New Powershot SX160 and SX500 announced.

SX160 16 MP, Digic 4, 5-80 mm f/3.5-5.9 (28-448 mm equiv.), 1/2.3" CCD sensor, 2xAA cells. ISO capped at 800.

SX500 16 MP, Digic 4, 4.3-129 mm f/3.4-5.8 lens (24-720 mm equiv.), 1/2.3" CCD sensor, NB-6L battery. ISO capped at 1600.

The SX160 is an expected update of the simple line of the SX150.
Until not long ago, the SX150 was an inexpensive option for a relatively large zoom in relatively small camera. Not 'pocketable' small, but small enough.
The SX160 does gain a x16 zoom range, but at $229, one could rightfully prefer
the x16 zoom of the Panasonic ZS15 for $199 or even the x20 zoom
(+24mm +1080p +GPS +touch) of the ZS20 for an addition of around $20.

The SX500, however, is a very interesting hybrid between compact-zooms and super-zooms.
A bit like the Olympus' SZ line, this could be a highly successful niche for Canon to step into.

-eyalg

Really curious about the SX500 IS. Anyone tried it yet?