Canon unveils new digicams, camcorders, compact printers

Canon Marketing Phils. Inc. brought digital imaging mastery to a new level with the recent introduction of 11 new models of PowerShot and IXUS digital cameras, DV camcorders and Selphy compact printers in a product expo dubbed "The Master of Digital Imaging."

The expo featured interactive booths with murals that depicted the personality of each product line.

"Canon sees a maturing consumer market in the Phili-ppines for digital imaging products, whereby consumers become more conscious of product features and the benefits for their investments. The launch of the 11 new models of various product lines strengthens our leadership position in the Philippine consumer digital imaging segment and commit-ment to satisfy consumer needs and desire," said Ramon Arteficio, president and CEO of Canon Marketing Phils. Inc.

DIGIC, Canon’s proprietary Digital Imaging Processor, is the brain behind all the new models launched by Canon. DIGIC is the technology that enables higher image quality, faster image processing and ease-of-use and operations across Canon’s consumer product lines.

"At the heart of Canon’s consumer products lies the purpose-built DIGIC image processor that delivers the perfect pixels – with each pixel made sharper and more precise – giving images incredible clarity. This is the Canon DIGIC difference," Arteficio said.

The powerful and sporty booth with murals of the new Maria Sharapova print ad and fashion model Ornussa Cadness holding PowerShot cameras showcased the new 10-mega-pixel PowerShot A640 and G7, the eight-megapixel A630, and the 7.1-megapixel A710 IS.

The new PowerShot A640, A630 and A710 IS with manual controls and new advanced features allow users to have a greater degree of creative freedom. The new PowerShot G7, on the other hand, marries modern technology with classic design for a digital camera that combines form and function. The traditional look of this long-awaited model of the popular G-series belies a whole spectrum of sophisticated and state-of-the-art features that will impress even the most skilled photographer.

"The new PowerShot cameras feature the new Overexposure Warning and Resume Playback functions. Users now do not have to worry about over-exposed pictures with the Overexposure Warning function. The useful Resume Playback function enables the cameras to remember the last viewed image without unnecessary repetition when playback is revisited," added Katrina Tioseco, product super-visor for PowerShot.

The three new PowerShot digital cameras are already available at authorized Canon dealers at the following recommended retail prices: P21,950 for the PowerShot A630, and P23,500 for the A710 IS, while the PowerShot G7, retailing for P35,950, will be available in the market in November.

A fashion ramp-like booth housed the stylish new Digital IXUS models 900Ti, 850 IS and the i7 zoom. Found in these latest IXUS models is DIGIC III, the latest brainchild of Canon’s imaging processor evolution.

In addition to a significant improvement in speed, DIGIC III incorporates face detection and noise reduction technology. Users can now capture subjects’ faces perfectly, with the new Face Detection AF/AE.

DIGIC III-powered cameras can now shoot at film speeds of up to ISO 1600 with reduced noise, enabling users to shoot clearer pictures without flash even in poor lighting conditions.

All three IXUS cameras are capable of recording movies continuously up to 60 minutes or 4GB with digital zooming. They can even do vertical movie recording. With the addition of the My Category feature, images can now be classified accordingly to facilitate searching and printing. The IXUS 900 Ti, 850 IS, and i7 zoom retail for P29,950, P27,500, and P19,950, respec-tively.

The booth of Selphy, Canon’s compact photo printer brand, revealed a preview of Canon’s soon-to-be-launched "Make Someone Happy" ad, which exemplifies instant and fuss-free photo printing that Selphy offers.

The new Selphy CP730 and CP720 intelligently analyze image data and apply the optimal level of correction to ensure that every print achieves lifelike color reproduction at P12 cost per print.

All Selphy models also have a built-in memory card reader and LCD screen, and have an optional Bluetooth and portable battery. The SELPHY CP720 is priced at P6,950, and the SELPHY CP730, P8,950.

The Canon DV camcorders’ booth, meanwhile, showcased the new high-definition Canon HV10 and dual-layer DVD recording by the convenient Canon DC22, which offered attendees hands-on trial and on-the-spot moviemaking.

With the DIGIC DV camera image-processing, Canon DV camcorders operate with CCDs offering resolutions as high as 4.29 megapixels. DIGIC DV II utilizes new noise reduction and gamma systems that reduce noise in flat and dark areas. Improved color and tonal scale reproduction also contribute to superior image quality.

Last but not the least, resembling a photographer’s studio, the PRO booth show-cased the recently launched EOS 400D, the first 10.1-megapixel digital SLR with EOS Integrated Cleaning System which mini-mizes the effects of dust on images.

The booth also showcased the PIXMA Pro9000, the printer with Pro distinction that will equip photographers with a printing solution with pro-quality accurate colors.