12x optical zoom lens

We developed a new f/3.4 (wide) – f/5.9 (tele) 12x zoom lens with a 35mm-film equivalent focal length range of 28 – 336mm especially for the IXY 51S. The lens is constructed with 14 elements in 12 groups, with three aspherical lens elements — including one low-dispersion, double-sided aspherical element, one single-sided aspherical UA lens element, and one UD element. The six-group zoom lens design also has a prism element.

The glasses and arrangement of each lens group have been optimized to deliver the high image resolution suitable for the camera’s high-sensitivity sensor while packing a 12x optical zoom lens into the compact body.

The biggest change from the IXY 50S’s lens is a wider wide-end focal length — a 28mm (35mm-film equivalent) focal length instead of a 36mm focal length — which gives a greatly expanded photographic range.

HS System, integrating the high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and the DIGIC image processor, delivers image processing of outstanding quality

Like the IXY 50S, the IXY 51S features the HS System, which perfectly marries the high-sensitivity sensor (12.10 effective megapixels) that captures light more efficiently in less time with Canon’s proprietary DIGIC image processor that offers superb processing functionality. The HS System enables the camera to take beautiful, low-noise photos without noticeable camera shake or subject blurring even at high ISOs.

Smart Flash optimizes flash intensity for the scene

i-Contrast adjusts images for the best exposure and tonal quality according the scene

Wide variety of scene modes

The IXY 51S comes with a multitude of shooting modes that take advantage the CMOS sensor’s performance. The following scene modes have been added to those found on the IXY 50S.

1. Movie Digest — captures short movie clips two to four seconds long immediately before each still image is taken and merges the clips into one movie file over the course of a day.

2. Toy Camera Effect — deliberately darkens the edges of photos to give the impression of a photo taken with a toy camera.

3. Monochrome — takes black and white, sepia, and blue monochrome photos.

4. iFrame Movie — a video standard from Apple that enables faster editing, saving, and processing of movies.

Intelligent IS

Camera shake characteristics vary according to whether still images or movies are being shot, the lens’s zoom position, the shooting distance, and other factors. Therefore, it is important that image stabilization is adjusted to suit the conditions.

The IXY 51S has an advanced image stabilization control system and features Intelligent IS, which automatically chooses the best image stabilization mode for the current shooting conditions. The selected IS mode is shown as an icon on the LCD monitor (Table 1).

1. Still-image IS

This IS mode is active when shooting still images. It primarily compensates for angular shake.

2. Panning IS

When shooting still images while panning, this mode cancels image stabilization in the panning direction.

On previous models, this IS mode disengaged image stabilization only when the camera was panned lengthwise. On the IXY 51S, however, this mode is capable of suspending the camera shake compensation regardless of the panning direction (Figure 2).

3. Hybrid IS

This IS mode is engaged when macro shooting, whether for still images or movies. This mode compensates for both angular and lateral shake.

4. Tripod

This mode disengages image stabilization when the camera cannot shake because it is on a tripod.

5. Dynamic IS

This mode mainly compensates for the large camera shake that tends to occur when shooting movies at wide-angle focal lengths.

6. Powered IS

This mode mainly compensates for the gentle camera shake that tends to occur when shooting movies at telephoto focal lengths.

Touch Shutter

The IXY 51S makes use of the characteristics of the touch panel to implement the Touch Shutter function, which was first introduced on the IXY 32S. When the Touch Shutter function is turned on, touching anywhere on the LCD monitor will cause the camera to autofocus immediately on the subject at that position. In this state, the shutter will release the moment the finger is lifted from the panel (Figure 3).

If the camera is in the Auto shooting mode or the Servo AF function is turned on, the camera will start to servo autofocus on the subject at the touched position and will track the subject until the finger is lifted from the LCD monitor.

While the finger is in contact with the LCD monitor, an icon indicating that Touch Shutter is active is displayed on the LCD monitor. A blue rectangle indicating that Servo AF is active is also displayed according to the Servo AF drive state.

When Touch Shutter is turned off, touching anywhere on the LCD monitor will cause the camera to track and focus on the subject at that position (Touch AF).

Photo book creation feature

In the last few years, many printers equipped with photo book creation functions have been marketed, and it is possible to order photo books on the Internet or from some kiosks.

In keeping with this trend, the IXY 51S comes with a feature that simplifies creating photo books. Specifically, this feature makes it easy to specify from the camera’s playback menu which images on the memory card to use in the photo book.

Smart Auto with 32 auto-detection scenes, and Smart Auto Movie automatically detects the shooting scene and selects the best settings

Multiple aspect ratios available

Blink Detection displays a warning if a person with closed eyes is detected in an image immediately after shooting

AF Continuous Shooting shoots continuously while keeping a moving subject in focus

Smart Shuffle automatically displays four images based on the image being viewed

Super Slow Motion captures in slow motion actions too fast for the naked eye

Histogram display

3.2”, 461,000-dot LCD monitor

The IXY 51S uses a wide 3.2”, 461,000-dot touch panel LCD monitor. With an aspect ratio of 16:9, the monitor provides a wide viewing angle, high contrast, and excellent color reproduction.

Movie button starts recording movies immediately even when in a still-image shooting mode

Scroll playback enales effortless image scrolling

Hints and tips display for each function

HDMI mini connector

The camera has an HDMI connector. The HDMI standard defines CEC (consumer electronics control), a method of transmitting device control signals along with audio and video signals. This means that when the camera is connected with an HDMI cable to a TV that supports the HDMI-CEC standard, the TV’s remote controller can be used to control playback from the camera.

Specifically, the remote controller can be used to scroll images, play groups, play movies, play slideshows, and play indexes.

Select images for printing with DPOF

PictBridge support

HF-DC2 high-power flash (sold separately)

The built-in flash is insufficient when shooting distant subjects at night. Using the HF-DC2 high-power flash unit (Photo 4) in these conditions lets the camera take beautiful shots of even distant subjects. The HF-DC2 fires when it detects the camera flash firing so there is no need for wiring. The unit comes with a camera-mounting bracket so that it can be used with cameras without a hot shoe, like the IXY 51S.

The HF-DC2 comes with a wide-angle adaptor that covers angles of view as wide as 24mm (35mm-film equivalent). Therefore, the flash unit can be used with nearly any camera with a 24mm wide-angle focal length.

Eye-Fi card support

Accepts SDXC memory cards

Exif 2.3 support

This completes our look at the IXY 51S. Table 2 lists the camera’s main specifications, and Photo 5 illustrates the kit components that come with the camera. There is no fixed suggested retail price.