By Martin Vedris

SYDNEY, NSW: Canon has unveiled a new range of cameras in its IXUS and PowerShot ranges. New features in the models include wider angles, bigger zooms, a unique hands-on lens control ring and touch screen operation.

IXUS is Canon’s compact range that is as much about looks as it is about performance and the new IXUS 200 IS is one camera consumers literally won’t be able to keep their hands off.

The 200 IS features a 3-inch LCD touch screen — a first for Canon. Anyone ruined by the iPhone now expects that every LCD screen should be touch activated, and the 200 IS works as hoped. From the touch screen you can easily browse menu options, such as shooting modes and flash settings, and you can even focus on specific subjects or areas within the photo frame using Touch Auto Focus — you simply touch the screen to select the subject you want to focus on.

This camera also has Canon’s first 24mm wide angle lens in a compact camera and 5x Optical Zoom — the biggest in the IXUS series.

Also new in the IXUS range is the slim IXUS 120 IS.

“At just 20mm thick, the IXUS 120 IS is slim in size, but big on features,” said Canon Australia brand manager – IXUS, Kimberley Langton. “Packing in a 28mm wide angle lens with 4x Optical Zoom, users can enjoy a flexible shooting range in a stylish, compact camera.

“With other features such as Canon’s TruCapture technology and HD movie recording, the IXUS 120 IS produces high-quality images and video, all in an ultra-slim camera body …”

PowerShot is Canon’s high-end compact camera range and the two new entrants into this range are the PowerShot G11 and PowerShot S90.

“The PowerShot G11 and S90 deliver the highest image quality in a compact camera with an emphasis on creative photography,” said Anna Kalinowska, Canon Australia assistant brand manager – PowerShot. “A new high sensitivity sensor and an on-board Dual Anti-Noise System gives users more creative control and lets them take better photos in a wider range of situations including low-light scenes.”

Features of the 10.0-megapixel G11 include a 2.8-inch ‘vari-angle’ LCD screen that allows users to swivel the screen to assist with difficult to take photos like overhead shots over crowds or shooting down low. It has a 28mm wide angle lens and 5x Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilser.

The 10.0-megapixel PowerShot S90 offers manual control settings you can select using a unique control ring around the base of the lens.

“At a mere 175 grams, the S90 is the slimmest-ever PowerShot camera, and provides users with a high-end camera in a pocket-sized body,” said Kalinowska. “The compact, wide and bright f/2 Canon lens allows users to capture motion without blur as well as create shallow depths of field for professional looking shots. You can enjoy analogue-like operability with a new control ring and full manual control, as well as the best of digital technology like the huge 3-inch LCD screen and RAW shooting.”

Prices of all these new models were not available at the time of publishing. The new IXUS models will be available in September and the PowerShot models will be available in October.