The Canon PowerShot Digital Camera series offers 23 different cameras with features ranging from professional SLR quality to one of the easiest to use point-and-shoot cameras available. The PowerShot digital camera series last year helped push Canon into second place, behind Kodak and ahead of Sony, in the US digital camera market. (It is estimated that over 90 million digital cameras were sold worldwide in 2005.)

Canon cameras were first introduced in Japan in 1936. The name reportedly means "standard for judgment," a goal the company constantly strives to achieve. In 2004, the Canon PowerShot digital camera series was named "America's Choice" by sources within the industry.

Why a PowerShot?

The PowerShot digital camera line starts with the "flagship" model, PowerShot Pro 1, and continues through to the very affordable PowerShot A410. In between, are digital cameras designed to fit the needs of all photographers - both professional and amateur. Canon PowerShot digital cameras are used in a wide array of applications, everywhere from forensic labs to baby showers. PowerShot users include famous news photographers and six year old, first timers.

Of Canon's many available PowerShot models, these five best describe the versatility of the line:

* PowerShot Pro 1: This Canon PowerShot digital camera is the leader in its class with 8 megapixel images, a standard 7x zoom lens and dozens of other professional level capabilities.

* PowerShot S70: High performance, ease of use, lightweight, built-in wide angle lens. One of the most popular in the line of Canon's PowerShot digital cameras.

* PowerShot SD500: 7.1 megapixel digital ELPH with 3x optical zoom; "My Colors" feature; curved, metallic body.

* PowerShot SD30: Comes in four different body colors to assure a "fashion statement. With 5.0 megapixels and a 2.4 optical zoom, the PowerShot SD30 delivers high quality photos.

* PowerShot A410: Affordable, compact, 14 shooting modes using 3.2 megapixels and a 3.2 optical lens.