Canon have today announced the PowerShot S60, a 5 megapixel digital camera with a wide-angle 28mm-100mm lens and a new thin body.

You can view some sample images here:
http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/pss60/sample-e.html

Canon Europe Product Info
Fast, powerful and intuitive: the 5.0 Megapixel PowerShot S60 bursts with professional features, yet is compact enough to take everywhere. A finely crafted tool with which to indulge your creativity.

Features
5.0 Megapixels
3.6x wide angle optical zoom lens
Canon UA glass-moulded aspherical lens ensures slim body
13 shooting modes
DIGIC and iSAPS
9-point AiAF
Print/Share button
PictBridge/Canon Direct Print compatible
Wide range of accessories
CIG* access

As big as your imagination, as small as your pocket

Built to impress
The compelling 5.0 Megapixel power of the PowerShot S60 will capture all the detail you need for effective, practical cropping, and full prints to A3 size. A new Canon original ultra-high refractive index aspherical UA lens yields a remarkably thin body and an incredibly compact 3.6x optical zoom lens. The focal length range of 28mm wide angle to 100mm telephoto (35mm format equivalent) is extendable to an impressive 200mm with use of an optional tele-converter. A macro function allows shots from as close as 4cm.

Designed for freedom
A vast array of features is protected by a remarkably sleek, elegant and superbly finished compact capsule that you will want to take with you wherever you go. Use the SLR-style Mode Dial on the top of the camera to shift quickly and easily between 13 different shooting modes including VGA movie and custom modes. Lossless RAW format file recording is supported for ultimate control.

Processing power
Canon’s DIGIC processor executes complex functions at high speed, delivering superb image quality, fast and accurate auto focus and up to 2 frames per second continuous shooting speed. iSAPS instantly analyses the scene and makes adjustments even before the shutter release is pressed, optimising exposure, white balance and auto-focus settings in every shooting situation.

Focus and exposure
The 9-Point Artificial Intelligent Auto Focus (AiAF) system automatically detects subject from nine fixed focusing areas across the frame, keeping even off-centre subjects in-focus. FlexiZone AF/AE lets you scroll the auto focus area around the frame to select the desired subject and weights exposure accordingly.

Advanced printing
The camera prints directly to all PictBridge or Canon Direct Print compatible printers. Create beautiful, instant photo prints by connecting camera to printer and pushing the Print/Share button, which also speeds up uploads to any Windows PC.

Online sharing
With Canon’s ZoomBrowser EX (for Windows) and ImageBrowser (for Macintosh) you can manage and edit your images. Your camera also comes with membership to CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, (CIG*) your online gallery with 100MB free space for sharing albums across the web.

Underwater fun
An optional waterproof case gives full protection to a depth of 40 metres.

*Not available in all regions.

Canon USA Press Release 10/05/04

Canon’s New PowerShot S60 Digital Camera Provides Consumers with a Wide Angle Flexibility and Robust Features in a New Slim Design
 
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—May 10, 2004—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 unique combination of high-quality Canon optics, DIGIC processing and streamlined design presents a significant advantage to the prosumer,” said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The PowerShot S60 digital camera provides photo enthusiasts with optimal image quality, the versatility of a built in wide angle to telephoto lens in a compact package - making it easy to take great photos from virtually anywhere.”

New Wide Angle Lens
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.

“For most consumers smaller camera corresponds to less image quality, however, now with UA Lens technology along with Canon’s DIGIC Image Processor, Canon is able to increase the image quality, expand the zoom ratio, and deliver a slim, and compact camera,” added Hashimoto.

New Slim 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.

Enhanced Features
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.

Underwater Possibilities
With summer approaching, Canon’s new PowerShot S60 digital camera features an optional underwater housing, WP-DC40. Designed for capturing fabulous underwater photos while snorkeling, in the pool, or just protect the camera while boating or on the beach, the housing will be available in June for an estimated street price of $240*. 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.

Quick and Easy Photo Printing
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.

The DIGIC(TM) Difference
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.

The Canon PowerShot S60 digital camera comes bundled with a battery pack NB-2LH and charger CB-2LT, USB cable and 32 MB Compact Flash card. Optional accessories include a new waterproof case WP-DC40, Conversion Lens Adapter LA-DC10, 2.0x Tele-converter TC-DC10 and Wireless Controller WL-DC100. It will be available in June for an estimated street price of $499*.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies in America, and is ranked #39 on the Business Week list of “Top 100 Brands.” Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2003, with global revenues of $29.9 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

DIGIC is a trademark of Canon Inc.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

* Estimated Selling Price: Actual prices set by dealer are subject to change.