The best camera phones may have replaced the dedicated compact camera in most people’s pockets, but that doesn’t mean compact cameras can’t reinvent themselves – a good example is the Canon Powershot Zoom , just hit its crowdfunding goal in Japan in just 13 hours .
First introduced as a concept in 2019, the Powershot Zoom is a monocular that can fit a 400mm telephoto lens into your pocket, with digital zoom extending even further to focal length. 800mm equivalent. This can make it a very handy little companion for both viewing and snapping at sporting events and hunting.
Smartphone zoom has improved a lot over the past few years, with phones like the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra offering impressive 5x optical zoom and 10x hybrid zoom. But their longer reach is often achieved by cropping into higher resolution images rather than using superior optical zoom, which is difficult to include in a smartphone even with high resolution devices. Smart folding optical lens.
The Canon Powershot Zoom (currently only available in Japan) offers 100mm and 400mm equivalent optical zoom, while just switching to an inferior digital zoom for a maximum focal length of 800mm. Naturally, the only way it can do this as a pocketable 144g camera is by using a 1/3-inch sensor, which is smaller than the sensors in many smartphones.
However, its 12.1MP telephoto images will outperform phone rivals thanks to its superior optics, face-recognition AF and built-in image stabilization, plus it can also record video. Full HD.
Extend the goal
The pocket telephoto camera concept may not be a brand new one – we’ve already seen binoculars and binoculars that can take snapshots and record video. But this is the first we’ve seen from a major camera maker that can easily fit in your pocket.
It also follows an interesting trend from Canon, or its subsidiary Canon Marketing Japan, of experimenting with concepts with limited edition crowdfunding campaigns. The company’s first foray into crowdfunding cameras was the Canon Ivy Rec in 2019, which is a carabiner-style camera, an exciting new take on action cams.
The second camera has finally launched worldwide and is now available to purchase from Canon’s online store, which suggests the same could finally happen with the sold-out Canon Powershot Zoom. .
While its appeal may be relatively niche, the Powershot Zoom’s price tag is 31460 yen (about $300 / £230/AU$405) could see it find a home with people who regularly watch sports, wildlife or find themselves in the back row of concerts.
Something that will make it even more interesting would be the inclusion of Canon’s amazing new Animal Eye AF feature, which was recently introduced on the Canon EOS R5. Now there is an idea for the global launch of the Powershot Zoom Mark II, Canon.
