LCD screen, Smart AUTO, Scene Modes, Face Detection Self-Timer, and Movie 640 x 480 @ 30 fps. The Canon PowerShot A495 features 10M resolution (1/2.3-in. CCD), 3.3x optical zoom (37-122mm equiv.), 2.5-in. (115k-dot) LCD screen, Smart AUTO, Scene Modes, Face Detection Self-Timer, and Movie 640 x 480 @ 30 fps. The Canon PowerShot A490 features 10M resolution (1/2.3-in. CCD), 3.3x optical zoom (37-122mm equiv.), 2.5-in. (115k-dot) LCD screen, Smart AUTO, Scene Modes, and Movie 640 x 480 @ 30 fps.

New features include Low-Light, Super Vivid, and Poster Effect scene modes; Smart FE; and the ability to upload video to YouTube.

Starting this year, all new Canon compact digital cameras will support the high-spec SDXC memory cards with a maximum storage capacity of two terabytes (TB) in SDA standard.

These are point-and-shoot models, with lots of color choices, priced from CAD $130 to $200 MSRP beginning late February 2010.

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CANON CANADA ANNOUNCES NEW PIXMA WIRELESS OFFICE ALL-IN-ONE PRINTERS AND A SINGLE FUNCTION PHOTO PRINTER

New products further build Canon’s commitment to providing quality and easy-to-use products to help improve workflow

MISSISSAUGA, ON, January 5, 2010 – Wouldn’t it be great to be outside, sitting on the deck, watching the birds fly by while drafting a business proposal rather than be stuck at a desk, bound by printer wires? Canon Canada Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the latest additions to the PIXMA Wireless1 Office All-in-One (AIO) series, the perfect remedy to ensure the view is not obstructed by a window shade. With added features ranging from sleek, stylish designs to improved functionality, these new models would be a great addition to any home office or expanding business looking to upgrade their equipment.

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CANON CANADA INTRODUCES A POWERFUL NEW LINEUP OF VIXIA CAMCORDERS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EVERY USER

The New VIXIA Line Offers Advanced Touch Screen and Tracking Technologies Putting Ease-of-Use at Your Fingertips

MISSISSAUGA, ON, January 5, 2010 – Canon Canada Inc., a leader in digital imaging technology, today announced an exciting new line of nine VIXIA High Definition flash memory camcorders. The 2010 high-definition lineup includes Canon’s flagship VIXIA HF S-series, the compact VIXIA HF M-series and a new entry-level VIXIA HF R-series. Some new features enhancing Canon’s 2010 lineup include a new EasyTouch LCD Panel with an advanced tracking feature helping keep any subject – such as people, pets, or cars – in focus and properly exposed, even in a busy scene. Canon’s new VIXIA lineup also includes an enhancement to its image stabilization system and an all-new HD-to-SD Downconversion feature allowing video to be easily uploaded to the web or burned onto DVDs. Select 2010 VIXIA camcorders are compatible with Eye-fi SD Memory Cards, allowing for wireless uploading of video content to a computer or favorite video sharing site via the Eye-fi card’s wireless capabilities.

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photo credit: nixter

If you’ve ever tried to take pictures when there’s a wind chill factor of minus 20 or more outside, you know this article is for you. Night cold weather photography is the worse because it’s dark, you barely see what you are doing, your fingers are numb trying to change camera settings with the utmost difficulty, and you are shivering your buns off. You are also probably not dressed as well as you thought you were to face the extreme cold temperatures (you thought you’d just be outside for a couple of minutes, eh?) and your camera is also showing signs of cold weather fatigue. So, how do you prepare for cold weather photography? Sip on that hot chocolate and read on.

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Leica X1

“[For] Those who want the highest quality compact on the market and do not need blazing AF.”

We’ve added another Leica X1 [Specs] review to our Reviews Matrix. The Leica X1 is the first of its kind compact non-DSLR with a 12.2MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.6 x 15.8 mm). It has a non-interchangeable LEICA ELMARIT 1:2.8/35 mm (equiv.) lens.

SteveHuff Photo has published his review of the Leica X1. He asks the question, “Is this the best compact digital camera ever?” and compares its image quality and performance against the Micro Four-Thirds Digital Interchangeable Lens cameras. As expected, he finds the X1 to be sleek, sexy and gorgeous. But is it worth the US $2K asking price?

You can read the full Leica X1 Review (and his conclusions about the price, high ISO image quality, auto focus speed and who will — and who won’t — love the X1) over at: SteveHuff Photo.

Samsung CL65 / ST1000

“The Samsung ST1000 is a gadget-nerd’s dream, combining many of the features of a modern smartphone with a state-of-the-art ultra-compact digital camera.”

We’ve added another Samsung CL65 / ST1000 [Specs] review to our Reviews Matrix. The Samsung CL65 / ST1000 features built-in GPS and Geo-Tagging, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (you can e-mail your photos directly from your camera, and upload your pictures wirelessly to your online photo album on Facebook™, YouTube™, and Picasa&trade).

Cliff Smith at TrustedReviews has published his review of the Samsung CL65 / ST1000. He tests the WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities, as well as the GPS geotagging functionality.

You can read Cliff’s full Samsung CL65 / ST1000 Review at: TrustedReviews.

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