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Canon has just released the details on the PowerShot Zoom, an extremely compact digital monocular. Users can view scenes through an electronic viewfinder at switchable 100mm or 400mm focal lengths, and then digitally zoom to 800mm (all 35mm-equivalent).
Of course, a modest sensor and aperture make it possible to cram all that reach into your pocket, and the Zoom has a 1/3″ sensor capable of taking 12MP JPEG images (no Raw capture is supported) or 1080/30p video through the F5.6-6.3 lens. The ISO ranges from 100 to 3200, and we’d expect the Zoom to be best-suited for daytime use with plenty of light. There’s also optical image stabilization and AF tracking with face detection, and the Zoom will focus down to 1m (3.28ft) at 100mm and 4.5m (14.76ft) at 400mm.
Sample images
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Given the stills and video specs, it’s not surprising that Canon is pitching the Zoom mostly as a ‘viewer,’ allowing users up-close and personal looks at wildlife, sports matches, live music or general travel use. However, a familiar PowerShot user interface and wireless connectivity do make it easy to send supertelephoto images to your phone for quick sharing. You can also save them to a MicroSD card.
On its built-in USB-C chargeable battery, the PowerShot Zoom will run for around 70 minutes as a viewer and capture around 150 images before running out of power. Movie clips top out at 9:59 before needing to restart a new clip. The PowerShot Zoom comes with no claims of environmental sealing.
The PowerShot Zoom will be available in November 2020 for $ 299 USD.
Press release:
Canon debuts the company’s first-ever, Compact Telephoto Monocular, the PowerShot ZOOM
MELVILLE, N.Y., October 14, 2020 –– Hiking, birdwatching and nature gazing, consumers are embracing the beauty of the outdoors this season and beyond. With this in mind, it is important to have a convenient and intuitive imaging tool to explore the world. Developed to showcase an impressive telephoto reach in a user friendly, compact design, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today launches the PowerShot ZOOM, the company’s first telephoto monocular.
The lightweight telephoto monocular sports 100mm, 400mm and 800mm telephoto viewing capability1 with a one-touch switch, and is equipped with impressive instant zoom capability to help users view distant subjects. Additionally, the monocular can capture images and videos to a micro SD card, and by pairing it with a compatible smart device2 and the Canon Camera Connect app3, these files can easily be downloaded. This pairing feature transforms the PowerShot ZOOM monocular into a friendly companion to compatible smartphones for viewing and capturing super-telephoto scenes.
“In today’s ever-changing world, consumers are looking for intuitive and portable imaging tools to view telephoto scenes up close and with ease,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of the Imaging Technologies & Communications Group of Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Built for those users who enjoy outdoor activities, the PowerShot ZOOM monocular delivers a small, compact viewer with a long focal length. We are eager to see how consumers use this tool and the convenience it will add to their daily lives.”
In addition to its zoom capability, compact size and ability to pair with compatible smartphones, the PowerShot ZOOM telephoto monocular also features:
- Auto focus when viewing through the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and recording images and video with face tracking
- Optical Image Stabilization for shake correction
- 39 inches, 2.36 million dots EVF
- 12-megapixel still-image capture
- Full HD video capture up to 30p (29.97)
- Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth® connection with the Canon Camera Connect app and use of compatible mobile devices2
- Live view and download of photos and videos with the use of the Canon Camera Connect app3
- USB C terminal for charging and supplying power
- Micro SD memory card slot
???Price & Availability
???????Available in white, the Canon PowerShot ZOOM compact telephoto monocular is scheduled to be available in late November 2020 for an estimated retail price of $ 299.99*. For more information, please visit usa.canon.com.
*Availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.
1 35mm film equivalent focal length. Both 100mm and 400mm uses optical lens and 800mm uses 2x digital zoom.
2 Compatible with iOS® versions 12.4/13.7, Android™ smartphone and tablet versions 6.0/7.0/7.1/8.0/8.1/9.0/10. Data charges may apply with the download of the free Canon Camera Connect app.
3 This app helps enable you to upload images to social media services. Please note that image files may contain personally identifiable information that may implicate privacy laws. Canon disclaims and has no responsibility for your use of such images. Canon does not obtain, collect or use such images or any information included in such images through this app. Compatible with select smartphone and tablet devices (Android™ version 5.0 or later and the following iOS® devices: iPhone 4s or later, iPad 3rd gen. or later, iPod Touch 5th gen.or later) equipped with Bluetooth® version 4.1 or later and the Camera Connect App Ver. 2.7.10. This application is not guaranteed to operate on all listed devices, even if minimum requirements are met.
Canon PowerShot Zoom specifications
| Price | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $ 299 |
| Body type | |
| Body type | Compact |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 |
| Image ratio w:h | 4:3 |
| Effective pixels | 12 megapixels |
| Sensor size | 1/3" (4.8 x 3.6 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Image | |
| Image stabilization | Optical |
| Uncompressed format | No |
| File format |
|
| Optics & Focus | |
| Focal length (equiv.) | 100–400 mm |
| Optical zoom | 4× |
| Maximum aperture | F5.6–6.3 |
| Digital zoom | Yes (2x) |
| Normal focus range | 100 cm (39.37″) |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | No |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes |
|
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | MicroSD |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Built-in |
| Battery description | 800 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 150 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 145 g (0.32 lb / 5.11 oz) |
| Dimensions | 33 x 51 x 103 mm (1.31 x 2 x 4.06″) |
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)