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Canon TX1 Press Release

At first glance Canon’s new 7.1 megapixel PowerShot TX1 digital camera looks familiar…pocket-sized, stainless steel case with textured accents and enough cutting-edge photo technology to make one wonder how they got all that functionality into that deck of playing cards-sized package. Indeed, this compact camera fits in just as well at a football game or a family function; in a small evening bag for a night on the town, or the pocket of a dress shirt, and is as much at home on a business trip as it is on a hard-earned weekend getaway.

At second glance, the mystery of how they got all that functionality into that really small space deepens. Augmented by a simple press of the power button – this digital camera comes alive and the family resemblance to not one, but many of Canon’s crowning camera achievements becomes immediately apparent…a stainless-steel barrier on the camera’s leading-edge slides away to unleash the PowerShot TX1 digital camera’s formidable (and optically image-stabilized) 10x optical zoom lens that glides smoothly from its resting place into the open air. Unfold a simple yet securely hinged housing, and an 115,000-pixel Vari-Angle LCD screen is freed to swivel camcorder-like from the PowerShot TX1 digital camera’s side.

This digital dynamo even adds a 30 fps High Definition (HD) 720p widescreen (16:9) capability to its movie mode at the press of a button. What’s more, the PowerShot TX1 digital camera has easy connectivity to play its movies or high quality stills back on high-def TVs, thanks to Canon’s thoughtful inclusion of a convenient component video output terminal.

“We developed the PowerShot TX1 digital camera for people who appreciate its vast technological advances in both still and movie digital imaging and developed one, very compact, very powerful, very easy to use camera that provides high-resolution still images and HD movie capabilities as well,” states Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The PowerShot TX1 digital camera is the fulfillment of Canon’s innovative thinking and vision that mixes the best of photography and video features like never before.”

Optical Image Stabilization

Given the impressive and extensive range of the PowerShot TX1 digital camera’s 10x optical zoom lens (39mm –390mm equivalent), Canon included its advanced optical image stabilization (OIS) system that helps to significantly reduce the blurring effects of camera shake that can occur at long zoom settings or during long exposures. Superior to electronic IS systems that simply use software to mask movement, this OIS system actually shifts the lens to compensate for unwanted motion, making it easier to snap great images and smooth movies, when the camera is hand-held or in low-light conditions.

DIGIC III

The “brain” of this new PowerShot camera is DIGIC III, the newest iteration of Canon’s ultra-efficient (and proprietary) image processor. The new gold standard on all new Canon cameras, the DIGIC III image processor accounts for the camera’s higher performance levels including faster start up, autofocus and shutter response times, improved image quality and more efficient power consumption; resulting in extended battery life under typical shooting conditions.

Advanced Face Detection and Red-Eye Correction

With Canon’s new Face Detection AF/AE/FE function, the camera can detect, lock on, and track multiple human faces in a scene. The face detection algorithm automatically prioritizes and selects faces (based on Canon’s Intelligent Scene Analysis/iSAPS technology). It will then optimize the focus, exposure and flash to help ensure the best possible results for even easier picture taking moments. The result is flattering portraits and group shots where all of the subjects are in clearer focus and accurately exposed. Compared to previous Canon cameras with Face Detection technology, the PowerShot TX1 digital camera adds several improvements, including the ability to use the function for movies as well as still images, the ability to detect faces that are further away or not aimed directly at the camera, and better control of flash exposure.

Working with the camera’s Face Detection technology, Canon’s new Red-eye Correction feature helps detect and corrects, during playback mode, that bothersome by-product of flash photography. Images can be corrected manually while viewing photos on the LCD screen to help vanquish red-eye, once and for all. Because most images will no longer require laborious post-processing with a computer, the new in-camera Red-eye Correction feature is ideal for direct printing.

Aaand…Action!

The versatile PowerShot TX1 digital camera helps users to shoot home movies that can look like the next Hollywood blockbuster while recording CD quality Stereo Sound, in 44 KHz. In fact, consumers can take full advantage of the 10x optical zoom lens and image stabilization while shooting movies, which is a rare feature in most digital cameras. In addition to recording widescreen 720p HD movies at a rate of 30 fps for stunning High Definition clarity, the TX1 digital camera shoots high-quality VGA (640 x 480 pixels) movies at 30 fps (in a traditional 4:3 aspect ratio) and has the option of shooting at 30 fps or 60 fps in the QVGA 320 x 240-pixel setting (also in 4:3 format).

ISO-Metrics

As an added benefit of the DIGIC III image processor’s more aggressive noise reduction, the PowerShot TX1 digital camera can shoot at ISO equivalent speed ratings from 80 to as high as 1600. This increased sensitivity at the top-end allows users to select faster shutter speeds, adding additional stability and reducing the danger of camera shake and subject blur during hand held, low-light photography. What’s more, the TX1 digital camera offers users the option of Canon’s new “Auto ISO Shift” feature which, at the touch of a button, can accurately increase the ISO up to 800, further offsetting camera shake due to low-light or unsteady shooting conditions.

In the Mode

The PowerShot TX1 digital camera comes equipped with 14 shooting modes, expertly allowing for a myriad of different photo preferences and conditions including Automatic, Camera Manual, Super Macro for close-up work, Color Accent, Color Swap, Stitch-Assist, Movie (including HD), and seven Special Scene Modes: Portrait, Night Snapshot, Indoor, Foliage, Snow, Beach and Aquarium.

Still Images and Video: The Best of Both Worlds With MovieSnap

Newly adapted for the PowerShot TX1 digital camera’s 7.1 megapixel CCD image sensor, MovieSnap enables users to capture high-resolution still images while recording movies, helping to ensure that milestone memories are preserved for picture frames, photo albums and e-mail sharing as well as for video viewing.

True to its multi-use design, the PowerShot TX1 digital camera’s wide-viewing angle, Vari-Angle LCD screen swings out, permitting the user to compose shots from virtually any position, such as over-the-head or under the knees, while the display screen’s 15-level brightness adjustment makes it easier to view images under a variety of real-world lighting conditions. A new multi-layer coating on the surface of the screen is glare and scratch resistant, and provides enhanced resistance to dust and fingerprints.

Which End Is Up?

Clearly, not all images are vertical, even those taken with a vertically-designed camera. Switching back and forth to accommodate preferred composition used to require flipping the images in playback in order to view them. Now, Canon’s on-board Intelligent Orientation Sensor automatically detects whether the camera is being held vertically or horizontally, so PowerShot TX1 digital camera users have the freedom to shoot and share their photos quickly and with incomparable ease.

Windows Vista Ready

As one of Microsoft’s Premier Launch Partners, Canon is proud to announce that all PowerShot digital cameras announced in 2007 including the PowerShot TX1 digital camera are Certified for Windows Vista according to Microsoft standards, without any extra downloads or upgrades. Additionally, all current models are fully compatible with other operating systems including Windows XP and Mac OS X (Versions 10.2 - 10.4). The PowerShot TX1 digital camera will be supplied with Digital Solutions Disk V.30, which contains the latest versions of Canon’s powerful yet easy-to-use imaging software, including ZoomBrowser EX 5.8 and ImageBrowser 5.8 Both of these programs support One-Touch Downloading via the TX1 camera’s Print/Share button, which illuminates in bright blue when the camera is connected to a compatible device via USB.

The PowerShot TX1 digital camera accommodates standard SD memory cards and the new, high-capacity SDHC memory cards as well as MultiMedia and MMCplus cards. In stores beginning in March 2007, the camera kit includes a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and battery charger, a 32MB MMC plus memory card, a USB interface cable, stereo AV cable for audio/video output, and a component video cable for connecting to High Definition TVs. The PowerShot TX1 carries an estimated selling price of $499.99*.

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Canon TX1 Reviews

Digital Camera Info has a first impressions review of the Canon TX1 and writes, “The Canon TX1 is a great concept of a camera; it bridges the gap between digital cameras and camcorders with a real hybrid option that produces great results from both areas. It isn’t perfect though. The pre-production model I looked at warmed up after about 10 minutes and wasn’t burning my hands but had them getting sweaty. The camera body was quite heavy too, and off-balance when the LCD folded outward, making it hard to stabilize vertically with one hand. Perhaps my biggest concern is the battery. Its specs claim 160 still images, and I doubt that translates to lengthy video time. Canon claims that the videos can record for an hour at a time but I am skeptical that the battery will last even that long while continuously recording video.” Link.

DCRP has a review of the Canon PowerShot TX1 and writes, “The feature that is both the most exciting and the most disappointing on the PowerShot TX1 is its movie mode. First, the good news. You can record video at 720p — that’s 1280 x 720 @ 30 frames/second — with high quality stereo sound, an optional wind filter, and the use of both the optical zoom and the image stabilizer. The movies recorded at this setting look spectacular — easily the best of any digital camera on the market. And now, the bad news. Since Canon uses an inefficient video codec, you can only record 14 minutes of continuous 720p video — as that’s when you hit the 4GB file size limit. Free space on your memory card disappears at a whopping 4.4 MB/sec in 720p mode, which means not only means do you need a huge memory card for recording video, but also that you’ll need to downsize and recompress the videos for sharing with others. There are other resolutions available, including a “long play” 720p mode, which will allow for longer movies.” Link.

Digital Trends has a review of the Canon Powershot TX1 and writes, “When in 16:9 mode, the TX1 records beautiful video at 1280×720 pixels and 30 frames per second. There’s no 60 fps option in 16:9 HD mode, but you’ll undoubtedly find that the 16:9 video is quite impressive at 30 fps. When I made my first dozen recordings, I was amazed at how the final video was almost lifelike in quality. I recorded in varying conditions - indoors, outdoors in bright light, outdoors at dusk, in the rain, etc. No matter who, what, where or when I recorded, the video was better than that of previous camcorders. … Before the TX1 was released by Canon, several tech websites berated the TX1 for its limited recording time. 14-26 minutes of HD content doesn’t seem like very much at all, but I think the average camcorder user isn’t necessarily going to be recording hour-long videos at a single sitting.” Link.

CNET has a review of the Canon PowerShot TX-1 and writes, “If you absolutely have to have a combo still camera/720p HD camcorder, the Canon PowerShot TX-1 is probably the best bang for the buck. Its two serious competitors, the Sanyo Xacti HD2 and Panasonic SDR-S150 both cost significantly more, and in the case of the Sanyo, you get lower quality video and stills, but a more comfortable-to-use design. Ultimately, you’re still better off buying separate video and still cameras, though maybe someday combo devices like this will reach a point when they’ll make sense for the casual vacation shooter. Despite all that, we do have to commend Canon for having the guts to push ahead with an experimental product like the TX-1.” Link.

GoodGearGuide has a review of the Canon PowerShot TX1 and writes, “The TX1 can record video at a maximum resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, which means it can record in High Definition. Reflecting this, the footage had good clarity and a nice, smooth feel to it. However, there were noticeable problems with contrast, where shaded parts of the image would lose detail and colour, and the overall colour balance left a little to be desired. It was quite dull and while this can be corrected after recording, for many people who want a quick, happy snap camera, this isn’t an option. Overall, the video will satisfy the average consumer, but more discerning users will pick up on the aforementioned flaws. The TX1 records video in AVI format, which means videos can be instantly replayed on a PC and edited quite easily. However, as it is still fundamentally a digital still camera, the TX1 only writes to an SD card, which limits how much footage you record.” Link.

PCAuthority has a review of the Canon Powershot TX1 and writes, “In 1280 x 720 resolution (also known as 720p, which is technically a form of HD) the TX1 will burn through 2GB of memory every 7 minutes. You can drop the resolution to either 640 x 480 or 320 x 240 to gain some recording time, and each mode does come with a long-play option that will roughly double the recording time of the selected mode at the expense of bit depth. Either way, it makes video a little impractical unless you have storage to burn.” Link.

DPReview has a review of the Canon PowerShot TX1 and writes, “the use of M-JPEG for movies means that if you want to shoot even half an hour of footage you’re going to need a pocketful of fast, large SD cards. And though the movie quality is excellent you’re getting nothing like the resolution you could expect from a decent dedicated DV camcorder. … I did grow to like the TX1 - or least the idea behind it. It’s quite an achievement to squeeze so much functionality into something genuinely pocketable, and it is a lovely ‘thing’; well made, fast and surprisingly capable. I loved the fact that I could switch so seamlessly from shooting stills to capturing high quality movie clips (putting aside the ‘is it really ‘HD’ or not’ argument; VGA is plenty big enough for me), I liked the overall responsiveness and I liked the fact that I could hang it off my wrist all day without getting arm ache.” Link.

Steve’s Digicams has a review of the Canon PowerShot TX1 and writes, “Movie mode allows you to record VGA (640×480, 30fps) or QVGA (320×240 60 or 30fps) video with stereo audio when using the standard 4:3 aspect or 720p HD (1280×720, 30fps) in 16:9 mode. Unlike most digicams that record sound with movies, the TX1 allows you to use the 10x optical zoom while you are recording. Our movie samples turned out great, showing minimal amounts of compression noise, and the AF system does a good job at keeping the subject in focus while zooming. Just be sure you have a large SD/SDHC card as the HD video mode consumes about 4.8MB per second!” Link.

Digital Camera Info has a review of the Canon PowerShot TX1 and writes, “The TX1’s movie mode has a lot of good features. Users can snap full resolution still images simultaneously, the 10x optical zoom lens is fully functional, the image stabilization system is very effective, the exposure can be adjusted, audio is recorded in stereo, and the video resolution is silky smooth. However, there are as many disappointments as there are good features. The camera is so hard to handle that users won’t want to record lengthy videos: the body is top-heavy, the LCD folds to the left and often tips the camera, the controls are miniscule, and the surface area of the camera body just isn’t much to grab onto. That’s just the handling. Add in the inefficient video codec, motion artifacts, and hefty noise and the TX1’s video appeal is severely diminished. If you’re serious about videos, buy a camcorder. The TX1 isn’t going to record your daughter’s hour-long band concert in high definition.” Link.

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MacWorld reviews the Canon PowerShot TX1 and writes, “Despite Canon’s ambition to combine the best of two worlds, the PowerShot TX1 has few compelling advantages as a camcorder or a still camera. And its high price and awkward configuration for still photography are serious drawbacks. With many high-end compact cameras offering advanced video functions, including superior HD modes, the TX1’s high price and awkward configuration for still photography provide too many drawbacks for a wholehearted recommendation.” Link.

Stuff reviews the Canon Powershot TX1 and writes, “The TX1 fits in a grey area between camcorders and digicams…It’s really for people who want to shoot videos, and take the occasional good quality still shot of the action. It’s too tricky to use to be much good if you’ll be shooting mostly still photos.” Link.

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