Digital Home Thoughts: New Canon Digital ELPH Improves Low Light Performance

"...Canon is introducing a new member of its Digital ELPH range..., the PowerShot SD4000 (or IXUS 300HS in other parts of the globe). Boasting a 10 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 image processing engine and a 3.8x optical zoom, this one also features an f/2.0 lens and the company's own HS System in order to produce more satisfactory results in low light situations."

Sitting at the top of Canon's Digital ELPH series, the PowerShot SD4000 IS trades the 14.4MP sensor of the SD3500 IS for a 10.6MP unit that offers better low light performance - up to ISO 3200 - along with a faster capture speed (3.7 shots/sec vs. 0.7). The SD4000 IS is packed with features, of course, including 720p HD and stereo sound capability, along with both Aperture- and Shutter-priority modes, which seems interesting given the simplified physical control layout. But the big news here is Canon's new "HS System" which appears to deliver on its promise of improved low light photography, at least if the sample pictures provided are truly representative of the camera's performance.