The Canon Digital IXUS 850 IS will be available from October 2006 for £369.00 / €539.99. (known as the Canon SD800 IS in the United States).

Canon UK Press Release

Canon today debuts its latest offering for the style-conscious photo enthusiast – the Digital IXUS 850 IS. The 7.1 Megapixel camera introduces wide-angle zoom capability to the Digital IXUS range for the first time with an optical Image Stabilizer and 28mm (35mm equivalent) 3.8x optical zoom lens. Geared to satisfy serious photographers, the ultra-compact Digital IXUS 850 IS stays true to its design heritage with a smoothly sculpted curvature design and all-metal finish. Enhanced performance and image quality are assured through Canon’s latest DIGIC III image processor , which also enables low-noise ISO 1600 shooting and new Face Detection AF/AE – a Canon technology that detects up to nine faces in a frame and automatically optimises the focus and exposure for great people shots.

Key specifications include:
- 7.1 Megapixels and 3.8x zoom
- Wide angle 28mm lens with Optical Image
- Stabilizer
- DIGIC III with Advanced Noise Reduction and Face Detection
- AF/AESafety Zoom for extra telephoto reach
- ISO 1600
- High resolution 2.5” LCD17 shooting modes including VGA movies (30 fps) with sound
- Range of optional accessories including Underwater Case

“This latest incarnation of the Digital IXUS shows just how far the range has developed since the original analogue IXUS was launched in 1996,” explains Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “By incorporating a string of firsts that will appeal to photo hobbyists – wide angle capability, DIGIC III and Face Detection AF/AE – IXUS continues to innovate.“Wide-angle Digital IXUS.

Offering a focal length range of 28 – 105mm (35mm equivalent), the Digital IXUS 850 IS’s 3.8x optical zoom lens allows photographers to capture wider panoramas, architectural photos and group shots. The lens incorporates Canon’s optical Image Stabilizer to counteract the effects of camera shake for steadier performance in low light, at full zoom or when shooting from moving vehicles.

Image Quality
The 7.1 Megapixel sensor ensures that images are captured with all the detail needed for large photo quality prints. Taking advantage of the camera’s resolving power, photographers can use the Safety Zoom feature to expand the zoom range without impacting on image quality – up to 15x zoom when shooting Small size images.

New DIGIC III Processor with Face Detection AF/AE
Delivering fast, responsive camera performance and superb image rendering, the new DIGIC III processor also drives Canon’s landmark Face Detection technology. Face Detection AF/AE ensures accurate and bright people shots by automatically detecting faces in a scene and optimising focus and exposure accordingly. The system is designed to cleverly revert to 9-point AiAF if it determines that the main subject is non-human, avoiding focusing errors at tourist attractions and other crowded locations. Face Detection AF/AE performs accurately with large groups and when subjects are distant or move within the frame. Because the technology is hardware-based, it operates at the same rapid speed as Canon’s standard AiAF.

Shooting modes and My Colors
Adaptable to almost any shooting situation, the camera’s 17 shooting modes include a new Aquarium Special Scene mode and a manual mode for selection of exposure settings such as White Balance and ISO – now made easier with the inclusion of a dedicated ISO button. For creative image manipulation in-camera, My Colors photo effects can be applied during and after shooting. A new My Category function simplifies image management by automatically tagging images with categories such as People, Scenery and Events, based on face detection and the shooting mode selected.

The camera’s movie functions include 30fps VGA recording with sound. Canon’s unique Intelligent Orientation Sensor automatically rotates vertically shot movies for playback on camera, PC or TV via the integrated AV Out connection.

LCD Enhancements
The Digital IXUS 850 IS’s bright 2.5” LCD screen features a wide viewing angle for comfortable image framing and viewing. Benefiting from a screen resolution of 207,000 pixels, users can select the Image Inspection Tool to display a magnified section next to each captured shot straight after shooting. The magnified spot can be moved between AF points or to any area of the image, allowing users to check sharpness or facial expressions before leaving the scene. A selectable 3:2 ratio overlay aids composition by displaying the printable area for standard photo prints. The user interface (UI) has also been enhanced to speed up navigation between related camera settings. For accurate framing without the LCD, the camera retains a real-image optical viewfinder– useful in difficult lighting situations or when battery power is running low.