The new Canon IXUS 950 IS (also known as the SD850 IS) is an 8 megapixel digital camera with 4x zoom, image stabilized lens equivalent to 35-140mm. The Canon 950 IS / SD850 IS replaces the Digital IXUS 800 IS / SD700, adding faster processing, advanced Noise Reduction, Face Detection technology and Red-Eye Correction. The Canon 950 IS will be available at the end of May, priced at £329 / €484 RRP inc. VAT.

Canon UK Press Release

Face Detection Technology and optical Image Stabilizer supercharge the stylish Digital IXUS 950 IS

United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland, 07 May, 2007: Canon today launches the 8.0 Megapixel Digital IXUS 950 IS, an upgrade to the award-winning Digital IXUS 800 IS. Sporting a three-tone metal finish with distinctive curved lines, the Digital IXUS 950 IS comes equipped with a 4x optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer and the DIGIC III image processor. Along with faster processing and advanced Noise Reduction, DIGIC III powers Canon’s Face Detection Technology and Red-Eye Correction for superb people shots.

Other key advancements include ISO 1600 with Auto ISO Shift for improved low light shooting and a 2.5” PureColor LCD screen offering enhanced colour reproduction and scratch-resistance. New creative features include Time Lapse Movie and Creative Light Effect modes.

Availability and pricing
The Digital IXUS 950 IS will be available at the end of May, priced at £329 / €484 RRP inc. VAT.

Features at a glance:
- 8.0 Megapixels
- 4x optical zoom 35-140mm (35mm equivalent) UA lens with optical Image Stabilizer
- Eye-catching design with Touch Control Dial
- DIGIC III with Face Detection AF/AE/FE and Noise Reduction Technology
- Red-Eye Correction in playback
- 2.5” high resolution PureColor LCD
- ISO 1600 and Auto ISO Shift
- 18 shooting modes including Creative Light Effect plus My Colors photo effects
- 30fps VGA movies and Time Lapse Movie function
- Shortcut button for instant access to favourite functions

“Digital IXUS is where Canon’s optical heritage blends exciting design with the best of our research and development.” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “The Digital IXUS 950 IS builds on the success of its award-winning predecessor with new technologies that will appeal to amateurs and advanced photographers alike.”

Face Detection Technology: Powering better images
Canon’s advanced DIGIC III image processor powers a range of functions related to Face Detection Technology. Face Detection AF/AE/FE automatically detects up to nine faces within a scene and optimises focus, exposure and flash exposure accordingly. Red-Eye Correction in playback uses Face Detection Technology to search through captured images and remove any red-eye it detects. Users can also perform red-eye correction manually if needed.

4x optical zoom with optical Image Stabilizer
Compact cameras are more susceptible to camera shake from handheld shots, especially in low light situations. Seventy years of Canon’s optical innovation have enabled the development of lens elements that are perfectly suited to the challenges of compact photography. The Digital IXUS 950 IS employs Canon’s lens-shift optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology to compensate for camera shake caused by unwanted hand movement. Enabling shooting at shutter speeds up to 3 stops slower than would normally be possible, the optical Image Stabilizer is particularly useful at full zoom or when using the 2cm Macro mode. The 4x optical zoom lens incorporates an Ultra-High Refractive Index Aspherical (UA) lens to achieve a focal length range of 35-140mm (35mm equivalent) without affecting the camera’s slim profile.

LCD enhancements
The high resolution (230k pixels) PureColor LCD screen gives users a number of visual benefits. Colour tones have been enhanced by 30% for vibrant, true-to-life reproduction. The wide viewing angle of the screen is complemented by an anti-reflective coating, which makes it easy to compose and review images even in brightly-lit conditions. A scratch-resistant layer provides extra protection against knocks and scrapes.

Settings for shutter speed and aperture are now displayed on the LCD during shooting. When using Auto ISO and High ISO Auto, the LCD will also display the ISO speed. These camera settings are now recorded as EXIF data for review in playback.

High ISO functionality
The Digital IXUS 950 IS incorporates ISO 1600 to facilitate flash-free shooting indoors – ideal in low-light environments where the use of flash is not desirable or appropriate, such as concert halls or galleries. A new Auto ISO Shift function prevents blur by giving users the option to boost the ISO setting – and consequently shutter speed – with a single button press, whenever the camera predicts camera shake.

New creative options
A total of 18 shooting modes are provided, including new Creative Light Effect, which uses the Image Stabilizer and a longer exposure to create user-selectable shapes – including stars, hearts and flowers - around points of light in the background of night scenes.

The Time Lapse Movie mode enables users to capture changing scenes – such as drifting clouds or a bustling city street – for accelerated playback as smooth VGA-quality movie clips. Captured at one-second or two-second intervals, a scene of two hours duration can be condensed to a fluid eight minute or four minute movie file. Users can also record standard VGA movies with sound at 30fps and QVGA movies with sound at 60fps.

Canon IXUS 950 IS / SD850 IS Sample Photos

Your Comments