10x
Super Telephoto Zoom Lens
The PowerShot Pro90 IS camera incorporates a new 10x 7-70mm f/2.8-3.5 lens - equivalent
to 37-370mm in 35mm format. This lens was exclusively developed by Canon for high-resolution
digital still cameras and is based on new technology announced by the company in
May of last year. Its extended zoom range enables the Pro90 IS to be used for a wide
variety of photographic situations ranging from landscapes and group shots to nature,
wildlife and close-ups. The all-glass lens consists of 13 elements in 10 groups and
includes two aspherical elements to reduce size and weight while correcting aberrations
effectively. It also has an iris-type diaphragm that produces better background blur.
The zoom function of the Pro90 IS is operated by an adjustable ring strategically
placed near the front of the lens. This permits quick and easy access to the zoom
feature while allowing users to "cradle" the camera for a more natural
feel and support.
When conventional cameras are hand-held and the lens is zoomed towards telephoto,
camera shake is likely to occur, resulting in blurry images. The Pro90 IS overcomes
this problem by incorporating a shift-type optical Image Stabilizer into the lens,
allowing users to get sharp photos at shutter speeds up to two full steps slower
than the "1/focal length" limit normally required for hand-held photography.
This feature greatly improves camera performance and makes it easy for Pro90 IS users
to receive maximum benefit from the extended zoom range of the lens. The shift-type
optical Image Stabilizer is based on Canon's own original IS technology that was
used first in selected lenses for the company's market-leading EOS line of 35mm SLR
cameras. Unlike digital image stabilizers used by other manufacturers, Canon's shift-type
optical IS system preserves maximum image quality, without increasing size or weight.
The PowerShot Pro90 IS has the highest resolution of any digital camera in its class.
It uses a 1/1.8-inch, 3.34 megapixel CCD sensor with approximately 2.6 million recording
pixels to produce high-quality full-color or black-and-white images up to 1856 x
1392 pixels.
The camera also offers two additional resolution settings of 1024 x 768 and 640 x
480 (VGA resolution). VGA is ideal for on-screen applications such as Web sites and
CD-ROMs and allows more images to be recorded on a single CompactFlash memory card.
The Pro90 IS provides users with a selection of 3 JPEG compression settings (Superfine,
Fine and Normal) at any resolution. It also features Canon's exclusive RAW file mode
which provides maximum control over image attributes such as white balance, contrast,
sharpness and saturation. Additionally, all images are captured at 10 bits per channel
with automatic noise reduction and output in 24-bit RGB for smooth gradation and
lifelike color.
The PowerShot Pro90 IS incorporates improvements similar to the PowerShot G1 in the
area of shutter button response time and shot-to-shot intervals. AF and AE are completed
within 0.7 seconds after pressing the shutter button halfway, and exposure begins
only 0.07 seconds after pressing the shutter button all the way down from the halfway
point. In single frame mode, the shot-to-shot lag time is only 2.5 seconds. A built-in
buffer memory supports continuous shooting of up to 10 consecutive Large/Fine JPEGs
at 0.7 frames per second when the LCD monitor and flash are shut off.