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Canon's first wide angle Digital IXUS includes DIGIC III and Face Detection
- United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, November 22 - 2006 at 09:06
- PRESS RELEASE
Canon Middle East today debuts its latest offering for the style-conscious photo enthusiast - the Digital IXUS 850 IS. The 7.1 Megapixel camera introduces wide-angle zoom capability to the Digital IXUS range for the first time with an optical Image Stabilizer and 28mm (35mm equivalent) 3.8x optical zoom lens.
Geared to satisfy serious photographers, the ultra-compact Digital IXUS 850 IS stays true to its design heritage with a smoothly sculpted curvature design and all-metal finish. Enhanced performance and image quality are assured through Canon's latest DIGIC III image processor , which also enables low-noise ISO 1600 shooting and new Face Detection AF/AE - a Canon technology that detects up to nine faces in a frame and automatically optimises the focus and exposure for great people shots.
Key specifications include:
• 7.1 Megapixels and 3.8x zoom
• Wide angle 28mm lens with Optical Image
• Stabilizer
• DIGIC III with Advanced Noise Reduction and Face Detection
• AF/AESafety Zoom for extra telephoto reach
• ISO 1600
• High resolution 2.5" LCD17 shooting modes including VGA movies (30 fps) with sound
• Range of optional accessories including Underwater Case
"This latest incarnation of the Digital IXUS shows just how far the range has developed since the original analogue IXUS was launched in 1996," explains Hendrik Verbrugghe, CCI Manager, Canon Middle East. "By incorporating a string of firsts that will appeal to photo hobbyists - wide angle capability, DIGIC III and Face Detection AF/AE - IXUS continues to innovate."Wide-angle Digital IXUS.
Offering a focal length range of 28 - 105mm (35mm equivalent), the Digital IXUS 850 IS's 3.8x optical zoom lens allows photographers to capture wider panoramas, architectural photos and group shots. The lens incorporates Canon's optical Image Stabilizer to counteract the effects of camera shake for steadier performance in low light, at full zoom or when shooting from moving vehicles.
Image Quality
The 7.1 Megapixel sensor ensures that images are captured with all the detail needed for large photo quality prints. Taking advantage of the camera's resolving power, photographers can use the Safety Zoom feature to expand the zoom range without impacting on image quality - up to 15x zoom when shooting Small size images.
New DIGIC III Processor with Face Detection AF/AE
Delivering fast, responsive camera performance and superb image rendering, the new DIGIC III processor also drives Canon's landmark Face Detection technology. Face Detection AF/AE ensures accurate and bright people shots by automatically detecting faces in a scene and optimising focus and exposure accordingly. The system is designed to cleverly revert to 9-point AiAF if it determines that the main subject is non-human, avoiding focusing errors at tourist attractions and other crowded locations. Face Detection AF/AE performs accurately with large groups and when subjects are distant or move within the frame. Because the technology is hardware-based, it operates at the same rapid speed as Canon's standard AiAF.
Shooting modes and My Colors
Adaptable to almost any shooting situation, the camera's 17 shooting modes include a new Aquarium Special Scene mode and a manual mode for selection of exposure settings such as White Balance and ISO - now made easier with the inclusion of a dedicated ISO button. For creative image manipulation in-camera, My Colors photo effects can be applied during and after shooting. A new My Category function simplifies image management by automatically tagging images with categories such as People, Scenery and Events, based on face detection and the shooting mode selected.
The camera's movie functions include 30fps VGA recording with sound. Canon's unique Intelligent Orientation Sensor automatically rotates vertically shot movies for playback on camera, PC or TV via the integrated AV Out connection.
LCD Enhancements
The Digital IXUS 850 IS's bright 2.5" LCD screen features a wide viewing angle for comfortable image framing and viewing. Benefiting from a screen resolution of 207,000 pixels, users can select the Image Inspection Tool to display a magnified section next to each captured shot straight after shooting. The magnified spot can be moved between AF points or to any area of the image, allowing users to check sharpness or facial expressions before leaving the scene. A selectable 3:2 ratio overlay aids composition by displaying the printable area for standard photo prints. The user interface (UI) has also been enhanced to speed up navigation between related camera settings. For accurate framing without the LCD, the camera retains a real-image optical viewfinder- useful in difficult lighting situations or when battery power is running low.
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Posted by Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News Editor
Wednesday, November 22 - 2006 at 09:06 UAE local time (GMT+4)
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without the prior written consent of AME Info FZ LLC / Emap Limited.
About Canon Middle East
Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions for individuals and businesses. Canon provides both individual products and complete networked technology solutions for information input, management and output. Its product range is divided between Business Solutions (developing IT products, solutions and services for both the office and professional print environments) and Consumer Imaging (photography, video and digital camera, Bubble Jet printers). Canon Middle East is the operational headquarters for Canon in this region, and is based in Dubai, UAE.
Canon Contact:
Ruta Bublyte
Marketing Department
Canon Middle East FZ-LLC
Tel: + 971 4 3915050
Direct: + 971 4 3915079
Fax: + 971 4 3916715
Agency Contact:
Linsey Worgan
G2 Dubai
Tel: (9714) 331 0331
Additional Information
Printing
The Digital IXUS 850 IS features a dedicated Print menu for quick access to direct print options. Full PictBridge support means users can print directly to any PictBridge compatible printer without the need for a PC. A Print/Share button allows one-touch printing and easy uploads to Windows or Mac systems.
Additions to the PictBridge functionality include contact sheet printing with 35 images on one A4 page and 20 image index prints with shooting information, allowing the user to compare images with the settings used to take them.
Memory Card Support
In addition to SD and MMC memory cards, the camera supports the new SDHC format for storage capacities of more than 2GB. It comes supplied with a 16MB memory card.
Language Support
The camera's menu system features support for Ukrainian and Romanian, bringing the total number of supported languages to 25.
Software
The Digital IXUS 850 IS comes bundled with the following Canon Software:
• ZoomBrowser EX 5.7 (Windows), ImageBrowser 5.7 (Mac): For organising and editing images, movies and slideshows, or creating and printing digital photo albums.
• PhotoStitch 3.1: For creating panoramic photos from multiple images (Windows and Mac).
The bundled software supports Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000 (SP4), XP (SP1/2) and Macintosh OS X v10.2-v10.4.
Purchasers of the camera are eligible for membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY , 100MB of online 'personal gallery' space for sharing stills and video with family and friends.
Accessories
A range of optional accessories includes:
• Waterproof Case, 40m depth (WP-DC9)
• High Power Flash (HF-DC1)
• Soft Leather Case (DCC-70)
• Digital IXUS Metal and Leather Neck Straps
• Compact AC Power Adapter (ACK-DC30)
Technologies Explained
DIGIC III
Canon's DIGIC III (DIGital Imaging Core) image processor manages all of the camera's primary functions to optimize operating efficiency. Advanced image processing algorithms deliver superb image detail and colour reproduction with accurate white balance. Key improvements over DIGIC II include markedly faster response times, advanced Noise Reduction Technology and support for Canon's Face Detection AF/AE technology.
Face Detection AF/AE
Canon's Face Detection AF/AE system automatically detects up to nine faces within a frame before adjusting the focus and exposure accordingly to ensure optimal results. It is able to determine which faces are intended to be the focus, while at the same time it can recognize and immediately revert to the partnering 9-point AiAF system if no face is intended to be the focus.
Optical Image Stabilizer
The Digital IXUS 850 IS uses a lens shift-type Image Stabilizer (IS) system to detect and correct slight camera shakes that can cause image blur. Minute vibration gyros detect lens tilting caused by hand shake. These signals - 4,000 per second - are processed by a single-chip IS controller, which discriminates between hand shake and intentional camera movements. Shake signals are sent to the IS unit, which moves one of the lens elements accordingly to deflect the light rays and cancel out the effects of shake. For improved accuracy and responsiveness, the moving lens element is supported on tiny ceramic spheres. In addition to minimising friction, ceramic spheres avoid some of the problems that can affect metal spheres, such as thermal expansion and magnetism. The Digital IXUS 850 IS's optical IS allows photographers to shoot at shutter speeds up to 3 stops slower with no perceptible increase in image blur.
My Category
The DIGIC III enabled My Category function automatically tags and stores images under a number of titles such as People, Scenery and Events, depending on the Shooting Mode or whether a face has been detected. Tags can be added or edited during playback. Users can select to access, play, print, erase or protect images according to each category to further enhance their experience.
Safety Zoom
Safety Zoom protects the image from interpolation at high levels of digital zoom, allowing users to extend zoom magnification without sacrificing image quality.
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