We did this only last week but no, we’re not pushing Canon or playing favourites; it’s just that Canon is making both, cameras and waves.  All we wanna do is report the camera-making and the wave-making.

Looks like Canon has fallen victim to ‘The Instagram Effect’ for its new PowerShot N is . . . square-shaped!

Instagram influence is also evident in the positioning of the camera: Canon’s press release says you can add “a creative edge” using “Canon’s creative modes, including Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Toy Camera Effect and Monochrome.”  These ‘easy play’ and ‘play easy’ effects again smack of Instagram.  

The Powershot N’s main claim to fame is that it allows near-instant sharing of photos on social networks.  That’s because this WiFi camera can be coupled to tablets and mobile-phones.

Though the specs – such as the optical zoom range – are respectable, this gimmicky camera is one with Canon not only is making waves; it hopes to catch a wave.  

Somewhat less gimmicky are three PowerShot A’s and an IXUS that Canon has announced for February launch.  

The PowerShot A1400, A2600, and A3500 are progressively more expensive, each with some extra features, with the IXUS 140 topping out in price and features.  Note that “price and features” is advisedly written for the difference in specifications is minimal, if any.  For instance, there is no difference in pixel-count; all four are 16 MP cameras and they have the same sensor, and the same goes for other key specs like ISO range.

The minimal differences include LCD size, focussing modes, battery type and WiFi in which one or another camera varies from the other three.  Is this differentiation smart or is it just overdoing it on the price points and does it muddy the waters and confuse customers?  Thus far the market’s response has been to say ‘Smart!’ to whatever Canon does.  

Let’s see what 2013 brings for Canon, what with the ‘new wave’ that is the PowerShot N.