Canon Announces New A Cameras: Powershot A570 IS, Powershot A560

The two new digital cameras in Canon's "A" line are the Powershot A570 IS and Powershot A560 with both cameras bringing the DIGIC III processor to the A series. The 7.1 megapixel, 4x optical zoom A570 IS seems to be a way to get Canon's image stabilization available at a lower price point. The 7.1 megapixel, 4x optical zoom Powershot A560 camera helps fill out the line.

Both cameras will be available in March 2007. The Powershot A570 IS will retail for $279 and the Powershot A560 will retail for $229.

The DIGIC III processor allows faster start-up times, faster autofocus and less shutter lag, as well as better battery performance. The extra processing power also allows for Canon's face detection technology, which can detect and track multiple faces in an image to get the right focus and exposure on your subjects. The DIGIC III also provides better noise reduction, allow the A570 IS and A560 to shoot up to ISO 1600.

Canon Powershot A570 IS

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The 7.1 megapixel A570 IS features Canon's lens shift image stabilization system and features a fast lens. The lens has a maximum aperture of f2.6 at wide angle and f5.5 at telephoto settings.

A 2.5 inch, 115K pixel LCD provides easy viewing of your shot before and after you capture it. If you'd rather use an optical viewfinder to frame your subject, then the A570 IS has one.

This camera also gets a full set of exposure modes: auto, program auto, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual in addition to several pre-programmed scene modes.

Movie capture file size limits have been increase to 4GB or 60 minutes. Also, the A570 IS can take "fast frame rate" movies of 60fps in addition to the more typical 640x480 at 30fps movies.

The A570 IS accepts SD, SDHC, and MMC media and is powered by 2 AA batteries.

Full specs

Canon Powershot A560

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The A560 pretty much has identical features to the A570 IS with the exception of optical image stabilization and it doesn't have the manual exposure modes (shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual).

Full specs