Canon's announcement comes on the heels of the EOS 600D digital SLR and three new professional telephoto lenses. The new Speedlite - the 320EX and 270EX II - will be released next month.

The 270EX II, which will replace its predecessor, is a high-power flash with a guide number of 27, says Canon. "Flash settings can be manually controlled through the camera menu system, and photographers can experiment with the manual bounce flash head for different effects, as well as the zoom head to ensure efficient light distribution across the scene."

The Speedlite 270EX II also has additional slave capability, allowing for creative, off-camera use," according to Canon. "A new Remote Release function also wirelessly triggers the shutter release on a compatible EOS DSLR, allowing users to set up lighting without having to make repeat trips to the camera.

The Speedlite 320EX is the "ideal flash unit for professionals looking for a secondary flash," claims Canon. "It offers a guide number of 32 (m/ISO100), as well as the ability to change the flash coverage from 24mm to 50mm by manually extending or retracting the flash head."

Canon has also added a Video Light function, a first for the firm, offering continuous lighting capabilities for photographers shooting high-definition video with their EOS DSLRs.

The Speedlite 320EX will be available from late March 2011, priced at £250/€299.
The Speedlite 270EX II will retail at £180/€219.

Visit www.canon.co.uk.