Terminology

DIGIC (DIGital Imaging Core) is at the heart of the camera, controlling many functions and processes. The DIGIC processor is a dedicated imaging processor, developed and manufactured by Canon for Canon exclusively.

The DIGIC processor works at incredibly high speeds and processes images at 12-bits, allowing for much better colour rendition. A fast processor such as DIGIC allows for many complex algorithms to be executed in less time, maximising the image quality while maintaining camera performance. Furthermore, since the processor works so fast, there is an additional benefit of a slight improvement to battery life and reduced overall power consumption. The peak power drain is high, but the time the peak power is required is very short (due to very fast processing times), so in comparison to standard image processors that may have a slightly lower peak power requirement over a long time, the overall power consumption is less.

Fast processing also means it's possible to take more shots at a faster rate (i.e., in continuous shooting mode) and to take longer movie clips. This is because the processor is able to process the large raw image data from the CCD into smaller JPEG files very quickly. As a result it doesn't fill up the camera's internal buffer as fast before or during writing to the memory card.

In summary, the main advantages of DIGIC are:

• improved picture quality
• improved processing speeds
• improved AF accuracy
• better battery life

iSAPS (intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space ) assists image rendition for the creation of a natural-looking scene or colours as seen by the photographer. Since "real world" colours occupy a huge colour space, it is necessary to map these colours to a smaller standard digital colour space for recording purposes. The way these colours are rendered is critical to the creation of a natural and pleasing scene.

Therefore, it is important to use:

• an appropriate exposure for the scene
• accurate AWB (Auto White Balance) algorithms to compensate for whatever lighting conditions are used, regardless of the colour temperature of the light source
• memory colours to produce a more pleasing scene
• natural tone reproduction
• accurate focusing

To assist, Canon has developed a vast statistical database of different types of images and shot settings. This database has then been transformed into what is known as a "PhotoSpace" diagram representing the frequency at which images were taken at different focal lengths and what the overall luminescence of the image was. This data then provides a graphical representation of what type of shots tend to use a particular focal length and luminescence.

Basic shooting information, such as focal length and luminescence can then be used together with other camera settings to estimate such things as the focusing position, AWB and exposure. This is all done before the shutter button is pressed; basing its calculations on the PhotoSpace data, camera settings and what type of scene is predicted. The camera then adjusts the exposure and processing algorithms to best suite the scene when the scene is fully metered.

This new technology enables the camera to be very responsive with faster, more accurate auto-focusing and more accurate and pleasing exposures.

The Intelligent Orientation Sensor is a tiny sensor, incorporated into the camera, that detects the orientation of the camera (portrait or landscape). A small camera icon shown in the shooting window indicates the orientation of the camera.

The benefits are:
 

• more accurate AE and AWB in the vertical position since the camera can allow for a brighter sky at the top of an image
• images are automatically shown in the correct orientation when viewed on the LCD or TV screen
• when downloading the images to ZoomBrowser EX, the orientation is also automatically detected and shows accordingly
• when using the direct print function and date option together, the date will be placed in the correct location, at the bottom right-hand corner of the image