Two New Canon Optura Camcorders Offer Best Of Both Worlds With Stylish Designs And Premium Video And Photo Capability

Canon Optura 600 Model Is World’s Smallest* 4.3 Megapixel Camcorder;

Canon Optura S1 Camcorder Offers Two-in-One Functionality in a Trend-Setting Design

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 28, 2005—Customers can double their pleasure with the newest two Canon Optura Mini-DV camcorders which offer stunning digital video and still performance in stylish form factors that beg to be held. With the new Canon Optura 600 camcorder users get high-quality 4.3-megapixel image reproduction for crisp video and photos in a sleek but elegant design. For customers looking for a stylish but compact camcorder with great video and still image capability that’s a snap to use, the new 2.2 megapixel Canon Optura S1 model is designed just for them. The Optura 600 and Optura S1 models are the smallest* 4.3 megapixel and 2.2 megapixel camcorders, respectively, on the market.

“Whether we’re breaking new ground by offering a 4.3 megapixel image sensor in the sleek new Optura 600 hybrid camcorder or delivering easy-to-use video and still performance in a stylishly hip design in the Optura S1, Canon is leading the way in the digital camcorder two-in-one category,” 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.

The Canon Optura 600 Camcorder — A Double Agent with Timeless Style
A double agent with timeless style, the Optura 600 Mini-DV camcorder is really two sophisticated products in one. Although it may look like a camcorder on the outside, inside lies a high-quality 4.3 megapixel digital camera with all the features needed to take outstanding photos. The CCD in the Optura 600 camcorder works alongside an RGB Primary Color Filter to deliver crisp, true-to-life images that can be printed up to 8.5x11 inches. The Canon Optura 600 model is the smallest* 4.3 megapixel camcorder on the market. Combine all that with the superior optics Canon is known for and you have a powerful digital imaging machine that can capture video and snap stills with equal agility.

The Tools for Digital Photography
The Optura 600 camcorder has all the tools needed to take great digital photos. For accurate exposure, the model lets the user choose the metering and scene mode that’s right for the subject or select Auto Exposure Bracketing to ensure they always get the right shot. By combining the 4.3 megapixel CCD image sensor with Superior Canon Optics, a DIGIC DV Image Processor and Print & Share, the Optura 600 takes full advantage of Canon’s DV Photo Plus system.

The Selectable nine-point AiAF (Auto Intelligent Auto Focus) helps keep the subject in sharp focus and such photo-centric features as Continuous Shooting Mode, Image Effects, and Built-in Flash with Red-Eye Reduction provide the essentials for great digital photography. Simultaneous Photo Recording even allows the user to capture still images while shooting video. For fast and easy one-touch printing of photos virtually anywhere, users connect to any Canon PIXMA, Selphy or CP series photo printer, or any PictBridge enabled printer and simply press the Optura 600 camcorder’s Print & Share button and they’re good to go. The button can also be used for one-touch downloading of images to a computer. The camcorder features an SD Memory Card slot as well as a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Terminal for speedy transfers of high-res images.

Brilliant Digital Video in a Classic Design
The smallest* 4.3 megapixel camcorder on the market, the Optura 600 model delivers excellent video performance in a luxurious, upright sculpted design. Inspired by the beauty and elegance of a gemstone, the camcorder’s darkly polished exterior gives it a timeless, elegant look.

For optimum performance, Canon’s High Resolution 16:9 Widescreen TV Mode image processing system uses the entire width of the image sensor, capturing a big picture in true 16:9 widescreen so no one and nothing is left unseen. Superior Canon Optics including a 10x Optical Zoom Lens/200x Digital Zoom in the Optura 600 camcorder ensures that video and photos are clear and rich with color and detail. Canon’s expertise in designing lenses for photography and broadcast television goes into all the camcorders Canon makes. To help shoot rock-steady video, the camcorder has a built-in high-quality image stabilizer.

The Optura 600 camcorder also features Canon’s exclusive DIGIC DV image processor, which processes video and photos differently for exceptional color and clarity for both. A simple Program Auto Exposure Mode dial allows the user to choose between a variety of shooting modes and a Built-in Video Light helps with shooting in low-light conditions. Additional features include manual audio control, microphone and headphone terminals and a new Easy Menu system.

The Canon Optura 600 Mini-DV camcorder will be available in September for an estimated selling price of $1,099.**

The Canon Optura S1 Camcorder — Cool. Compact. Capable.
A fusion of today’s style with uncompromising performance, the new Optura S1 camcorder’s sleek, compact design makes a fashion statement while delivering high quality digital video and photos. The camcorder’s clean, modern, minimalist look is complemented with an inviting interface that features a modicum of buttons and a new Easy Menu System to speed ease of use. With advanced digital features, superior optics and 2.2 megapixel CCD performance that produces brilliant video and photos, the Optura S1 model is the camcorder customers always wanted with the cool they crave.

Top-Notch Video Performance
The Optura S1 camcorder records true widescreen video so that consumers can watch their home movies in the same widescreen format as their new TVs. The Optura S1 camcorder features DV Photo Plus, which is an amalgam of Superior Canon Optics (10x Optical Zoom Lens/200x Digital Zoom), a 2.2 megapixel CCD Image Sensor with RGB Primary Color Filter, a DIGIC DV Image Processor and Print & Share for one touch printing of photos at home and downloading to a computer. The camcorder also has built-in Image Stabilization for steady video and a built-in video light allows customers to keep shooting video in low-light conditions.

Stunning Digital Photography
A wide variety of photo features help transform the Optura S1 camcorder into a high-quality 2.2 megapixel digital camera. For better exposure, customers can select the metering and scene modes on the Optura S1 model or shoot with Auto Exposure Bracketing to capture the perfect shot. Nine Point AiAF for sharp focusing and such photo-centric features as Continuous Shooting Mode, Image Effects, and Photo Review, helps the Optura S1 model function just as adeptly as a digital camera as it does as a camcorder. The Optura S1 camcorder also features a built-in photo flash, built-in lens cover, and a miniSD™ Card slot. Popularly used in today’s newest cell phones, the miniSD Card offers the benefit of high-capacity storage in a small size.

All Canon Mini-DV camcorders come complete with a manufacturer’s limited warranty covering parts and labor for one full year, one of the longest warranty terms in the camcorder industry***. Both the Canon Optura 600 and Canon Optura S1 are compatible for Windows XP and Mac OS X and above. The Canon Optura S1 Mini-DV camcorder will be available in mid-September for an estimated selling price of $799**.

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.

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All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
* As of July 2005.
**Pricing subject to change at any time. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
*** For complete limited warranty terms, see www.canondv.com

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Canon U.S.A., Inc.

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