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Canon's PowerShot SD4000 IS digital camera. Photo provided by Canon USA Inc. Canon SD4000 IS: PowerShot with BSI sensor, priority modes
By
(Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 14:41 EDT)

Canon USA Inc. has today announced its SD4000 IS digital camera, the first PowerShot Digital ELPH model to feature aperture- and shutter-priority shooting modes -- not quite fully manual, but offering rather more control over the look of images than was previously possible.

The Canon SD4000 IS is also the first ELPH model to feature a backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, which should translate to improved sensitivity (or reduced noise at the same sensitivity). Sensor resolution is a sensible ten megapixels, and the SD4000 has a bright f/2.0 lens -- at least, when set to its 28mm-equivalent wide angle position. On paper at least, the Canon PowerShot SD4000 looks like it should offer pretty solid performance in less-than-perfect lighting conditions, allowing flash use to be kept to a minimum.

The Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS is set to ship later this month, priced at around $350 in the US market. Also known as the IXUS 300 HS in the European market, and as the IXY 30S in Japan, the Canon SD4000 will be available in three colors -- red, silver, and black.

More details are available in our Canon SD4000 preview.

Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS
Canon's PowerShot SD4000 IS digital camera. Photo provided by Canon USA Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeUltra Compact
ManufacturerCanon
Model NumberNorth America: SD4000 IS
Europe: IXUS 300 HS
Dimensions3.9 x 2.1 x 0.9 in.
(100 x 54 x 24 mm)
Weight6.2 oz (175 g)
Planned Price$350
Planned AvailabilityMay 2010
Image Capture
Sensor TypeCMOS
1/2.3" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
10.60 megapixels (total)
10.00 megapixels (effective)
Filter TypeRGBG
Aspect Ratio4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions3648 x 2736 (10.0 megapixels)
3648 x 2048 (7.5 megapixels)
2816 x 2112 (5.9 megapixels)
2272 x 1704 (3.9 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Capture SpeedContinuous: 3.7 frames per second
Image Quality2 levels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD3.0 in. diagonal
230,000 dots (approx. 77,000 pixels)
Playback Zoom10.0x max
Lens
Lens TypeCanon Zoom Lens
3.8x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length4.9 - 18.6mm (actual)
28 - 105mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/2.0 (W) / f/5.3 (T) to f/8.0
Focusing SystemContrast Detect AF with Face Detection
Has AF assist lamp
Focusing RangeNormal: 1" - infinity (3 cm - infinity)
Macro: 1.2" - 20" (3 cm - 50 cm)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, 125, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Shutter Speed15 - 1/2500 second
Exposure ModesAperture, Shutter
Metering ModesEvaluative*, Center-weighted average, Spot (center); *Face Detect in Face AiAF
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Internal FlashModes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro, Smart Flash
Range: Auto ISO: 30 cm - 6.0 m (W), 50 cm - 2.0 m (T) (12 in. - 20 ft. (W), 1.6 - 6.6 ft. (T))
Creative
Scene ModesPortrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Smart Shutter, High-Speed Burst, Low Light, Color Accent, Color Swap, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Beach, Foliage, Snow, Fireworks
Digital ZoomUp to 4x
Self TimerYes, 2, 10, custom seconds
Movie FormatMOV (Motion JPEG) with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC including SDHC, SDXC
File SystemFAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
VideoHigh definition: Yes (HDMI)
Standard definition: Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 High Speed
OtherHDMI
Power
Battery TypeLithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary NB-6L
Product Bundle
SoftwareCanon Software Suite CD-ROM
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
NotesWide-angle (28mm) f/2 Lens with Optical Image Stabilization, 720p HD Movies, Stereo Sound, Super Slow Motion Movie, HDMI Output. Available in black, silver, red or white.
More Photos
Canon's PowerShot SD4000 IS digital camera. Photo provided by Canon USA Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Canon's PowerShot SD4000 IS digital camera. Photo provided by Canon USA Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Canon's PowerShot SD4000 IS digital camera. Photo provided by Canon USA Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

Design Meets Functionality With The New Canon PowerShot Digital ELPH Camera: The PowerShot SD4000 IS Digital ELPH Camera

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., May 11, 2010 – Placing top-level Canon features in a modern, stylish frame, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the newest addition to the PowerShot Digital ELPH camera series- the Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS Digital ELPH camera. This new powerhouse point-and-shoot camera is the first of the Digital ELPH series to offer a high-sensitivity system, known as Canon’s HS SYSTEM, with a CMOS sensor and bright f/2.0 lens. Offering consumers the most enhanced image quality available in an ELPH series camera, these features help to capture those wonderful moments in low-light conditions. The PowerShot SD4000 IS Digital ELPH camera also has high definition (HD) movie-shooting capabilities, providing an additional option for cataloging memorable events. Primarily, the new PowerShot SD4000 IS is great for any user with an attention for up-to-date functionality and style.

Whether attending a relative’s sunset wedding or meeting friends in a dimly lit restaurant, these are times where the new PowerShot SD4000 IS showcases its best attributes. The new 10-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, in conjunction with the DIGIC 4 image processor creates Canon’s HS SYSTEM to enhance image quality in low-light situations and helps reduce noise at high ISO speeds. Along with Canon’s HS SYSTEM, the f/2.0 lens allows more light to enter, permitting higher shutter speeds, for further reducing the effect of camera shake and increasing image sharpness and quality. In addition, the combination of Canon’s HS SYSTEM and the f/2.0 lens enables users to take photos without a flash, resulting in a more natural look while providing greater depth of field, making it an exemplary tool for portrait photography. In addition, the PowerShot SD4000 IS has the fastest high-speed burst rate to date* in a Canon PowerShot Digital ELPH camera with 8.4 frames per second (fps). New to the ELPH cameras, the PowerShot SD4000 IS has aperture and shutter controls allowing for enhanced flexibility and creative control, making this camera great for shooters who are interested in getting even more out of their photography.

“With the introduction of the new PowerShot SD4000 IS, Canon is putting the power of high-quality photography in an ultra-compact size to amplify the experience and quality customers see when shooting with a Canon camera,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. “The two functions in the HS SYSTEM allow our customers to capture the clearest pictures in any setting, resulting in more of a professional look.”

For the Design-Centric
A treat for the eyes, the PowerShot SD4000 IS has beautifully crafted curves, texture and a modern look that appeals to a design-savvy user. With all of its new features, the Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS elevates the current ELPH series, offering advanced settings in a polished, sculpted, compact frame, making it an essential item to tote anywhere.

Get Creative with HD Movie
The addition of the HD Movie feature in the new PowerShot SD4000 IS is one of the most distinguished characteristics that make this camera a must-have for anyone. This dual-purpose camera allows users to creatively compose video, helping to capture unforgettable moments from a child’s first baseball game to a son or daughter walking up to the podium on Graduation Day. Users can also have more fun with HD movie footage by using the My Color function, composed of Color Swap and Color Accent options. In addition, video content is easily downloaded from the camera via USB connection and can be easily played back on your HDTV via an HDMI output connector.

Timing is Everything
As an added bonus, the new Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS has a new Super Slow Motion movie function that allows users to record video at a very high frame rate, possessing the appearance of slow motion when played back at regular speed. The Super Slow Motion movie function captures a subject at 240 frames-per-second (fps), and later plays back the footage at 30 fps, allowing each moment of footage to be appreciated in super slow motion while maintaining great image quality.

Additional Features

  • A 3.0-inch wide angle (28mm equivalent) wide screen LCD allows for easy on-camera previewing and reviewing of menus and images.

  • A 3.8X optical zoom with optical image stabilization helps to ensure images will be clear and how they were meant to be captured.

  • Support of the high-spec SDXC memory cards with the maximum storage of two terabytes (TB) in SDA standard.

  • Eye-Fi memory card connectivity, where wireless data can directly transfer to PCs.

  • New scene modes, such as miniature and fish-eye effects help to increase overall creativity.

  • Smart Shutter technology, which automatically takes pictures when a person smiles or winks; resulting in less re-takes.

The new Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS is available in three different color variations: red, black and silver. In addition, while supplies last, there will be an exclusive, limited edition white PowerShot SD4000 IS model available direct from Canon (www.shop.usa.canon.com). Scheduled to be available at the end of May, the Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS Digital ELPH camera retails for an estimated price of $349.99.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2009†, with global revenues of US $35 billion, is listed as number four in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World’s Most Admired Companies 2009 list, and is on the 2009 BusinessWeek list of "100 Best Global Brands." Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

# # #

*Depending on the shooting conditions, camera settings and the zoom position, the shooting speed may slow down. As the number of images increases, the shooting interval may take longer.

†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Availability, specifications and prices subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by the individual dealer and may vary.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are registered trademarks or trademarks of HDMI Licensing, LLC.

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