This month's Technical Report introduces the PowerShot S60, featuring a 5.0-megapixel CCD and 3.6x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 28-100mm), released in June 2004.
The PowerShot S series with its high image quality and advanced features in a compact body has been very popular among a wide range of users. On the other hand, there has been a strong demand for a new digital camera with a wider-angle lens of approximately 28mm (35mm equivalent), while maintaining its compactness.
In response to this market need, Canon developed the PowerShot S60 (see Photo 1) equipped with a 28-100mm 3.6x zoom lens and advanced image quality, functionality, and design. The development concept is as follows:
• Easy to carry full specification digital camera
Feature 1: New generation lens
UA lens
In general, a wide-angle lens tends to increase the diameter of the front lens group, causing the camera to become bigger. To solve this issue, Canon has developed a new moldable ultra-high refractive index glass material* (see Fig. 1), with the cooperation of a glass manufacturer.
*Canon named the ultra-high refractive index molded glass aspherical lens using this glass material ''UA lens'' (Ultra high refractive index Aspherical lens).
(Comparison of glass materials of UA lens and standard aspherical lens)
| 3.6x zoom lens (28-100mm) The PowerShot S60 employs 3.6x retractable zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 28-100mm) with a f/2.8-f/5.3 aperture (see Fig. 2). With the adoption of the UA lens in the front lens group and optimizing power of each lens group, the lens remains compact despite the wide 28mm focal length. Along with the UA lens, a cemented doublet lens is used to achieve optimal aberration compensation. |
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The Macro function allows users to shoot at 4cm from the subject at the wide end. The shooting area is 64mm x 47mm.
Feature 2: Full range of print features
Print/Share Button
The PowerShot S60 features Print/Share button (see Photo 2), allowing users to print even more easily and instinctively while the camera is directly connected to Canon's CP series Compact Photo Printers. The Print/Share button lights or blinks blue to provide easy operating guidance.
This function allows users to crop, layout and print the recorded image in specified size. The PowerShot S60 offers a selection of the 28 different sizes (see Table 1) covering typical ID photo sizes for many countries and region throughout the world.
This function allows users to print an index print on a single sheet of a series of frames selected from a recorded movie at fairly regular intervals (see Fig. 3).
The interval is automatically calculated based on the length of the movie and the number of still images required to fill the sheet.
The PowerShot S60 supports PictBridge, the new industrial standard established last year (2003). This enables directly connecting the camera to any PictBridge compatible printer regardless of the manufacturer.
Feature 3: High image quality
CCD sensor with approximately 5.0 million effective pixels
The PowerShot S60 features a CCD with approximately 5.0 million effective pixels (total pixels: approximately 5.3 million). Together with the primary color filter, it produces high resolution and fine color reproduction with up to 2592 x 1944 pixels.
The PowerShot S60 allows shooting in the RAW format, enabling subtle color compensation with the dedicated software at the time of development.
9-position White balance
The PowerShot S60 adds a new ''Underwater'' preset for the white balance. The white balance setting when using the optional waterproof case WP-DC40 eliminates the underwater blue cast, enabling prints with more natural color.
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 speeds including the high image quality ISO 50
Feature 4: Advanced functions and comfortable operation
Shutter speeds from 15 to 1/2000 seconds
The PowerShot S60 has a faster top shutter speed of 1/2000 sec. The range is 15-1/2000 sec compared to the PowerShot S50 range of 15-1/1500 second.
Safety Shift function ensures optimum exposure control
There are times when the available light precludes optimum exposure with the user-selected exposure settings in shutter or aperture priority mode with. Safety Shift automatically shifts the shutter speed or aperture to obtain the optimum exposure when the set exposure cannot.
The JPEG image contained in the RAW file
When shooting in RAW mode, a JPEG image is simultaneously saved in the RAW image data. In earlier models, the recording JPEG image was limited to 640 x 480 pixels. The PowerShot S60 allows users to select the appropriate number of pixels from the following four settings: 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, and 640 x 480.
Movie recording at 640 x 480 pixels
The PowerShot S60 offers 640 x 480 movies recording at 10 fps for up to about 30 seconds. The selection of 320 x 240 pixels (15 fps for up to about 3 min.) and 160 x 120 pixels (15 fps for up to about 3 min.) are also available.
Quick startup
The PowerShot S60 startup time (from when the lens cover is open completely until the camera is capable of shooting) to 2.9 sec. compared to the PowerShot S50 time of 3.6 sec. (when the LCD monitor is on) and from 2.8 sec. to 2.3 sec. (when the LCD monitor is off). As a result, it provides excellent response.
UI display with enhanced visibility
The PowerShot S60 has remarkably improved visibility of the LCD monitor UI display, especially the menu display (see Fig. 4), with enlarged icons and moving icons in control menus.
The PowerShot S60 lens cover action is much smoother, providing luxuriously comfortable operation.
Digital zoom continuously changes angle of view (up to approx. 4.1x maximum, or approx. 15x in combination with the optical zoom)
Settable AF range
First-curtain or second-curtain sync flash
Two bracketing functions (AE and Focus)
Interval shooting
Shooting modes including custom mode
Three light metering modes
AE/AF/FE lock feature enabling fixing focus and exposure
Photo effects with custom positions
Histogram display of playback image
Audio annotation (up to 60 seconds) can be appended during replay
Enlarged display of image for easy confirmation (approx. 2x to 10x)
Feature 5: System accessories
Tele-converter enabling shooting at 200mm focal length (approx.)
The Powershot S60 is the first model in the Powershot S series, except for the PowerShot S1 IS, to support use of the optional Tele-converter TC-DC10 (see Photo 3), which increases the focal length of the master lens by a factor of 2.0x to 200mm (35mm equivalent) at telephoto.
The PowerShot S60 uses the new battery pack NB-2LH with approximately 26% greater capacity than the previous NB-2L. The current battery charger CB-2LT can be used with NB-2LH as well as NB-2L.
Waterproof case
The optional waterproof case WP-DC40 is used to take underwater shots at the depth of down to 40 meters (see Photo 4). The waterproof case weight WW-DC1 is an additional accessory for any of the Canon's waterproof cases that can be used to prevent the case from floating while taking pictures underwater, being fastened to the waterproof case's tripod socket by the mounting screws.
The optional wireless controller WL-DC100 allows remote shooting, playback, and forwarding.
Feature 6: Digital communication
Direct transfer (Windows only)
This feature allows users to send images to the computer simply by pressing the Print/Share button. The menu offers five different types of transfer, as follows.
| (1) All Images | : | Transfers all Images |
| (2) New Images | : | Transfers all the images that have not been previously transferred |
| (3) DPOF Trams. Images | : | Transfers the images with DPOF Transfer Order settings |
| (4) Select & Transfer | : | Transfers the selected images |
| (5) Wall paper | : | Transfers the selected images to display on the computer desktop |
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 S60. Table 2 depicts the major specifications of the PowerShot S60, while Fig. 5 shows the names of exterior controls and parts. The PowerShot S60 Kit comes as shown in Photo 5. There is no recommended retail price.
Along with the PowerShot S60, Canon has released the new Compact Photo Printer CP-330 (see Photo 6).
Table 2 PowerShot S60 Major Specifications
| PowerShot S60 | |
| Image Sensor | Camera effective pixels: Approx. 5.0 million 1/1.8'' (Total number of pixels: Approx. 5.3 million) |
| Color Filter | Primary color filter |
| Lens (35mm equivalent) | 28-100mm, f/2.8 (W) - f/5.3 (T) |
| Digital Zoom | Approx. 4.1x (Up to approx. 15x in combination with the optical zoom) |
| LCD Monitor | Low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD (Approx. 118,000 pixels, 1.8'' ) |
| Autofocus System | TTL (Contrast detecting), 9-point AiAF/1-point AF (any position is available) |
| Shooting Distance (From the front of the lens) |
Normal: 44cm - infinity, Macro: 4cm - 44cm (W)/30cm - 44cm (T) |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical zoom viewfinder |
| Shutter | Mechanical shutter + Electronic shutter |
| Shutter Speeds | 15 - 1/2,000 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 | 55cm - 4.2m (W), 55cm - 2.0m (T) (Sensitivity: ISO 100 equivalent) |
| White Balance | TTL Auto + Preset (7 positions) + Custom |
| Shooting Modes | Auto/P/Tv/Av/M/C/Portrait/Landscape/Night scene/Fast shutter/Slow shutter/Stitch assist/Movie |
| Continuous Shooting | High-speed: Approx. 2.0 shots/sec. Standard: Approx. 1.5 shots/sec. (Large/Fine mode with LCD monitor off) |
| Image Recording Format (Still Image) | 12 combinations (Superfine/Fine/Normal) x (Large/Medium 1/Medium 2/Small) |
| Number of Recording Pixels (Still Image) | Large: 2592 x 1944 pixels, Medium 1: 2048 x 1536 pixels, Medium 2: 1600 x 1200 pixels, Small: 640 x 480 pixels |
| Number of Recording Pixels/frame rate (Movie) | 640 x 480 pixels at 10 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) |
| File Format | DCF (Exif 2.2), DPOF (Ver. 1.1)-compliant |
| Power Source | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery NB-2LH/(NB-2L) Compact power adapter CA-PS700 (Option) |
| Dimensions | 114.0 x 56.5 x 38.8 mm (Excluding protrusions) |
| Weight | Approx. 230g (Camera body only) |
