Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item

Canon's PowerShot A85 digital camera. Courtesy of Canon, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Canon announces PowerShot A85
By
(Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 04:41 EDT)

Canon Europe and Japan have today announced a new digital camera model that updates its existing PowerShot A70.

The Canon PowerShot A85 steps up from the three megapixel imager of its predecessor to a 4 megapixel imager, and retains the same 3x optical zoom lens as before. The LCD has been increased from a 1.5-inch type to a 1.8-inch type, and the focusing system has been upgraded to offer nine focusing points. Other changes include improved movie clip length, and six new scene presets (beach, fireworks, underwater, foliage, snow, and indoor).

Pricing and availability have not been announced at this time, and nor have plans for US sale.

Canon PowerShot A85
Canon's PowerShot A85 digital camera. Courtesy of Canon, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Image Sensor
Type 1/2.7” CCD
Effective Pixels Approx.4.0M
Colour Filter Type Primary Colour
Image Processor
Type DIGIC with iSAPS technology
Lens
Focal Length 5.4 – 16.2 mm (35mm film equivalent: 35 – 105mm)
Zoom Optical 3x, digital approx. 3.6x, combined approx. 11x
Maximum f/number f/2.8 – f/4.8
Construction 9 elements in 7 groups (1 aspherical element)
Focusing
Type TTL
AF System/ Points 9-point AiAF, 1-point AF (Fixed centre)
AF Modes Normal/ Macro
AF Lock Yes
AF Assist Beam Yes
Manual Focus Yes
Closest Focusing Distance 5cm
Exposure Control
Metering modes Evaluative, Centre-weighted average, Spot (centre)
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments
ISO Speed Equivalent AUTO, 50, 100, 200, 400
Shutter
Speed
15 – 1/2,000 sec
(Slow Shutter speeds of 1.3 sec. and more, available in Manual and Shutter Priority AE modes only. Shutter speeds of 1.3 sec. and more operate with noise reduction. Certain combinations of shutter speed and aperture may not be available.)
White Balance
Type TTL
Settings Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Real-image zoom optical viewfinder
LCD Monitor
Monitor 1.8” P-Si TFT, approx. 118,000 pixels
Coverage 100%
Flash
Modes Auto, Manual Flash On / Off
Slow Sync Speed Yes
Red-eye Reduction Yes
Built-in Flash Range 46cm-4.2m (W) 46cm - 2.5m (T) 26 - 46cm (Macro) (at ISO AUTO equivalent)
Shooting
Modes
Auto, Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Fast Shutter, Slow Shutter, Stitch Assist, Movie
Special scene mode: Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Indoor.
Photo Effects Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia, Black & White
Drive modes Single, Continuous
Continuous Shooting Approx. 1.5 fps(1) (speed maintained for up to 8 images)(2)
Recording Pixels / Compression
Image Size (L)2272 x 1704, (M1)1600 x 1200, (M2)1024 x 768, (S)640 x 480
Compression Superfine, Fine, Normal
Movies
(L)640 x 480, 10fps
(M)320 x 240, (S)160 x 120, 15fps
Movie Length
Up to 30 sec. (640x480) (2)
Up to 3mins. (320x240, 160x120) (2)
File Format
Still Image Format JPEG (Exif 2.2 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system, Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant
Movies AVI [Motion JPEG + WAVE (monaural)]
Sound Files WAVE (monaural)
Direct Print
Canon Printers Canon Compact Photo Printers and Bubble Jet Printers with the direct print function (ID Photo Print, Movie Print supported on CP printers only)
PictBridge Yes
Other Features
My Camera Start-up image and camera sounds customisation
Sound Memo Up to 60 sec per image
Intelligent Orientation Sensor Yes
Histogram Yes
Playback zoom Approx. 2x – 10x
Self Timer Approx. 2 or 10 sec.
Menu Languages English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Japanese
Interface
Computer USB (Mini-B, PTP)
Other A/V output (PAL/NTSC)
Memory Card
Type CompactFlash Type I (3)
Supported Operating System
PC Windows 98(including SE) / 2000 / Me / XP
Macintosh OS 9.0 – 9.2, OS X v10.1 - v10.3
Software
Browsing & Printing ZoomBrowser EX (PhotoRecord) / ImageBrowser
Other PhotoStitch
Drivers TWAIN (Windows 98 / 2000), WIA (Windows Me)
Image Manipulation ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft VideoImpression
Power Source
Batteries 4x Size-AA Alkaline or NiMH Batteries (Alkalines supplied)
Battery life
Alkaline batteries: Approx. 250 shots (LCD monitor on)
Approx. 800 shots (LCD monitor off)
Approx. 280 min. (Playback)
NiMH (NB-2AH) batteries: Approx. 500 shots (LCD monitor on)
Approx. 1200 shots (LCD monitor off)
Approx. 360 min. (Playback)
* Under Canon testing standard
A/C Power Supply Optional, AC Adapter Kit ACK600
Accessories
Case Soft Case SC-PS600, DCC-40
Waterproof / Weatherproof Case Waterproof Case (40m) WP-DC30
Lenses Tele-converter 2.4x TC-DC52, Wide Converter 0.7x WC-DC52, Close-up Lens 250D (52mm), Conversion Lens Adapter LA-DC52C
Power Supply & Battery Chargers Battery Charger Kit CBK100 / CBK4-200, AC Adapter Kit ACK600
Physical Specifications
Operating Environment 0 – 40 °C, 10 – 90% humidity
Dimensions (WxHxD) 101.0 x 64.0 x 31.5mm (excluding protrusions)
Weight (body only) Approx. 200g
.
1 Large/Fine with LCD monitor off
2 Depending on memory card speed / capacity
3 Compatible with all memory card capacities, including cards of 2GB and more

Original Source Press Release:

Canon upgrades most popular camera ever.

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 20 July, 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today adds the 4.0 Megapixel PowerShot A85 to its popular PowerShot range. The camera replaces the PowerShot A70, one of the most successful cameras in Canon's seventy year history.

"The A70 was successful because it found the perfect balance between point-and-shoot economy and pro-sumer control features," said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe at the camera's launch. "The A85 builds on this success by adding new features that make it even easier to use, while at the same time giving the experienced user more options."

As well as improved ergonomics and refreshed styling, the camera includes a large 1.8" LCD, 13 shooting modes (including a special scene mode with 6 selectable pre-set scenes), VGA movie clips with sound, 9-point AiAF auto focus, and a Print/Share button plus extended print functionality. A wide selection of accessories includes wide and tele converters, close-up lens, and a waterproof case.

Advanced simplicity

The 13 shooting modes have been extended with 6 'special scene' presets, which help the user to get great looking results in sometimes tricky shooting conditions. They include presets for the beach, fireworks, underwater, foliage, snow, and indoor.

The focus system has been upgraded to 9-point AiAF, for consistently sharp auto-focus even with non-centred subjects. The 3x optical zoom extends to 11x when combined with the digital zoom and has a respectable f/2.8-4.8 aperture.

The purpose built DIGIC processor integrates all image processing algorithms onto a single chip to deliver fast processing and write times, minimal shutter lag, optimal image definition and consistently clean and natural colour reproduction. iSAPS, an in-built photographer's assistant, analyses composition factors such as zoom position and luminosity in order to predict the type of photo being taken. This results in faster auto-focusing, more accurate auto-exposure and precise auto white balance.

Movies now in VGA

The 3 minute movie mode with sound, full playback and in-camera editing has been extended to include the option of shooting in VGA mode for up to 30 seconds. A generously proportioned 1.8" LCD makes for easier and more enjoyable playback and review.

Simplified Printing and Uploading

The A85 features Canon's Print/Share button for single step printing and file sharing. When the camera is connected via USB cable to any PictBridge or Direct Print compatible photo printer or Windows PC, a blue light on the Print/Share button comes on to indicate successful connection. Pushing the button when lit instigates a print of the currently displayed image (based on the connected printer's default settings) or an automatic transfer of images to the PC. The camera transfers all images, all images not yet transferred, or all images marked for transfer, depending on the user setting selected in the Camera's set up options.

Expanded direct printing functions

When connected to a Canon Compact Photo printer, ID photo and Movie Print functions are also supported. Movie Print mode divides a selected clip into equal parts and prints thumbnails of up to 63 equally spaced frames if using Postcard Size Paper (100 x 148 mm); ideal for freezing action sequences. The ID Photo Print function replaces visits to the photo booth by printing multiple durable passport style ID photos (selectable height and width) to a single sheet.

Personal online photo gallery

Free membership is included to Canon's online CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, with 100 Megabytes of free storage space for online album storing and sharing. Users can upload favourite images and now movies 3 to the site, which can then be shared with friends and family as individually secure online 'albums'.

Accessories

A wide range of optional accessories extends the camera's versatility, increasing both the range of circumstances in which it can be used and the type of photographs it is capable of taking. Wide and tele converter lenses vastly increase framing options and extend the camera's effective focal length range from approximately 25mm to 250mm, while an optional close-up lens is available for macro photography. The 40m depth waterproof case is great for diving, surfing, skiing, snorkelling and general beach fun. The camera comes supplied with a 32MB Compact Flash card.

Software

Software supplied includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, photo and movie manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoImpression and VideoImpression. Drivers include TWAIN (Windows 98/2000) and WIA (Windows Me). Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) support allows the camera to connect to any Windows XP and Mac OSX (v10.1/v10.2) system without the requirement for a driver installation.

  1. Requires application software provided to be loaded on the PC and camera pre-settings to be selected.

  2. 35mm equivalent

  3. Movie upload requires users to download and install the movie upload task, available from the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY site.

Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item

Powered by Coranto