Canon PowerShot N hands-on (video)

Canon PowerShot N handson video

What's square and rounded with white all over? That'd be Canon's new PowerShot N -- a point-and-shoot that can be held in any which way. At first glance, it's a bit of a strange proposition -- the camera's square shape is admittedly a bit bizarre, and it does't look like it'd be terribly comfortable to use. So, did Canon get it all wrong with the boxy N? Not exactly. It's surely not going to be a first choice for everyone, but we do see what the device's design team was thinking here. The idea is that you can hold the camera any way you like, thanks to a shutter release and zoom trigger positioned around the lens itself. So, if you want to flip it upside down, that's perfectly fine. In fact, doing so will let you take advantage of the 2.8-inch flip-up LCD in order to snag some overhead shots, while keeping it in a more traditional orientation will enable below-the-waist captures.

The camera seems a bit thick because of the small square design, but it's still compact enough to fit in a jeans pocket, or to be dangled from a wrist strap. And, because there's no shutter release at the top right corner, it's a solid fit for lefties, too. The white version we saw was incredibly glossy, and paired with the unconventional design, it's sure to attract a fair amount of attention on the streets. All in all, it's designed for fun -- the Creative Shot mode lets you add in a bit of color, while the built-in WiFi and direct connect button enable instant sharing on social media sites, via your smartphone. Take a closer look in our hands-on video after the break, or you can pick one up for yourself for $300 in April.

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Canon reinvents the point-and-shoot with ambidextrous PowerShot N

DNP Canon reinvents the pointandshoot with ambidextrous PowerShot N

No, you're not holding it wrong -- in fact, with Canon's new PowerShot N, any and every orientation is correct, thanks to a unique square design with key controls mounted around the center-positioned lens. In this case, a picture (of the camera body) tells far more than a thousand words -- this radical build is a bit tricky to explain, but we'll do our best. The idea here is that there's no one top or bottom, left or right side to the camera. Instead, those positions change based on how you've opted to orient the point-and-shoot. At 1.1 inches deep, the camera is very thin, yet it still packs an 8x 28mm f/3-5.9 lens. There's two rings around the barrel, with the first serving as a zoom toggle and the second used as a shutter release. The 2.8-inch, 461k-dot capacitive touchscreen is fixed at a slight angle, making it possible to take overhead and lower-angle shots simply by rotating the entire camera. There's a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor with a DIGIC 5 processor and an ISO range of 80-6400. It can snap 1080p video at 24 frames per second or 720p at 32 fps, and includes a bright LED that serves as an AF-assist lamp, a flash /and/ a video light.

Canon opted to use microSD cards here, due to the camera's small size, along with a rechargeable battery that can be replenished through the USB connector -- a new Eco mode will enable an up to 30-percent boost in battery life, with the display powering down after eight seconds, then waking up when the built-in gyro sensor detects movement. There's WiFi connectivity with a dedicated Mobile Device Connect button, for direct access to an ad-hoc sharing mode. You'll also find a few software additions, including a Creative Shot mode that duplicates the image you just captured and applies "Intelligent Scene Analysis," cropping the frame and adjusting color and brightness without overwriting the original file. The PowerShot N is set to ship in April for $300, and will be available in both black and white. Canon also plans to release a handful of accessories, including a few unique concepts for wearing the camera around your neck, playing off of the model's compact form-factor and light weight.

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Canon PowerShot A2600 and A1400 offer modest feature bumps, little incentive to upgrade

DNP Canon PowerShot A2600 and A1400 offer modest feature bumps, little incentive to upgrade

Every member of a company's CES lineup can't be a blockbuster -- that's certainly the case with this duo of mid-range Canon PowerShots. The A2600 and A1400 are fine point-and-shoots, sure, but they're destined for the bags of beginner shooters, with modest feature sets and price points to match. The A2600, which replaces last year's A2400, is the pricer of the two models, ringing in at $150 with a 16-megapixel CCD sensor, a 5x 28mm zoom lens with a maximum aperture range of f/2.8-6.9, along with a 3-inch, 230k-dot LCD. It can shoot 720p HD video and includes a Smart Auto mode for basic users, along with a new Eco mode, which dims the display after two seconds, powers it off completely after eight seconds, and jumps back to life with a single button press -- all in the name of an up to 30-percent boost in battery life.

The $100 A1400 looks nearly identical to 2012's A1300, but adds in the imaging and power features outlined above. Spec-wise, the biggest difference between the A1400 and A2600 is the substitution of twin AA batteries for the latter camera's rechargeable cell. While manufacturers often boast about the flexibility of an AA-powered camera, considering that you can purchase these batteries anywhere on the globe, such a solution ultimately cuts back on Canon's expenses while potentially becoming quite pricey and inconvenient for the camera's owner. So, don't forget to factor in those double-As when it comes time to pull the trigger. Both PowerShot models are expected to hit stores next month, with the A2600 retailing for $150 and the A1400 running you about 100 bucks.

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Canon PowerShot ELPH 130IS brings WiFi to the company’s high-end point-and-shoot line

DNP Canon PowerShot ELPH 130IS brings WiFi to the company's highend pointandshoot line

Were you betting Canon would announce a few WiFi-enabled cameras at CES this year? Ding ding ding -- you're a winner! Fork over 200 bucks and claim your prize. The company's latest ELPH may be tiny, but it still packs all of the banner features you'd expect in 2013. On the wireless front, you'll have the ability to create an ad-hoc network for booting stills and videos directly to connected computers, tablets or smartphones. There's also compatibility with Canon's CameraWindow app (for Android and iOS), along with the ability to add comments to images that you choose to upload to Twitter or send via email. You can also upload shots to Facebook, with control over where the images show up on the site.

As far as hardware is concerned, there's a 16-megapixel sensor, a DIGIC 4 processor and an 8x optically stabilized zoom lens with a 28mm wide-angle position and a maximum aperture range of f/3.2-6.9. You also get a 3-inch, 461k-dot LCD with the same Eco mode offered with other models in the company's 2013 lineup, which serves to power down the display after eight seconds of inactivity, providing an up to 30-percent boost in battery life -- simply press any button on the camera to wake it back up instantly. There's Intelligent IS, HD video capture and the same Smart Auto mode (and scene modes) offered with previous models. Canon's planning to release the ELPH 130IS with a $200 sticker price -- you can expect it to hit stores beginning next month.

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Butlers, lunar rovers, snakes and airboats: the best of Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute

Butlers, lunar rovers, snakes and airboats the best Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute

How was your week? We got to spend a couple of days trekking around the Carnegie Mellon campus in Pittsburgh, PA to check out some of the latest projects from the school's world renowned Robotics Institute -- a trip that culminated with the bi-annual induction ceremony from the CMU-sponsored Robot Hall of Fame. Given all the craziness of the past seven days, you might have missed some of the awesomeness, but fear not, we've got it all for you here in one handy place -- plus a couple of videos from the trip that we haven't shown you yet. Join us after the break to catch up.

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Butlers, lunar rovers, snakes and airboats: the best of Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Oct 2012 12:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Visualized: GigaPan circa 2006

Visualized GigaPan circa 2006

GigaPan sure has come a long way in a few short years. Sure, it's no Epic Pro, but this old device marked S/N 15 is a pretty cool piece of history for those who love really hi-res images. We spotted it on the shelf of an office here at Carnegie Mellon, clutching on to an old PowerShot point-and-shoot. According to its owner, the tangled device dates back to around 2006. We knew it looked familiar....

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Visualized: GigaPan circa 2006 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 03:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon PowerShot G15 features f/1.8-2.8 lens and DSLR-like controls, we go hands-on (video)

Canon PowerShot G15 features f1828 lens and DSLRlike controls, we go handson video

Not completely sold on Canon's large sensor-packing PowerShot G1 X? The company's latest jumbo compact offers a comparable smooth focus effect, thanks to its super-wide f/1.8-2.8, 28-140mm optical zoom lens, with image stabilization that boosts your shooting capability by up to four stops. The camera, which is designed to replace the G12, features a 12.1-megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor paired with a DIGIC 5 processor, enabling RAW shooting, 1080p video and a top sensitivity of ISO 12,800 all in a body that's significant smaller and lighter than its predecessor. There's also a super-sharp 922k-dot 3-inch LCD (no touchscreen here, not that we miss it) and a built-in optical viewfinder.

The $500 G15 isn't set to hit stores until October, but we caught an early peek at Photokina today. A Canon representative also clued us in on the camera's naming scheme -- that jump from 12 right to 15. As we know, 13 is an unlucky number in North America and Europe, but the 14 was also avoided because the number four "sounds like an unlucky word" in Japanese. So, there you have it. Regardless of what it's called, though, the G15 is one powerful shooter, with a very solid design to boot. Though it is smaller than the G12, it's still far too large to fit in a pocket -- you'll likely walk around with this guy dangling from your neck. There's a mode dial up top, along with a dedicated exposure compensation dial, enabling more precise EV control. We weren't able to examine samples in order to evaluate the camera's bokeh capabilities, but Canon reps said that the effect is on par with the G1 X. You'll be able to get your own mitts on the G15 beginning next month, and you can catch our hands-on photos just below, along with a video walkthrough after the break.

Continue reading Canon PowerShot G15 features f/1.8-2.8 lens and DSLR-like controls, we go hands-on (video)

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Canon PowerShot G15 features f/1.8-2.8 lens and DSLR-like controls, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon PowerShot S110 packs WiFi and touch-enabled display (hands-on video)

Canon PowerShot S110 handson video

It seems like just yesterday that Canon announced its top-of-the-line PowerShot S100, and now the company is back to demo its brand new S110. This latest point-and-shoot flagship features a very similar body size and design, but adds WiFi functionality, enabling you to interface with a smartphone app to upload pictures and tag your images using your mobile's GPS (interestingly, GPS no longer comes built-in). Spec-wise, the camera's packing a 12.1-megapixel, 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor and an f/2.0-5.9, 24-120mm lens. It also offers an ISO range of 80-12,800, and includes a 460k-dot 3-inch LCD with touch functionality, letting you tap your way through menus instead of using the hardware controls (which, thankfully, are also still available). The S110 is still very much a premium product, with a solid metal construction and a $450 price tag to match.

We went hands-on with both the black and white versions of the S110 at Photokina today, and were quite pleased with the design. The black version includes a matte black finish with a slightly rougher feel, which we preferred over the white's smooth, glossy paint job. Both cameras feel solid, and are clearly still pocketable. The display was bright and vibrant, and the touchscreen responded as expected -- we can't say it'll be our first pick when it comes to navigation, but it does allow for some useful shortcuts. We weren't able to shoot with the S110, but it does offer RAW captures, along with 1080/24p video shooting and an impressive 10 fps burst mode. It's set to hit stores beginning next month -- as always, you'll find hands-on photos below and a video walkthrough just past the break.

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Canon PowerShot S110 packs WiFi and touch-enabled display (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon EOS 6D full-frame DSLR hands-on (video)

Canon EOS 6D fullframe DSLR handson

Nikon just announced its D600, a $2,100 DSLR with a full-frame sensor. Now, just four days later, we have a similar (and identically priced) offering from Canon. Coincidence? Not likely. Industry backchannel conspiracies aside, however, it's only to our advantage to have a choice -- if you're looking to upgrade your digital SLR without taking out a second mortgage, you can now pick Nikon's model, or the EOS 6D from Canon. The latter flavor, which offers built-in WiFi (the D600 requires an adapter), packs a 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, and it's 20 percent lighter than the 5D Mark III, which will remain on the market, targeting professional users. The camera features a sensitivity range of ISO 100 through 102,400, it can shoot 4.5 fps stills and offers 1080/30p video capture. It also has an optical viewfinder, paired with a 3-inch 1.04-million-dot LCD on the rear, which looks just as sharp as you might expect.

What really blew us away, though, is the new camera's size and weight. It's more compact than the 5D and even the 7D, an APS-C camera, weighing in at 690 grams -- a 20-percent decrease from that larger pro model. 20 percent may not sound like a tremendous improvement, but it's certainly noticeable, boosting the 6D's versatility, and making it an ideal choice for street and travel photography. We haven't had a chance to shoot with the new high-end DSLR just yet, but it felt quite solid in hand, despite the more compact design and significant weight drop. Take a closer look in our gallery below, followed by our hands-on video after the break.

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Canon EOS 6D full-frame DSLR hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon unveils EOS 6D DSLR: full frame sensor and WiFi for $2,099 in December

Canon unveils EOS 6D DSLR full frame sensor and WiFi for $2,099 in December

Used to be, to get a full-frame sensor in a Canon camera, you had to shell out big bucks for a pro rig like the 5D Mark III or 1D X. No longer. Canon's just unveiled its EOS 6D, the smallest, lightest and cheapest full-frame DSLR it's ever made. Weighing 690g, the 6D is 20 percent lighter than the 5D Mark III, and at $2,099, it's a full $1,400 less than its heftier stablemate -- which also puts it directly in line with Nikon's recently released full-frame shooter, the D600. In addition to that mammoth sensor, the 6D's the first EOS camera to have built-in WiFi. When paired with the company's free iOS and Android apps, you can use your phone to change the 6D's settings, take and geotag photos using the live remote function, and even transfer those shots to your handset wirelessly.

The 6D packs a 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5+ image processor that shoots stills at 4.5fps, does HDR (though it only saves the composite image, not the individual shots), and 1080p 30fps video in 29 minute 59 second clips. Its sensitivity runs from ISO 100 up to 102,400 (extended) and has an 11-point autofocus system with an EV -3 sensitivity rating for better low light performance. There's a 3-inch, 1.04 million dot ClearView LCD on the back to supplement the optical viewfinder, plus it's got a stereo mic jack to ensure the audio matches the quality of your HD videos. To store your imaging masterpieces, the 6D has a single SD card slot that's SDHC and SDXC compatible. When it goes on sale this December, the 6D will be sold in two configurations: $2,099 for the body only, and a kit that throws in a 24-105mm f/4L USM zoom lens for $2,899.

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Canon unveils EOS 6D DSLR: full frame sensor and WiFi for $2,099 in December originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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