Style meets passion - Canon unveils the IXUS 220 HS

07/02//11

Canon today enhances its renowned IXUS series with the launch of the IXUS 220 HS - a strikingly elegant compact digital camera that blends classic IXUS design with leading performance. Sleek, slim and undeniably stylish, the new model is the latest in a line of premium, ultra-slim IXUS models, and balances greater style with a more advanced specification than ever before.

Canon’s HS System provides consistently high image quality in all conditions, while the inclusion of a 12.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor provides high-speed shooting functionality. Perfect for taking everywhere, the IXUS 220 HS also packs a 24mm ultra-wide angle 5x optical zoom lens into a sleek, stainless steel body just 19.5mm thin, making it the slimmest camera of its kind. The ability to shoot Full HD (1080p) videos with stereo sound also allows users to capture moving images in stunning quality.

Exquisite design, HS System-powered performance
Designed to provide an unrivalled combination of design and performance, the IXUS 220 HS is the latest IXUS to feature the HS System – an optimised combination of a high-sensitivity image sensor and powerful DIGIC 4 processing technology. Incorporating a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, the HS System lowers noise levels by up to 60% at all ISO speeds, allowing users to capture beautiful, high quality images with less noise and blur – even in low light. DIGIC 4 processing provides speed, superb image rendition, low image noise and accurate colour tones, as well as high levels of responsiveness in overall operation.

Ultra-wide, ultra-flexible
The IXUS 220 HS offers users exceptional shooting flexibility, thanks to a genuine Canon ultra-wide angle 24mm lens with 5x optical zoom and a highly-effective optical Image Stabilizer. Providing greater framing versatility, the lens allows users to fit even more into a frame at the wide end of the lens, and to reach more distant subjects with the 5x optical zoom. Canon’s leading optical Image Stabilizer also compensates for camera shake to prevent image blur at the telephoto-end of the zoom, or when shooting in low light – capturing sharp, detailed images in all conditions when shooting handheld.

A large, high quality 6.7 cm (2.7") PureColor II G LCD is perfect for image framing, playback and menu navigation. The 230k-dot resolution ensures fine levels of on-screen detail, and a tempered glass outer layer provides a wider viewing angle with excellent colour reproduction and high contrast. The tempered glass design also offers outstanding durability, and Hints & Tips throughout the interface give a short explanation of camera features, helping users to learn about their camera as they use it.

Small, stylish, feature-packed
Despite its slim design, the IXUS 220 HS is packed with a vast range of features. The smallest Canon compact camera ever to feature Full HD video capture, the new model shoots stunning 1920x1080p at 24frames per second (fps) with stereo sound, capturing special moments in rich clarity. Users can utilise the optical zoom to reach distant subjects during video capture, and Canon’s Dynamic optical Image Stabilizer counteracts picture shake commonly recorded when the user is moving and recording at the same time, helping to produce smoother, sharper footage. A dedicated Movie Record Button makes switching from stills to video instant so no action is ever missed.

Incredible performance, outstanding ease of use
Ideal for users who just want to point and shoot, the IXUS 220 HS features Canon’s latest Smart Auto mode. Designed to make it easy for anyone to capture great-quality shots, Smart Auto evaluates each shooting situation against multiple factors and selects the optimum settings from 32 variables, capturing the perfect picture. All the photographer needs to do is focus on framing the shot – Smart Auto takes care of everything else.

Smart Auto features Face Detection Technology and the latest Advanced Subject Detection technology, allowing the camera to identify and lock onto human faces, or onto moving objects such as pets or vehicles within a scene. Once identified, Servo AF/AE keeps the main subject in focus and well-exposed, right up until the shutter release is fully pressed and the image captured. i-Contrast and Smart Flash Exposure functions within Smart Auto also ensure subjects are captured in the best possible detail, reducing the occurrence of harsh shadows and over-exposed highlights.

High-speed and creative shooting
The IXUS 220 HS features high-speed shooting modes for capturing fast-moving action. High-speed Burst mode shoots still images at up to 8.0 shots/sec. in 3.0MP, while Continuous shooting mode captures up to 3.4 shots/sec. in full 12.1MP resolution until the memory card is full, so users never miss a moment. Super Slow Motion Movie mode offers a great way to slow down fast-moving action such as sports, shooting at 240fps at 320x240 and playing back at 1/8 of real speed, providing a dramatic account of action sequences. VGA-quality videos (640x480) are now supported in Super Slow Motion Movie mode, shooting at 120fps with playback at 1/4 of the real speed.

A new Movie Digest mode also provides users with a new, interesting way to capture a day’s events. When set to Movie Digest mode, the IXUS 220 HS will record up to four seconds prior to every still image taken, before joining all clips captured in the same day into a single movie. Offering an alternative method for users to record their experiences, Movie Digest mode is a fun, easy way to capture the story behind still images in movie format.

For users who want to try out different effects, six creative shooting modes are available to add a different perspective to images. In addition to Miniature Effect, Fish-eye Effect, Super Vivid and Poster Effect, a new Toy Camera Effect gives images the retro feel of pinhole camera photos, while Monochrome creates atmospheric shots with sepia, black & white or other monochromatic tones. Miniature Effect can be applied to movies as well as still images, recording 1.5, 3 or 6fps in movie mode to create the impression of a time-lapse video of a small-scale model.

Shoot underwater with waterproof casing
Versatile enough to take anywhere, the IXUS 220 HS is also compatible with a choice of new and optional waterproof cases. The slim Waterproof Case WP-DC320L is water-resistant up to three meters, making it an affordable solution for snorkelling or outdoor sports. The Waterproof Case WP-DC41 is ideal for more serious underwater shooting, offering resistance down to 40 metres, with full control of all functions – allowing users to adjust and tune image settings to reflect different scenes and situations.

Share stories with CANON iMAGE GATEWAY
Owners of the IXUS 220 HS can join the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, an online facility for sharing photos and video. Users can take advantage of up to 2GB of personal storage capacity, creating enough room for hundreds of high-quality images. Mobile browsing is also supported, making it easy for friends and family to view photos on the move.

IXUS 220 HS key features:

HS System (12.1 MP)
24mm, 5x zoom. Optical IS
Stainless steel body
6.7 cm (2.7") PureColor II G LCD
Full HD with optical zoom. Dynamic IS
Smart Auto (32 scenes)
High-speed Burst & Super Slow Motion Movie
Movie Digest
Creative shooting modes
Optional Waterproof Cases

Pricing and Availability
The IXUS 220 HS is available from mid-February, priced at £199.00/€239.00 RRP incl. VAT.

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