Digital Home Thoughts: Canon Announces Powershot SX160 IS and SX500 IS Superzoom Digital Cameras

Let's take a look at Canon's announcement. The first is the Powershot SX160 IS, which is an update to the SX150 IS. Essentially a budget superzoom, the lens has been upgraded to an optically stabilised 16x 28-448mm equivalent f/3.5-5.9 zoom lens. The sensor is now a 16 megapixel CCD; the rest of the camera remains relatively the same. The screen is still a 3" QVGA LCD, and the video mode is still a 720p one. The external controls are similar, as is the AA power source. Canon has promised improved AF and shutter lag performance, after complaints of the SX150's sluggishness. Otherwise, it looks like a minor tweak. Ships in September for US$230.

Next up is the Powershot SX500 IS, which has more in common with the above SX160 than the SX40. It boasts a bigger lens in the form of an optically stabilised 30x 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 zoom lens, and has a 3" HVGA LCD instead of the QVGA one. Oh, and now it uses a lithium ion battery instead. Ships in September for US$330. Hit the link for full specifications and more photos of the cameras.