Canon Unveil GPS Equipped PowerShot SX230 HS

[Darren]

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.

Pricing has yet to be announced but both the SX230 and the SX220 (the non-GPS variant) will be available mid-March 2011.


_________________
Darren Griffin

[MaFt]

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

[PaulB2005]

From another website

[worried]

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

[Darren]

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

[robertn]

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?

[Darren]

[M8TJT]

[Darren]

[worried]

Re my Canon A650, the reason I like it is the swivelling view finder, easy to take overhead picture, And I would not say the Itrip logger is big, it sits happily on the camera lead, will log for at least 72 hours on the rechargeable battery, and happilly hold at least a weeks trip, it and the camera download to my laptop via mini USB, and it recharges as well
The Logger and picture will Synch automatically and write the location to the picture Exif




output screen on Itrip

[Darren]

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

[Guivre46]

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

[DeLorean]

A little while back I did buy a Panasonic Lumix with GPS, but the image quality was appalling and the battery life was so poor I took it back.

Does the Canon also have a digital compass, so it also tags the images with the direction the camera was pointing?

I currently use my Sony Ericsson K800i with a HGE-100 GPS Enabler attached.
The drain on the battery is tiny and with my additional 2GB memory card it can log for ridiculous lengths of time.

I use TrekBuddy as a data logger and it logs my GPS location every second.
You can also view your track and use it for off road navigation with offline maps.
Great when you get lost!

When I get back I use GPicSync to tag my photos.

It’s so simple

The advantage of a data logger is you can use pretty much any camera
_________________
🔸🔸 Currently using TomTom GO 940 & Locus Map 🔸🔸

[mike19444]

there are too many.
means each cell in the array gets less light.
so it'll work in sunlight, but be flakey on dull days or anywhere indoors.

powershot is a nice little camera (I have one) but don't be fooled by Canon's megapix claims -- or those of any manufacturer. Less is better.

No point knowing where a crap pic was taken.

Mike

[DeLorean]

We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?.
Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!