PHOTOS: Canon PowerShot SX210 IS hands-on

Up close and personal with the gold version

8 February 2010 20:53 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Canon's latest PowerShot model is the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS, which sports a 14-megapixel sensor and 14x optical zoom.

Not to be confused with the IXUS 210, the new model beats the IXUS 210 in optical zoom stats, but doesn't feature a touchscreen display.

Regardless of model numbers, we've already managed to grab a hands-on with the new compact camera, announced just hours ago, that will come in an array of gold, silver, purple and black colours.

Like the new Canon IXUS 210, Canon has focused on bringing an array of interestin enhancements above and beyond just making sure you can just point and shoot.

Picture modes of note are the "miniature" mode that is a basic tilt shift effect - making everything look like your shooting a model image - and a fisheye lens option that you can adjust the strength of (low, medium and high).

Of course, for those that actually just want to take pictures you'll get a wink mode and smile mode that means the PowerShot 210 IS won't snap until it see the right action.

Video comes in the guise of 30fps 720p capture.

It has also retained the DIGIC4 image processing, optical image stabilization and 28mm wide-angle lens of the SX200.

What has been upgraded, however, is the 3-inch 16:9 display, which now offers higher contrast and increased visibility compared to its older brother.

The PowerShot SX210 IS will be showing up in March 2010, and will cost £360.

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Comments

Too late for Canon! I've already spent my money on a Panasonic. Posted by Howard, USA
I m impressed with its solid battery life,articulating LCD and comfortable shooting design.It can zoom during movie capture and exceptionally close macro focus.On normal shots, you can shake camera while shooting a photo with no effect which i like most.

deals lenovo Posted by anne jaa, US
I like the features of SX210, but just need to know, how to grip this camera for taking pictures.
Naturally, we are gripping point-&-shoot camera by putting left hand index finger at top-left (now there is pop up flash), second the thump is normally on right top corner back (now there is mode dial).
Please write more about it.
Thanks.
Posted by Amin Khan, Private
I like the features of SX210, but just need to know, how to grip this camera for taking pictures.
Naturally, we are gripping point-&-shoot camera by putting left hand index finger at top-left (now there is pop up flash), second the thump is normally on right top corner back (now there is mode dial).
Please write more about it.
Thanks.
Posted by Amin Khan, Pakistan
I own the Canon Powershot sx210is. Researched it a lot. Also, I played around with a friends sx200is which I loved. I live in Japan and bought it when it first came on the market, got a fantastic price on it, significantly cheaper than the RRP. I am not a professional photographer and I bought this as an everyday, general camera for taking photos whenever. The sx210is does everything I want it to do and more. The more I use it, the more I love it!! Posted by not applicable, Japan
Also, in response to previous question. I also wondered about gripping. The old sx200is flash pops up automatically and stays up when the camera is on. This has been changed on the sx210is.The flash still pops up automatically when the camera is switched on but it can also be flipped up and down manually. So you can place your finger there. If you want to use the flash your finger just rests against the side of it. I initially thought this would be a problem but I have been using it for a few weeks now and actually don't find it problematic at all. As for the other hand, when I hold it, my thumbs naturally hold the underside of the camera, and my finger rests comfortably on the shooting button. I think that it is much easier to hold and more comfortable than the sx200is. Posted by not applicable, Japan
Does this camera have a view finder? Posted by Silvia Shepard-Lobanov, United States