The true spirit of adventure with Canon’s impressive PowerShot SX260 HS and PowerShot SX240 HS cameras

London UK , February 7, 2012. – Canon has introduced two new versatile and powerful camera models in its PowerShot SX line, the PowerShot SX260 HS and PowerShot SX240 HS. Combining sleek, contemporary design with a 20x optical zoom and advanced image processing technology, these models are the perfect travel companions for capturing everything from family vacations on a tropical beach to extreme sports – all in great detail and Full HD.

The models are offered in four[1](PowerShot SX260 HS and three[2] PowerShot SX240 HS color variations, and are the world’s thinnest[3] in their class, plus Canon’s acclaimed image quality using HS System and new Intelligent IS technology, along with a DIGIC 5 processor, all in a compact, comfortable body. The PowerShot SX260 HS also has built-in GPS, making it even easier to track your travel route when you get home.

Super Zoom, Super Quality

Whether it’s for a party or a memorable family event, cameras

The PowerShot SX260 HS and PowerShot SX240 HS help you get closer to the action with Canon’s 25mm wide-angle 20x optical zoom lens and 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer IS . New ZoomPlus technology brings your subject up to 39x closer with a high-performance DIGIC 5 processor and high-sensitivity image sensor for more precise, digital zoom.

In addition to the impressive optical zoom, Canon’s new Intelligent Image Stabilization technology ensures sharp, detailed images and compensates for camera shake in a variety of situations. Able to recognize the type of scene and subject to be shot, the camera automatically selects the optimum image stabilization settings from seven[4] modes, so your shots will be perfectly sharp and detailed. For example, macro-stabilization mode allows you to take sharp, detailed photos of exotic plants or insects, while Zoom Plus makes it easier to capture distant subjects with its powerful zoom – for example, in nature.

The HS system, combined with Canon’s DIGIC 5 processor and a high-sensitivity 12.1 MP CMOS sensor, has been further enhanced to provide excellent image quality with low noise in all conditions – even in low light. Even if you’re shooting under the moon or at a party, photos will have excellent exposure and 75% less noise than previous models, and you don’t need a flash or tripod.

Incredible ease of shooting

The PowerShot SX260 HS and PowerShot SX240 HS give you the freedom to shoot with Canon’s Smart Auto, now recognising up to 58 different scene types and making the right settings for the best results. Advanced multi-area white balance correction technology identifies different light sources and adjusts the color balance for each, removing unwanted color casts and providing more natural results.

New face ID feature keeps people in your photos in focus, even when they’re on the edge of the frame or in a group shot You can set the camera to recognize up to 12 faces, and specify birthdays of the people in your memory so Smart Auto can suggest new scenes for different ages. For example, if you’re photographing a sleeping baby, the camera turns off the flash and sound so as not to disturb their sleep, and uses special exposure settings to achieve the light-toned effect that professional photographers love for portraits. If a child over two years old is playing outside, the camera will set up for active movement in the frame and activate the continuous autofocus system, then create a series of frames at high speed, so you have a better chance of capturing the best shot. Face ID also tags photos with the names of the people in them, so you can easily navigate your photo collection – both from the camera and on your computer using the included ImageBrowser EX software[5].

Enjoy the confidence to explore creative ideas

Maximum flexibility is provided by the PowerShot SX260 HS and PowerShot SX240 HS’s full manual controls, allowing you to let your creativity flow and explore custom ISO settings, shutter speed or aperture.

The combination of sensor and processor not only produces outstanding image quality, but also supports high-speed shooting. Stop the fast-moving action with High-Speed Continuous Shooting, creating sharp frames at 10.3 fps, or slow motion in Super Slow Motion Movie mode at 240 fps. You can also add brightness to pictures taken in low light using the tripodless night scene mode, which groups a burst of high-speed shots into a single image, minimizing blur and optimizing exposure.

The PowerShot SX260 HS and PowerShot SX240 HS’s advanced Art Filters give you eight cool effects[6] to make your photos and videos truly unique. Add a sense of romance with the new Soft Focus mode, create gorgeous portraits using Smooth Skin, which evens out skin tone. You can also change the look of landscapes with the “Miniature Effect”, which makes the landscape look like a miniature model.

Memorize Everything

Create your perfect travel diary with the PowerShot SX260 HS’s built-in GPS[7] module. The built-in GPS has been improved over its predecessor and captures the camera’s location at regular intervals, doing so faster and running on a single battery charge for up to 48 hours. With the included Map Utility software, you can view your route on Google Maps or share it with others around the world through apps like Google Earth[8].

Both models let you create mini-movie versions of your day’s action with an advanced Video Digest feature that records four seconds of the action before each shot is taken, combining them into a single reel. Share your best HD 720p photos with everyone.

Great for the traveler

Rugged metal body and compact lightweight design make both PowerShot SX260 HS and PowerShot SX240 HS ideal for vacations and important event shooting.

Quickly and easily switch between stills and movies with a single tap, transitioning to Full HD 1080p with stereo sound. Fine detail technology means every pixel in the sensor is used to capture detail and the detail in the video, so you can watch your adventures in vivid detail on the HD screen. A 20x optical zoom can also be used to get closer to the subject in movies, and Intelligent IS ensures that even the highest magnification can produce sharp, flicker-free results.

You can also take great shots in a church or museum without disturbing others, thanks to Discreet Mode, and an optional waterproof case even lets you dive down to 40 meters, so you can get great shots both underwater and on the surface. A bright 7.5 cm 3.0″ PureColor II LCD screen with a resolution of approximately 460,000 dots and a hardened glass coating delivers high image quality and protection against the harmful camera shocks inherent in travel, and allows you to view videos and photos with brilliant color and crystal clarity.

PowerShot SX260 HS highlights:

• 20x zoom, 25mm wide-angle lens, compact body
• HS System: 12.1 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 processor
• GPS module
• Intelligent IS Intelligent IS
• Can record Full HD video
• PureColor II G 7.5 cm 3.0″ LCD screen
• Smart Auto 58 scene types , Face ID technology
• Manual modes Av and Tv
• High-speed burst shooting
• Optional waterproof camera case for shooting at depths down to 40m

PowerShot SX240 HS Key Features:

• 20x zoom, 25mm wide-angle lens, compact body
• HS System: 12.1 Megapixel CMOS and DIGIC 5
• Intelligent Image Stabilizer
• Full HD video recording capability
• 7.5 cm 3.0″ PureColor II G LCD
• Smart Auto mode 58 scenes
• Face ID function
• Manual, Av and Tv modes
• High-speed shooting
• Optional waterproof box for shooting in depths down to 40 meters

[1] Silver, black, red, green

[2] Silver, black, red

[3] At the time of comparison.

[4] Intelligent Image Stabilization modes include Normal IS, Panning IS, Macro IS, Dynamic IS, Powered IS, Dynamic Macro IS and Tripod mode.

[5] A number of optional features of the ImageBrowser EX software, including Face ID, may require automatic updates via an Internet connection.

[6] Smooth skin, soft focus, fisheye, miniature including video , super saturated colors, poster effect, toy camera effect, monochrome effect

[7] GPS use may be restricted in some countries and regions. Use of GPS must comply with country and regional laws and regulations, including restrictions on the operation of electronics.

[8]Google, Google Maps, and Google Earth are trademarks of Google Corporation.