Canon Announces Four Point-and-Shoot Cameras

On the same day it added a pair of digital SLRs to its roster, Canon also bolstered its consumer lineup with four point-and-shoot cameras aimed at consumers and casual photographers.

On the compact front, Canon introduced two new entries to its Digital Elph line-the PowerShot SD950 IS and the PowerShot SD870 IS. The former is a 12.-megapixel camera with a 3.7X optical zoom and optical image stabilizer; it features a 2.5-LCD screen. The latter is an 8-megapixel camera with 3.8x wide-angle optical zoom and optical image stabilizer; its LCD screen is three inches.

The PowerShot SD950 IS sells fro $449.99 while the PowerShot SD870 IS costs $399.99. Both are slated for September releases.

Canon also added a top-of-the-line model to its G-series of PowerShot cameras, the 12.1-megapixel PowerShot G9. Featuring a 6X optical zoom lens, the matte black camera also adds a Raw mode, a feature normally found in higher-end SLRs. The PowerShot G9 also features 23 shooting modes, including

Due in stores this October, the PowerShot G9 will sell for $499.99.

Finally, Canon added a new PowerShot line-the SX series-and unveiled the first camera in that series, the PowerShot SX100. The 8-megapixel camera has a 10X optical zoom, an optical image stabilizer, and 2.5-inch LDC screen. The PowerShot SX100 has 19 shooting modes as well two VGA 30-fps recording modes. Besides the standard mode, it also has a new 640 LP mode for increased recording time and reduced file sizes.

The PowerShot SX100 ships in October at an estimated price of $299.99.

All four cameras sport a Digic III image processor.