14x zoom, 12MP Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and SX220 HS released

Canon has released a pair of compacts offering impressive 14x optical zoom lenses as well as a 12MP sensor. The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and Canon PowerShot SX220 HS both offer similar specs and features, with the GPS offered on the SX230 HS being the major difference. Elsewhere the HS system, which has also appeared on the IXUS 300 HS and IXUS 1000 HS, is also employed, allowing for improve low light and burst shooting.

High Definition movie, at the 1080p quality level, also appears at 24 fps alongside 3″ LCD displays. This pair of compacts will come into direct competition with the likes of Panasonic’s TZ18 and TZ20, which are similarly featured in terms of zoom, sensor size and the flagship model offering GPS.

The new geotagging feature, which has gained huge popularity recently by appearing in a number of new models as well as finding compatibility with the likes of Aperture 3, allows the specific position the image was taken in to be logged. Sites such as Flickr group images based on location, and gives the photographer another method of organizing shots without inputting extra data.

The same Scene Detection Technology and Advanced Subject Detection used in the new EOS models are employed in the two PowerShots offering the ability to temper the saturation and exposure levels. This should produce a more balanced end product, not allowing any more dominant shades to take over the image.

There’s also a burst mode to utilize an impressive 8.1 fps rate, albeit at 3MP resolution. Each major aspect of the camera, from the shutter speed to the aperture, is controllable and there’s even optical stabilization for the zoom.

PowerShot SX230 HS key features:

  • HS System (12.1 MP)
  • 28mm, 14x zoom. Optical IS
  • GPS
  • Full HD with optical zoom. Dynamic IS
  • Wide 7.5 cm (3.0″) PureColor II G LCD
  • Smart Auto (32 scenes)
  • High-speed Burst & Super Slow Motion Movie
  • Movie Digest & iFrame movie
  • Manual Control
  • Waterproof Case

PowerShot SX220 HS key features:

  • HS System (12.1 MP)
  • 28mm, 14x zoom
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Full HD with optical zoom. Dynamic IS
  • Wide 7.5 cm (3.0″) PureColor II G LCD
  • Smart Auto (32 scenes)
  • High-speed Burst & Super Slow Motion Movie
  • Movie Digest & iFrame movie
  • Manual Control
  • Waterproof Case

Both models are set to be released next month, with the RRPs still to be announced.