Canon recently announced PowerShot ZOOM, a pocket-sized digital monocular camera designed for those who want to zoom into and capture precious moments from afar quickly and conveniently. This PowerShot ZOOM is going to be a handy and useful pocket camera for photographers to complement their current photography setup.
The PowerShot ZOOM is light and compact, weighing only 145g and it’s about the size of the smaller power banks, thus making it very convenient for users to keep it in their pocket or bag and bring it along for outdoor activities. Since it’s lightweight and compact, users can operate the PowerShot ZOOM with just one hand.
The PowerShot ZOOM has three modes of magnification, this would let users zoom into the moment quickly without missing out on the action. Whether you are enjoying the flora and fauna in nature parks, admiring the sceneries from high elements such as Mount Faber and Marina Bay Sands, or even simply capturing children playing at the playground from afar.
Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore said: “As a pocket-sized digital monocular camera, the PowerShot ZOOM is a handy companion for users who are on the go and want to quickly zoom into, shoot and even record precious and fleeting moments in life for instances that mobile devices may not adequately do the job.
With just three buttons for the main navigation, it is simple to use so that it can be enjoyed by anyone in the family, whether it’s the kids who want to zoom in on the Blue-Eared Kingfisher that can be spotted at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, or parents who want to capture their children scoring that winning goal at a football match.”
Simple, Fun and Easy to Use
Zooming, shooting and recording on the PowerShot ZOOM is straightforward and fast, letting users quickly capture fleeting moments such as children scoring a point at the basketball court and birds resting on branches at nature parks. Pressing the zoom button located at the top of the device lets users zoom into three modes (100m, 400m and 800m magnification) instantly. To take a photo or record a video, users can simply press the photo or record button at the bottom of the device.
The PowerShot ZOOM also sports a telescopic design and comes with autofocus and image stabilisation, which provides a comfortable viewing experience during prolonged use. The features also let users easily capture clearer shots of players running across the football field or a flock of birds flying across the treetops.
Designed to be used on the go, the PowerShot ZOOM can be charged via the supplied Type-C to Type-C interface cable with a compatible charger or power bank (sold separately). A full battery charge provides approximately 60 minutes of movie record time, 150 still shots and a live viewing time of 70 minutes. The PowerShot ZOOM uses a microSD card as storage media.
Seamless Connectivity with Smartphones for Sharing on the Go
For easy sharing on various social media platforms, images recorded on the PowerShot ZOOM can be transferred to a smartphone via Canon’s Camera Connect app wirelessly or via wired USB. With the Camera Connect app, users can perform remote shooting and share the images being viewed in real time, on a smartphone with family and friends.
When the PowerShot ZOOM is connected to a smartphone via a wired USB cable, it is recognized as a USB mass storage device, and images can be imported into the smartphone.
Thoughts and Views
I had a short hands on with the PowerShot ZOOM when I went on a photo walk with Ryan Cheng, a fellow photographer who had the Canon PowerShot ZOOM for a review. His photos that he shot from this digital monocular camera is published inside my article.
I had the opportunity to try out the PowerShot ZOOM . It’s simple to use, it’s also really handy and useful especially for wildlife photographers. This PowerShot ZOOM is a mix of a monocular camera and scope/binoculars. Not only can you take photos, you would be able to “mark out” the location before you switch to your camera and lens setup to photograph the wildlife.
I reckon this would be an excellent complement to a setup such as Canon EOS R5 or Canon EOS R6 with RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens, the new favourite Canon mirrorless lens and telephoto zoom lens combination for wildlife photography.
Canon PowerShot Zoom Technical Specifications
| Camera Model | PowerShot ZOOM |
| Image Processor | DIGIC 8 |
| Image Sensor Camera Effective Pixels | Effective sensor size: 1/3-inch CMOS
Camera effective pixels: Max approx. 12.1 megapixels |
| Metering System | 384 zone (24 × 16) metering using image sensor |
| Autofocus Method | Face+Tracking, 1-point AF*
*Fixed at the centre of the screen for 1-pint AF |
| Focal Length (35mm Equivalent) | 100/400mm
Digital zoom: x2 (800mm equivalent) * Switchable: 100mm → 400mm → 800mm |
| Image Stabilizer (IS) System | Optical 4-axis IS |
| Effective ISO | Stills: 100 – 3200 set automatically
Movie shooting: 100 – 3200 set automatically |
| Continuous Shooting | Max. approx. 10 shots/sec (AF fixed) |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000 sec. |
| Viewfinder | 0.39-inch OLED, 2.36million dots
59.94fps refresh rate |
| Movie | 1,920 x 1,080
29.97/23.98 fps (NTSC), 25.00 fps (PAL) |
| Recording Media | microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC
*UHS-I cards compatible |
| Power Supply | Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery |
| USB charging / Optional Power | Can be charged/powered with USB Type-C
* With 18W (9V / 2A) or higher compatible devices |
| Size | Approx. 33.4mm x 50.8mm x 103.2mm |
| Weight | Approx. 145 g (incl. battery and media) |
| Viewing Time | Approx. 70 minutes |
| Number of possible shots | Approx. 150 shoots |
| Movie Shooting Time | Approx. 60 minutes (time per recording: 9 minutes 59 seconds) |
| Network | Wi-Fi /Bluetooth Low Energy Technology |
Pricing and Availability
The Canon PowerShot ZOOM will be available at authorised dealers in April 2021 at a retail price of $459.
* Information and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and GLOO PR *