Stars of the Spring Collection
Stars of the Spring Collection are probably the EOS 30D digital single-lens reflex camera – a March-arriving replacement for the EOS 20D – and a pro portrait lens, the EF 85 mm f/1.2 L II USM. This takes over from the EF 85mm f/1.2 L USM in April and is said to offer, "vastly improved auto focus speed, extremely fine control over depth of field and consummate low light performance". Also new - but not scheduled until June - is low-light pro wideangle zoom lens, the EF-S17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. This offers a constant f2.8 aperture across its zoom range and has a built-in three-stop image stabiliser. Used with cameras featuring an APS-C-size sensor, it's said to give an effective focal length of around 27-88mm.
EOS 30D with 85mm/f1.2 lensRecommend prices (VAT-inclusive) are £1,100 for the 30D body (£1,180 with an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 non-USM lens), £1,630 for the f1.2 lens; and £870 for the f2.8 zoom lens.
At the other end of the price scale, Canon is consolidating its claimed market leadership in compact digital stills cameras with the introduction of eight models, starting with the PowerShot A430 going out for £140.
PowerShot A430It's also adding the same number of camcorders. Among these are two that are especially keenly priced - a MiniDV model (MV890) that could retail for as little as £250 and a DVD-cam (DC100) with a likely price-tag of less than £400.
DC100