Just before the start of the CP tradeshow in Yokahama, Japan, Canon announced numerous products, some upgrades of earlier models and some that are new. Note too that the company has is now offering AirPrint capability on certain PIXMA printers. This will enable iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users to wirelessly print photos, email, Web pages and documents without the need to install device drivers. I'll provide full specifics about this technology after a brief discussion of the specific Canon products to be shown at CP .

PowerShot A-Series Cameras

Six redesigned 16-megapixel models in the entry-level A-series were introduced, all with a versatile autofocus system, 720p movie mode, many automatic modes plus a few essential overrides. The A1300 (the only model with an optical finder) and the A810 are equipped with 28-140mm (equivalent) zooms and employ AA batteries. The A2300, A2400 IS and A3400 IS feature the same focal lengths, but are powered by lithium-ion batteries.

Note too that models with the IS designation are equipped with an image stabilizer while the A3400 IS (shown at top of story) also benefits from a 3" (vs. conventional 2.7") LCD that allows for touch screen operation. The top-of-the line A4000 IS, with a metal body, is equipped with a stabilized 28-224mm equivalent lens and conventional 3" LCD.

Advanced PowerShot Models

Canon introduced four new cameras in the upscale ELPH line. Arriving in April, the 10.1MP ELPH 530 HS ($380, shown at right) has a stabilized 12x (28-336mm equivalent) lens. The 16MP ELPH 320 HS ($290), to be available in March, has a stabilized 5x (24-120mm equivalent) lens. These slim, classy cameras are particularly attractive because of their large, high-resolution 3.2" touchscreen LCDs and built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) connectivity. They differ slightly in feature set, but both offer 1080p Full HD video capture, the new Intelligent Image Stabilizer, many auto modes plus P and overrides. Both benefit from Canon's latest DIGIC 5 processor, and a high-sensitivity CMOS sensor for better images in low light.

The SX240 HS ($350) features a DIGIC 5 processor, 20x stabilized zoom (25-500mm equivalent), high-res 3" LCD, a wealth of automation, the essential overrides, 1080p Full HD video mode and a super-fast burst mode. The latter will allow for shooting 10 high-res photos at a blazing 10.3 shots per second. The SX260 HS ($380) adds a built-in GPS receiver for geo-tagging photos. Both cameras ship in Canada in March.

The last new PowerShot camera, the 12.1MP D20 ($380), to be available in May, features the HS System, a DIGIC 4 processor and a 5x (28-140mm equivalent) stabilized lens, but is waterproof, shockproof, freeze proof , and dustproof. Other benefits features include a high-res 3" LCD, GPS receiver for geo-tagging photos, aull HD video mode, and many auto modes plus basic overrides.

Wide-Angle Lenses

Three existing full-frame EF lenses, also suitable for use with small sensor EOS cameras, were unveiled. The pro-grade EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM ($2,500, shown at left) to be available in April, is well sealed against dust and moisture. With its Super UD element and two UD elements, the new lens should provide even more impressive images than its predecessor. Moreover, autofocus is even faster.

Like the new zoom, the EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM ($950) and EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM ($900) prime lenses, to be available in June, benefit from an updated AF algorithms for faster autofocus, and a circular diaphragm for soft backgrounds with a pleasing bokeh. A new aspherical glass moulded (GMo) element should ensure excellent image quality even at the edges of the frame. These are the first non-zoom Canon wide-angle lenses to be equipped with an image stabilizer; this device is said to provide up to four shutter speed steps of camera shake correction.

PIXMA All-In-One Printers

Three new affordable PIXMA machines (to be available soon) with print, copy, scan and fax features, are said to deliver high-quality output on plain or photo paper at a maximum colour resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi. As well, they're said to be able to produce a 4" x 6" borderless photo in approximately 46 seconds. All three include Full HD Movie Print software for clear prints of frames from videos captured on compatible HD Canon cameras.

The PIXMA MX512 ($130, shown at right) and MX432 ($100) bear a Wireless designation, indicating Wi-Fi capability. Setting up a wireless network can be easily accomplished with the press of one button when using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). As you would expect, Wireless printing requires a working Ethernet network with wireless 802.11b/g or n capability.

Available for both new wireless models, the Canon Easy-PhotoPrint mobile app, for compatible Apple and Android smartphones and tablets, allows documents to be scanned on the printer and sent directly to a compatible device. Users can print not only photos but also PDFs of documents that were created with the app directly from compatible devices.

Omitting the Wi-Fi connectivity, the MX372 Office ($90) features a Ethernet port, and auto duplex printing and 2.5-inch LCD screen for viewing of menus and images.
According to Canon, the MX432 delivers output at approximately 9.7 pages per minute for black-and-white documents and approximately 5.5 ppm for colour. The MX372 is a tad slower at 8.7 and 5.0 ppm, respectively.

AirPrint

The first PIXMA printers with AirPrint support, the MX512 and MX432 Wireless Office All-In-One inkjet machines will enable iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users to wirelessly print photos, e-mail, web pages and documents without the need to install device drivers. AirPrint is compatible with iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch (3rd generation and later) running using iOS 4.2 or later.

The MX512 has auto duplex printing and a dual-function panel for managing printing options and it can print documents directly from a media card.

The Canon announcement indicated that AirPrint support will be available with the majority of Canon PIXMA Wireless All-In-One inkjet printers launched from now on. As well, an Update Utility firmware (for Mac and Windows) is available on Canon's Website for three other PIXMA machines: the MG8220, MG6220, and MG5320. Download and install it if you own one of these models and want to take advantage of AirPrint support.

Article Tags:  Canon, CP+, Yokahama, PowerShot, A1300, A810, A2300, A2400, A3400, A4000, Elph,, 530 HS, 320 HS, SX 240 HS, SX 260 HS, D20, Pixma, MX512, MX432, Wi-Fi, AirPrint, WPS, MX 372