BEIJING: You know the drill; smartphones are making compact cameras obsolete and killing the category. But still! Camera makers launch an ostensibly illimitable number of incipient models at CES, and Canon is a great example of that this year.
The top canine is the PowerShot SX530, with a 50x optical zoom lens, optical image stabilization and a 16-megapixel sensor. The wireless aspect additionally provides connectivity with peripherals like Canon’s Connection Station CS100 or the incipient Pixma MX492 photo printer.
Canon additionally launched the PowerShot SX710 HS and SX610 HS, with 30x and 18x optical zooms for $350 and $250 each, respectively. Both offer 20-megapixel CCDs, 12x optical zoom lenses and 720p video, with the ELPH 170 IS integrating optical stabilization.
As for the VIXIA video cameras, all have full 1080p HD, a 57x optical zoom lens and optical image stabilization. The distinguishment between the three models is down to the details: The $450 VIXIA HF R62 has a higher-capacity battery than the $400 VIXIA R60, though both are otherwise identical and include WiFi and NFC connectivity.
Canon verbalizes the compact-sized model can expectorate out color prints at 4.4 images per minute and directly connect to cameras or computers via WiFi.
