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One of only two lenses that contains both refractive and diffractive glass elements, this image-stabilized tele zoom is dramatically more compact — and expensive ($1,143, street) — than its refractive-only Canon ($549, street) or Nikon ($479, street) counterparts. Unlike more common refractive optics, diffractive optical design is based on how light rays bend when forced to move around (not through) an obstruction — in this case, a pattern of molded, sawtooth, Fresnel-like, concentric circles. A full-frame lens, it scales up to a 105-450mm on Canon EOS Digital Rebel models.

Hands On:

About one-third smaller than other 70-300mm stabilized lenses, it’s also a few ounces lighter. Ribbed and rubber-clad focus and zoom rings turn evenly and smoothly. On our EOS 5D test camera, autofocus action is silent, rapid, and sure. In addition to AF-, IS-, and IS-mode switches, a fourth locks the zoom in its 70mm position.

In The Lab:

SQF tests found sharpness and contrast in the Excellent range at 70mm and 200mm, dipping to Very Good at 300mm, roughly equal to Canon’s refractive version. DxO Analyzer 3.1 tests found Slight barrel distortion at 70mm (0.11%) and Visible pincushion distortion at 200mm and 300mm (0.34% and 0.33%, respectively), slightly better than the non-DO lens. Light falloff left the corners by f/5.6 at 70mm, and by f/8 at 200mm and 300mm, an average performance, but again slightly better than the refractive zoom. Maximum magnification ratios at the uniform close-focusing distance of about 52.5 inches were 1:14.25 at 70mm; 1:6.33 at 200mm; and 1:4.75 at 300mm (less power than Canon’s claimed 1:4). Our image stabilization tests were based on DxO’s Blur analysis: Three different users gained 2.5 to 3 stops of handholdable shutter speeds.

Conclusion:

Willing to pay to travel light and save space? You won’t be disappointed with this remarkably bulk-free, satisfyingly sharp, full-frame, stabilized tele zoom.

Specifications

70-300mm (74.15-282.15mm tested), f/4.5-5.6 (f/4.74-n.a.* tested), 18 elements in 12 groups. Focusing turns 160 degrees counterclockwise. Zoom ring turns 80 degrees clockwise. Focal lengths marked at 70-, 100-, 135-, 200, and 300mm. • Diagonal view angle: 34-8 degrees. • Weight: 1.63 lb. • Filter size: 58mm. • Mounts: Canon AF. • Included: Lenshood, soft case. • Street price: $1,143.

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An 88-400mm equivalent, this is Canon’s longest EF-S (digital only) zoom, and roughly the low-cost digital alternative to its 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L full-frame “white” image-stabilized zoom that’s so hot with pros. At $280, street, this 55-250mm is by far Canon’s most favorably priced IS tele zoom, with the only glass close to it a 70-300mm IS lens that streets for roughly $550.

Not actually paired in a kit with Canon’s 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS starter lens (yet), this is the system’s de facto kit telezoom. It’s squarely targeted at intermediate DSLR shooters who feel hemmed in by the 18-55mm and crave something longer. While most comparable digital tele-zooms that start at 55mm go to only 200mm (i.e., the Nikon, Sigma, and Tamron), Canon reaches out to 250mm.

This lens replaces the 55-200mm full-framer, a late film-era optic, and boasts a new optical design incorporating a UD element for controlling color fringing and a simpler, less costly IS system. The IS mechanism (the same as in the 18-55mm IS lens) is claimed to produce up to 4 additional stops of handheld sharpness in the 55-250mm. This is the first IS system for Canon that autodetects panning and limits its shake control to the vertical axis.

HANDS ON

A bit heavier and longer than the non-IS 55-200mm that it replaces, this lens is still compact enough to throw no shadow at any focal length when used with the Rebel XTi’s built-in flash — surprising for a zoom that extends to the equivalent of 400mm.

Both zoom and focusing rings are rubberized, ribbed, generously sized, and smooth-turning. The AF action is fast and accurate with minimal searching and, by non-USM standards, relatively quiet (again on the Rebel XTi).

IN THE LAB

SQF data came in within the Excellent range at three tested focal lengths. The lens charted slightly better than Nikon’s 55-200mm VR zoom; at 55mm and 135mm, better than the comparable Tamron; and light-years beyond the earlier 55-200mm at all tested focal lengths.

DxO Analyzer 3.0.1 tests demonstrated very well-controlled distortion, with only Slight barrel at 55mm (0.14%), and Slight pincushion at 135mm and 250mm (0.14% and 0.15%, respectively). Almost into the Imperceptible range, these results compare very favorably with those of the 55-200mm, which produced Noticeable pincushion distortion at 135mm and 200mm (1.35% and 1.60%, respectively).

Light falloff, about average, was gone from the corners by f/5 at 55mm, by f/5.6 at 135mm, and by f/6.3 at 250mm.

Maximum magnification ratios at the uniform close-focusing distance of about 40.5 inches ranged from 1:12.6 at 55mm to a strong 1:2.85 at 250mm.

Using DxO’s blur factor analysis, four different shooters tested two sample lenses and found a somewhat underwhelming 2 to 2.5 extra stops of handheld sharpness with IS engaged.

CONCLUSIONS

A natural for globe-trotting vacationers and soccer parents, this is the obvious second lens for Canon EOS 40D and Rebel XSi owners. Clearly it and the 18-55mm IS make an attractive team that promises sharp pictures in dicey light across an amply wide 13.9X zoom range. And you can’t beat that price.

SPECIFICATIONS

55-250mm f/4-5.6 (55.65-256.41mm tested), f/4-5.6 (f/4.09-6.37 tested), 12 elements in 10 groups. Focusing turns 100 degrees counterclockwise. Zoom ring turns 70 degrees clockwise. Focal lengths marked at 55-, 70-, 100-, 135-, 200-, and 250mm.

• Diagonal view angle: 27-6 degrees.

• Weight: 14 oz.

• Filter size: 58mm.

• Mounts: Canon EF-S.

• Street price: $280.

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If you needed proof that Pentax has a high-performance, professional-quality DSLR in the offing, this $1,000 (street) lens is it.

Based on the film-era 200mm f/2.8 FA lens, it’s equipped with new internal-flare-suppressing coatings, and it has a newly designed rear element which Pentax claims projects a perfectly flat-field image. A 300mm equivalent, it sports Pentax’s SMC supersonic focusing motor for near-silent autofocus action, as well as Quick-shift focusing that lets you touch up focus manually while the lens remains in the AF mode.

Joining the 300mm f/4, 16-50mm f/2.8, and 50-135mm f/2.8, this is the fourth lens in Pentax’s DA* family of matched, pro-oriented glass. Fully loaded with water- and dust-repelling gaskets and O-rings, it’s a high-speed tele prime that’s clearly well constructed and ready for outdoor action.

Hands On

Surfaced in a faint, matte-black crinkle finish and ornamented with the bright green aluminum ring that signifies a Pentax digital-only lens, this mostly polycarb prime is average in weight and size for the class — very similar to the Sigma 150mm DG macro lens, for example. (At 1.8 pounds, it’s more than a pound lighter than the comparable Olympus 150mm, which also scales up to about 300mm, but that’s because the Oly is an f/2).

Although the Pentax is more than 5 inches long, it throws no shadow at close-focus when used with the K200D’s built-in flash. It also has plenty of gold ornamentation, a depth-of-field scale, and an extra-deep 3.25-inch lens shade that includes a clever trapdoor ( or finger window) that lets you reach in to fine-tune the positioning of a mounted filter.

In The Lab

SQF results showed sharpness and contrast in the Excellent range at all apertures and output sizes. (No surprise there.) DxO Analyzer 3.0.1 tests found near-absolute distortion control, with only Imperceptible pincushion distortion (0.01%) detectable. (This is, in fact, the single best distortion performance we’ve encountered since adopting the DxO system in 2005.) We found no noticeable light falloff in corners at any aperture. Finally, at the close-focusing distance of 46.75 inches, the maximum magnification ratio was a satisfyingly powerful 1:4.56.

Conclusions

In its superior vignetting- and distortion-control performance, this digital-only tele actually tests very much like the full-frame lenses we’ve evaluated on DSLRs with APS-sized sensors — no surprise since its design is based on a 35mm lens. Its high speed and near flawless optics coupled with Pentax’s sensor-based image stabilization technology helped us take dozens of satisfying pictures over several weeks of field testing. It promises the pro or serious amateur virtually distortion-free and perfectly sharp pictures, even in less-than-perfect light.

If there’s a downside to this lens, we couldn’t find it.

Specifications

200mm (198.33mm tested), f/2.8 (n.a. tested*), 9 elements in 8 groups. Focusing turns 210 degrees clockwise.

• Diagonal view angle: 8 degrees.

• Weight: 1.85 lb.

• Filter size: 77mm.

• Mount: Pentax KAF.

• Included: Lenshood, soft case.

• Street price: $1,000.

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This digital-only, 5.3X, wide-to-medium-tele, general-purpose zoom ($600, street) is an attractive upgrade for Nikon shooters underserved by their entry-level 18-55mm kit lens. No longer a beginner? It offers Vibration Reduction, plus extra reach in both directions, scaling up to 24-127.5mm on most Nikon DSLR bodies. Two extra-low dispersion glass elements rein in the image-softening effect of chromatic aberration (a.k.a. color fringing), and three aspheric elements help tackle linear distortion.

HANDS ON:

Slightly bulky for an amateur’s general-purpose lens, this zoom is more than an inch longer and 4 ounces heavier than Canon’s comparable 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS digital-only zoom ($515, street). At close-focus, the lens (without hood) throws a shadow at all focal lengths when used with a built-in flash. (As subject distances grow, the shadow gradually disappears, first at the long end of the zoom range.)

With a slightly stiff zoom action but well-damped manual focusing, the lens offers fast, accurate, and — thanks to Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor — extremely quiet autofocus. All switches and collars are adequately sized and marked, and the lens feels solidly constructed, almost pro-quality.

IN THE LAB:

SQF data showed sharpness and contrast in the Excellent range at all tested focal lengths — not surprising for a Nikkor. In DxO Analyzer 3.0.1 distortion control tests, we found Visible barrel distortion at 16mm (0.49%) and Slight pincushion distortion at 50mm and 85mm (0.20% and 0.19%, respectively). This is a noticeably stronger performance than the Canon, which showed, for example, Very Visible barreling at 17mm (1.25%). (The Nikon’s numbers suggest average distortion control by today’s standards, but 10 years ago, they would have been headline news.)

Light falloff was gone from the corners by f/8 at 16mm, f/5.6 at 50mm, and f/6.3 at 85mm — also an average performance. Maximum magnification ratios at the uniform close-focusing distance of a tight 13.2 inches ranged from 1:14.25 at 16mm to an OK 1:3.8 at 85mm.

In DxO blur tests of the lens’ Vibration Reduction system, three users gained between 2 and 2.5 stops of extra handholdability with VR engaged — not great, but also not surprising as image stabilization is usually most effective at longer focal lengths.

CONCLUSIONS:

If you’re an ambitious amateur calling for more optical oomph from your everyday zoom, but you’re not ready to take on the physical and financial burden of high-speed pro glass, Nikon has heard you.

SPECIFICATIONS:

16-85mm (16.54-86.42mm tested), f/3.5-5.6 (f/3.34-5.35 tested), 17 elements in 11 groups. Focusing turns 160 degrees clockwise. Zoom ring turns 80 degrees counterclockwise. Focal lengths marked at 16-, 24-, 35-, 50-, 70-, and 85mm.

• Diagonal view angle: 83-18 degrees.

• Weight: 1.22 lb.

• Filter size: 67mm.

• Mounts: Nikon AF.

• Included: Lenshood, softcase.

• Street price: $600.

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Sony CyberShot W170 digital camera : Sony’s popular Cyber-shot W-Series gains a fresh new look for ’08 with the new Sony CyberShot W170 digital camera that teams fantastic HD image quality with easy-to-use features. Available in a choice of up-to-the-minute colour options, the Sony CyberShot W170 stands out with its clean lines and cool, contemporary looks. Inside the sleek all-aluminium case, the Sony W170 is packed with the latest Sony technology to widen your creative options and guarantee even more fabulous memories. There’s also a top-quality Carl Zeiss wide angle lens with 5x optical zoom. The new 10.1 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot W170 digital camera will be available throughout Europe mid April 2008.

Sony CyberShot W170 - Carl Zeiss wide angle lens
The W-Series range is topped by the 10.1 megapixel Sony CyberShot W170 that sports an extra-large, bright 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD that offers outstanding resolution (230k dot) and contrast, even when you’re shooting in daylight outdoors. There’s also a top-quality Carl Zeiss wide angle lens with 5x optical zoom. Thanks to its minimum focal length of 28mm (35mm equivalent), zooming out to wide angle lets you squeeze in more of landscapes and group photos without cropping the subject.

Sony CyberShot DSC-W170 digital camera
In a CyberShot first, the Sony W170 now features Intelligent Scene Recognition that takes the guesswork out of selecting the right camera settings in a range of common shooting situations. In Advanced mode, the W170 camera takes two shots - one with standard automatic settings and the other with optimised settings - allowing you to pick your favourite. Other key features include Smile Shutter, Face Detection and Super Steady Shot optical image stabilisation for clearer low-light shooting.

Sony W170 - BIONZ image processor
The Sony developed BIONZ image processor inside the Sony DSC-W170 powers improved Face Detection technology, now with even faster tracking plus the ability to recognise faces that are further from the camera. In addition, Face Detection can now distinguish automatically between children and adults, adjusting exposure, skin tone and red-eye reduction for great portraits with any subject.

Sony Cyber Shot DSC-W170 - Smile Shutter
Another Sony first, Smile Shutter waits until the subject smiles before firing the shutter to ensure happy faces in every frame. A new Smile Level setting lets you fine-tune the threshold before a picture’s taken, from a gentle smile to a huge grin.

Sony CyberShot W170 - D-Range optimiser
Also powered by the BIONZ processor, the D-Range Optimiser automatically adjusts exposure and contrast for natural-looking results. It’s highly effective with strongly backlit scenes where there’s a risk of losing high- and low-light detail.

Sony W170 camera - ISO sensitivity
Sensitivity on the Sony Cyber-Shot W170 is boosted to a maximum ISO 3200 for successful low-noise shots without flash indoors or in dim lighting conditions. It’s teamed with Super SteadyShot optical image stabilisation, delivering a powerful Anti-Blur solution for clearer handheld pictures in low light or at higher zoom settings.

Sony Cyber-Shot W170 - HD Output
An HD Output on the CyberShot W170 lets you enjoy your memories in super-size on your BRAVIA TV or any HD Ready display. Connecting to any PhotoTV HD compatible television or display (via optional output adaptor cable) delivers even more incredible Full HD picture quality with extraordinary detail and realism.

Sony CyberShot W170 - Simple to use camera
Despite superb image quality and advanced shooting functions, the Sony CyberShot W170 is brilliantly simple to use. First-time users will appreciate the friendly on-screen function guide and Easy Shooting mode that keeps things simple without compromising picture quality. There’s also an optical viewfinder that offers extra familiarity for compact camera users switching to digital. The new Sony Cyber-shot W170 will be available throughout Europe mid April 2008.

Sony CyberShot DSC-W170
• 10.1 effective megapixels
• Carl Zeiss 5x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide angle
• High-resolution (230k dot) 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD
• BIONZ processor powers Smile Shutter and Face Detection
• Super Steady Shot
• HD Output
• Intelligent Scene Recognition
• Four colour options: Silver, Black, Red and Gold

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Nikon D300 digital SLR camera review : Canon undoubtedly must have been taken aback when Nikon announced the Nikon D300 as successor to the D200. And rightfully, because the D200 was already an impressive camera and the Nikon D300 digital SLR camera exceeds its predecessor to a great extend. It is more than ever an SLR camera that is perfectly suitable for the professional photographer.

Nikon D300 CMOS image sensor
The image sensor the Nikon D300 features is a new CMOS based on the sensor that Sony are using in the Alpha 700. With 12.3 million effective pixels the resolution of the Nikon D300 is even a tad higher than that of its professional big brother, the D3. The latter has to settle for 0.2 Megapixels less. But the main difference is found in the format. Where the sensor of the Nikon D3 equals a 35mm camera, the D300 sticks to the DX-format with its 1.5 x crop factor. A filter is positioned right before the sensor and is able to shake in four different frequencies thus removing annoying dust particles.

Nikon D300 EXPEED image processor
Information coming from the image sensor is processed by a new processor, named EXPEED. In combination with the new CMOS it is expected to offer high image quality. The EXPEED can process 14 bit data which is supposed to improve the quality. ISO sensitivity ranges from ISO 200 up and including 3200 and can be enhanced from ISO 100 to very high ISO 6400. Don’t be surprised to detect some noise when using the highest ISO sensitivities. Big question is how well the Nikon D300 will perform with a sensitivity higher than ISO 400, because the D200 let us down a bit there in comparison with its bigger competitor.

Multi-CAM 3500 DX auto focus sensor
A revolutionary change is found in the auto focus. Canon are reducing the amount of focus points; Nikon does the opposite and increase them and place them more in the centre. No less than 51 selectable focus points does the Multi-CAM 3500 DX auto focus sensor offer in the D300, 15 of which are so-called cross-type sensors sensitive to both horizontal and vertical lines. The EXPEED processor can also use color data of the 3D matrix sensor for focussing. Even if a subject is out of the AF sensor’s range, it can still be tracked perfectly.

Nikon D300 Live View LCD screen
The Nikon D300 has naturally been equipped with Live View. This feature is a must on a new DSLR. The LCD of the D300 measures 3-inches and features high resolution. It surely makes Live View more useful, moreover because you can zoom in well. And for focussing with Live View, the mirror does not have to be folded down first. Focussing by means of contrast detect AF on the sensor just like compact cameras do, is also possible. We already saw this on the Panasonic L10. Contrast metering might not be as fast as phase detection but it surely is a welcoming addition.

Nikon D300 Chromatic aberration
When the pictures are stored, some calculating is still carried out. The D300 DSLR is capable of getting rid of the chromatic aberration by calculating. Wide angle lenses can suffer from chromatic aberration as we all know. Of course you can correct it afterwards using Photoshop but it does save so much time when the camera does it for you. D-lighting, known from cameras such as the D40x and the D60, has been even more refined in the Nikon D300, thus solving the high contrast problem.

Nikon D300 Weatherproof housing
The high quality housing is almost identical to that of the D200. Of course it is made weatherproof to enable the photographer do his job in deserts or during some rain showers. The viewfinder is further improved and offers 100% view at a 0.94x enlargement. Naturally the D300 works entirely with the extremely advanced Nikon i-TTL flash system. The shutter has been guaranteed up to 150,000 pictures.

Nikon D300 SLR camera review
The Nikon D300 is a very interesting digital SLR camera on paper and as far as I am concerned it is one of the most important introductions these days. We have tested the Nikon D300 to see how well everything works in practice in combination with the new AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm 1:2.8 G ED and the AF-S Nikkor 24-70 1:2.8 G ED lenses. Our findings can be read in the following Nikon D300 review.

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Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS Digital Camera : At the Photo Marketing Association Show (PMA), Eastman Kodak Company announced the latest addition to its award-winning line of Kodak EasyShare Consumer Digital Cameras. The Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS Digital Camera - with 10-megapixel resolution and 12X optical zoom with optical image stabilization - brings an advanced, high performance feature set to a compact size that is ready to go anywhere your life takes you. Kodak also recently announced the Kodak EasyShare V1273 and Kodak M1033 Digital Camera, the Kodak EasyShare Z1085 IS Digital Camera, the Kodak EasyShare Z1285 Zoom and the Kodak EasyShare Z8612 IS Zoom Digital Cameras at the Consumer Electronics show (CES 2008) in Las vegas.

Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS
“With the newest addition to the EasyShare family, Kodak is making it even easier for consumers to capture life’s high performance memories,” said John Blake, general manager, Digital Capture & Imaging Devices and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. “The smart technology found on the Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS digital camera enables consumers to capture life’s most important moments and seamlessly bring their pictures to life on vivid prints, HD displays and wireless picture frames.”

Kodak Z1012 IS Digital Camera
The Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS camera features a robust suite of exclusive features that capture detailed pictures in the most challenging settings, yet its compact body can fit in the palm of your hand. The Kodak Z1012 IS is packed with smart features that make great picture taking incredibly simple:

Kodak EasyShare Z1012 features
• Enhance your action shots with best in class click-to-capture speed and auto-focus accuracy.
• Kodak’s innovative smart capture technology automatically identifies the scene and adjusts the settings to deliver a great picture in almost any environment.
• Capture the details in low light conditions and fast action situations with high ISO (up to 3,200).
• Get creative with advanced settings including program, aperture and shutter priority, as well as full manual mode (PASM).
• Express yourself with the multimedia slideshow feature: combine your pictures with music and transition effects right on camera.
• Face detection locates faces and automatically adjusts the camera settings.

Kodak Z1012 IS - Pictures and Videos in High Definition
The Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS and all Kodak EasyShare Digital Cameras announced at CES offer HD-still capture, capturing still pictures in high definition. Viewing the HD pictures is simple, thanks to the Kodak EasyShare HDTV Dock. Available as an optional accessory to the Kodak EasyShare System, the HDTV Dock connects to your HDTV to process and display pictures from HD-enabled KODAK Digital Cameras, SD Memory Cards or USB drives to deliver an outstanding visual experience.

Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS Price and Availability
The Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS will retail for US $299.95 (MSRP). All Kodak Digital Imaging Products listed in this release will be available at retail and online at the Kodak website in the first half of 2008.

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Canon PowerShot SD770 IS Digital Elph digital camera : Whether capturing spur-of-the moment inspirations or momentous family occasions, Canon USA’s newest PowerShot SD770 IS Digital ELPH camera continues to provide intelligent, easy-to-use features, resulting in fantastic photos. Integrated Canon technologies such as Motion Detection Technology, Optical Image Stabilization, Genuine Canon Face Detection Technology, and Canon’s proprietary DIGIC III imaging processor, along with the inherent style of the ELPH line; makes the PowerShot SD770IS the ideal accessory for capturing a night out on the town or an intimate social gathering. The Canon PowerShot SD770 IS kit carries an estimated retail price of $299.99.

Trend setting digital camera
“The Canon SD770 IS Digital ELPH camera carries on the trend-setting traditions and extends the boundaries of technological ease and the individual sense of style that has always been at the heart of the ELPH line up,” states Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon USA. “Canon continues to draw upon its 70 years of imaging excellence and photographic expertise to develop new technological advancements, as well as create stylish form factors as seen in the iconic box and circle design of ELPH cameras.”

Camera design of the Canon PowerShot SD770 IS
The Canon PowerShot SD770 IS Digital ELPH camera’s classic box and circle design has characterized the Digital ELPH look for more than a decade. This 10-megapixel model boasts the thinnest body of any optically image stabilized ELPH model ever produced, featuring a slimmer yet higher capacity battery pack, that with the camera’s power-saving improvements, actually increases the number of photos that can be taken on a single charge to approx. 300 images.

Canon PowerShot SD770IS Digital Elph Features
Among the key features of the Canon PowerShot SD770 IS Digital ELPH camera are a 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II screen and an optical viewfinder as well as the same optically image stabilized 3x zoom as its more senior sibling, the PowerShot SD790 IS Digital ELPH. The Canon PowerShot SD770IS camera is offered in the classic matte silver finish with high gloss highlights around the lens barrel and topside edge, and the reprise of Canon’s sleek and striking two-tone finish that incorporates matte black highlights around the lens barrel and circle along the camera edge.

Canon Optical Image Stabilizer
Among the significant technological advances on the new PowerShot SD770 IS camera is Canon’s intelligent anti-blur system. Developed by linking four of Canon’s most cutting-edge achievements: Optical Image Stabilization, Motion Detection technology, Hi-ISO Auto and Noise Reduction technology, the result is consistently sharp and clear pictures, even when the shooting conditions and circumstances may not be ideal. The most common cause of blurry pictures is actual camera shake. This can be caused by anything from a photographer’s unsteady hands to movement in a car along a bumpy road to shots where the zoom lens is extended to a maximum telephoto length or even dimly lit conditions without benefit of flash that causes the shutter to stay open longer in order to admit enough light to make a proper exposure. Canon’s proprietary Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) physically compensates for camera movement and shake by actually shifting the lens (unlike other Image Stabilization systems that merely mask the undesirable movement electronically).

Canon Motion Detection Technology
Adding to the ELPH camera anti-blur effectiveness, Canon’s Motion Detection Technology is linked to the camera’s High ISO Auto mode. This improves image clarity by raising ISO speeds (and shutter speeds) for fast-moving subjects (such as a child hitting a baseball from home plate and then running towards first base) or lowering ISO speeds to reduce noise when the subject is stationary. In short, when this impressively intuitive technology detects movement it automatically raises the ISO just enough to reduce image blur. When no movement is detected, it optimally lowers the ISO to reduce noise.

Genuine Canon Face Detection Technology
The Canon PowerShot SD770IS Digital ELPH camera features the latest and most advanced generation of Genuine Canon Face Detection Technology, thus ensuring that up-to nine forward-looking faces in the frame - whether posed for a family portrait, candidly capturing friends and fun, or spontaneously snapping a toddler’s expression of triumphant glee as two halting steps - are in focus and properly exposed, with or without flash. In addition to focus and exposure control, the camera’s Face Detection feature captures truer, more accurately lit skin tones (and hence more beautifully rendered pictures) thanks to Canon’s improved Face Detection White Balance. There’s also a new optional “AF Point Zoom” feature that digitally enlarges the face of the main subject on the camera’s LCD screen to make it easy to determine the optimum timing for clicking the shutter to capture the moment.

Canon In-Camera Image Enhancement
Canon Digital ELPH cameras offer an array of in-camera processing features that once required tweaking with computer-based photo software. Now, newly developed Automatic Red Eye Correction can be engaged while shooting, minimizing the need for correction before printing or sharing images. With Canon’s Image Inspection Tool, users can review pictures recently taken on the camera’s bright, brilliant and easy-to-read 230,000-pixel PureColor LCD II display by zooming in to ensure that the subjects are in focus and to check for such picture-damning details as closed eyes or inappropriate expressions. What’s more, with the Trimming Function, users can easily crop images, centering and creating memorable close-ups whether they are smiling faces or iconic cityscapes.

Canon DIGIC III Imaging Processor
The “brain” in the new PowerShot SD770 IS digital camera is Canon’s proprietary DIGIC III imaging processor. This exclusive chip is responsible for higher performance levels including faster start up, faster autofocus and quicker shutter response times that leave long lag competitors far behind. What’s more, the DIGIC III processor improves both the image quality and the cameras’ power consumption, extending the battery life under typical shooting conditions.

Canon SD770 IS Digital Elph - Price & Availability
The Canon PowerShot SD770 IS Digital ELPH camera is scheduled to be in stores mid-April. The camera kit includes a battery pack and charger, a 32MB SD memory card, a USB interface cable, an AV cable, a wrist strap and Canon’s software suite. The Canon PowerShot SD770 IS kit carries an estimated retail price of $299.99.

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