| Canon Unveil GPS Equipped PowerShot SX230 HS
Article by: Darren Griffin
Date: 9 Feb 2011
 GPS is the latest must have feature gaining traction in the consumer camera market and news that Canon have decided to play suggests we will be seeing a great many more.
Canon's entry into the GPS clique is the PowerShot SX230 HS, a 14x mega-zoom compact that comes with optical image stabilisation, a 12.1 MP CMOS sensor and Full HD (1920x1080p/24fps) video with stereo sound. The HS stands for 'High Sensitivity' which promises to reduce image 'noise' and increase dynamic range.
The zoom offers a useful 28mm wide angle and a 392mm zoom whilst the GPS feature records date, time and location of each snap. A 7.5cm, 460k-dot 16:9 LCD at the rear provides the image framing and picture playback.
The GPS can also act as a data logger and record the full journey rather than just locations where photographs are taken. Supplied software allows for the log files to be viewed using Google Maps or Google Earth. And for those so inclined, you can have it in black, blue or pink/red.
Pricing has yet to be announced but both the SX230 and the SX220 (the non-GPS variant) will be available mid-March 2011.
  
| Comments
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 Posted by MaFt on Wed Feb 09, 2011 11:49 pm |
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Any guesstimates on price bracket? Are we talking £150? £300? £500?
I'm after a decent 'Point n Click' after my last one was, erm, lost in a taxi on New Years Eve 2009...!!!
MaFt
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| Posted by PaulB2005 on Wed Feb 09, 2011 11:55 pm |
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From another website
| Quote: | | All are due in March (the 100 HS in the beginning of March, the rest by the end), with the 100 / 300 / 500 HS going for $199.99, $249.99, and $299.99, respectively, and the SX-230 for $349.99. |
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| Posted by worried on Thu Feb 10, 2011 6:26 pm |
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I have a Cannon 650 and an Itrip logger (£29.99 from Maplin http://www.maplin.co.uk/search?criteria=Promotion&menuno=-7 ) when downloading the logger it will also locate you photo's with the time and write the GPS location onto the photo Exif page.
Considering the very small size of the logger its works well and is a lot cheaper than a special camera
I also have a nearly worn out Cannon 640 and no trouble doing a photo trip with both working, and then logging the GPS to both
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| Posted by Darren on Thu Feb 10, 2011 6:39 pm |
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There are certainly options for adding geotag data without buying a new camera but if you're in the market for a new model then it's an option.
I have a datalogger that can be used for adding location data but it's one more gadget that I have to carry and keep charged and invariably I don't have it with me when I need it.
It won't be for everyone but if you're shopping for an upgrade then it's a feature worth considering and I've always had great experiences with Canon compacts.
Darren Griffin |
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| Posted by robertn on Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:56 am |
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I have an SE phone with GPS and reasonable (great for phone) camera. The only problem I find is that from opening the lens cover (which turns on the GPS) to taking the photo, most of the time the GPS has not got a fix. It's OK for thos pics that you plan to take, when you are outside (GPS still don't work inside) and can wait for it.
So what I tend to do is take one reference photo (usuaally a wide angle landscape) ensuring I've got a fix, and not worry untill I move to another location.
Does the Cannon have the ablilty (BT, WiFI etc) to do an assited start?
Gets pushed around by Thomas |
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| Posted by Darren on Fri Feb 11, 2011 7:46 am |
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| robertn Wrote: | | Does the Cannon have the ablilty (BT, WiFI etc) to do an assited start? |
Sorry, no idea, but the fact it offers trip log function must mean it can work in a semi-autonomous mode with the camera off.
Darren Griffin |
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| Posted by M8TJT on Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:47 am |
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| Darren Wrote: | | but the fact it offers trip log function must mean it can work in a semi-autonomous mode with the camera off. |
Surely, if this is so, it must at least switch on the GPS occasionally to get a fix for the trip log, so would have a good idea of where it is most of the time????
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| Posted by Darren on Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:55 am |
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| M8TJT Wrote: | | Surely, if this is so, it must at least switch on the GPS occasionally to get a fix for the trip log, so would have a good idea of where it is most of the time???? |
That is what I meant. The camera mentioned in this thread has a trip log mode, so either this is a separate option OR it is already set-up to grab a positional fix every few minutes which would presumably speed up or acquisition or remove the issue altogether?
Early GPS equipped cams struggled with battery life but this seems to be a non-issue now as the Fuji I covered a few weeks back also had a triplog function so presumably the GPS is operating either continually or at regular intervals.
Darren Griffin |
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| Posted by Darren on Sat Feb 12, 2011 12:12 pm |
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The I-gotu is a lovely logger, we reviewed one recently. But you have to consider the wider market, and for many, a separate dongle would not be the preferred solution.
I'm a Micro 4/3rds user and I'm using an Eye-Fi Pro card which uses WiFi location tech. In most areas it's accurate enough for me but for trips into the country I use a Columbus V-900 datalogger in much the same way as you.
But the more GPS enabled cameras the better IMO.
Darren Griffin |
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| Posted by Guivre46 on Sat Feb 12, 2011 12:54 pm |
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Perfect for those wine-tasting holidays, so you can remember where you've been 
Mike R [aka Wyvern46]
Go 530T - unsupported
Go550 Live [not renewed]
Kia In-dash Tomtom |
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