Canon has added two digital cameras to its PowerShot compact series: the 7.1-megapixel PowerShot SD500 Digital Elph and the 5-megapixel PowerShot SD400 Digital Elph.

The PowerShot SD500 model departs from the linear style that has characterized the Elphs. The new curved body is designed to reduce unevenness and fit the hand more comfortably. The SD500 also has a larger 1/1.8-inch type CCD image sensor, a retractable 3x optical/4x digital zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent focal length of up to 37-111mm, and shutter speeds ranging from 15 seconds to 1/2,000 second. The more powerful built-in flash has six modes (auto, auto with red-eye reduction, flash on, flash on with red-eye reduction, flash off and slow synchro).

The SD400 model also has a 35-105mm lens (35mm equivalent) on its 3x optical/4x digital UA zoom lens, which is slightly shorter in focal length than the SD500, and it has a top shutter speed of up to 1/1,500 second. Both models also feature a wide variety of shooting modes: auto, manual, digital macro, my colors, stitch assist, special scene and movie. The SD500 also includes individual settings for foliage, snow, beach and fireworks.

Both cameras have a range of movie features, including built-in microphones and speakers, and the ability to use the digital zoom while shooting movies in high-resolution 640 x 480 30 fps VGA mode. A new night display function automatically brightens subjects for dusk, night or other low-light situations. The cameras also support all current PictBridge functions, including single-image prints, several selected images per print, print cropping, quantity selection and date imprinting.

The SD400 and SD500 have estimated prices of $399 and $499, respectively.