[ Japan : IXY DIGITAL 900 IS, Americas : PowerShot SD800 IS,
Europe/Asia/Oceania : DIGITAL IXUS 850 IS ]
This month's Technical Report introduces the IXY DIGITAL 900 IS, a stylish, high-quality digital camera featuring a 7.1-megapixel CCD and a high - resolution 3.8x zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 28 - 105mm) with an optical image stabilizer system, released in October 2006.
Concept of development
The IXY DIGITAL 800 IS released in April 2006 had a smooth Perpetual Curve Design and 6-megapixel CCD, and was the first camera in the IXY DIGITAL series to have a 4x zoom lens and an optical image stabilizer system, which made the product highly regarded by customers.
The IXY DIGITAL 900 IS (Photo 1) is a new sister model to the IXY DIGITAL 800 IS, with a 7.1-megapixel CCD, DIGIC III, and a 3.8x zoom lens with an optical image stabilizer system providing a wide angle of 28mm (35mm equivalent). The concept of development is as follows.
Realization of a stylish, high-quality digital camera with high image quality and high functionality based on the themes of innovation and sophistication
Feature 1 : High-grade design and compact body
Perpetual Curve Design
The IXY DIGITAL 900 IS uses the technique called Perpetual Curve Design, which was first used in the IXY DIGITAL 600, to achieve a sleek, curvaceous appearance. The continuous curve creates a presence like that of a sculpture.
Compact design
The IXY DIGITAL 900 IS employs a host of Canon's miniaturization technologies realizing smaller and thinner components and ultrahigh-density mounting using SiP (System in Package). Thanks to this, the IXY DIGITAL 900 IS is 1mm slimmer than the IXY DIGITAL 800 IS despite having a 3.8x zoom lens (28-105mm [35mm equivalent]) with an optical image stabilizer system.
Feature 2 : High image quality
7.1 effective megapixel CCD sensor
The IXY DIGITAL 900 IS features a CCD with about 7.1 effective megapixels, which, together with the Primary Color Filter produces high resolution with up to 3072 x 2304 pixels.
3.8x zoom lens, 28 - 105mm (35mm equivalent)
For some time, we have received requests to include a lens with a focal length of 28mm (35mm equivalent) in the IXY DIGITAL series. To meet this needs, a newly developed 28-105mm (35mm equivalent), f/2.8(W)-f/5.8(T) 3.8x zoom lens (Fig. 1) is incorporated in the IXY DIGITAL 900 IS. An extremely short optical system has been achieved by using a UA lens (high refractive index molded aspherical lens).
The IXY DIGITAL 900 IS also has a macro function that allows the user to focus as close as 3cm from the subject at the wide-angle end. The field of view is 47 x 35mm.
Optical image stabilizer system
Like the IXY DIGITAL 800 IS, a shift - type image stabilizer system is used in order to reduce the impact of camera shake on image quality.
Unlike electronic image stabilization, this image stabilizer system provides compensation of around 3 shutter speeds without any loss in image quality for both still images and movies.
Furthermore, the IXY DIGITAL 900 IS supports and controls the image stabilization lens through 3 ceramic balls, providing highly-responsive, high-precision image stabilization (Fig. 2).
High-quality image processing with DIGIC III digital imaging engine
The camera is equipped with the newly developed DIGIC III imaging engine enabling higher quality and faster processing. It is also equipped with face detection functions, noise reduction signal processing at high sensitivity and a faster memory card interface.
Precise AE/AWB based on iSAPS technology
Feature 3 : High functionality
Face Detection AF/AE
In addition to the 9-point AiAF and 1-point AF that have been included in the past, the IXY DIGITAL 900 IS has a ''Face Detection AF'' function.
By selecting Face Detection AF, images are focused on faces detected in the frame. If a face is not detected within the frame, the camera automatically switches to normal AiAF (9-point).
Face Detection AE controls AE to suit the entire image by giving attention to the brightness of the face when using Face Detection AF. In conditions where the face appears darker, the flash is automatically activated in a manner not to make the face too bright.
ISO1600 and High ISO Auto modes
If sensitivity during shooting is increased, the following effects can be expected from the faster shutter speed.
(1) Reduced camera shake when shooting in dark places.
(2) Reduced blur of rapidly moving objects.
(3) Increased photo opportunities in places where the use of flashes is prohibited.
However, increased sensitivity is a factor in reduced image quality due to an increase in noise.
By utilizing noise reduction for high sensitivity in DIGIC III, the IXY DIGITAL 900 IS achieves high image quality with unnoticeable noise even when using ISO1600.
The camera is also equipped with a ''High ISO Auto'' mode that has higher sensitivity than ''Auto'' in dark places, which reduces camera shake and blurring of objects.
Aquarium mode
''Aquarium'' has been added as a new shooting (Special Scene) mode. ''Aquarium'' mode is a mode for shooting fish swimming in an indoor fish tank from outside the tank by adjusting the image quality based on the average brightness in the aquarium (indoors) and the color within the tank.
Safety zoom
Recently, CCD resolution has become higher, and the use of digital zoom does not necessarily reduce image quality depending on the resolution and digital zoom magnification set by the user.
Therefore, the original specification of pausing the optical zoom at the telephoto side when zooming has been changed; the digital zoom area is fixed to prevent image degradation according to the resolution set by the user, enabling more effective use of the digital zoom function.
Auto Category and My Categories
When ''Auto Category'' is set, each image is categorized into People, Scenery or Events according to the shooting mode used to take the photograph (Table 1).
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In addition, categories can be set, added, changed or deleted by selecting My Category during playback. There are seven categories that can be selected (People, Scenery, Events, Category 1-3, To Do).
By using these functions, images can be played back, printed, deleted or protected by specified category.
Auto Rotate for movies
In the past still images shot vertically with the Auto Rotate setting ''ON'' have been displayed vertically during playback regardless of the camera's orientation. In the IXY DIGITAL 900 IS, this function is available for movies too (Fig. 3).
*If the camera orientation is changed during shooting movies, the orientation at the start of shooting is applied to playback of movies.
Resume playback
In the past, the PowerShot and IXY DIGITAL series have started playback from the last image shot. To improve user-friendliness, the specification was changed and the IXY DIGITAL 900 IS starts playback from the last image viewed.
Similarly, playback of movies also starts from the last scene viewed.
Digital Macro mode
Color Retouching with My Colors
''Widescreen'' enabling shooting with a 16:9 aspect ratio
Smooth continuous shooting
Jump function
Low level format of recording media
Custom self-timer to select start time and number of shots
Histogram display of playback image
Audio annotation of up to 60 seconds
Feature 4 : Comfortable operation
Large 2.5'' LCD monitor
The LCD monitor employs a large 2.5'' LCD panel with a large viewing angle to allow the user to view the subject more clearly for easy framing. In addition, each multiple image on the monitor in the index playback mode is larger to make image searches considerably easier. The number of recording pixels has been increased to 207,000. Picture coverage is 100%.
The Quick-bright LCD function switches to the highest brightness in bright surroundings, such as outside, where the LCD monitor is usually difficult to see. When shooting in dark conditions, the Night Display function brightens the LCD monitor to suit the brightness of the subject.
Display of shooting parameters
Shooting parameters are shown on the LCD monitor to enable easy visual selection. Selectable shooting parameters are shown by pressing the up and down arrow buttons to move in the vertical direction and the left and right arrow buttons to move in the horizontal direction. When doing so, the shooting parameter currently selected is highlighted and the icon and name of that parameter are shown in the center of the monitor (Fig. 4-a/b).
Display of 3:2 Guide
A 3:2 Guide (Fig. 5) has been added to the existing grid lines as a shooting guide.
The 3:2 Guide grays out the top and bottom of the screen to make the aspect ratio 3:2. This eliminates inconveniences such as heads and feet being cut off in printing when using paper such as postcards with a 3:2 aspect ratio.
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed support
Playback/Forwarding of magnified images
Clock Display available during playback
Power-saving function (Auto power down and display off)
Mute mode
Feature 5 : Full range of printing features and digital communication
Layout Print (multiple images)
''Contact-sheet type 35 image index'' (Fig. 6) and ''20 image index with shooting information'' (Fig. 7) have been added as multiple image print layouts for A4 paper.
The contact-sheet type 35 image index is similar to a contact sheet for silver-salt film, and the actual images are used instead of the thumbnails, ensuring higher image quality than ordinary index printing.
The 20 image index with shooting information enables the printing of an index of images with the shooting information, allowing the user to check the shutter speed and f value used for each shot.
PictBridge support
Print/Share button
Postcard Date Imprint mode
ID Photo Print
Exif 2.2 support
The CANON iMAGE GATEWAY website can be used
Feature 6 : Accessories
Waterproof case rated to a depth of 40m
The WP-DC9 waterproof case suited for serious diving is available as an option.
High capacity battery pack
Despite its compact size, the NB-5L battery used has a nominal capacity of 1120mAh. This makes it possible to shoot approximately 270 photos when fully charged (based on CIPA measuring standards).
Support for high-speed, high-capacity SDHC memory cards
The camera is able to record more still images and longer movies by supporting high-capacity SDHC memory cards.
In the past, continuous shooting of movies stopped when the file size reached 1GB each time, but this has been extended to 4GB* in the IXY DIGITAL 900 IS. This makes it possible to shoot VGA (640 x 480 pixels) movies at 30fps for more than 30 minutes.
* Recording stops after one hour even if the file size has not reached 1GB.
HF-DC1 high-power flash
This month we introduced the IXY DIGITAL 900 IS. Table 2 shows the major specifications. The kit shown in Photo 3 is included with the main unit. The recommended retail price is open.
Canon's lineup of new products in autumn 2006 included the release of the PowerShot G7 (introduced in the December 2006 edition) with a 10-megapixel CCD and 6x zoom lens, the IXY DIGITAL 1000 with a 10-megapixel CCD and titanium exterior, the IXY DIGITAL L4 with a 7.1-megapixel CCD and 4 color variations, the PowerShot A640/630 with 10-megapixel/8-megapixel CCD and vari-angle LCD monitor, and the PowerShot A710 with 7.1-megapixel CCD and a 6x zoom lens with an optical image stabilizer system.