Canon PowerShot N has Facebook button for speedy sharing

Canon's PowerShot N Facebook camera packs in Wi-Fi connectivity and a dedicated Facebook button, letting you instantly upload your photos to Facebook with a minimum of fuss. It's a fun idea, but hardcore Facebookers among you will be sad to hear it's only available in the US for now.

The camera functions in the same way as the existing PowerShot N or indeed any other compact digital camera, but the addition of the Facebook button allows quick uploading without having to drag your images onto your computer first. After a one-time setup, pressing the button will instantly bring up your Facebook page on the 2.8-inch touchscreen, letting you choose who to share your snaps with.

Unlike Samsung's Galaxy Camera, it's Wi-Fi only, not 3G, so you'll have to wait until you can jump on a hotspot before uploading your photos. The PowerShot N works only with Facebook, not Twitter, Instagram or any other social networks so it's at a disadvantage against the Galaxy Camera or indeed any smart phone.

Like the normal PowerShot N, the Facebook camera packs a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with Canon's DIGIC 5 image processor, along with an 8x optical zoom and lens ring that controls zoom and shutter speed. Oddly, the majority of the physical buttons are scattered on the side of the camera. Whether that makes the camera awkward to use remains to be seen. It offers various scene modes including a creative mode that takes five photos at once, with a different effect applied to each.

The Facebook-enabled PowerShot N will be available in the US for $300 from mid September. I spoke to Canon about whether it would ever make it to the UK, but was told that there are currently no plans. Whether it sees a global launch will no doubt depend on how popular it is in the States.

What do you think of the camera? Handy to have the button or do you do most of your Facebook posting from your phone? Pop your thoughts in the comments below or on our own Facebook page.