Canon Exhibits Imaging Solutions at 2011 NAB Show

CANON U.S.A. EXHIBITS IMAGING SOLUTIONS AT 2011 NAB SHOW IN LAS VEGAS

Company to Display New Professional 3D HD Imaging Solutions, XF Series Professional Camcorders, HD Broadcast Lenses, EOS Digital SLR Cameras and High-Resolution REALiS Projectors

LAS VEGAS, April 11, 2011 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is exhibiting a wide range of products for broadcast HD television production, HD video content creation, and high-resolution image display at the 2011 NAB Show, booth # C-4325, April 11th to 14th, in the Las Vegas Convention Center. On display will be the most comprehensive display of the Company’s professional broadcast and HD imaging equipment including special guest presenters talking about the latest developments and techniques in the professional real-world application of Canon equipment.  Included in the booth’s exhibit will be Canon’s HD broadcast lenses and robotic pan-tilt HD cameras, the new Canon XA10 professional camcorder, XF300-series and XF100-series professional camcorders, the Company’s popular line of EOS DSLR cameras with full-manual HD video capture, the REALiS WUX4000 Installation LCOS projector, and large-format imagePROGRAF printers.  Also on display during the show will be the new Technicolor CineStyle for the Canon 5D Mark II, a custom picture style which provides cinematographers with the image latitude for digital intermediate color-grading and delivery.

A Word on Canon

Throughout the 2011 NAB Show, Canon will host a cross-section of professional cinematographers, broadcast specialists and renowned moviemakers talking about their recent works shot on Canon equipment. Leading industry professionals will be discussing their groundbreaking work using Canon EOS DSLRs, XF Professional Camcorders and brand-new broadcast lenses. The list of speakers scheduled to appear in the Canon booth includes:

Alex Buono
Russell Carpenter
Rodney Charters
Allen Daviau & Bill Bennett
Bruce Dorn
Vincent Laforet
Patrick Moreau
Joe Pontecorvo
Kevin Shahinian
Gale Tattersall

Two New PL-Mount Canon Lenses

Canon U.S.A. has introduced two advanced-design PL-mount lenses, the Canon FK14.5-60 wide-angle cine zoom lens and the Canon FK30-300 telephoto cine zoom lens, that address emerging 4K production standards. These precision-matched lenses incorporate breakthrough Canon optical designs that simultaneously optimize and enhance multiple imaging attributes while minimizing optical aberrations and distortions. Both feature a totally new Canon optical design that virtually eliminates focus breathing. The wide-angle FK14.5-60 maintains its T2.6 maximum aperture over the entire focal range, and with the virtual absence of focus breathing offers new freedom in exploring novel picture creation. These attributes combine to help ensure superb contrast under a wide range of scene-lighting conditions, helping to maximize the image-creation capabilities of the current top-of-the-line single-sensor digital cinematography cameras. The telephoto FK30-300 complements the wide-angle FK14.5-60 in larger studios while also servicing many outdoor shots with exceptionally vivid imagery.

These two new lenses from Canon offer a performance level in accordance with emerging 4K production image format standards, which inherently ensures the very highest performance in contemporary 2K and HD digital 35mm motion-imaging.

New HDgc Portable HD zoom lens with 2x Built-in Extender

Utilizing the latest optical technologies to deliver high performance at a particularly attractive price point, Canon U.S.A. has recently introduced the new KJ20x8.2B portable HD lens, the newest member in its cost-effective HDgc Series of portable HD zoom lenses. The KJ20x8.2B portable HD lens is designed to support a wide range of applications and users, from broadcast ENG to professional freelance HD shooters. Leading the list of advanced features of the new lens is its built-in 2x extender, an important imaging feature previously seen only on relatively higher-end HD lenses. As a result, the KJ20x8.2B offers ENG shooters and other camera operators greatly improved subject-framing flexibility. The new KJ20x8.2B is also Canon’s widest (8.2 mm) lens in the affordable 20x zoom class, and it covers a generous range of focal lengths, particularly when combined with its built-in 2x extender expanding its 8.2mm-164mm focal length to 16.4mm-328mm.

New Firmware for the XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders

Canon’s new firmware upgrades the XF300–series camcorders to include Canon’s 3D Assist and Scan Reverse Functions, which are built-in features facilitating the use of two units to work in tandem to capture 3D HD video. The new firmware allows OIS Lens Shift to be used in optically aligning two XF305 or XF300 camcorders and a Focal Length Guide to display the zoom position of each camera in relation to each other and calibrate zoom settings. The new firmware also supports Double Slot Recording for instantaneous backup and the option to disable Relay Recording for more control over dual memory card management.  Canon will be demonstrating a range of professional applications for the Canon XF305 and XF300, including 3D image recording, at the Company’s booth during the 2011 NAB Show.

Canon XA10 Professional Camcorder

Canon will have its new ultra compact XA10 Professional Camcorder on display, ideal for situations where mobility while shooting is critical. This feature-rich professional model records Full HD 1080p video using an AVCHD codec.  The ultimate professional camcorder for run-and-gun shooting, the compact XA10 includes a detachable handle for low-angle shooting and portability. With the handle attached, the XA10’s functionality is further enhanced with the addition of XLR inputs and an external microphone holder.  Capable of shooting in the dark, the camcorder features infrared video capture, ideal for Military and Law Enforcement markets, as well as Nature and Wildlife videographers. The new XA10 provides the option of recording to a 64GB internal flash drive or two SDXC-compatible card slots, as well as Relay Recording and the ability to record simultaneously to two cards for instant backup. Extremely portable yet packed with professional features, this camcorder will be the model-of-choice for on-the-go videographers shooting online news, celebrity reporting, reality TV, extreme sports, etc.

Canon XF-Series Professional Camcorders

On display in the Canon booth will be the Company’s full line of professional HD camcorders including the complete XF-series lineup featuring the Canon XF305, XF300, XF105 and XF100 models.  The Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders include a Genuine Canon 18x HD L-series lens providing documentary filmmakers and news camera operators with the focal-range versatility required in the field. Each model includes three Canon developed and designed native 1920 x 1080 CMOS image sensors, and Canon’s proprietary XF Codec that delivers the exceptional color detail required for accurate chroma-keying, color-grading and compositing for digital filmmaking.

The XF105 and XF100 Professional Camcorders are ideal for mobile HD video capture in a compact form factor. The XF105 and XF100 utilize the same Canon XF Codec featured in the Canon XF305 and XF300, yet they are less than half the size and weight of those larger models. The XF105 and XF100 camcorders are ideal for Electronic News Gathering, documentary and independent filmmaking and event videography.  The Canon XF105 and XF100 Professional Camcorders feature a Genuine Canon 10x HD Zoom lens and Canon’s built-in infrared low-light feature enabling the capture of HD video in complete darkness.

All XF-series models record to Compact Flash (CF) cards and feature hot-swappable card slots for maximum performance. Canon’s XF305 and XF105 models feature industry-standard HD-SDI output, genlock, and SMPTE time code (in/out) terminals for multi-camera or 3D productions.

The Canon XF Codec is an MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps codec used for exceptional high-definition image quality, full non-linear editing (NLE) systems compatibility and efficient, robust workflow.  The Canon XF Codec is currently compatible with leading software programs widely used within the video production and broadcast industries including those available from Adobe, Apple, Avid, and Grass Valley.

Now, with the new firmware announcement for the XF305 and XF300 models, all four Canon XF-series camcorders will include in-camera features to enable the easy set-up and capture of high-definition 3D video when two camcorders are paired.

Canon 3D Solutions for Broadcast Lenses

Canon’s new 3D Bridge Cable, together with the Company’s new ergonomic Digital Drive Unit and 3D Lens Adjustment Software, will provide exceptional interoperability and precision in synchronization of zoom, focus and iris positions of the lens pairs. The Company’s new ergonomic Digital Drive Unit incorporates Canon-developed, ultra-compact rotary encoders capable of 0.1um position detection which produces 16-bit resolution of the positions of zoom, iris, and focus controls.

Most of Canon’s HDTV Zoom Lenses are equipped with 16-bit resolution Rotary Encoder Devices, which provide precise synchronous lens control by simply connecting the two lenses with a 20pin-20pin single cable. This 3D Bridge Cable will allow simultaneous control of a pair of lenses from one zoom and focus controllers.

The “3D Lens Adjustment Software” is intended to make stereoscopic tracking of the zoom, focus and iris even more precise, and allow appropriate offsets to be easily made using the Digital Drive Unit’s display to compensate for minor zoom and focus tracking differences between any two lens pairs. Together with the 3D Bridge Cable, the software will also make it possible to use standard lens controllers. The software can be installed to the conventional lenses at Canon service centers for the customers who purchased the 3D Bridge Cable.

Additional Canon HD Lenses, Robotic POV Cameras, and the Canobeam

In addition to its newest portable HD zoom lenses and its telephoto portable HD lens for 3D productions, Canon will also exhibit its full line of broadcast-grade portable HD ENG/EFP lenses, as well as HD studio lenses and long-zoom HD field lenses (including models with Auto Focus and Canon Image Stabilization), and digital cinematography lenses. Canon’s BU-46H outdoor and BU-51H indoor remote-control robotic HD POV pan/tilt/zoom cameras will also be shown, as will the Canobeam DT-150 wireless HD video transceiver system using Free Space Optics.

Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras

Over the past year, Canon’s EOS HD Video technology has changed the way users capture 1080p HD video and opened new doors for multimedia journalists and Hollywood cinematographers alike with full manual exposure control, selectable frame rates, and interchangeable lenses on some of the largest and most sensitive image sensors on the market.

Now capable of 24p (23.976 fps) and 30p (29.97 fps) image capture (when updated to Canon Firmware version 2.0.4 or higher), the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR provides cinematographers and videographers with a versatile HD camera designed for creative, high-quality production work. Featuring a 21.1-megapixel full-frame 24 x 36mm CMOS sensor for 1920 x 1080 HD resolution capture, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR delivers a sensitivity range from ISO 50 to ISO 25600, superb low-light performance, excellent color reproduction, a shallow depth-of-field, and spectacular HD image quality.

The EOS-1D Mark IV Professional Digital SLR features Full HD capture and full manual exposure control, plus selectable frame rates on an APS-H-sized image sensor that’s larger in size than a Super 35mm motion picture film frame. The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV allows for three video recording resolutions – 1080p Full HD, 720p HD and Standard Definition. The camera will record Full HD at 1920 x 1080 in selectable frame rates of 24p (23.976), 25p, or 30p (29.97); and 720p HD or 480p SD video recording at either 50p or 60p (59.94).

Also on display will be the Canon EOS 7D digital SLR featuring Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution with selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p or 30p, as well as 720p HD and 480p SD video recording at either 50p or 60p (59.94).

Canon imagePROGRAF Large Format Printers

The new 24-inch Canon imagePROGRAF iPF6300S large format printer provides photographers with an affordable, 8-color option for printing high-quality images in a shorter amount of time than Canon’s 12-color, imagePROGRAF line up. If a photographer is looking for even greater color gamut, the award-winning, 44-inch imagePROGRAF iPF8300 would be the quintessential choice. For an enhanced color spectrum and wider color gamut, this printer features a 12-Color LUCIA EX pigment ink set, producing expressive and crisp blacks, smooth color gradations, and the capability to reproduce the finest details in the shadow areas of photographs.

REALiS WUX4000 Installation LCOS Projector

Canon’s REALiS WUX4000 Installation LCOS Projector is the Company’s first high-resolution projector for the installation market, ideal for use in a wide range of professional venues including corporate boardrooms, educational institutions, houses of worship, medical facilities, government offices and photo studios. The projector delivers higher-than-HD-resolution (1920 x 1200) widescreen images with an aspect ratio of 16:10 and high brightness level of 4000 lumens.  The projector employs Canon’s latest fourth-generation proprietary AISYS-enhanced LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) optical engine, the advanced projection-display technology that delivers crisp, seamless images with intricate detail, high brightness, high contrast and accurate color.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.                                                                     

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2010†, with global revenues of more than US $45 billion and is listed as number six in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies 2010 list.  Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – “all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future” – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at http://www.usa.canon.com/kyosei.Tokeep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting http://www.usa.canon.com/rss.

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