As part of its Spring Collection, Canon has announced the PowerShot SX200 IS – a superzoom camera in a compact body.

Canon claims the new model is an ‘ideal travel companion’, thanks to its wideangle lens and extensive zoom range. The focal range itself covers 28-336mm and is joined by Canon’s four-stop Image Stabilisation technology, while its aluminium body will be available in a choice of either blue, black or red colours.

Promising rich colour and low noise, the DIGIC 4 processor employed in the company’s other recent cameras is present, as is a 12.1MP sensor for the recording of images. Movie lovers will also be pleased to know that HD movie recording at 720p is possible, which records at a frame rate of 30fps.

Canon’s Scene Detection technology also enables a new Smart Auto mode, which analyses brightness, contrast, distance and hue to select the ideal image settings. Manual control over exposure has also been provided, as has a 3in LCD screen on the rear.

The camera will retail from March at an RRP of £359.

A video review of the Powershot SX200 IS is now available on this site.