Powershot

PowerShot is a brand name used by Canon Inc. for a long-running line of digital cameras. Introduced in the late 1990s, the PowerShot line has included a broad range of compact point-and-shoot cameras as well as bridge-type models with integrated lenses and longer optical zooms. The lineup has served as Canon’s primary consumer-level imaging platform, emphasizing ease of use, compact form factors, and automatic shooting modes, while also offering models that provide manual controls and higher image quality for enthusiasts.

Canon organized PowerShot cameras into several sub-series. The A-series targeted entry-level users with simple operation; the S-series offered more advanced compact designs; the G-series provided premium compact cameras with larger sensors and higher performance; and the SX-series focused on long-zoom, travel-oriented models. In many markets the ELPH or IXUS branding was used for slim pocket cameras. Over time, newer PowerShot models added features such as higher-resolution sensors, faster autofocus, improved image stabilization, and HD video capture.

Canon’s PowerShot line has coexisted with the company’s interchangeable-lens and mirrorless systems, and its popularity has changed as smartphones have advanced. The line remains a reference for consumer compact imaging and for photographers seeking a compact alternative to interchangeable-lens cameras, even as some sub-series have been retired or scaled back.