Canon today introduced the 12-megapixel PowerShot SX50 HS ($480), the first digital camera to include a 50x optical zoom lens. This is one of several remarkable-sounding cameras announced by Canon, in a season where there have already been a number of notable new digital-imaging products.

The SX50's zoom is equivalent to a 24-to-1200mm zoom lens on a 35mm film camera. Until now, the Nikon Coolpix P510 had the longest zoom on a basic camera, 42x.

To help keep the subject in the frame, Canon added a handy feature called zoom framing assist seek. Here's how it works: It memorizes your previous zoom position, zooms out quickly to let you locate your subject, and then quickly zooms back in to the position stored in the camera's memory. The SX50 also has a 2.8-inch swiveling LCD and 58 scene modes.

Canon also announced the 20-megapixel EOS 6D, $2100 (body-only), the first Canon SLR to include both GPS and built-in wireless that can exchange images and video with other wireless devices. It's also Canon's lightest and smallest full-frame sensor SLR.

The EOS 6D has an ISO range of 100-25,600, 11 AF points, and the ability capture 4.5 frames per second, and it can shoot full-HD resolution video at 1080p (30 fps). Like most in this class, it has no built-in flash. The EOS 6D will also be available with the 24mm-105mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens for $2900.

Canon also updated two other high-end point-and-shoots:

• The 12-megapixel PowerShot G15, $500, has a 5x zoom (28mm-140mm), 3-inch LCD and can capture 1080p HD-resolution video.


• The 12-megapixel PowerShot S110, $450, includes built-in wireless and a 5x zoom (28mm-140mm 24mm-120mm).