Short Report: Canon PowerShot Pro1

Canon went all out in the design of its new 8-megapixel PowerShot Pro1. The camera has an L-type lens—the company’s pro designation. Canon has exceptionally high standards of optical quality for its L series and some very good lenses don’t get the name.      

This compact camera body has all the features and more you’d expect on a digital SLR. Yet with the PowerShot Pro1, you get a camera and 28-200mm lens (35mm equivalent) for far less than the same capabilities in a digital SLR and in a much smaller package.

The PowerShot Pro1 continues the basic form of the respected G series of digital cameras, including the outstanding flip-out, swiveling LCD panel (which also has an improved display). You access controls quickly through direct buttons and dials, so there’s little use of menus. The PowerShot Pro1 adds an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which gives it SLR-like viewing. It can take some getting used to—the PowerShot Pro1’s EVF is quite good for this type of viewfinder.