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Canon PowerShot S20

Canon packs 3 megapixels and a 2x optical zoom into their "smallest digicam" body!

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Page 1:Intro and Highlights

Review First Posted: 4/4/2000

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True 3 megapixel sensor for 2048 x 1536 pixel images
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Very high quality 2x optical zoom lens
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Tiny body, smallest currently on the market!
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Exceptional image quality
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Rugged all-metal construction, auto lens cover
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Manufacturer Overview
Canon has long been a leader in the film-based photography world, and has developed a solid line of digital cameras as well. Over a year ago (this is being written in March, 2000), their PowerShot Pro70 introduced exceptional image quality and many "studio-friendly" features at the 1.7 megapixel level. Subsequently, they made waves with a series of digicams in exceptionally compact metal bodies, echoing the style of their wildly popular "ELPH" film cameras. The latest addition to this line is the PowerShot S20, a full 3 megapixel camera with a 2x optical zoom lens, packed into what's arguably the smallest body in the digicam market. The S20's predecessors (the A5, A5 Zoom, A50, and S10) have been highly popular, thanks to the combination of compact size, pack-anywhere ruggedness (all metal body), and good image quality. We predict that the S20 will likewise find many a good home, for all the same reasons.

Highlights

  • 3.3 megapixel CCD delivering up to 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution images.
  • 1.8 inch, low-temperature, color, polycrystalline silicon TFT LCD monitor.
  • 2x, 6.5 to 13 mm lens (equivalent to a 32 to 64mm lens on a 35mm camera).
  • 4x digital telephoto.
  • TTL autofocus with front autofocus assist light.
  • Center-weighted and spot metering options.
  • White balance with Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten and Fluorescent settings.
  • Shutter speeds from 2 to 1/1000 seconds.
  • Built-in flash with Auto, On, Off and Red-Eye Reduction modes.
  • Variable ISO with 100, 200 and 400 settings (ISO 200 or 400 for gain up setting).
  • Program AE, Panorama, Night Scene, Landscape, Slow Shutter, Black & White and Fast Shutter exposure modes.
  • Image storage on CompactFlash types I and II.
  • USB and RS-232C interfaces for connecting to a computer.
  • NTSC video cable.
  • DPOF printing capabilities.

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