After some guessing and speculations, Canon has now officially launched Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM lens. According to the test shots and videos, it makes really great images, and it’s quite versatile. Along with the macro, they have also released a new compact camera, Canon PowerShot SX730 HS. It’s the follow-up to the SX720, and another light and compact travel camera. So let us tell you more about both of them.
Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM lens
This lens is designed for APS-C-format DSLRs, offering a 56mm-equivalent focal length. It has a life-size 1:1 maximum magnification and a 5.1″ minimum focusing distance. It has a built-in Macro Lite LED on the front of the lens, which provides additional illumination to close-up subjects. It has several modes, and you can configure it to illuminate only the right, the left, or both sides. It also allows you to adjust the brightness.
Lead-screw-type STM stepping motor offers fast, quiet, smooth, and accurate autofocus performance. It makes this lens great for video recording in addition to photography. Hybrid IS image stabilization minimizes the camera shake for smooth video and sharper still images.
Even though it’s a macro lens, you can step back and take portraits with it as well. We’ve found a test video from Adorama, where you can see this lens in action for taking macro photos, videos, and even portraits. From what I can see in a YouTube video, Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 makes very sharp images. Take a look for yourself:
Here are more detailed specs of the lens:
| Performance | |
| Focal Length | 35mm Comparable 35mm Focal Length: 56 mm |
| Aperture | Maximum: f/2.8 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF-S |
| Format Compatibility | APS-C |
| Angle of View | 42° 35′ |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 5.12″ (13 cm) |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:1 |
| Elements/Groups | 10/6 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7, Rounded |
| Features | |
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Physical | |
| Filter Thread | Front: 49 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 2.72 x 2.20″ (69.2 x 55.8 mm) |
| Weight | 6.70 oz (190 g) |
The price of Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 is not available yet. However, rumor has it that it will be around $450. The official price will be announced soon, and the shipping is expected to begin in late May 2017.
Canon PowerShot SX730 HS compact digital camera
As I mentioned in the intro, Canon SX730 is a follow-up to the previous model. As a matter of fact, it’s maybe a bit too similar to the previous model. It offers 20.3MP 1/2.3″ CMOS Sensor, 40x optical zoom lens, or 24-960mm (35mm equivalent). Video is full HD 1080p at 60 fps, which is not so impressive for today’s standards. The only prominent differences are that the SX730 has a 180° tilting LCD screen, and fewer exposure modes.
Even the price is similar to the previous model. You can get the Canon SX730 for $399, $50 more than its predecessor. You can choose between two colors, silver and black. It’s available for preorders now and expected to ship in June 2017. Here are the full specs:
| Imaging | |
| Pixels | Actual: 21.1 Megapixel Effective: 20.3 Megapixel |
| Sensor | 1/2.3″ CMOS |
| File Formats | Still Images: JPEG Movies: MP4, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Audio: AAC LC |
| Max Resolution | 5184 x 3888 |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 |
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Optics | |
| Lens | EFL: 4.3-172mm (35 mm equivalent: 24-960mm) Aperture: f/3.3 (W) – 6.9 (T) |
| Zoom | Optical: 40x Digital: 4x Digital: 80x |
| Focus Range | Wide: 1.97″ (5 cm) – Infinity Telephoto: 6.56′ (2 m) – Infinity Auto: 0.39″ (1 cm) – Infinity Macro: 0.39″ (1 cm) – 1.64′ (50 cm) |
| Exposure Control | |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 80-3200 |
| Shutter | 15 – 1/3200 Second |
| Exposure Metering | Center-weighted, Evaluative, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Modes: Aperture Priority, Program, Shutter Priority |
| Shooting Modes | Auto Creative Shot Face Self-Timer Fireworks Fish-Eye Effect Handheld Night Scene Hybrid Auto Live View Control Low Light Miniature Effect Monochrome Movie Portrait Poster Effect Smile Soft Focus Sports Standard Super Vivid Toy Camera Effect Wink Self-Timer |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Cloudy, Custom, Daylight, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Tungsten |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 5.9 fps at 20.3 MP Up to 4.6 fps at 20.3 MP Up to 2.3 fps at 20.3 MP |
| Self-Timer | 10 Sec, 2 Sec |
| Flash | |
| Flash Modes | Auto Flash On Off Slow Sync |
| Built-in Flash | Yes |
| Maximum Effective Flash Range | Wide: 1.64 – 13.12′ (0.5 – 4 m) Telephoto: Up To 6.56′ (2 m) |
| Memory | |
| Memory Card Type | SD SDHC SDXC |
| Recording | |
| Video Recording | Yes, NTSC |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080p: 59.94 fps, 29.97 fps 1280 x 720p: 29.97 fps 640 x 480p: 29.97 fps |
| Video | |
| Video Clip Length | Up to 29 Min 59 Sec |
| Audio Recording | Built-In Mic: With Video (Stereo) |
| Viewfinder/Display | |
| Screen | 3.0″ LCD Rear Screen Tilt (922,000 pixels) |
| Screen Coverage | 100% |
| Connectivity/System Requirements | |
| Connectivity | HDMI D (Micro), Micro-USB, USB 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes built-in |
| Environmental | |
| Operating/Storage Temperature | Operating 32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C) Humidity: 10 – 90% |
| Power | |
| Battery | 1 x NB-13L Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 3.6 VDC, 1250 mAh |
| Physical | |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 4.3 x 2.5 x 1.6″ / 110.1 x 63.8 x 39.9 mm |
| Weight | 10.58 oz / 300 g CIPA standard |
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