New Canon EOS 5D Tries to One-Up Nikon in Video (original) (raw)

On Wednesday, Canon announced its first HD-video-capable DSLR, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, a response to the Nikon D90 announced last month.

On Wednesday, Canon announced its first HD-video-capable DSLR, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, a response to the announced last month.

The new 5D Mark II will retail for 2,600forthebodyonlyand2,600 for the body only and 2,600forthebodyonlyand3,499 with a 24-105mm lens.

Canon one-upped Nikon in one regard, however: the resolution of the stored video. Nikon's DSLR records HD in a 1,280 by 720 format; Canon's 5D Mark II will record video at 1,920 x 1,080. The Nikon captures video at 24 frames per second; Canon's new camera captures 30 fps. The 5D Mark II was released after, and will eventually replace, the EOS 5D.

Other improvements to the Mark II include a sharp jump from 12.8 to 21 megapixels, plus the inclusion of a Digix 4 processor that allows captures of 3.9 images per second at the highest resolution. To complement its video capture, the camera will have a built in microphone for mono audio recording but will have an audio input to attach microphones. The DSLR will have an HDMI out as simple digital connection for playing back pictures and video on HDTV's.

Canon also announced a slew of updates to the company's PowerShot line.

The PowerShot G10 is the successor to the G9, and will maintain the $499 price point for those looking for something more powerful than a point and shoot, but not a bulky DSLR. The G10 is a 14.7-megapixel, 5X optical zoom and also includes the new Digix 4 processor for improved speed and face detection. The body and weight is almost identical to the G9, but Canon claims that the G10 has an improved grip and now features a wider 28-140mm lens. The camera's LCD screen remains 3 inches but doubles the amount of pixels from 230,000 to 460,000, which should double the clarity of images on the screen.

Canon will be phasing out their PowerShot S5 IS, its 34910Xopticalsuperzoomcamera,andwillbeintroducinga349 10X optical super zoom camera, and will be introducing a 34910Xopticalsuperzoomcamera,andwillbeintroducinga449 20X optical super zoom, the PowerShot SX10 IS. This new camera will use a wider 28-140mm lens, capture 10 megapixels, house a 2.5 inch LCD swivel screen that can move on an angle, and is powered by two AA batteries.

Canon will also launch a version of the SX10 IS super zoom in Europe, but it will have some interesting and more desirable differences: it will be the first camera in the company's PowerShot line to be equipped with a CMOS sensor, typically only found in DSLR cameras; second, it will be able to record HD-quality video (1,920 x 1,080) at 30 frames per second.

Finally, at the high end of the ELPH series, are two cameras for those looking for a sleek high end point and shoot. The new SD990 IS and SD880 IS will replace the SD950 IS and SD850 IS, respectively, and will both sport a new look with more rounded edges and new button placement. The SD990 will offer 14.7 megapixel capability, a 3.7X optical zoom, a 2.5-inch screen (plus viewfinder) and will retain the 13-133mm lens and $399 price. The camera will be offered in two colors, silver and black.

The SD880 IS will be a 10 megapixel, 4x optical zoom and will be equipped with a 3-inch LCD screen, versus 2.5 inches for the older model. Since Canon has enlarged the LCD screen, it dropped the viewfinder, and decided to swap out the lens for a wide-angle 28-112mm version. The SD880 will keep its predecessor's $349 price tag and be offered in two colors, silver and gold.

Canon's new PowerShot cameras are expected to be available in mid-to-late October. The 5D Mark II is expected in late November.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story misstated the number of megapixels the 5D Mark II's sensor captures, as well as the frames per second captured by the Nikon D90.