Canon expands its digital imaging market leadership with the launch of 24 new products; including seven stylish PowerShot compact digital cameras, two powerful EOS digital SLRs, two high-quality, affordable EF lenses, a new EX Speedlite; and 12 new printers, which includes three SELPHY 4 x 6 inch compact photo printers; five PIXMA single function printers and four PIXMA Photo-all-in-ones.
“With 24 new products added to our photographic lineup today, Canon continues to bolster its leadership position in the market by offering the most extensive choice of solutions for the entry level consumer to the seasoned professional,” said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. “Our customers continue to benefit from the highest Canon imaging technologies, such as our DIGIC II image processors and high density print heads ultimately being incorporated throughout the product range. The end result is consistent, spectacular photos for everyone.”
Leading the Digital Photography Market
Canon is America’s choice for digital cameras. After securing the number one position in compact digital cameras with a market share of 20.4 percent in 2004, the NPD Group reports that the Canon brand captured the number one position in the first half of 2005 with a market share of 23 percent. This figure represents unit sales to consumers of both compact cameras and digital SLR cameras combined, as reported by NPD’s retail point-of-sale tracking service1. Canon was also the number one brand in both NPD’s Digital Point-and-Shoot and Digital SLR categories, with market shares of 20.8 percent and 61.2 percent, respectively, for the first half of 2005.
Customer Satisfaction
Canon products are consistently recognized for their quality and reliability across all categories from Digital Cameras to Camcorders to Photo Printers. Independent customer satisfaction findings and reviews issued by industry-leading sources such as PC Magazine2, PC World and CNET — all valued and trusted sources for information for consumers regularly rank Canon number one in quality and reliability.
Canon digital cameras are not only ranked number one in a variety of categories, but, they also receive a large number of Editors Choice Awards every year. For example, Consumer Reports recently gave very high marks to the Canon Digital Rebel XT in its review of Digital SLRs in its September issue.
Continuing its tradition of quality and reliability, the new Canon products debuting this fall include:
Capture:
- EOS 5D Digital SLR is a 12.8 megapixel model with a full frame CMOS sensor that shoots up to three frames per second (fps) and will be available in October for an estimated selling price of $3,2993;
- EOS 1D Mark II N Digital SLR replaces Canon’s EOS 1D Mark II model. Maintaining its status as the world’s fastest digital SLR at 8.5 fps4 the new camera improves upon the feature set of the original with burst shooting of up to 48 images in JPEG; a 2.5 inch LCD screen and reduced pricing. The new model will carry and estimated selling price of $3,9993, which is $500 less than the introductory price of its predecessor;
- PowerShot S80 digital camera replaces the S70 model with improved features and performance, including 8.0 megapixels of resolution, a 3.6x 28mm wide angle zoom lens, a large 2.5-inch LCD screen; high-quality XGA movie mode, and a sleek design for and estimated selling price of $549.993;
- PowerShot SD550 and SD450 Digital ELPH cameras feature 7.1 and 5.0 megapixel CCDs, 2.5 inch LCD screens and will be available in September for estimated selling prices of $499.993 and $399.993 respectively;
- PowerShot SD30 Digital ELPH cameras combine style and substance with cool new colors — Tuxedo Black, Rockstar Red, Glamour Gold and Vivacious Violet plus 5.0 megapixel sensors, 1.8 inch LCD screens and 2.4x optical zoom lenses. Available in September, they will carry an estimated selling price of $399.993;
- PowerShot A620 and A610 digital cameras are replacing the PowerShot A95 model with expanded features that include 7.1 and 5.0 megapixel CCDs, 4x optical zoom lenses, 2.0 inch vari-angled LCD screens and more. They will be available in September for $399.993 and $299.993, respectively;
- PowerShot A410 digital camera replaces the PowerShot A400 model at an estimated selling price of $149.993 with 3.2MP CCD sensor, 3.2X optical zoom lens and a 1.5-inch LCD screen.
- EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens is a versatile L-series Image Stabilized zoom lens targeted to wedding and portrait photographers. The lens will be available in September for an estimated selling price of $1,2493;
- EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens replaces the existing EF 75-300 IS model. The new lens features a wider focal length that supports APS-C-sized sensors and improved image stabilization of up to three stops. This lens will be available in September for an estimated selling price of $649.993; and
- Speedlite 430EX flash unit replaces the Speedlite 420EX model with more features and higher performance with a maximum guide number of 43/141 (ISO 100, in meters/feet). It will be available in September for $299.993.
“We aim to maintain our number one spot with the launch of seven new PowerShot models that offer consumers a wide range of design and feature-based choices,” added Hashimoto “Whether its the advanced amateur that wants a pocket-sized powerhouse with our PowerShot S80 model, to mom and dad looking for a small and versatile memory-capturing device with our A-series line, to the style conscious with the PowerShot Digital ELPH series, Canon has attractive offerings for every kind of photographer.”
Targeting expansion within the professional photography market, Canon launched two new digital SLRS designed to suit the very demanding requirements of working professional photographers. The EOS 5D model is the world’s smallest and lightest full-frame digital SLR featuring a 12.8 megapixel CMOS sensor, and the upgraded EOS-1D Mark II N model is the world’s fastest digital SLR with an 8.2 megapixel CMOS sensor and an 8.5 fps burst rate. These new cameras provide wedding and portrait photographers, photojournalists and advanced amateurs with versatile tools designed to improve image quality and simplify workflow.
Inkjet Printing Pioneer
Canon was one of the first companies to create inkjet printing technology. Since the mid-1970s, Canon continues to invest in inkjet printing technology, resulting in ongoing industry advances in color printing, resolution and output speed.
One such advance is Canon’s FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering technology). Launched globally by Canon in 1999, FINE technology uses high-performance multi-nozzle print head with up to 6,144 nozzles that ejects consistent and microscopic ink droplets. The results are high-resolution photos with greater detail and clarity in less time. Today, Canon is the only manufacturer to utilize FINE technology in its entire inkjet printer line4. Canon is also the only manufacturer to offer printers with one picoliter droplets, a feature that appears in multiple products.
Canon remains committed to dye-based ink technology. Dye-based ink provides brighter images, faster printing speeds and more accurate color representation than comparable pigment based solutions. With its recently announced Canon ChromaLife100 ink system, Canon printers can produce prints on select genuine Canon photo papers that resist fading for up to 100 years when stored in an archival quality photo album5 and up to 10 years when exposed to open air3.
Output:
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 rated #35 on the 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 2004, with global revenues of $33.3 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.
This article was last modified on January 7, 2023
This article was first published on August 23, 2005
Commenting is easier and faster when you're logged in!
