Canon is one of the most recognized and reputable names in the camera business. To be honest, they are one of the most revered and respected camera companies in the world today. They’ve come a long way since the advent of point and shoot cameras and SLRs and now work almost exclusively in the digital realm. Competing directly with companies like Nikon in the SLR and digital SLR (DSLR) camera market, Canon has made a name for themselves by making some of the highest quality products around.
Canon SLR cameras are miles above a standard point and shoot camera that you can get for family vacations. They are designed to last for the long term and with the use of additional lenses and equipment, they can be used for almost any and all camera needs you may have.
Canon has digital cameras for almost anyone’s budget range, and if you’re in the market for a new digital camera, check out some of the information below to get a better feel for what they have to offer in their digital camera range these days. Whether you’re looking for a simple point and shoot to take with you when you go out on Friday nights, or a DSLR to start your own wedding photography business, Canon has what you’re looking for.
Damn! I already sound like a Canon salesman. Rest assured, I am not being paid for this review, though it would have been nice. 
What is “SLR?”
The acronym SLR stands for single lens-reflex. In layman’s terms, that means that the camera uses a mirror to allow the photographer to see what it was he or she has taken a photo of almost instantly after the shot has been taken. This is in comparison to previous cameras that used a view finder to determine what the picture was. Viewfinders were often inaccurate and didn’t always match up to what the photo actually was. SLRs have been phased out in favor of DSLR cameras that use a typically use an LCD to display the image of the photograph taken instantly.
Canon EOS Rebel
If nothing else, the EOS rebel makes making the transition between point and shoot camera and a DSLR extremely easy. The EOS comes with a guide that details exactly what everything on the camera does, so you’re not left wondering what little symbols and pictures mean all over the camera. The Rebel also comes with a 3” LCD that allows you to check out your photos right after you take them to make sure that you got the shot that you want. The EOS Rebel is an 18 megapixel camera, taking photos at stunning resolutions of 5184×3456, allowing you to blow them up almost as large as you could want.
There are also a multitude of ISO settings to be able to take photos in any setting you could imagine. While the camera has many perks in terms of its ability to take photos, the price tag is what keeps most buyers attracted. While not cheap compared to a standard point and shoot camera, this canon SLR camera generally comes at a price of less than $1,000. A truly small price to pay for a quality DSLR.
Canon Rebel XS
Very similar to the EOS model, the Rebel XS is a 10.1 megapixel camera from the same line that lives up to the same reputation as its more expensive and feature rich cousin. The main difference between the Rebel XS and the EOS is that the Rebel XS is typically geared more towards a starting photographer, whereas the EOS is for those that know what they’re getting into. The XS features a 2.5” LCD as opposed to the 3” one in the EOS, and the same DIGIC III image processor provides the same quality images across both cameras.
As we’re sure you’ll be taking a lot of photos, it’s important to remember to pick up an SD or SDHC card to store all of the images that you take. High resolution DSLR cameras use quite a bit of space to store their high resolution photos, so having a memory card that has enough space for all of your photos is important so that you’re not left deleting things in exchange for being able to take new photos. You can also buy an EOS Rebel book from the “Dummy” book series so that you can learn everything there is about either camera before heading out into the field.
For Those Who Want a Fun Camera – The Canon Powershot S95
The Canon Powershot S95 is a camera that will have you wanting to take a second look at your existing digital camera as you walk out the door in the morning. It’s not that your current digital point and shoot camera isn’t good, it’s that the Powershot S95 has taken everything that’s good about standard point and shoot cameras and made it even better.
There are a few notable new features in the Canon Powershot S95 that makes taking perfect photos a breeze, no matter what type of environment you’re in.
HS System
Canon has developed a revolutionary system called the Canon HS System. In conjunction with the 10 megapixel sensor and the DIGIC 4 image processor, the Powershot S95 is capable of taking low light photographs that have almost no noticeable noise and stabilizing them so that they aren’t blurry from afar. The S95 has a maximum ISO setting of 12,800, meaning the camera is capable of letting in just the right amount of light so that your low light photographs aren’t blown out or overexposed.
Intuitive Control
While not an “advancement” per se, Canon has decided to move some of their features to a maneuverable ring around the lens. Many users find menus difficult to navigate through, so instead of using the two button menu system like before, things like exposure, zoom, and white balance can all be controlled by twisting the lens back and forth. In conjunction with menu functions, it makes it easier than ever to use the camera.
Zoom
The Powershot S95 has a 3.8x optical zoom and a wide angle lens. The wide angle lens ensures that when you’re trying to squeeze everyone into a photo, they all make it in. And if you want to focus on one particular person rather than the group with the wide angle lens, you can easily zoom in and with the aid of image stabilization, the photos will have almost no noticeable blur to them.
Video
If the camera portion wasn’t enough, you also get the ability to record 720P HD video with the Canon Powershot S95. The 720P HD video is recorded in stereo sound and can easily be played on your TV or monitor with an HDMI cable. Unfortunately, you don’t get an HDMI cable in the box with the Powershot, instead a standard 480p connector, but HDMI cables are so cheap these days that it wouldn’t be difficult to pick one up.
Overall
It’s difficult to find anything negative to say about this camera, considering the standard sales pitch that Canon gave for the camera is an accurate description of how awesome it actually is. One noticeable downside is the size of the camera. While some people with dainty hands may be able to manage the buttons and controls with ease, those with large hands may find it tough to nimbly work their way through the controls. Also, because the screen isn’t recessed back into the camera, but is instead flush with the back of the camera, you’ll have to be careful not to place the camera screen side down onto anything that could damage it. You can buy protective plastic covers for the camera, but having to constantly worry about scratches is a little off putting.
Again, we’re just being nitpicky about this fantastic camera. “Too small” isn’t really a downside for this amazing point and shoot camera. And considering the camera can be purchased for right around $450, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t already have it in your arsenal right next to your DSLR (who, by the way, is probably jealous you’ll be using the Powershot S95 more often now).
Where Canon Really Excels
Image Processing: One of the main problems that digital cameras face is taking photographs in low light settings. Canon digital cameras now feature a very good solution to this problem. With a customized CMOS sensor, Canon digital cameras can adjust the light receiving surface to different situations so that the right amount of light is let in at the right location within the lens. This ensures that parts of the low light photograph aren’t over or underexposed. In addition to the custom CMOS sensor, Canon also utilizes an image processor dubbed the DIGIC 4. The DIGIC 4 processor actively reduces noise found in photographs, and stabilizes images that use zoom to get closer to the subject. Both of these features come together in what’s known as the HS system to deliver almost unparalleled image quality in Canon’s digital cameras.
Point and Shoots: Canon’s flagship point and shoot camera line is the Powershot series (look above). There are a plethora of cameras within the Powershot series, but some of the most notable are the Powershot S95, the Powershot S90, and the SD1300 or SD1400. All of these cameras utilize the HS system mentioned above and deliver exceptional photographs for each of their respective price ranges. The Powershot S90 and S95 are on the higher end of the price bracket in terms of point and shoot cameras, coming in at about $400 for either of them, but the quality of photograph is well worth it. Although you may get a higher megapixel count in other cameras, the addition of the DIGIC 4 processor ensures that for standard photography, noise reduction and stabilization mean a whole lot more than a few extra pixels.
DSLRs: Where Canon excels, just like most camera companies, is in their lineup of DSLR cameras. The premier DSLR camera in the Canon lineup is known as the “Rebel.” With many iterations designed to suit any level of photographer, the Rebel has made a name for itself in the camera market place by being the perfect balance of functionality and price for someone looking to take their photography to the next level. If you’re just starting out, the Rebel XS has 10.1MPs and an automatic light optimizer to give you perfect lighting almost wherever you are. This lets you focus on taking photos rather than fumbling with settings when you’re just getting started. And for those above the beginner range, the Canon Rebel EOS cameras are a force to be reckoned with. The EOS series has higher ISO settings (up to 12800), and full HD (1080P) recording capabilities.
All of the DSLR cameras can be expanded with additional lenses and SD cards to add an entirely new range of possibilities in terms of photography, and an expanded memory bank to store them all. It’s important to note that all of the cameras will need an additional SD card of some sort. While there is internal memory in most cameras, it is by no means enough to hold photographs. In some cases, you’ll only be able to hold a half dozen or so before needing the extra space. Do yourself a favor and buy an SD card from the get go.
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