This month's Technical Report is an overview of the advanced digital camera, PowerShot Pro90 IS featuring an optical image stabilizer and 10x zoom lens (equivalent to 37 - 370mm in 35mm format).
• Image engine capable of high-speed image processing
• New RAW mode to prevent image degradation
• Shooting functions optimally applicable to any condition
• Comfortable stress-free operation
• Comprehensive set of system accessories and software
Feature 1: High-resolution 2.58 mega pixel CCD using the CF card as its recording media
Like the PowerShot G1, the PowerShot Pro90 IS uses a 1/1.8", 3.34 mega-pixel CCD, out of which 1,856 x 1,392 pixels (about 2.58 mega pixels) are actually used to record the high-quality image. This is due to the size of image circle of the lens.
The PowerShot Pro90 IS records images on a CompactFlash (CF) card (Type I or II), a medium which is widely used and robust. When the 16MB CF card bundled with the camera is used, it is possible to shoot from about 6 frames in RAW mode to 160 frames in the Small/Normal mode (see Table 1).
| Table 1 CF cards and estimated capacities (recordable images) | ||||||
| Recording pixels / Compression ratio | CF cards (estimated capacities) | |||||
| FC-8M | FC-16M | FC-32M | FC-64M | FC-128M | ||
| L (Large) 1,856 x 1,392 pixels (approx. 2.58 mega pixels) |
Superfine | 4 | 9 | 20 | 40 | 82 |
| Fine | 8 | 17 | 36 | 73 | 146 | |
| Normal | 17 | 35 | 72 | 145 | 292 | |
| M (Medium) 1,024 x 768 pixels (approx. 790,000 pixels) |
Superfine | 12 | 25 | 51 | 103 | 207 |
| Fine | 22 | 45 | 91 | 183 | 368 | |
| Normal | 41 | 84 | 170 | 342 | 684 | |
| S (Small) 640 x 480 pixels (approx. 310,000 pixels) |
Superfine | 26 | 54 | 109 | 220 | 441 |
| Fine | 46 | 94 | 189 | 379 | 760 | |
| Normal | 79 | 161 | 323 | 648 | 1298 | |
| RAW 1,856 x 1,392 pixels (approx. 2.58 megapixels) |
2 | 6 | 13 | 27 | 56 | |
| Movie 320 x 240 pixels (approx. 77,000 pixels) |
30 sec. | 62 sec. | 124 sec. | 250 sec. | 502 sec. | |
| [Note] These figures may vary according to the subject, shooting conditions and shooting mode. [Note] The L/M/S image formats are compatible with DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) and DPOF (Digital Print Order Format). |
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Feature 2: High-resolution 10x zoom lens with image stabilizer
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Using the built-in digital teleconverter, super telephoto shooting at a maximum focal length equivalent to 1,480mm on 35mm film. |
Rear focus internal focusing is used. The closest shooting distance is 10cm from the front of the lens at the 7mm wide angle focal length, and 1m from the front of the lens at the 70mm telephoto focal length. In both cases, the image field is slightly smaller than a post card (approximately 90 x 120mm).
The digital zoom (aka digital teleconverter) functions at 2x focal length (35mm equivalent: 740mm, maximum image size: 928 x 696 = about 600,000 pixels) and 4x focal length (35mm equivalent: 1,480mm, maximum image size 464 x 348 =about 160,000 pixels) giving super telephoto images. The image size is automatically adjusted by image interpolation processing, so that the image size remains the same as when the converter is not used.
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Optical image stabilizer |
Feature 3: Precise white balance
Employing the PowerShot G1 control method, the PowerShot Pro90 IS faithfully reproduces colors. In addition to the TTL Auto, the camera has preset white balance settings (daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, and flash) or customized white balance by evaluating a white piece of paper.
| Feature 4: Twelve shooting modes developed from the EOS concept Inherited from the EOS system are multiple shooting modes to meet the requirements for a variety of conditions (see Photo 2).
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[4] Av: Aperture-Priority AE mode
The aperture can be set in 1/3-stop increments within the range of f/2.8 - f/8.
[5] M: Manual Exposure
[6] Pan Focus
[7] Portrait
[8] Landscape
[9] Night Scene
[10] Black and White
[11] Stitch Assist
As an aid to creating a panoramic photo with a PC, this mode shoots a series of overlapping frames for merging into a large image. The previous image remains on the screen for aligning the next frame.
[12] Movie
A video clip, each frame 320 x 240 pixels, can be shot at 15 frames per second, together with a voice recording up to 30 seconds long per shooting
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Automatic noise reduction |
Feature 5: ISO speed selection: 50 - 400
The ISO speed can be selected from settings of Auto, ISO50, ISO100, ISO200, and ISO400. When the Auto is selected, the PowerShot Pro90 IS automatically adjusts to an optimum film speed (ISO 50 - 100).
Feature 6: Color LCD viewfinder with 100% picture coverage, and a vari-angle TFT LCD monitor
The viewfinder is a color liquid crystal display (LCD) (0.44" /Approximately 180,000 pixels) viewfinder with picture coverage of 100%.
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Verification of the recorded image immediately after shooting is possible within the viewfinder, (the same information displayed on the back panel LCD monitor in the shooting mood simultaneously appears on the viewfinder.) Built-in eyesight correction (-4 - +2 diopter) insures sharpness that satisfies the user's needs. The back panel monitor is a vari-angle LCD monitor featuring 100% picture coverage, 1.8" low temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT LCD, with approximately 114,000 pixels (see Photos 3, 4 and 5). As the monitor freely rotates in three dimensions, the user enjoys free and comfortable handling for high-angle or low-angle shots, or with the user in the picture. |
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Feature 7: Outstanding operational ease
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Excellent handling |
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The camera provides a short shooting interval of about 2.5 seconds, shortened startup time, an almost unnoticeable release time lag of 0.17 seconds; and smooth scrolling of playback images.
Feature 8: Built-in auto pop-up flash with five control modes
The built-in small, automatic pop-up flash unit permits the selection of Auto, Red-eye Reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction Flash ON, Flash ON, or Flash OFF modes. The flash range (at ISO 100) is 0.7 ~- 4.2m (Wide angle) and 1 - 3.4 m (Telephoto). Flash exposure compensation is also available, as needed, over the range of ±2.0 EV in 1/3-stop increments.
| Feature 9: Compatible with EOS EX-series flash There is a dedicated hot shoe for EX-series Speedlite Flashes from the EOS camera line. Using an EX-series Speedlite (see Photo 6), it is possible to perform the following Autozoom flash operations with a more powerful flash than the built-in one.
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Feature 10: Large capacity power supply system
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Lithium-ion battery (type: BP-511) |
| A large capacity rechargeable lithium-ion battery is the built-in power supply. Fully charged, the battery can shoot as many as 200 images regardless of whether the LCD viewfinder or the LCD monitor is used, or it is powerful enough to display recorded images continuously for about 120 minutes. This lithium-ion battery is common to other Canon products including the EOS D30 digital SLR camera and PowerShot G1 as well as with the digital video camcorders FV-2 and FV-10. Three recharging methods are available. The built-in system which takes about 100 minutes to achieve 90% charge, and an additional 2 hours for full charge. Recharging with the Compact Power Adapter takes about 80 minutes to achieve 90% charge and about 30 minutes more for a full charge. Recharging from a car battery is also possible. |
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AC (Mains) power supply |
| The PowerShot Pro90 IS can operate from a household power outlet using the Compact Power Adapter CA-560. |
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Automobile battery power supply |
| Power can also be supplied from a car battery with the use of the Charge Adapter/Car Battery Cable Kit CR-560, which is an optional accessory. | |
Feature 11: Others
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TTL continuous AF |
| The autofocus (AF) operates continuously as long as the main switch is turned ON. AF Lock is activated by pressing the shutter button halfway down. Manual focus is also possible. |
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Center-weighed average metering, spot metering, and AE Lock are possible |
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AEB (Automatic Exposure Bracketing) is possible |
| (±2.0 EV in 1/3-stop increments) |
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Pseudo shutter sound simulates the shutter sound of the 35mm SLR film camera. It can be turned ON or OFF as desired |
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Display of images with approximate magnifications of 2.5x and 5x |
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Wireless operation is possible with the special remote control that comes bundled with the camera |
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Compatible with the USB Interface |
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Switching between worldwide video systems (NTSC/PAL) |
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The following optional optical accessories are sold separately to magnify the shooting range: |
| • 0.8x wide angle lens converter: WC-DC58 • Close-up lens: 500D (58mm) • Lens hood: LH-DC58 |
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Personal Computer Connection Kit (sold separately) |
| Several image manipulation software programs are included in this kit, such as image import and management, retouching, automatic layout creation, panoramic picture production, release control from the PC, and development of RAW images (the original uncompressed image data). | |
This issue of the Technical Report introduces the PowerShot Pro90 IS. Component names are shown in Fig. 2. Finally, the camera is 126.5mm (width) x 83.9mm (height) x 139.1mm (depth), and its weight is approximately 680g without accessories. The recommended retail price in Japan for the kit displayed in Photo 7 is 160,000 yen before tax.
| Fig. 2 Nomenclature | |
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Photo 7: Contents of the PowerShot Pro90 IS kit PowerShot Pro90 IS /(from top left) AC cable /Compact power adapter /CompactFlash card (16MB recording capacity) /Wireless controller /Battery pack /Lens cap /AV cable /Neck strap |