CANON U.S.A.'S NEW EOS REBEL XSi PLACES SUPERIOR OPTICS AND PROFESSIONAL FEATURES INTO THE HANDS OF EMERGING PHOTO ENTHUSIASTS
Canon 'Beefs Up' the New Rebel With Optically Image Stabilized Lens Kit and 'Pro' Features
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 23, 2008 Canon U.S.A., Inc.'s EOS Rebel series of digital single lens reflex cameras the cameras that defined and refined what it means to be an "entry level" digital SLR have now redefined the gateway prowess and "pro-ness" of the DSLR category with the introduction of the line's new leader, the 12.2-megapixel EOS Rebel XSi camera.
Incorporating a number of high-end functions and technology found in
Canon's professional SLR models, the EOS Rebel XSi camera boasts an
improved autofocus sensor, enhanced 14-bit A/D conversion, an advanced
Live View function, and the proprietary DIGIC III image processor. When
paired with any of the more than 60 compatible Canon EF and EF-S
lenses, including optically image stabilized EF-S lenses like the
EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS now included in the EOS Rebel XSi kit or
the new EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, the EOS Rebel XSi DSLR delivers images
that will delight and inspire family and friends at an entry level
price tag.
"This new EOS Rebel XSi camera is the answer for those who have been
waiting to make the leap from digital point-and-shoot to digital SLR or
from an older SLR to the latest generation of advanced technology,
while still including the creative controls their old camera afforded
them," states Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general
manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
Luxury Feel and Function
At first glance, one notices the Rebel XSi's large, 3-inch LCD monitor,
enhanced from the 2.5-inch screen on the Digital Rebel XTi model. The
larger 230,000 pixel screen makes it easier for users to review images
and scroll through the Rebel XSi camera's menus. The larger-sized
display provides the ability to use a larger font size for menu text,
making it easier than ever to read settings and options. The new screen
also features a broadened color gamut, seven brightness settings for
easy viewing under a variety of shooting conditions and a wide viewing
perspective in all directions.
The EOS Rebel XSi camera features a substantial yet streamlined
profile, with curved edges, contoured surfaces, conveniently placed
controls and comfortably constructed rubber grip and thumb rest that
all contribute to fatigue-reducing hand fit. The camera body is
constructed of a rugged yet lightweight combination of stainless steel
and polycarbonate embedded with glass fiber. The chassis exterior is
enrobed in a durable ABS and Polycarbonate resin and offered in a
choice of silver or black finishes.
Improved Image Quality
At the heart of the new EOS Rebel XSi is its newly designed 12.2
megapixel APS-C size Canon CMOS sensor. This new sensor employs large
microlenses over each pixel to reduce noise and enhance sensitivity up
to ISO 1600, which is ideal for high-quality images in low light. The
APS-C size sensor retains a 1.6x focal length conversion factor
compared to full-frame digital image sensors or 35mm film format
cameras.
Another image quality enhancement is the upgrade of the
Analog-to-Digital (A/D) conversion process to a 14-bit A/D processor.
The inclusion of the 14-bit A/D process means the Rebel XSi camera
records up to 16,384 colors per channel and allows the camera to
produce images with finer and more accurate gradations of tones and
colors. This is ideal for shooting outdoors where subtle hue changes in
sky, water or foliage can really add to an image.
The Canon EOS Rebel XSi DSLR also incorporates the optional Highlight
Tone Priority and High-ISO Noise Reduction functions first introduced
in 2007 with the EOS-1D Mark III Professional Digital SLR and now
available for the first time in an entry level Canon digital SLR
camera. Additionally, the new camera is equipped with Canon's Auto
Lighting Optimizer technology, which corrects image brightness and
contrast automatically. Introduced last year in the EOS 40D camera,
this valuable optional feature now works in all exposure modes and
utilizes Face Detection technology to prevent underexposure with
backlit faces.
DIGIC III Image Processor
If the 12.2-megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor is the heart of the
camera, then Canon's DIGIC III processor is the brain. The latest
generation of Canon's proprietary image processing engine, DIGIC III
technology ensures that the fine details and natural colors of the
images are optimally recorded. The DIGIC III processor also manages the
camera's efficient energy consumption and high-speed signal processing
performance. The EOS Rebel XSi is the first model in the Rebel series
to incorporate DIGIC III.
Enhanced Live View
Introduced in 2007 on the EOS-1D Mark III DSLR, this function makes its
debut in an entry level Canon DSLR with the EOS Rebel XSi camera. Live
View allows users to frame shots through the LCD screen rather than the
viewfinder. Going beyond the manual focus and phase-detection AF
capabilities of earlier EOS models with Live View, the EOS Rebel XSi
camera adds a new "Live Mode" contrast-detection AF function that
allows the camera to focus automatically during Live View without
lowering the reflex mirror.
Improved Autofocus and Framing Rate
The EOS Rebel XSi Digital SLR utilizes a precise nine-point Autofocus
(AF) system featuring a newly developed AF sensor that improves the
camera's subject detection capabilities compared to earlier models. The
new Rebel XSi DSLR provides a cross-type AF measurement at the center
that's effective with all EF and EF-S lenses, while providing enhanced
precision with lenses having maximum apertures of f/2.8 or faster. The
cross-type AF measurement reads a wider variety of subject matter than
conventional single-axis AF sensors and thus increases the new camera's
ability to autofocus quickly and accurately. The EOS Rebel XSi is also
the fastest firing Rebel model to date, capable of continuously
capturing 3.5 frames per second for bursts of up to 45 images in
large/fine JPEG mode and 6 frames in RAW mode. The faster frame rates
and finer focusing capabilities of the Rebel XSi together with its
impressive image burst rate will help photo enthusiasts preserve family
milestones or capture split second sports action at just the right
moment.
EOS Integrated Cleaning System
The new Rebel XSi DSLR utilizes Canon's EOS Integrated Cleaning system,
first introduced on the EOS Rebel XTi camera. The camera's
Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit shakes dust particles off of the low-pass
filter in front of the sensor. The dust is then trapped by an adhesive
along the base, preventing it from causing further nuisance. Cleaning
is engaged each time the camera is powered up or shut down or manually
through the "clean now" function.
The second part of the cleaning system involves post processing with a
compatible personal computer and the supplied Digital Photo
Professional software. Here the camera maps any spots that may remain
on the sensor, saving it as Dust Delete Data and subsequently
subtracting dust spots from the final image during post processing. A
third option includes a manual sensor cleaning function which raises
the mirror and allows users to clean dust that may have stuck to the
low-pass filter.
Back to the Basics
In keeping with its EOS system heritage, the new Canon EOS Rebel XSi
camera is equipped with a host of useful creative controls, including
shutter speeds ranging from 1/4000 sec. to 30 sec. plus Bulb, a choice
of four metering patterns including 4% spot metering (another first for
the Rebel series), a wide range of exposure modes from fully automatic
to fully manual, depth of field preview, mirror lock and much more. The
new camera is fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses, as
well as EX-series Speedlites, an optional Battery Grip, and remote
control and viewfinder accessories.
A departure from previous EOS Digital Rebel models, which accommodated
CF type memory cards, the new EOS Rebel XSi camera utilizes SD and SDHC
memory cards including those with capacities higher than 2GB, making it
the perfect upgrade for users already equipped with SD cards from
point-and-shoot model cameras. Additionally, the EOS Rebel XSi camera
utilizes Canon's new high-capacity LP-E5 lithium ion battery pack,
which provides 50% more exposures per charge than earlier models with
virtually no increase in size or weight.
In the Box
Expected to ship in April 2008 the Canon Rebel XSi camera is available
in body-only configuration which includes a rechargeable battery pack
and charger, USB and video cables, a neckstrap, an EOS Solutions Disk
CD, and a 1-year Canon U.S.A., Inc. limited warranty. The new camera
will also be available in a lens kit version which includes everything
in the body-only kit plus the EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens. The
two versions carry estimated retail prices of $799.99 and $899.99,
respectively.
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Image Stabilizer Lens
First introduced in August of 2007, the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
zoom lens is Canon's answer to consumer demand for a high-quality yet
affordable optically image stabilized lens and is included as the
standard lens in the Rebel XSi kit configuration. The lens features the
wide-angle to mid-range zoom flexibility of its non-IS predecessor with
the significant advantage of Canon's true optical, lens-shift image
stabilization system that yields up to a full four stops of image-shake
correction. The EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-55.6 IS zoom lens sells separately
for $199.99*, but when customers purchase the lens kit version of the
Rebel XSi the difference in price is only $100* from the price of the
body-only kit. Canon is offering the lens kit at this discount so that
more customers can enjoy the benefit of a lens based image stabilizer
system.
The higher performance provided by Canon's lens shift IS system
(compared with the in-camera body sensor shift type offered in some
competitive SLRs) includes the ability to optimize the lens performance
for specific shooting situations such as low light, long-zoom or
movement while shooting (or virtually any combination of the three).
What's more, the photographer can see the optical image stabilization
effect in the viewfinder. As the image already appears steady in the
viewfinder or on the screen through the Rebel XSi Live View function,
better framing and composition is possible allowing the photographer to
concentrate on the best shot more comfortably.
EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens
Like the standard kit lens, the optional EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS offers
users of Canon EOS Digital SLRs with APS-C type CMOS sensors an
affordable, lightweight, high-performance lens with tremendous range
and flexibility. Given the 1.6x conversion factor inherent in the APS-C
sized sensor, the high zoom ratio of this EF-S 55-250mm lens actually
achieves the equivalent focal length of 88-400mm (in 35mm format).
Canon's true optical, lens shift image stabilizer offers users an
equivalent shutter speed that is approximately 4 settings faster,
making hand-held lower light or long zoom photos easier to capture
without blurring. What's more, the lens can automatically distinguish
between normal shooting and panning shots and select the optimum Image
Stabilizer mode for each.
In stores now, both the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and the EF-S55-250mm
f/4-5.6 IS zoom lenses are manufactured by Canon specifically for the
EOS Rebel XSi , EOS 40D and every other EOS SLR that takes EF-S lenses
including earlier Digital Rebel cameras and the EOS 20D, EOS 20Da, and
EOS 30D models. Though standard in the EOS Rebel XSi kit, the EF-S
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens is also available as a stand alone purchase
and carries an estimated retail price of $199.99. The optional
EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens is available at an estimated retail price
of $299.99.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and
industrial imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc.
(NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranking third overall in
the U.S. in 2007, with global revenues of $34.9 billion, is listed as
one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is on the 2007
BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." 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.
IFI Patent Intelligence Press Release, January 2008
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Availability, prices, and specifications of all products are subject to
change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and
may vary.
* Based on estimated retail prices.
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