This month's Technical Report introduces the PowerShot Pro1 featuring an 8.0-megapixel CCD and 7x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 28-200mm) released in March 2004.
The PowerShot Pro1 (see Photo 1) is the flagship model of the compact digital camera PowerShot series, newly developed to meet strong user demand for the highest image quality and function. The development concept is as follows:
| • | Top-of-the-line digital camera of the PowerShot series offering the ''Ultimate image beauty.'' |
Feature 1: High image quality
CCD sensor with approximately 8.0 million effective pixels
| The PowerShot Pro1 features a newly
developed CCD with approximately 8.0 million effective pixels (total pixels:
approx. 8.3 million). Together with the primary color filter, it produces high
resolution and fine color reproduction with up to 3264 x 2448 pixels (see Fig.
1). |
|
High-resolution 7x optical zoom lens with fluorite and UD lens elements
| The PowerShot Pro1's 7x, 28-200mm
(35mm equivalent) zoom lens with f/2.4-f/3.5 maximum aperture covers most standard
shooting situations (see Fig. 2). This lens reduces secondary spectrum (residual chromatic aberration) significantly by employing one fluorite element* and one UD (Ultra Low Dispersion) element while achieving optimal aberration compensation with two aspherical elements. Multicoating is also used to reduce ghost and flare. *This is the first use of a fluorite element in a digital camera. |
|
| Selectable color space for
shooting
The most common color space for image data in the printing industry is Adobe RGB (see Fig. 3) which has a broader color spectrum than sRGB. Until now, this has required color space conversion of sRGB to Adobe RGB for digital camera images when used in commercially printed documents, but the PowerShot Pro1 enables users to choose Adobe RGB for still images to be used as originals for printed documents. High quality image processing with DIGIC, Digital Imaging Processor High-speed AF and precise AE/AWB based on iSAPS technology Iris diaphragm gives multi-stop aperture control and elegant blur. Wide range of ISO equivalent speed settings including the high image quality ISO 50 |
|
Feature 2: Advanced functions
Hybrid AF system combining the TTL and external ranging
The AF system maximizes the advantage of both the TTL method, which uses the actual CCD photo data, and external ranging (triangulation) method.
Initial high-speed focusing by triangulation is followed by the TTL method for precise focusing. The result is faster autofocusing in most shooting conditions.
Shutter speeds of 15 to 1/4000 seconds
The PowerShot Pro1 offers the same 1/4000 sec. maximum shutter speed as the EOS 10D and EOS Kiss Digital to enable advanced image creation. The slowest shutter speed is 15 sec. considering practical performance.
Safety shift function ensures optimum exposure control
There are times when optimum exposure cannot be obtained at the user-selected setting in shutter or aperture priority mode with the available light.
Safety Shift automatically shifts the shutter speed or aperture to obtain the optimum exposure when the set exposure cannot (see Fig. 4). This function can be turned ON/OFF with the menu.
In addition to the standard Macro function that allow users to shoot at 10cm from the subject, the PowerShot Pro1 incorporates super macro, a function which enables even closer shots at just 3cm. With the Super Macro Mode, the available shooting area is 35 x 26mm and the maximum recording pixel is 2272 x 1704 pixels (35mm equivalent: 90mm).
| Total of 16 image quality modes including RAW The 8.0-megapixel CCD enables 16 image quality modes including RAW mode (5 recording pixel modes). |
|
Digital zoom continuously changes angle of view (approximately 3.2x maximum, or approximately 22x in combination with the optical zoom)
The PowerShot Pro1 is equipped with the 8.0-megapixel CCD and 1024 x 768 pixels at the maximum digital zoom by limiting it to about 3.2x.
As a result, sufficient image quality even in L size (89 x 127mm) prints becomes possible with the 640mm (35mm film equivalent) at maximum digital and optical zoom.
AF range can be set arbitrary
First-curtain or second-curtain sync flash
Two bracketing functions (AE/Focus)
RAW format recording can be selected during rec. review
Interval shooting function
ND filter to decrease the brightness up to approximately 3 stops
Shooting mode with custom mode
Extended movie recording with audio and replay functions
Three light metering modes
Photo effects with custom positions
Histogram display of playback image
Audio annotation of up to 60 seconds can be appended during replay
Enlarged display of image for easy confirmation (approx. 2x to 10x)
AE/AF/FE lock feature enabling fixing focus and exposure
Feature 3: Comfortable operation
High-speed zoom drive with USM
While PowerShot Pro1 provides a manual zoom ring on the lens barrel, it also has an ultrasonic (USM) zoom drive motor, the same proven lens technology used in EF interchangeable lenses, giving smooth high-speed zooming even with the 7x zoom lens.
High-resolution electronic viewfinder
The PowerShot Pro1 incorporates a wide-range 7x zoom lens, and parallax makes it impractical to employ an optical viewfinder. The answer is the 0.44'' high-resolution electronic viewfinder with 235,000 pixels.
Built-in pop-up flash
As with EOS SLR cameras, the built-in flash retracts into the camera body when not in use, and pops up and fires automatically if ambient light is low (see Photo 2).
| Display panel backlight The PowerShot Pro1's large display panel is equipped with backlighting. This is a first in the PowerShot series allowing the panel to be read in the dark. The backlight comes on for a set duration after shooting or when the backlight button is pressed. |
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The PowerShot Pro1 gives enhanced user mobility by having the shooting lens retract immediately after the power switch is turned off. The shooting data is written to the CF card as the lens retracts.
Adoption of Main Dial and Mode Lever
Vari-angle LCD monitor
Color LCD monitor and electronic viewfinder with 100% picture coverage
International user interface (UI) supporting twelve languages
Feature 4: Extensive system accessories
Lithium ion battery with increased capacity
The PowerShot Pro1 uses a new lithium ion battery pack BP-511A with approximately 26% greater shooting capacity than BP-511 used in the EOS DIGITAL series and the PowerShot G series. Batteries such as BP-514 developed for video camcorders and conventional BP-511 and BP-512 can also be used.
Tele-converter enabling shooting at 300mm focal length (approx.)
The PowerShot Pro1 can be used with the Tele-converter (see Photo 3), which increases the focal length of the master lens by a factor of 1.5x to 300mm (35mm film equivalent) at telephoto. Combined use with the digital zoom enables users to enjoy a 960mm (35mm format equivalent) ultra-tele view.
Flare-preventing lens hood
The PowerShot Pro1 comes with a lens hood (see Photo 4) and a filter adapter as standard accessories. The lens hood prevents flare in backlit situations and the filter adapter allows the use of commercial filters.
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| Photo 3 Tele-converter lens TC-DC58A | Photo 4 Lens Hood LH-DC10 |
The PowerShot Pro1 is compatible with the EX Speedlite series of external flash developed for EOS series SLR cameras, and the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX or Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX for macro photography. It also supports Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2.
As with the PowerShot G5, the PowerShot Pro1 is capable of manually controlling the built-in or externally mounted EX Speedlite, prohibiting pre-flash. As a result, advanced multi-flash set-ups are possible.
Feature 5: Digital communication
Direct printing with compatible printers (PictBridge compatibility)
The PowerShot Pro1 supports direct printing, enabling the user to output high-quality images by simply connecting the camera to the CP series Card Photo Printers or direct printing compatible Bubble Jet printers using the dedicated cable. Operation is easily controlled from the camera.
The PowerShot Pro1 also supports PictBridge, the new industry standard established last year. This enables direct printing from any PictBridge compatible printer regardless of the manufacturer.
Driver-less computer connection with PTP support (on the latest computer operating systems)
''My Camera'' function with on-camera content creation function
Bundled with a comprehensive package of software applications
Access to ''CANON iMAGE GATEWAY (CIG)'' on the Web (Available only in Japanese)
This issue of the Technical Report introduces the PowerShot Pro1. Table 2 depicts the major specifications of the PowerShot Pro1, while Fig. 6 shows a sectioned view of the camera body and Fig. 7 shows the names of external controls and parts. The PowerShot Pro1 Kit comes as shown in Photo 5. There is no recommended retail price.
Along with the PowerShot Pro1, Canon released the 3.2-megapixel PowerShot S1 IS with 10x zoom, the 5.0-megapixel IXY DIGITAL 500 with 3x zoom, the 4.0-megapixel IXY DIGITAL 450 with 3x zoom, the 3.2-megapixel IXY DIGITAL 30a with 2x zoom, the 3.2-megapixel PowerShot A75 with 3x zoom and the 3.2-megapixel PowerShot A310 with single focal length lens.
[Japan : IXY DIGITAL 500, Americas : PowerShot S500 DIGITAL ELPH, Europe/Asia/Oceania : DIGITAL IXUS 500 ]
[ Japan : IXY DIGITAL 450, Americas : PowerShot S410 DIGITAL ELPH, Europe/Asia/Oceania : DIGITAL IXUS 430 ]
[ Japan : IXY DIGITAL 30a, Americas : PowerShot SD110 DIGITAL ELPH, Europe/Asia/Oceania : DIGITAL IXUS II s ]
Table 2 PowerShot Pro1 Major Specifications
| PowerShot Pro1 | |
| Image Sensor (CCD) | Camera effective pixels: Approx. 8 million, 2/3'' (Total number of pixels: Approx 8.3 million) |
| Color Filter | Primary color filter |
| Lens (35mm film equivalent) | 28 - 200mm, f/2.4 (W) - f/3.5 (T) |
| Digital Zoom | Approx. 3.2x |
| LCD Monitor | Low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD (Approx. 235,000 pixels, 2.0'') |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid autofocus (TTL + external metering sensor) (Continuous or Single), Focusing Frame: 1-point AF (any position is available) |
| Shooting Distance (Normal) | 50cm - infinity (W - 90mm equivalent), 1m - infinity (90mm equivalent - T) |
| Shooting Distance (Macro) (From the front of the lens) |
10 - 50cm (W - 63mm equivalent), 30 - 50cm (63 - 90mm equivalent) |
| Shooting Distance (Super Macro) (From the front of the lens) | 3 - 30cm (42 - 90mm equivalent) |
| Viewfinder | Color LCD viewfinder (Approx. 235,000 pixels, 0.44'') |
| Shutter | Mechanical shutter + Electronic shutter |
| Shutter Speeds | 15 - 1/4000 sec. |
| Light Metering Method | Evaluative/Center-weighted averaging/Spot (Metering frame with Spot mode: AF-point-linked/Center-fixed) |
| Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 stops in 1/3-stop increments |
| Sensitivity | Auto, ISO 50/100/200/400 equivalent |
| Flash Range | 50cm - 5.0m (W), 1 - 3.5m (T) (Sensitivity: ISO 100 equivalent) |
| White Balance | TTL Auto + Preset (6 positions) + Custom (2 positions) |
| Shooting Modes | Auto/P/Tv/Av/C1/C2/Portrait/Landscape/Night scene/Stitch assist/Movie |
| Continuous Shooting | High-speed: Approx. 2.5 shots/sec., Standard: Approx. 1.0 shots/sec. (Large/Fine mode) |
| Image Recording Format (Still Image) |
(Superfine/Fine/Normal) x (Large/Medium 1/Medium 2/Medium 3/Small) + RAW (16 combinations) |
| Number of Recording Pixels (Still Image) |
Large: 3264 x 2448 pixels, Medium 1: 2272 x 1704 pixels, Medium 2: 1600 x 1200 pixels, Medium 3: 1024 x 768 pixels, Small: 640 x 480 pixels, RAW: 3264 x 2448 pixels |
| Movie | 640 x 480 pixels at 15 fps, 320 x 240 pixels at 15 fps, 160 x 120 pixels at 15 fps |
| Recording Media | CF Card Type I / II |
| Color Space | Standard (sRGB)/Adobe RGB |
| File Format | DCF (Exif 2.21), DPOF-compliant |
| Power Source | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery: BP-511A, Compact Power Adapter: CA-560 (option) |
| Dimensions | 117.5 x 72.0 x 90.3mm (Excluding viewfinder eyepiece and protrusions) |
| Weight | Approx. 545g (camera body only) |
