Canon Announces SX260, Rugged D20, New Digital ELPH PowerShots

Canon launches new PowerShot cameras tonight, starting with the SX260 travel zoom sporting a 20x optical zoom lens. The Digital ELPH 530 and 320 HS debut with WiFi connectivity, and six new models refresh the budget-friendly A-series.

Canon PowerShot SX260
Rising to the top of Canon's travel zoom class is the PowerShot SX260 HS sporting a 12 megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 processor and a generous 20x optical zoom lens. That's right in step with Panasonic's latest and greatest, the ZS20. The SX260's 20x lens starts at a wide 25mm, and the system incorporates a GPS tracker for automatic geo-tagging.

Naturally, the SX260 is capable of 1080 HD video. It also features a High Speed Burst HQ mode, capturing 10 full resolution frames at 10.3 fps. A DIGIC 5 chip handles processing. Expect to pay $349.99 when it becomes available in March.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS, 320 HS
Two new digital ELPH models make an appearance today, the PowerShot 530 and 230, both members of Canon's HS High Sensitivity class. They offer Wi-Fi connectivity, 3.2-inch touchscreens and high definition video. A new Canon iMAGE GATEWAY app will be available for download to iOS devices (following later this year on the Android platform) that will allow users to transfer stills and videos to Canon's cloud-based service. Files can be accessed on an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch and sent to various sharing websites.

The ELPH 530 HS is less than an inch in thickness, offering a 10 megapixel HS CMOS sensor and Canon's current DIGIC 5 processor. It offers a 12x optical zoom lens, should be available in April and will cost an estimated $349.99. The ELPH 320 HS uses a 16.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and offers a 5x optical zoom lens starting at a wide 24mm. Expect it to cost $279.99 and appear in March.

Canon PowerShot D20: Ready for the Elements
Canon's waterproof PowerShot D10 has been long due for an upgrade. It comes today in the form of the D20, a fully ruggedized PowerShot with built-in GPS and a 5x optical zoom lens. Offering a 12.1 megapixel HS CMOS sensor, it's equipped with an underwater macro mode.

The tough D20 is waterproof to 32.8 feet and shockproof to a 4.9 foot drop. That 5x zoom covers a 28-140mm equivalent range. HD video capture is available at 1080p, and a dedicated movie button makes this mode easy to access. On the back panel is a 3.0-inch LCD. It's expected in May for $349.99.

Canon PowerShot A4000 IS, A3400 IS, A2400 IS, A2300, A1300 and A810
Canon's budget A series gets a refresh in six new models. The A400, 3400 and 2400 all offer optical image stabilization, and the A4000 will offer an 8x optical zoom for an estimated $199.99 retail price. The 5x zoom A 3400 IS is the first A-series PowerShot to offer a 3.0-inch touch display; it will cost $179.99. The A2400 and 2300 both feature 5x zoom lenses and 2.7-inch LCDs, priced at $159.99 and $149.99 respectively.

The A1300 and A810 PowerShots use AA batteries and offer 5x zoom lenses. For $119.99 the A1300 offers an optical viewfinder; the A810 will be offered at $109.99 with a 2.7-inch LCD.