Canon PowerShot SX200 IS‏: High-def Comes in Small Package

Canon seems to have optioned some Willy Wonka technology for shrinking down HD video recording into its latest super compact point-and-shoot. Several other camera makers are opting for HD video support, but this will be the first to bear the Canon name. The SX200 IS can take 720p video at 30fps in H.264 format. This is a much more popular format than other some others which will definitely make it easier to edit and publish. Recording can continue until a 4GB file size limit is reached which is roughly 29 minutes in HD mode. Video can be displayed using the including mini-HDMI cable on HDMI capable TV set.

On top of that, the PowerShot SX200 IS has included its normal gamut of best in class photo capturing features. On board picture editing allows for goofy color replacement tricks and a few other image manipulation novelties. Stitch Assistant will help pull panorama picture sets into a single wide-screen photo. Blink Detect takes face detection features one further and analyzes the photo post-shutter and lets you know that one of your subjects blinked giving you all notice that you need to re-shoot. The pop-up flash and 28mm - 12x optical zoom lens are the other primary features that make this a strong buy with an MSRP of $349.