Even if Panasonic and Canon were within range of the earthquake, the effect has varied. The Panasonic factories further north in Japan (in Fukushima and Miyagi) saw some damages, but it wasn’t yet certain if these would be enough to stop production. Canon is confident that it could keep producing cameras, as well as other products at its factories. Nikon hadn’t yet issued any statement, but one of its major factories could be affected. Nikon has a camera plant in Sendai, 111 miles west from the epicenter.

However, car manufacturers have been some of the hardest hit – Nissan, Honda, Toyota and Subaru’s parent Fuji Heavy Industries had to shut down four, two, three and five plants respectively.

Stopped production, as well as any long-term production problems may have a wave effect. Multiple computer and mobile device makers, including Dell, Apple and others, often source storage and digital imaging parts out of Japan.

The flagship of the series is the SX230 HS which brings improved photography to a 14×, 28-392mm equivalent long-zoom camera. It has GPS for on-the-spot geotagging and also, as a new feature for a Canon camera, a logger used to keep track of the position during a whole day of shoots. The body of the device sports an already familiar three-inch LCD as well as a pop-up flash. It can now capture 1,080-pixel video and uses dynamic image stabilization. The camera also has a Movie Digest mode which can put together a great deal of photos into a single video.

The other models in the series are at the same time upgrades of more traditional compact Canon cameras and a simplification of the quite complicated naming schemes the company uses sometimes. Thus, the 500 HS is close to the SD4500 IS and is centered around a very bright and fast f2, 4.4× zoom lens (24-105.6mm). The interface focuses almost exclusively on the 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen. The same 1,080-pixel video and the mother modes of the SX230 are present too.

The 300 HS is the thinnest camera of the kind and focuses on its profile first of all, with an f2.7, 5× lens (24-120mm) and measuring only 0.77 inches deep. The camera has the traditional 2.7-inch LCD and hardware buttons, while other features are similar to its higher-end relatives.

The 100 HS is at the base of the series but still keeps the sensor technology of the other cameras while using a modest f2.8, 4× lens (28-112mm) in order to keep its price down.

The first to ship are the 300 HS and 100 HS, in mid-March, at prices of $250 and $200. The SX230 HS and 500 HS will be ready at the end of the same month, with prices of $350 and $300.

The Rebel T3 is available in standard configuration, with the same lens as the T3i and DIGIC 4 image processor. It offers an excellent 12.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor instead, good enough to allow 720-pixel video recording. The fixed view screen has 2.7 inches. A useful in-camera feature guide for newcomers is also present and allows getting the most of the new purchase.

Both devices come with the 63-zone, dual metering system of Canon. It is meant for accurate metering between exposures. The cameras are compatible with SDHC/SD/SDXC memory cards.

The EOS Rebel T3 is expected to ship in March, towards the end of the month, and will cost $600 with lens. The other Canon camera, the EOS Rebel T3i, will also ship in March and will cost $800 body only or $900 if bundled with a lens.

The most important rumors related to the EOS 60D have suggested it would be not only a major upgrade to the two-year old 50D, but also to the whole Canon line. The device would have an 18-megapixel sensor, 1,080-pixel video recording similar to the EOS 7D and a DIGIC IV processor. It would also have support for wireless flash synchronization and, most of all, would be the first DSLR in Canon’s recent history sporting an articulating screen as well as a mysterious feature never seen before.

The camera would have a nine-point AF as well as five crosstype sensors. When continuously shooting, the ESO 60D would be slightly slower, with only six frames per second. Its viewfinder would have 98 percent coverage. It would also keep the 50D’s weather sealing against dust and rain.

The next generation of Nikon’s Coolpix cameras is expected to come out in the first half of August. Therefore, the new camera could be out this year. The new generation of cameras could also include a direct, much rumored competitor for Canon’s G11, which will most likely benefit from DSLR technology, even if remaining only a point-and-shoot camera.

Both cameras carry an 18× lens (29-527mm film equivalent) and have a new system for optical image stabilization that is designed for very long range shots, in addition to up close. Pro features include HD-SDI output, timecode input and output, gunlock and dual XLR inputs, as well as the usual stereo microphone jack. A 4-inch preview display is also included.

Canon did not specify what differences exist between the two cameras, the XF300 and XF305. Both devices will be available in June and the prices will be $6,799 for the XF300 and $7,999 for the XF305.

The PMA is famous for being the largest American photography trade show. Last fall, when Canon announced that it won’t be present, the show has been mentioned for the company’s absence. Canon’s decision has had serious effects in the industry, as several other important companies have decided to unveil their major products out-of-show.

According to PMAI, Pentax will be present at the show, but only with a technology suite, not the usual booth on the floor.

Some voices claim that Canon will also launch an IS variant of the well-known EF 24mm – 70mm f/2.8 lens. A niche-market lens or an EF-mount offering are also possible.

Other sources say that the company may be preparing an EOS 60D. Despite these rumors, the source of the latest information (about the Mark IV edition) is convinced that the 60D and the advanced 1Ds Mark IV will not be released at the same time.

The SX210 IS is addressed to advanced users and features an extremely long-range 14x (the equivalent of 28-392mm) lens, as well as a 14-megapixel sensor. It also has a pop-up flash and is able to record 720-pixel video. The camera is also supporting the newer SDXC card format. The SX210 IS comes in an unusual set of colours, including bright black, purple and gold. Shipping date is scheduled for late March and the price will be $350.

An opposite approach is taken for the SD3500 IS which focuses on ease of use instead of addressing professional photographers. The camera has a 3.5-inch touchscreen and fewer discrete buttons than previous touchscreens efforts Canon has made. It features a more modest lens (5x, equivalent of 24-120mm), but shares the same 14-megapixel sensor and 720-pixel video of the SX210 IS. Shipping is scheduled for the end of this month and the price is set at $330.

Other models in the series are more conventional compact designs and are addressed to the mid-to-entry range. The SD1400 IS is now Canon’s new mainstream camera and sports the same 14-megapixel sensor and 720-pixel video recording, as well as a shorter-ranged 4x (equivalent to 28-112mm) lens. The SD1400 IS is designed mainly for fashion and has a unique single-colour design extending to the lens barrel. There also is a budget alternative, the SD1300 IS, which drops to a 12-megapixel sensor and sheds the video recording at 720 pixels. Both of them are due at the end of this month. The SD1400IS will cost $250, while the SD1300 IS will have a price of $200.

An external microphone input for stereo audio was added, as well as an HDMI output now supporting HDMI-CEC. When joined to a compatible TV set, a TV remote can be used to steer the camera’s playback. There was also an upgrade of the storage, the camera now supporting SXC cards which carry 64GB of memory. An extension of the storage is possible to 2TB in the future.

When shooting still photos, the new sensor has the same ISO 12,800 maximum sensitivity as the Canon T1i, but its regular shooting range is widened between ISO 100 and 6,400. Canon claims to use the same sensor technology as the 7D and guarantees there is no extra noise despite the higher resolution. There is also better continuous shooting which peaks at 3.7 frames per second. Exposure compensation is now +/- 5EV and metering points are now 63 instead of 35 points. The T2i has a new 3-inch LCD and Canon promises just over a megapixel and a wide aspect ratio allowing video display without needing to crop the shot.

The company plans to ship the T2i camera quickly enough, in March. A body-only model will be available at a price of $800, while a Canon’s standard model with an 18-55 f3.5-5.6 kit lens will be sold for $900.