Besides updating its EOS DSLR cameras, Canon has also updated its PowerShot lineup, but this time the handy cam family is not getting some crappy CCD, but beefy 12.1-Megapixel CMOS sensors for all the new cameras. These are the same 12.1-Megapixel HS (high Sensitivity) sensors introduced in the S90 and G11 a year ago, and now come with the still-complicated “ELPH HS” tag.

The PowerShot ELPH 500 HS features a 3.2-inch touch panel screen, 4.4x optical zoom, ultra-wide angle 24mm lens with optical image stabilization, and color options including siiver, brown, and pink. The ultra-slim ELPH 300 HS has a 2.7-inch LCD, image stabilization, 4x zoom and a 24mm wide angle lens.

On the lower end of the spectrum, the 100 HS comes in five colors, has a 4x optical zoom, a 3-inch LCD, and a 4x optical zoom — otherwise, it shares many features of its bigger 300 HS brother. Meanwhile, the (non-ELPH) SX230 HS has a 14x zoom, GPS, and a 3-inch LCD.

All the new PowerShot handy cams are due in March (the 100 HS in the beginning of March, the rest by the end), with the 100 / 300 / 500 HS going for $199.99, $249.99, and $299.99, respectively, and the SX-230 for $349.99.