Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and SX220 HS show GPS is where it's at

You can tell a quirky camera feature is hot when Canon gets involved -- and the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and PowerShot SX220 HS prove it's a good year for cameras that know where you've been.

The SX230 HS is the first Canon compact to include built-in GPS. It collects location data from satellites and geotags your snaps with information on where they were taken. Pictures can then be displayed on maps in software such as Google Maps, Flickr and Picasa.

The SX220 is the same camera, but without the tell-tale bulge of the GPS unit on the top. The new models are the follow-up to the PowerShot SX210 IS.

Judging by the new initials in the names, high sensitivity is the new image stabilisation. Canon's HS system aims to increase dynamic range and reduce gritty image noise, up to speeds of ISO 3,200. Canon claims noise is cut by 60 per cent. No doubt we'll be testing that in a full review very soon.

Both these 12-megapixel, long-zooming compacts offer a 14x optical zoom lens and a 3-inch screen. They shoot full high-definition 1080p video at 24 frames per second, with stereo sound. The cameras can zoom during filming.

The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and PowerShot SX220 HS will be available in March. Prices are yet to be confirmed. Canon also announced the gaudy IXUS 310 HS, 220 HS and 115 HS compacts and entry-level EOS 600D and EOS 1100D dSLRs today.