This month's Technical Report presents an overview of two new digital cameras with beyond-the-class features and high image quality: the PowerShot A100 (see Photo 1), with a 1.2-megapixel CCD and a lens with a 39 mm focal length (35 mm film format equivalent), which was released in April 2002, and the PowerShot A200 (Photo 2), the upper model with 2-megapixel CCD introduced in June 2002.
| Photo 1 PowerShot A100 | Photo 2 PowerShot A200 |
Concept of development
The PowerShot A200 and A100 were developed to meet the need of first-time users of digital cameras who want to enjoy the convenience of digital photography. These new models have the following features:
Feature 1: Class-besting advanced functions
High-speed 1/2,000 second shutter
The PowerShot A200 and A100 have a 1/2,000 second maximum shutter speed, the highest in this class of digital camera, making them ideal for capturing the moment of fast-moving subjects. At the low end, when the one-second slow shutter is combined with the slow synchro flash mode, portrait photography with night background is possible.
| Macro function focuses down to 5
cm Both cameras have a macro function that can photograph as close as 5 cm from the subject. The area of the photo is about 46 x 34 mm with the PowerShot A200, and about 47 x 35 mm with the PowerShot A100, which are the smallest areas (see Photo 3) that can be photographed by any camera in the PowerShot/IXY series. |
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Photo Effect Modes
The color modes in the PowerShot G2 and the PowerShot S40/S30 are included in the PowerShot A200 and A100, with a Low Sharpening mode added to the Vivid, Neutral, Sepia and Black & White modes, for a total of five modes.
Movie recording and playback
The PowerShot A200 can record movies* in QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) and Q
VGA
(160 x 120 pixels) formats at 20 frames/second (PowerShot A100: 15 fps), the highest
level in the 2-megapixel class. In QVGA
(160 x 120 pixels) format, the PowerShot A200 can record movie clips up to 26
seconds long (PowerShot A100: 30 seconds).* Without sound
Digital zoom with continuous variation of view angle
The PowerShot A200 and A100 incorporate digital zoom, which provides continuous zoom up to about 4x (PowerShot A200) and 3.2x (PowerShot A100). As a result, the PowerShot A200 functions as a 39-156 mm zoom, and the PowerShot A100 as a 39-125 mm zoom (35 mm equivalent focal lengths). Furthermore, the continuously varying angle is as easy to use as an optical zoom system.
Selectable AF system: 3-point AiAF and center-point AF
Although most cameras in this class use fixed-focus (pan-focus), the PowerShot A200 and A100 are equipped with precise AF to insure good focus in the area between the macro range and the normal range, which is often not covered by fixed-focus lenses. This insures good focus from 5 cm to infinity.
Two AF modes are available. 3-point AiAF, which adjusts focus precisely depending on shooting conditions and normal center-point AF.
Magnified playback for easy image confirmation
During playback, the image can be magnified continuously from two to ten times (see Photo 4). The zooming and scrolling functions permit the user to view any part of the image at any magnification.
Photo 4 Magnified playback |
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| Original | 10x zoom |
High-speed continuous shooting at about 3 images/second (PowerShot A100)
High-speed processing by the New digital signal processing IC together with the large capacity buffer memory enables high-speed continuous shooting at about 3 images/second with the PowerShot A100 (PowerShot A200: about 2 images). Up to 10 continuous images can be taken with the PowerShot A100 (PowerShot A200: 7 images) in the Large/Fine mode, and that increases to as many as 56 (PowerShot A200: 50) in the Small/Normal mode.
Built-in four-mode flash
The built-in flash can be set to any of four flash modes: Auto with red-eye reduction, Auto, On, and Slow-synchro.
LCD monitor with 100% picture coverage
The LCD monitor is a low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT with about 120,000 pixels, power-saving white LED backlight and the highest resolution in this class, providing extremely sharp images. The 100% picture coverage allows the user to capture images with an exact coverage seen in the LCD monitor.
Immediate image review/erase
The PowerShot A200 and A100 can display an image on the LCD monitor continuously for 2 or 10 seconds while the shutter button is pressed. This feature permits the user to review an image right after the photo is taken and to erase an undesired image with a simple operation.
Nine image quality modes
The PowerShot A200 and A100 provide a choice of nine image quality combinations with three pixel modes (Large, Medium or Small) and three compression ratios (Superfine, Fine or Normal) to meet any need (see Fig.1).
AF-assist beam with ON/OFF control
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| Fig. 1 Image quality options |
Use of widely available size AA batteries (two) The PowerShot A200 and A100 are powered by two widely available size AA batteries (alkaline or NiMH), resulting in greater ease of use. When alkaline batteries are used, the PowerShot A200 can capture about 90 frames with the LCD monitor ON, and about 300 frames with the LCD monitor OFF. Convenient operation with cross-configured buttons The PowerShot A200 and A100 use the cross-configured button arrangement (see Fig. 2) for improved operability. The layout of the buttons is also simplified. |
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International user interface (UI) supporting eleven languages
The LCD menu supports eleven languages, expanding the number of the native-language environments for the camera. The following languages are supported:
English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish and Japanese.
Stress-free operation with 1.4-second interval shooting
Feature 3: High "beyond the class" image quality
CCD sensors with 2 million effective pixels (PowerShot A200) and 1.2 million effective pixels (PowerShot A100)
The PowerShot A200 incorporates the newly developed 1/3.2" CCD with 2 million effective pixels (PowerShot A100: 1.2 million effective pixels), offering high image quality up to 1,600 x 1,200 pixels (PowerShot A100: up to 1,280 x 960 pixels).
High-resolution, single-focal length lens
The PowerShot A200 and A100 have a newly developed 5 mm (39 mm in 35 mm film format) f/2.8 lens. The lens consists of 5 air-spaced elements. The high-refraction glass-molded aspherical element is optimally positioned to achieve good aberration compensation, giving a high-resolution image throughout the entire shooting range.
Wide range of ISO-equivalent speed settings
Although the PowerShot A200 and A100 are entry-level models, sensitivity is selectable from a range of settings [Auto/50 (64 for the PowerShot A100)/100/200/400 (ISO equivalent)].
In Auto mode, both cameras automatically adjust sensitivity to the optimum for the ambient light.
Reverse Galilean optical viewfinder
The PowerShot A200 and A100 have a Reverse Galilean optical viewfinder. It consist of two lenses, an objective lens and an eyepiece lens, resulting in a sharp, clear viewfinder.
Primary color filter and New digital signal processing IC for high-quality image processing
Intelligent AE for optimum exposure
Precision white balance (six positions)
Noise reduction for high S/N
SuperFine mode image quality comparable to that of RAW mode
Feature 4: Digital communication
Compliant with new Exif 2.2 standard
The PowerShot A200 and A100 support Exif 2.2 (Exif Print) standardized in February 2002. The details of Exif 2.2 will be reported in the next issue.
Direct prints with dedicated printers
Both cameras have a direct print mode that enables the user to print out high-quality images simply by connecting the camera to the newly developed Photo Printer CP-100, or the Card Photo Printer CP-10 with an interface cable. Operation is easily controlled from the camera.
Access to "Canon Image Gateway (CIG)" on the Web
Canon’s Web site, "Canon Image Gateway (CIG)," provides registered users with the versatile services, including online album service, online printing service, download service of My Camera contents. The CIG recently launched a new "Album browsing service via cellular phone," that offers a browsing service to mobile phone users. The photo album created on the CIG can be now viewed on the mobile phones as well, allowing the user to encourage their friends or family members without a PC to readily enjoy the album on the mobile phones (these services are available only on the Japanese site).
Comprehensive package of application programs
Compatible with the USB Interface
Feature 5: System accessories
Waterproof case usable down to 30 m (optional)
The PowerShot A200 and A100 fit into the optional WP-DC400 Waterproof case, which is usable down to 30 meters for diving and snorkeling.
Economical NiMH battery pack
The economical, rechargeable NiMH battery pack NB-1AH and the charger CB-3AH are also available as options. The NB-1AH can be recharged approximately 500 times.
This issue of the Technical Report introduces the PowerShot A200 and A100. Table 1 compares the major specifications of the PowerShot A200 and A100, while Fig. 3 shows the names of exterior parts of the PowerShot A100.
The recommended retail price in Japan for the kit displayed in Photo 6 is 32,000 yen for the PowerShot A200, and 24,800 yen for the PowerShot A100 (both before tax).
(From top left) PowerShot A200 / Digital camera solution disc (CD-ROM) / Wrist strap / CF card (8MB) / Size-AA alkaline battery x 2 / USB interface cable
Table 1 Comparison of major specifications between PowerShot A100 and A200
| PowerShot A200 | PowerShot A100 | ||
| Image sensor | 2.1 megapixel (total) 1/3.2" CCD (effective pixels: approx. 2.0 megapixel) |
1.3 megapixel (total) 1/3.2" CCD (effective pixels: approx. 1.2 megapixel) |
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| Filter array | Primary color filter |  |
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| Lens | 5 mm (35 mm film equivalent: 39 mm), f/2.8 |
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| Digital zoom | 4x |
3.2x | |
| Optical viewfinder | Reverse Galilean viewfinder | |
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| LCD monitor | 1.5" low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD | |
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| Autofocus method | TTL 3-point AiAF / TTL center-point AF (Focus lock is possible) |
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| Focusing range (normal) | 20 cm - infinity | |
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| Focusing range (macro) | 5 - 20 cm | |
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| Shutter | Mechanical + electronic | |
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| Shutter speed |
1 - 1/2,000 sec. |
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| Light metering method |
Evaluative | |
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| Exposure compensation | ±2.0 EV (in 1/3-stop increments) | |
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| Sensitivity | ISO 50 / 100 / 200 / 400 equivalent and Auto (In Auto mode, automatically adjusted in the range of ISO 50 to 150 equivalent) |
ISO 64 / 100 / 200 / 400 equivalent and Auto (In Auto mode, automatically adjusted in the range of ISO 64 to 150 equivalent) |
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| Flash range | Normal | 20 cm - 2 m | |
| Macro | 5 - 20 cm | |
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| White balance | Auto / Preset (5 positions) | |
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| Shooting mode | Auto / Manual / Stitch-assist / Movie | |
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| Photo effect mode | Vivid / Neutral / Low sharpening / Sepia / BW |
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| Continuous shooting | 2 images/sec. (Large/Fine, LCD monitor off) |
3 images/sec. (Large/Fine mode, LCD monitor off) |
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| Recording media | CompactFlash card (type I) | |
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| File format | DCF (applied to Exif 2.2), DPOF | |
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| Image recording format | Superfine / Fine / Normal x
L / M / S (9 combinations) |
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| Number of recording pixels |
L | 1600x1200 |
1280x960 |
| M | 1024x768 | |
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| S | 640x480 | |
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| Enlarged display | Approx. 2x- 10x | |
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| Direct print | Available (CP-10 / CP-100) | |
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| Interface | USB | |
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| Power source | AA alkaline x 2 / AA NiMH x 2 / Compact power adapter |
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| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 110 x 58 x 36.6 mm | |
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| Weight (camera only) | Approx. 175 g | |
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Fig. 3 PowerShot A100 Nomenclature
