The Powershot S50 is the "big brother" of the 4.0 megapixel PowerShot S45 and is aimed at the advanced user who wants full photographic control in a compact digital camera. The S50 is the first 5.0 megapixel PowerShot camera and features a high-resolution 3X f/2.8 optical zoom lens and a compact, silver or black aluminum exterior. The S50 employs Canon's exclusive "DIGIC" Imaging Processor to help improve overall image quality and increase processing speed.

Other features include a full range of exposure modes; Program AE with Shift, Shutter speed-priority, Aperture-priority, Full Manual, AE Bracketing and a host of pre-programmed "Image Zone" modes. A 9-Point AiAF autofocus system with manual focus option, nine White Balance settings, three selectable metering modes, multi-mode flash with selectable Second-Curtain sync modes and an improved Movie Mode that captures clips up to 3 minutes in length with sound.

Even when the camera is set to record images in one of the JPEG settings, the PowerShot S50 allows the captured image to be saved as a RAW file after it is recorded. This feature can be accessed at any time during the Review period immediately after the image is captured, and is particularly useful when the white balance or other planned effects were not obtained, or when resolution, contrast, saturation or sharpening needs to be modified in the execution of the final image. RAW images can be processed after storage by means of the bundled software.

The S50 provides users with a simple and effective way of creating very high-quality prints without the need for a computer. The camera can be directly connected to the optional Card Photo Printer CP-100 as well as several Bubble Jet Direct Photo Printers including the S830D and S530D.


Powershot S50 Features:

* 5-megapixel CCD with RGB primary color filters
* Image sizes of 2592x1944, 1600x1200, 1024x768 and 640x480
* JPEG compressed and Canon raw image format
* Canon 3x optical f/2.8-4.9 zoom lens (35-105mm in 35mm format)
* 1.8-inch color LCD viewfinder/monitor
* ISO settings of Auto, 50, 100, 200 or 400
* Shutter speeds from 15 secs to 1/1500
* Noise reduction for 1.3 sec or longer time exposures
* Program AE (with Program Shift), Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority and Manual.
* Image Zone modes: Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Fast Shutter, Slow Shutter, Stitch Assist and Movie.
* Movie capture with sound, 15fps @ 320x240 or 160x120 up to 3 minutes
* Exposure Metering: Center-Weighted Average, Spot, and Evaluative
* Manual focus with distance readout and the portion of the image covered by the active focusing point is enlarged while focusing.
* AF assist focusing illuminator for dim to dark environments
* User-selectable exposure compensation, flash exposure compensation, auto exposure bracketing and white balance
* Playback histogram function with over-exposure warning
* CompactFlash Type II slot compatible with Microdrives
* Canon NB-2L lithium rechargeable battery pack