CANON U.S.A.’S NEW FEATURE-RICH POWERSHOT A-SERIES DIGITAL CAMERAS HELP USERS UNLEASH THE PHOTOGRAPHER WITHIN, WHILE ALSO APPEALING TO SAVVY SHOPPERS LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 20, 2007 – Canon U.S.A., Inc. today announced two new PowerShot A-Series digital cameras, including one with the highest resolution in the series to-date – the show-stopping 12.1-megapixel PowerShot A650 IS digital camera – and the powerful 8.0-megapixel PowerShot A720 IS digital camera. These new cameras continue the promise of the PowerShot A-Series by delivering superior image quality at a great price.
Both cameras maintain many of the features of this ultra-successful
line, with improvements to better meet the needs of users who want a
solid and smart point-and-shoot with user-friendly manual capabilities.
So, whether it’s an experienced enthusiast looking for a full
feature-set and lots of imaging benefits, or a casual, or even
first-time user looking for an easy-to-master point-and-shoot, the
Canon PowerShot A650 IS and A720 IS digital cameras will more than
satisfy. These cameras, with a comfortable shape and design that
features a grip for a natural fit and stable handling, are great for
outdoor enthusiasts needing to capture that special moment when they
reach the top of the mountain or trek through the rainforest.
“By enhancing the PowerShot A650 IS and A720 IS digital cameras with
advanced, yet user-friendly feature-sets, at a reduced price point, the
A-series will continue to stand-out from the competition,” said Yuichi
Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging
Group, Canon U.S.A.
The PowerShot A650 IS digital camera is designed for photo enthusiasts
who demand superior image quality, and are looking for a versatile
camera with exceptional creative control. The PowerShot A650 IS Digital
Camera has breathtaking 12.1-megapixel resolution and a generous 6x
optical zoom with optical image stabilization (OIS) that ensures steady
shooting every time. A variety of enhanced controls, such as 21
shooting modes including Kids & Pets, Manual, Aperture-Priority and
Shutter-Priority, among others, will also give users a lot of freedom
to make the camera adapt to their specific needs. All of this power is
easily navigated via the intuitive mode dial, easily viewed via the
2.5-inch Vari-Angle LCD and just as easily handled, via the ergonomic
grip. With these targeted features, users can spend more time actually
taking photos, rather than trying to figure out how to take them.
The PowerShot A720 IS digital camera is designed to make capturing and
preserving memories fast, fun and easy for Moms and Dads on-the-go with
their busy, growing families. The upgraded 8.0-megapixel resolution and
Canon’s Optical Image Stabilization technology ensure that images are
sharp and clear in almost every situation – even those prone to image
blur caused by camera shake. The PowerShot A720 IS camera is also
capable of recording high-quality VGA movies, making it perfect for
capturing memories in motion. The new camera has a wide array of
creative shooting modes, a simple control layout for super-easy
operability and an ergonomically correct grip to ensure a comfortable
fit.
Both of the new A-series cameras are also built for fun in the sun and
sea. Snap the PowerShot A650 IS into Waterproof Case WP-DC18 or the
PowerShot A720 IS into Waterproof Case WP-DC 16 and they become both
weatherproof and waterproof at depths up to 130 feet, making them great
accessories for the beach, water-park or a scuba trip. Both cameras are
part of Canon’s “A-Team” (powered by AA batteries), so powering up will
be quick and easy.
Setting them apart from competitive models, the PowerShot A650 IS
digital camera and the PowerShot A720 IS digital camera give consumers
interested in the ease of a point-and-shoot camera many of the
technological advancements that are the result of Canon’s 70-year
heritage as an imaging innovator.
New Canon PowerShot Digital Camera Lines’ Shared Technological Advancements
DIGIC III
The "brain" of these new PowerShot cameras is DIGIC III, the gold
standard on all new Canon digital cameras. The DIGIC III image
processor accounts for the camera's higher performance levels,
including faster start-up, faster autofocus and quicker shutter
response times that leave long-lag competitors in the dust. The DIGIC
III chip design improves image quality and offers more efficient power
consumption, resulting in extended battery life under typical shooting
conditions.
ADVANCED FACE DETECTION
With Canon’s new Genuine Face Detection technology, the camera can
detect up to nine forward-looking human faces in a scene. The Face
Detection algorithm automatically prioritizes and selects faces and not
simply the closet object (based on Canon’s Intelligent Scene
Analysis/iSAPS technology). It will then optimize the focus, exposure
and flash to ensure the best possible results. Using Canon’s Face
Detection, photographers can keep up to nine faces in focus at any one
time no matter where they are within the image. Working in concert with
Face Detection, the “Red-Eye Correction” feature helps to detect and
correct red-eye during playback mode. Images can be corrected
automatically or manually while viewing photos on the LCD screen.
Canon’s new Face Detection Technology makes for even easier
picture-taking moments, helping users ensure in-focus smiles, and
assist in the elimination of over-exposed faces.
OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZATION
The extended zoom range of these cameras makes optical image
stabilization (OIS) essential. Canon's lens shift OIS provides an
effective antidote to camera shake, particularly at longer zoom lengths
or during long exposures when even the slightest hand-held shake is
magnified to picture-blurring proportions. Superior to electronic image
stabilization systems that simply use software to mask movement, OIS
actually shifts the lens proportionately to compensate for unwanted
motion, making it easier to snap great images. The OIS found in Canon
PowerShot digital cameras is based on technology developed for Canon’s
renowned high-end professional EOS SLR cameras.
The steady effectiveness is further enhanced when paired with the new
"Auto ISO Shift" feature which, at the touch of a button, can
automatically increase the ISO speed setting as required to maintain
fast shutter speeds when shooting in low-light conditions without a
flash.
PRINTING MADE EASY
All Canon PowerShot digital cameras work seamlessly with Canon’s
compact photo printers to deliver stunning high-quality borderless
prints. Consumers simply connect their PowerShot digital camera to a
Canon compact photo printer, press the Print/Share button, and moments
later a brilliant, borderless 4” x 6” print begins to emerge; it’s that
simple. Canon’s compact photo printers are PictBridge compatible, so
they work with PictBridge enabled digital cameras to provide users with
excellent image quality and ease-of-use, especially when paired with a
Canon digital camera.
HIGH-CAPACITY MEMORY CARD CAPABILITY
As an added convenience, Canon PowerShot digital cameras also
accommodate MultiMedia MMC memory cards, as well as standard SD memory
cards and the new, high-capacity SDHC memory cards. This way, consumers
do not have to carry around multiple memory cards in order to be able
to continue to save those special moments during extended vacations or
high-photo-taking adventures. Canon PowerShot owners can travel in
sleek style.
The estimated selling prices of the PowerShot A650 IS digital camera
and the PowerShot A720 IS digital camera models are $399.99* and
$249.99*, respectively. Both models are scheduled to be available in
stores in September. The Canon PowerShot A650 IS camera kit includes
four AA batteries, 32MB SD memory card, USB interface cable, AV cable,
wrist strap and Canon’s software suite. The Canon PowerShot A720 IS
camera kit includes two AA batteries, 16MB SD memory card, USB
interface cable, AV cable, wrist strap and Canon’s software suite.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and
industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's
Most Admired Companies in America and is on the 2006 BusinessWeek list
of "Top 100 Brands.” Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), is a
top patent holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in
2006†, with global revenues of $34.9 billion. To keep apprised of the
latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed
by visiting www.usa.canon.com/pressroom.
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All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.
Specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.
*Pricing subject to change at any time. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
† IFI Patent Intelligence
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