Canon’s bringing back the square selfie cam with PowerShot N2

Early last year, a Canon rep pulled out a point-and-shoot with a very peculiar design. Instead of the rectangular form factor we’d grown used to, this camera was square. The PowerShot N was designed to be held any which way, making it a good fit for both righties and lefties, but without any pronounced grip, it didn’t feel quite as natural to hold. We were a bit relieved, then, when Canon debuted the N100 with a more familiar look and feel, but at Photokina, the company’s returning to the original shape and size with the PowerShot N2. The N2 replaces the original N — the N100 will remain on the market — bringing a slew of new features for social sharers and video bloggers alike.

There’s a new 16.1-megapixel sensor, a faster DIGIC 6 processor, a 28-224mm f/3.0-5.9 8x optical zoom lens (with improved IS) and a 461k-dot, 2.8-inch touchscreen that now flips 180 degrees for self-portraits (and videos). You still get WiFi (after all, this camera’s all about creating sharable content), but the N2 now includes NFC, making it easier to get up and running with a new device. The camera can capture 1080/30p video and thanks to a few added touchscreen controls, you can tweak exposure compensation, turn on the flash and adjust the smoothness of your skin (to decrease sharpness with certain facial features), all from the selfie mode. Canon’s expecting to ship the PowerShot N2 to customers this December; the camera is priced at $300.

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The 7D Mark II is Canon’s best DSLR without a full-frame sensor

The wait is over. Canon’s long-anticipated EOS 7D Mark II is here, shipping in November for $1,799, without a lens. With a price tag that high, you’d think it’d be safe to assume that the company’s consumer flagship sports a full-frame sensor. It does not. It does, however, represent an enormous step up from the original model — the Mark II includes just about every feature a pro photographer (and video shooter) could hope for, excluding a 35mm sensor, of course, and integrated WiFi. Instead, there’s a 20.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, which, despite a similar spec, is an improvement over what you’ll get with the 70D. You can also take advantage of a new 51,200 top ISO and a 10 fps continuous shooting mode (at full resolution, of course), powered by the dual DIGIC 6 processors.

You can capture up to 4 frames per second in silent mode, which, although not completely silent, is certainly the best option for shooting performances and other events where a clanging shutter wouldn’t be appropriate. The 7D Mark II now includes 65 autofocus points, compared to just 19 on the original model. There’s a dedicated AF lever for jumping between modes, and when you’re shooting video, Canon reps liken the focusing performance to what you’d experience with a camcorder. You can also adjust the speed at which the camera will focus and track subjects while you’re capturing video, with five levels to choose from. You can capture MP4 or MOV clips at up to 1080/60p to a CF or SD card, or output uncompressed footage (with audio) through the HDMI port. Speaking of ports, there are plenty to choose from, including USB 3.0, a mic input and headphone output, a PC socket for strobes and a wired remote connector.

The camera has a magnesium alloy construction, so even though you’ll want to avoid it, the body should survive a tumble or two (though there may be a different outcome for the lens). The new 7D is even four times more dust and weather resistant than the original model — reps say you shouldn’t have any problem shooting in moderate rain, assuming you’re using a weather-resistant L lens. There’s a new, slightly higher capacity battery on board (the LP-E6N), though the camera will work with older packs too. You will need to buy a new BG-E16 grip, however. Finally, the shutter, previously rated for 150,000 shots, can now handle more than 200,000 without repair. The 7D Mark II is expected in stores this November for $1,799 body only, or $2,149 when bundled with an 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens.

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Canon targets Sony’s popular RX100 with PowerShot G7 X point-and-shoot

When you’re looking to buy a camera, the physical size of the sensor — not the megapixel rating — is what you want to keep an eye out for. The larger the better, of course, and while we may never see pocketable full-frame cameras with powerful zoom lenses, some manufacturers are getting close. Sony was the first such camera maker to debut a camera with a 1-inch sensor, the RX100, and now Canon’s trying to reclaim some of that high-end point-and-shoot market share with a model of its own. The PowerShot G7 X is Canon’s first 1-inch sensor camera, and while it costs a pretty penny ($700), you do get what you pay for.

In this case, that means a 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor paired with a very respectable 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8, 4.2x optical zoom lens, besting Sony’s own 2.9x optic. And while there’s no pop-up electronic viewfinder (that’s still unique to Sony’s latest RX), you do get a very sharp 3-inch touchscreen that flips up 180 degrees for self-portraits. Canon’s latest processor, the DIGIC 6, is on board, as is WiFi with NFC support. You also get 1080/60p video shooting, a 6.5 fps continuous shooting mode and a top sensitivity of ISO 12,800. The camera has more control options than your run-of-the-mill compact — there’s a dedicated mode dial and an exposure-compensation dial behind, and even though there’s a touchscreen on board, Canon opted to include a variety of dedicated buttons on the back. You can pick up your own G7 X next month for $700.

Filed under: Cameras, Canon

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