Canon Powershot S60 Digital Camera

Canon's new PowerShot S60 digital camera combines five-megapixel resolution, a newly developed 28-100mm UA wide-angle 3.6x zoom lens for creative control and a slender shape for added portability that provides consumers and photo enthusiasts alike with a full-featured tool for greater creative latitude.

The PowerShot S60 camera is equipped with a redesigned 3.6x zoom lens that goes from a wide-angle focal length of 28mm to a telephoto of 100mm (35mm film equivalent). This new lens features an Ultra high refractive index, which makes it thin and compact. The Ultra high refractive index Aspherical (UA) lens allows for a 28mm wide angle zoom while increasing image quality and slimming the body of the camera for a sleek design.

To allow for a more refined look and easier use, the PowerShot S60 digital camera fashions a new, slimmer body with a redesigned smooth sliding lens cover, transforming the camera's appearance when it is opened and closed. Canon achieved this slimmer design by using the new UA wide-angle lens. A traditional 28mm lens would produce a thicker camera, however, due to the new UA lens the PowerShot S60 digital camera is slimmer than its predecessor. The silver two-tone body provides a larger zoom lever now found on the rear of the camera so users can easily maneuver with their thumb. Additionally, the large, round control pad is located in the rear center of the camera with the "SET" button in the middle, allowing for effortless navigation and control.

In order to increase the amount of photographs users can capture, Canon developed a new high-capacity lithium-ion battery, the NB-2LH model, which offers approximately 26% higher capacity than the previous lithium-ion battery.

Armed with a faster start up time, the PowerShot S60 digital camera sports a variety of enhanced features that make it stand out from the crowd. Notably, the camera's macro function allows photographers to shoot a subject from as close as 1.6 inch. The camera's optional Tele-converter extends the focal length to 200mm.

In addition, the PowerShot S60 digital camera also features:

A 9-point AiAF autofocus system;
Manual Controls including focus, exposure, and white balance;
A 13 mode dial;
Flexizone AF/AE;
An Intelligent Orientation Sensor; and
It accepts Type I & II Compact Flash Media.

Canon's new PowerShot S60 digital camera features an optional underwater housing, WP-DC40 (sold separately). Designed for capturing fabulous underwater photos while snorkeling, in the pool, or just protect the camera while boating or on the beach. For the underwater enthusiast, Canon will offer a new waterproof case weight set (WW-DC1) that is compatible with all of its underwater housings. Available in packs of four, these weights allow the camera to "stay put" for steady underwater photography.

To capture the best underwater shots this summer, the PowerShot S60 digital camera includes a new "underwater" preset for the white balance. This feature automatically sets the camera to the correct white balance for underwater shooting so users do not have to worry about the difficulty of operating manually.

When it comes to printing, consumers want it done quickly and easily. The PowerShot S60 digital camera offers a range of new printing features including Canon's Print/Share button, ID photo print, and movie print. The Print/Share button now has a blue light indicator, which signals the user when printing can begin, just by pressing the button. This feature is operational when the camera is connected to a Canon Compact Photo Printer, Canon Direct Photo Printer or PictBridge compliant printer and set to Playback mode. When connected to a Compact Photo Printer, users can crop the recorded image to the appropriate size prior to printing ID photo size prints. The camera offers 28 different sizes providing ID photo dimensions for use in countries around the world. The Movie Print feature is also used when the camera is connected to a Compact Photo Printer. It prints a series of still images from a recorded movie onto a single sheet in the form of an index print.

The PowerShot S60 digital camera also offers a Direct Transfer feature, which allows users to instantly transfer images—one at a time or all at once—from the camera to a Windows computer using a USB connection.

Canon developed the proprietary DIGIC (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) image processor specifically for use with its line of digital cameras. The technology combines the jobs of image processing and camera function control into one chip. Because it was specifically designed for use in digital cameras, it is also capable of handling JPEG compression/expansion; memory card control; LCD/Video control and processing; gain control (control of CCD signal amplification); Auto Exposure; Auto Focus; Auto White Balance control and most other functions of the camera. The result is a product that offers faster and more powerful auto focus than ever before, faster image processing, better image quality and longer battery life.