canonical

Canon's smart move to SD memory cards

Canon faced some modest compatibility risks when it chose to design its new EOS Rebel XSi camera with SD flash-memory cards rather than the CompactFlash cards it's used for all its SLR cameras until this point, but I think the move is smart overall.

It's a drag for consumers that there's such a profusion of flash card formats. Customers often must pay extra when moving from one camera maker to another just to replace flash cards. And indeed, owners of Canon's existing Rebel, Rebel XT, or XTi cameras will find their CompactFlash cards useless if they … Read more

Report: Canon aims to reclaim top SLR rank

Canon hopes the new EOS Rebel XSi will help it reclaim the top spot in SLR camera market share in 2008 in Japan, according to a report Thursday.

Canon lost the top spot in Japan to Nikon, but the new entry-level Rebel XSi (called the 450D in Europe and the Kiss X2 in Asia) should help the company fight back this year, according to Canon director Masaya Maeda, quoted by Thomson after a Canon press conference.

Canon's ambitions are broader than just Japan and SLRs, though its lead isn't as threatened in other segments. "In 2008, we … Read more

Canon makes real on 800mm f/5.6 and 200mm f/2 lenses

While prototypes were on display at the PhotoPlus Expo last fall, Canon has finally made the massive EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM and EF200mm f/2L IS USM lenses a reality. Both lenses carry Canon's L moniker and sport the putty colored finish that demark the cream of Canon's crop. Both lenses include Canon's optical image stabilization, as well as fluorite and UD (ultra low dispersion) lens elements to combat chromatic aberration, and includes moisture and dust resistant seals.

Compared to Canon's old EF200 f/1.8L USM, the new EF200 f/2 sacrifices a … Read more

Canon Rebel XSi ups rez and adds live view

Editor's note: This blog has been updated to reflect new information from Canon regarding the number of JPEGs the Rebel XSi can shoot in a single burst.

Canon fans looking for an update to the 5D will have to wait a little longer it seems, since the company just announced an update to the entry-level XTi as its big PMA SLR news. You shouldn't be disappointed, though, since the new Rebel XSi makes a good showing in the entry-level dSLR category. The XSi has a 12.2-megapixel APS-C size (1.6x field of view conversion factor) CMOS sensor, … Read more

New Digital Elph offers colors, stabilization

Following up on the success of last year's PowerShot SD1000, Canon has announced the PowerShot SD 1100 IS. As the name implies, Canon includes optical image stabilization in this new camera. A 3X optical, 38-114mm f/2.8-4.9 zoom lens funnels light onto the SD1100 IS's 1/2.5-inch, 8-megapixel CCD sensor. A 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot LCD on the camera back lets you frame your shots and view them after capture. Since the Digital Elph line is made to be carried with you, Canon is offering a choice of brown, gold, pink, blue, or silver finishes.… Read more

Canon puts three new cameras on its 'A'-list

Canon unveiled today three new budget-priced additions to its PowerShot A-series line of point-and-shoot cameras. Two of the models offer basic shooting for $150 or less, while one packs exposure controls and optical stabilization into a sub-$200 package.

The PowerShot A590 IS stands out as the only new A-series PowerShot camera to include optical image stabilization. The 8-megapixel shooter features a 35mm- to 140mm-equivalent, f/2.6-5.5 4x zoom lens that Canon claims can gain up to three stops with its stabilization system. Like previous high-end A-series Canons, the A590 IS supports additional converter lenses to boost the … Read more

Ubuntu chief decries interest rate cut

Canonical Chief Executive Mark Shuttleworth, founder of the Ubuntu version of Linux, called Tuesday's interest-rate cut the "most extraordinary failure of economic leadership in recent years."

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke cut interest rates 0.75 percent on Tuesday, but Shuttleworth derided the move as "press(ing) the 'emergency morphine' button" in a blog posting that indicates the open-source software executive also has an interest in macroeconomics.

Markets "are smart enough to see that all Bernanke has done is cover up the symptoms of malaise," he said and offered a gloomy … Read more

Underexposed blog: Links of the day

Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac to ship in second quarter 2008 - Adobe previously said "early 2008," (http://www.news.com/8301-13580_3-9783661-39.html) but now it's second quarter. Not a big deal since Mac folks get iPhoto. Why bother offering pre-order months early? Answer: to make it not look like a delay. More Canon 5D Mark II Rumors | Photography Bay - Some guy's Canon rep said to expect an announcement of the new low-end full-frame camera at PMA (which starts January 31, but Canon's announcement looks like January 24). Tighter intellectual property restirctions at iStockphoto.com … Read more

Canon colors its printers green

Canon printers will soon arrive in stores with a green label flaunting eco-friendly features including energy conservation and recycled materials. The company's "Generation Green" brand will mark Pixma and Selphy photo inkjets as well as the laser ImageClass lines of printers.

"Printers are the one area where you can really improve the environment," said Canon spokesman Justin Joseph. "Their production is a massive undertaking that requires a lot of raw materials, and we've found so many ways to reduce that."

Some inks will be encased in NatureStone biodegradable packs made from limestone … Read more

Underexposed blog: Links of the day

Helicon Focus software -- Combines multiple photos at different focus points into a single image with everything in focus. Somehow. More computational photography. A detailed review of Nikon D3 -- Very long review of the Nikon D3, favorable overall. Details include praise for GPS compatibility (UTC timestamps!), demerits for live view during macro shooting, and grumblings about long night exposures and weak infrared and ultraviolet performance. Creativepro.com -- Review: Canon PowerShot G9 -- A favorable review, but it says: "What I find frustrating is that there could be a G9-like camera with lower noise, if it didn't … Read more