More significant to me than any other feature mentioned in the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS GPS press release, is the fact that the SX230 can be used as a trail logger in addition to geotagging photos.
In no other press release for the new GPS cameras coming out this year from other manufacturers have I seen trail logging mentioned. One must presume that the feature is not being included on those cameras, though it might be something that’s added in a firmware update later.
Congratulations are in order for Canon figuring out that it’s not so hard to turn a GPS camera into a GPS datalogger since they already have a GPS unit built in. However, I think a rugged camera such as the upcoming Lumix DSC-TS3 or Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS would be better suited for use in GPS trail logging. You could attach those cameras to your gear and let them get knocked around with less concern. But I’m still pleased to see the trail logging feature being offered and promoted with Canon’s first GPS camera. Let’s hope including this feature is the start of an accelerating trend as GPS cameras become more common. It’s such a shame to leave that feature out of a device that has the technological capacity to offer it.
I’m not sure what kinds of fabric or materials will seriously inhibit reception of the relatively continuous GPS signals needed to record trail log data with the SX230. Through my whitewater kayak skirt and a kayak’s dense plastic body, I was able to get a signal at times as I wrote about here with the Holux M-241 GPS logger. You can often get weak signals and usable performance with that device when it’s shielded from the sky. In general though, with the M-241, material and obstacles of any kind that block line of sight to GPS satellites do inhibit performance.
The same issues with obstacles and material degrading GPS signal strength will plague all GPS cameras during geotagging and trail logging. Casio has a unique workaround with their Hybrid-GPS system on the new Exilim EX-H20G. I wonder if one day soon little wired antennas that could be optionally attached will be provided with some GPS cameras. You could snake the antenna up and out of a bag or backpack to continue accumulating data as you move around. This would also help keep the camera aware of its location for instant ready shooting when you powered up for stills.
Canon SX230 HS GPS Features
- GPS of course
- Trail Logging
- 12.1 megapixels maximum resolution
- 28mm Lens, 14x zoom with optical image stabilization
- 1080p / 24 frames per second HD video with slow motion features at lower resolution.
- 8.1 frames per second stills at 3 megapixel resolution
(maximum shots per sequence unknown) - Optional: A waterproof case is being made for the SX230 GPS and its companion model the SX220 (without GPS).
A dedicated waterproof camera would be my preference because of the bulk, expense, and somewhat clumsy interface waterproof cases add, but it’s nice that Canon is offering the option.
Here is a link to Canon’s waterproof info page.
The PowerShot SX230 HS GPS is available in black, red and blue, though what Canon calls red appears more like a pink or fuchsia in the prerelease images.
With so many GPS cameras coming to market, it’s about time for a complete list of all the GPS cameras currently available combined with those scheduled for imminent release. That will be the content of an upcoming post here at Learning to Geotag.
Images: Top – top of Canon’s PowerShot SX230 HS GPS with its GPS hump evident. Middle – front of SX230 with flash extended. Bottom – SX230 body color options.
Whoops! You wrote “Casio” instead of Canon right before you list the camera’s features.
Just letting you know!
Thank you Leslie! Corrected.
It was nice to find a real and helpful comment here, instead of all the automated spam I normally waste time sorting through.