Canon has created two interesting niches for itself with cameras that represent a good value for beginning photographers along with very strong DSLR models. The cameras listed here have been released in the past 18 months, and they represent the best new cameras from Canon, both in its PowerShot point and shoot camera lineup and in its powerful DSLR lineup.
1. Canon EOS M DIL
Canon
It's been four years since the first mirrorless camera appeared in the market, and Canon was the final holdout among the major DSLR manufacturers to not add a DIL camera to its lineup.
That's no longer the case.
Canon's first DIL camera, the EOS M, now is available for sale. The Canon EOS M DIL is available primarily in black or white camera bodies, although two other models (silver or red) are available in some locations in the world. This camera includes a EF-M lens mount.
The M offers an 18MP image sensor, 1080p video recording, and a high-resolution touch screen LCD. Nikon introduced its first DIL camera last year with the J1, and now Canon has joined the mix. DIL cameras continue to grow in popularity, and having Canon on board will only enhance this type of camera technology.
2. Canon PowerShot A2400 IS
Canon
Beginning photographers will find a top-end, 16MP of resolution with the Canon PowerShot A2400 camera, but some of its other features are only average or a bit below average.
With the A2400, which Canon recently announced, you'll find a 5X optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD screen, and 720p HD video. All of these features are a bit lacking, at least when compared to other new 2012 models.
However, considering the A2400's low price, some beginning photographers can deal with average features. The A2400, which is available in light blue, pink, silver, and black, also measures just 0.84 inches in thickness, which is great.
3. Canon PowerShot A4000 IS
Canon
Among Canon's recently announced budget-priced PowerShot models, the A4000 IS is the most expensive, carrying a nearly $200 price tag.
It also carries a nice set of features for a sub-$200 camera, including an 8X optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch LCD, optical IS, 720p HD video, and 16MP of resolution. The PowerShot A4000 IS is available in five body colors: Blue, red, pink, silver, and black.
4. Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS
Canon
Colorful sub-$200 cameras have been a staple of Canon PowerShot cameras for quite a few years, and the recently announced PowerShot ELPH 100 HS camera follows that formula. The ELPH 100 is part of Canon's new "HS System," short for high sensitivity. Canon designed its HS cameras to work well in low light.
For a camera in its price range, the ELPH 100 includes some nice features, including a 3-inch LCD screen and full 1080p video capabilities. You'll find a 12.1MP CMOS image sensor with the ELPH 100, further improving low light performance. It would be nice if the ELPH 100 had a larger optical zoom lens than 4X, though.
Canon is offering the ELPH 100 in five body colors -- blue, gray, pink, orange, and silver.
5. Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS
Canon
The sharp-edged design of the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS gives it an interesting look for a point and shoot camera. And it has some good photographic features to match its cool design.
The ELPH 520 HS includes a 12X optical zoom lens, which Canon claims makes the 520 HS the world's thinnest 12X zoom camera. The ELPH 520 HS measures 0.76 inches in thickness.
In addition, the ELPH 520 HS uses a 10.1MP CMOS image sensor, which should improve low light photography results. It has a high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD and full HD video capabilities. The ELPH 520 HS is available in blue, red, silver, and black camera bodies, depending on your location in the world.
6. Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS
Canon
Canon mixed vibrant and tradtional camera body color options with its PowerShot SD1400 IS camera. Canon offers this model in traditional silver and black, along with non-traditional colors in orange and pink. The SD1400 IS is an extremely thin model, too, measuring only 0.70 inches in thickness.
The SD1400 IS includes 14.1 megapixels of resolution, optical image stabilization, a 4X optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD, and the ability to shoot in 720p HD video.
7. Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Canon
Finding a good-looking, compact camera with a large zoom lens isn't always easy, but Canon's recently announced PowerShot SX230 HS camera looks to fit in this area of the market.
With the SX230, you'll find a 14X optical zoom lens, a 3-inch LCD, full 1080p video capabilities, and a 12.1MP CMOS image sensor. Additionally, the PowerShot SX230 is part of Canon's "high sensitivity" system (HS), which aims to improve low light performance. The TIPA award-winning SX230 also has a popup flash unit. It's available in black, red, or blue.
8. Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
Canon
The Canon PowerShot SX260 HS provides some very impressive features for a point and shoot camera, giving both beginner and intermediate photographers a model that's going to give them some nice options.
You'll find 12.1 megapixels of resolution, a 20X optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD, and full HD video options with the SX260 HS.
In addition, the PowerShot SX260 HS features a built-in GPS unit and a popup flash unit. It's an expensive camera, but it has quite a few features that you won't find in other point and shoot models, making this camera well worth considering.
9. Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Canon
However, the star feature of the SX50 HS is the 50X optical zoom lens, which carries an amazing 24mm to 1200 mm range. As far as I can decipher, the SX50 HS is the largest optical zoom lens on a fixed lens camera currently in the market.
10. Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR
Canon
Canon's latest Rebel camera -- the T3i -- builds on the successes of past Rebel DSLR cameras while incorporating the latest technologies and features.
The T3i uses an APS-C size image sensor and uses Canon EF lenses. With 18 megapixels of resolution, the T3i is near the top end of consumer DSLR cameras. The award-winning T3i allows for nine AF points and includes a 3-inch high-resolution LCD that can swivel away from the camera.
11. Canon EOS Rebel T4i DSLR
Canon
The recently released Canon EOS Rebel T4i isn't exactly cheap, but it's much more affordable than the professional-level EOS-1D X.
The T4i includes some impressive features of its own, including 18MP of resolution in a CMOS image sensor, full HD video, five frames per second shooting speed, and a 3.0-inch widescreen LCD that swivels and tilts away from the camera body.
Canon interchangeable lenses can help you achieve just the right level of telephoto or wide angle photography that you want. This looks like another fun to use, Rebel DSLR camera from Canon.
12. Canon EOS 6D DSLR
Canon
High-end Canon DSLR cameras are always enticing, and one of the latest models, the Canon EOS 6D DSLR camera, is no exception.
The Canon EOS 6D is going to carry a high price tag, but its feature list compares well against other models in this price range.
The full frame 6D has a 20.2 megapixel CMOS image sensor, can shoot at ISO settings up to 25600, at 1080p HD video, and at 4.5 frames per second. It has a 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD, a built-in GPS, and built-in WiFi, too.
That's a pretty strong feature list, even for a DSLR model.
