Canon Powershot Pro1 Review

Click to take a QTVR tour of the Pro1

The Pro1 is Canon's new top-of-the-line PowerShot digital camera for 2004. The Pro1 was designed for discerning digital photographers seeking a versatile, high-resolution digital camera that combines shooting options previously found only on digital SLRs with the optical excellence found in Canon's best interchangeable SLR lenses.

Despite its compact size, the Pro1 employs a professional quality 2/3-inch, eight megapixel CCD image sensor that produces images up to 3264 x 2448 pixels in size, the largest of any PowerShot camera to date. The camera's L-series 28-200mm equivalent f/2.4-3.5 7x zoom lens is among the fastest in its class and utilizes an Ultrasonic Motor for high-speed zooming (which can be activated at the twist of a ring on the lens). The 14-element lens features two aspherical elements, one UD-glass element and significantly, one Fluorite crystal element (the first use of Fluorite in any compact digital camera lens).

The macro capabilities of the L-series lens allow for close focusing to 3.9 inches at full resolution while the "super macro mode" permits close-focus to 1.2 inches (at a moderately reduced five megapixel resolution). For those seeking added lens flexibility and range, the camera accepts optional accessory converter lenses (attached with an optional conversion lens adapter) including a Tele Converter Lens that extends the range of the zoom to a maximum of 300mm, and the 58mm 500D Close-up lens.

The camera's exposure features are similar to those found on EOS digital SLRs and include a mode dial with settings for P, Tv, Av, M, two user-adjustable Custom modes and fully automatic modes for Portraits, Landscapes, Night Scenes, Stitch Assist (panoramas) and Movies. The shutter speeds range from 15 seconds to 1/4000, the fastest ever in a PowerShot camera. Users can select RAW or JPEG recording formats as well as standard sRGB or Adobe RGB color space depending on their needs, and have the added flexibility of Image Adjustment settings for contrast, sharpness and saturation. In addition to a convenient popup flash, the Pro1 is compatible with all EX-series Canon Speedlites and Macro Lites and permits flash exposure compensation of up to +/- 2 stops.

Adding to the Pro1's versatility is a high-resolution movie mode that captures 640 x 480 movies with sound at 15 frames per second for up to 30 seconds per clip. Users can also opt for lower resolution capture with sound - at either 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 - for movie clips up to three minutes in length. Still photos can be annotated with sound clips up to 60 seconds in duration. Still images and movies are stored on removable CompactFlash memory cards, Type I or II including Microdrives. And there's no capacity limit thanks to full support of the FAT-32 file structure for storage devices larger than 2 gigabytes.

Powershot Pro1 features:

• 8-Megapixel CCD for images up to 3264 x 2448
• Canon L-series 28-200mm equivalent f/2.4-3.5 7x zoom
• Macro focus to 3.9 inches, super macro mode to 1.2 inches
• Stylish and rugged black magnesium alloy body
• JPEG and CCDRAW image formats
• Standard sRGB or Adobe RGB color space
• Articulated 2-inch color LCD flips forward and rotates 270°
• Program AE, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, full Manual
• Image zone modes: Portrait, Landscape, Night scene and Stitch assist
• Interval shooting and Exposure and Focus Bracketing
• Movie mode with sound, 15fps 640x480, 320x240 or 160x120
• Shutter speeds from 15 secs to 1/4000 sec in Manual mode.
• Evaluative, Center-weighted average or Spot (Center or AF-point)
• High-speed 2.5 frames per second continuous shooting
• Up to 60-second sound memos for still images
• Sharpness, Contrast and Saturation is adjustable
• ISO sensitivity: 50, 100, 200, 400 or AUTO
• Built-in flash with Auto, Fill, Red-eye reduction and Slow-sync modes
• Compatible with all Canon EX-series speedlights
• CompactFlash Type II slot, Microdrive compatible 32-bit FAT support
• High-capacity BP-511 Li-ion battery and rapid charger included
• Wireless infrared control of record and playback functions
• PictBridge and Canon Direct Print compatible

Available in April 2004, the Canon PowerShot Pro1 includes two dedicated software CDs, a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack and charger, a wireless remote controller, a lens hood and 58mm filter adapter, a neckstrap, USB and AV cables and a 64MB CompactFlash card, as well as, printed manuals and a Canon USA limited warranty card. The estimated street price will be $999.00.

Physical Views

The 3.2-megapixel Canon Powershot S1 IS and the Powershot Pro1

Powershot Pro1 Specifications