Digital cameras easily turned into spying devices, researchers prove

Posted on 25 March 2013. (http://www.net-security.org)

Users’ desire to share things online has influenced many markets, including the digital camera one.

Newer cameras increasingly sport built-in Wi-Fi capabilities or allow users to add SD cards to achieve them in order to be able to upload and share photos and videos as soon as they take them.

But, as proven by Daniel Mende and Pascal Turbing, security researchers with German-based IT consulting firm ERNW, these capabilities also have security flaws that can be easily exploited for turning these cameras into spying devices.

Mende and Turbing chose to compromise Canon’s EOS-1D X DSLR camera an exploit each of the four ways it can communicate with a network. Not only have they been able to hijack the information sent from the camera, but have also managed to gain complete control of it.

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Canon’s New PowerShot SX280 HS Digital Camera Offers A Super 20x Optical Zoom, Wireless Connectivity and GPS Technology

Highlighted Features Include a New DIGIC 6 Processor With Impressive Low-Light Performance, Shooting Speed of up to14 Frames-Per-Second and Enhanced Image Quality

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 21, 2013 – Combining portability with high-quality image technology, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the new PowerShot SX280 HS Digital Camera with built-in Wi-Fi® technology and an impressive 20x Optical Zoom lens. Amazingly compact, the PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera is the first Canon camera to feature Canon’s DIGIC 6 Image Processor, the most advanced processor to date, delivering incredible detail and fast continuous shooting performance.

“Canon recognizes the importance of capturing the highest quality images possible and sharing them instantly and easily,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “The PowerShot SX280 HS Digital Camera with its impressive features provides users the resources to shoot in almost any situation and the creative tools to help capture their vision.”

Share Great Images Wirelessly

The PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera’s Wi-Fi® connectivity offers users connectivity options to share their beautiful images. With the download of the free Canon CameraWindow app1 from an Android TM or IOS® store, users can connect to both iOS® or AndroidTM smartphones and tablets2 to wirelessly transfer photos and videos from their camera to their device. This camera also has the ability to connect directly to social networking sites and to Canon’s iMAGE GATEWAY3, making photos easily accessible and ready to share. In addition, the PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera has the ability to connect wirelessly to computers, select PowerShot wireless cameras, and wireless PictBridge4 compatible printers, such as the PIXMA MG6320 and MG5420 Wireless Photo All-In-One printer models.

Powerful and Versatile 20x Optical Zoom Lens

Providing users the ability to capture images with stunning quality, the PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera features a 25mm wide angle lens and impressive 20x optical zoom (up to 500mm) providing versatility in a pocket-sized camera. At wide angle, the PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera is ideal for capturing lasting memories of family and friends at get-togethers as well as stunning landscapes. The lens’ super telephoto reach allows photographers to bring subjects in close and is perfect for capturing images at sporting events, distant nature scenes and wildlife in their natural habitat.

Exceptional Images and Fast Performance

The PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera is packed with a variety of impressive imaging features that help ensure moments are preserved in stunning quality. In conjunction with the PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera’s 12.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor, the DIGIC 6 Image Processor creates the Canon HS SYSTEM. This system is responsible for the PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera’s improved low-light performance up to ISO 6400, with minimal noise and maximum detail.

In addition, the PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera features advancements in Canon’s Auto Focus (AF) system with improved AF times and reduced lag over previous SX-series models. The responsive high-speed AF helps users to capture great shots as they happen, with reduced lag time. Adding to the camera’s diverse feature-set is High-Speed Burst HQ which allows for continuous, fast-action, high-resolution shots at up to 14fps. With incredible zoom capabilities, fast and responsive AF, stunning resolution and easy-to-use features, the PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera is the perfect camera for vacationing or capturing a morning soccer game.

Further advancements attributed to DIGIC 6 Image Processor can be experienced in movie mode, which records in MP4 format. For added flexibility, the PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera allows you to shoot video in a selectable frame rate of up to 60 fps or up to 30 fps resulting in smooth and rich 1080p Full HD video. Users will also notice improved image stabilization with Dynamic IS, which detects and can compensate for tilt and parallel movement (shift blur) to help create improved video clarity.

Simplicity and Convenience

The PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera offers a variety of easy-to-use features that help take the guesswork out of capturing captivating, imaginative photos. With Smart AUTO, the camera identifies an ideal image setting by intelligently selecting from one of 58 pre-defined modes. To combat blurry images, the PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera utilizes its Intelligent IS system, which draws from six different stabilization modes to choose the best IS for the current shooting condition. The Intelligent IS system, combined with Smart AUTO creates the camera’s Hybrid AUTO mode which helps create a beautiful and steady HD video clip (up to approximately 4 seconds) in Movie Digest mode every time a user shoots a still image while the Movie Digest mode is activated.

Adding to the camera’s diverse feature set, the PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera is also equipped with a built-in GPS receiver5, and when activated, data is recorded along with each image. Users can easily access the location where their photos were taken without depending on their often vague post-vacation memory. The built-in GPS receiver not only records the exact location of the shot, but users can create a visual log of their journeys on a map using the bundled Canon software.

To further help ensure that an image is never missed, the PowerShot SX280 HS digital camera comes equipped with ECO mode to assist with battery conservation. ECO Mode manages the 3.0 inch, 461k LCD screen brightness and turns off when the camera is inactive. ECO Mode can be activated for easy power preservation when an additional battery is out of reach or the moment is too exciting to put the camera down.

Pricing and Availability

The PowerShot SX280 HS Digital Camera is expected to ship in April in two modern colors: black and red, at an estimated retail price of $329.99.

For more information about the new Canon PowerShot cameras, visit www.usa.canon.com/powershot

 

 

 

Canon U.S.A. Announces World’s Smallest And Lightest DSLR Camera

New EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera Fuses Advanced Image Quality and Features into an Ultra-Portable Body

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 21, 2013 – Continuing the quest to deliver superb product innovations, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the world’s smallest and lightest DSLR* camera: the EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera. It features a newly developed 18.0-megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and high-performance DIGIC 5 Image Processor for exceptional image quality and speed. With its combination of lightweight size, ease of use and outstanding image quality, the EOS Rebel SL1 is perfect for users looking for the ideal camera to bring sightseeing on vacation or to capture the everyday.

“The EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera represents a new era in DSLR versatility: ultra-portable, full-featured DSLR cameras,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “The EOS Rebel SL1 combines the high speed, high image quality and expanded shooting range of a DSLR camera, with the easy and fun usability of a point-and-shoot camera.”

Advanced Image Quality in a Compact Body

As the world’s smallest and lightest DSLR, the new camera body is 4.6″ (w) x 3.57″ (h) x 2.74″ (d), and weighs only 14.36 oz.** In comparison, the EOS Rebel SL1 is approximately 25 percent smaller and 28 percent lighter than the EOS Rebel T4i digital camera.

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Canon U.S.A. Introduces Three New Stylish PowerShot Digital Cameras Providing Wide-Angle and Long Telephoto Lenses in Compact Designs

New Lineup Includes the Wireless-Enabled PowerShot ELPH 330 HS Digital Camera With a Powerful 10x Optical Zoom Lens

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE) January, 28th, 2013

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the addition of three stylish, feature-packed PowerShot Digital Cameras: the PowerShot ELPH 330 HS, ELPH 115 IS and A2500. These new models are ideal for photography enthusiasts of all levels looking for great photo quality and excellent video performance in compact, powerful point-and-shoot designs.

“With the introduction of these sleek, new models to our family of PowerShot digital cameras, we are able to provide our customers with a range of imaging options including more models with wireless connectivity to upload and share their amazing creative images”

The new PowerShot ELPH 330 HS digital camera provides advanced wireless connectivity for easy sharing. Providing great performance in dimly lit situations, the ELPH 330 HS digital camera includes the Company’s HS SYSTEM that delivers clear images with minimal noise and maximum detail even when shooting in low-light. The new cameras offer great features such as Canon’s Smart AUTO, enabling even novice users to get optimal camera performance automatically, so whether photographing a running child or a solo recital on stage the cameras deliver spectacular images with ease. Smart AUTO allows the cameras to detect up to 58 scenes for the PowerShot ELPH 330 HS digital camera and up to 32 scenes for the PowerShot ELPH 115 IS digital camera and PowerShot A2500 digital camera. All three models also feature ECO Mode, an advanced new method that manages power consumption and extends battery life by approximately 30 percent, when enabled, allowing you to shoot more photos for a longer amount of time.

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