PowerShot is a line of consumer and
prosumer
A prosumer is an individual who both consumes and produces. The term is a portmanteau of the words '' producer'' and ''consumer''. Research has identified six types of prosumers: DIY prosumers, self-service prosumers, customizing prosumers, co ...
grade
digital camera
A digital camera, also called a digicam, is a camera that captures photographs in Digital data storage, digital memory. Most cameras produced today are digital, largely replacing those that capture images on photographic film or film stock. Dig ...
s, launched by
Canon in 1996.
[ ()] In 1996 the first model was introduced to the market, the PowerShot 600, which came shortly after Canon released and subsequently discounted its SV series in 1992 and switched to digital cameras. The PowerShot line has been successful for Canon, and is one of the best-selling digital camera lines worldwide. The PowerShot's success comes from its marketing to the general public as a compact and easy to use digital camera.
Free software
Free software, libre software, libreware sometimes known as freedom-respecting software is computer software distributed open-source license, under terms that allow users to run the software for any purpose as well as to study, change, distribut ...
from the
Canon Hack Development Kit (CHDK) project allows nearly complete programmatic control of PowerShot cameras, enabling users to add features, up to and including
BASIC
Basic or BASIC may refer to:
Science and technology
* BASIC, a computer programming language
* Basic (chemistry), having the properties of a base
* Basic access authentication, in HTTP
Entertainment
* Basic (film), ''Basic'' (film), a 2003 film
...
and
Lua scripting.
In 2005, certain models of PowerShot A-series and S-series cameras were affected by third-party CCD sensors with a design flaw, which caused them to fail and display severely distorted images. Canon offered to repair affected cameras free of charge.
Products

;Current
*
D series: outdoor cameras with waterproof, freeze-resistant, and shock-resistant bodies
*E series: design-oriented budget cameras
*
G series: flagship cameras with advanced features
*
S/SD series (also known as'' PowerShot Digital ELPH, Digital IXUS, and IXY Digital''): "Performance and Style" ultra-compact point-and-shoot cameras
*
S/SX series:
ultra-zoom cameras
*V series: vlogging cameras
("IS" and "HS" are not a series; they are suffixes that denote "image stabilization" and "high sensitivity" respectively.)
;Discontinued
*PowerShot 600 (1996)
*
S series: originally a series of compact point-and-shoot cameras, currently a series of prosumer cameras slotting beneath the G series
*
A series: "Easy and Fun" budget cameras ranging from point-and-shoot to prosumer cameras
*Pro series: semi-professional-level cameras slotting right beneath Canon's
dSLRs, consisting of the Pro70 (1998), Pro90 IS (2001), and
Pro1 (2004)
*
TX series: hybrid camera–
camcorders
See also
*
List of Canon products
References
External links
Products introduced in 1996
{{Camera-stub