Canon have announced the release of the Digital IXUS i (also known as the PowerShot SD10 in some countries). The Digital IXUS i will be available from October 2003 for ?299 RRP inc VAT.

Canon Press Release 12/09/03

New coloured Digital IXUS i ? Canon?s smallest ever digital camera

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the Digital IXUS i, the most petite and undeniably chic new member of the legendary IXUS collection. Its take anywhere size, silky feel and choice of four irresistible finishes are designed to appeal to the most discerning of consumers. The Digital IXUS i is available in Pearl White, Classic Bronze, Platinum Silver and Piano Black.

Half the size of many mobile phones and weighing in at just 100g , this all-metal bodied 4.0 Megapixel dynamo packs 180 second video clips, a 32MB SD memory card and a 5.7x digital zoom into its tiny casing. Plenty of advanced technology is on hand, specifically designed to deliver great images without the need to carefully plan before taking a picture. For lab-quality prints without a PC, PictBridge support allows direct connection to any compatible photo printer. An optional all-weather case ? submersible to 3m ? is available for beach use, water skiing, snorkelling and surfing.

?This is the camera everybody wants to play with ? and nobody wants to put down,? says Malcolm Hills, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging in the UK and Ireland. ?It comes packed with all the technology needed to look after the photography ? so Digital IXUS i owners can concentrate on looking after the fun?.

Seriously small, seriously advanced
The Digital IXUS i might be tiny but it packs plenty of processing muscle. Purpose-built DIGIC (Digital Imaging Core) circuitry allows for uncompromisingly accurate and precise processing of complex white balance and colour rendition algorithms. This results in superb natural colour reproduction, with no need for adjustments to the camera?s settings before taking a photograph.

Photographer?s assistant
Even before the shutter release is pressed, iSAPS (intelligent scene analysis based on photographic space) technology is analysing the scene and making camera adjustments to deliver fast focusing and perfect exposures. For compulsive and instinctive in-focus shooting, the Quick Shot function removes the time lag between pressing the shutter?release and actual release.

Prints on the move
By connecting the Digital IXUS i direct to Canon?s battery powered Card Photo Printer CP-300, consumers can enjoy instant, lab-quality prints ? anywhere, anytime.

Expanding digital world
Automatic membership of Canon?s web portal CiG (CANON iMAGE GATEWAY) gives every Digital IXUS i customer 100MB of album space on the web for storing and sharing favorite photographs and albums ? a private online photo gallery. Function icons, themes and sound effects can also be downloaded so that owners of the Digital IXUS i, and other digital cameras in the Canon range, can personalise their camera.

DPReview have some hands-on photos which show just how small the Digital IXUS i actually is.