CANON ADDS THREE NEW DIGITAL CAMCODERS TO ZR SERIES.

Three new digital camcorders with advanced features and lower prices have been added to the popular ZR series by Canon U.S.A., Inc., Lake Success, NY, a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE: CAJ). The new feature-rich models are priced attractively for consumers just entering the digital video revolution, or for anyone seeking greater versatility with the latest digital video technology in a compact design.

The three new models - ZR20, ZR25 MC and ZR30 MC - create a progression of prices and features, helping consumers to choose the best model that meets their needs and budget. The ZR30 MC boasts the most unique features and accessories, but all three models have capabilities that, until now, were found only in more expensive digital camcorders. The ZR series will be available at authorized Canon dealers.

-- The ZR30 MC is available this month with the suggested list price of $999.

-- The ZR25 MC will be available in April with the suggested list price of $899.

-- The ZR20 will be available in May with the suggested list price of $799.

Weighing only 19 ounces, measuring just 2 1/4 x 4 x 5 1/4 inches and featuring eye-catching translucent accents and detailing, each ZR model rests comfortably in any hand. It can be carried in a travel bag, jacket pocket, or briefcase with room to spare.

"The popular Canon ZR series has been expanded to provide consumers with several feature choices and with prices that they will find attractive," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager, Photographic Products Group, Canon U.S.A. "Canon's ability to pack a lot of features in a small box and offer it at a low price places consumers in the thick of the digital video age with sophisticated video technology that is easy to use."

Features Of All Three Models

10x Optical Zoom Lens and 200x Digital Zoom - The Canon zoom lens transforms distant subjects into dramatic close-ups without loss in image quality. The focal length of the optical zoom is 4.2-42mm f/1.8, which is the 35mm photo lens equivalent of 48mm to 480mm. The digital zoom extends the magnification to 200x, revealing details too distant to be seen with the eye. Together, they provide an exceptional scope from wide panorama to super telephoto.

Image Stabilizer - Leave your tripod home with Canon's high quality image stabilization system that corrects camera shake instantly, providing smooth, stable pictures. Shake-free images can be recorded even on long telephoto shots. Unlike competitive models, the image stabilizer functions in both video and photo shooting modes.

Shooting Modes - Video mode: captures smooth, full motion video for playback on the television. Digital photo mode: Serving as both a video and still camera, the ZR20 captures over 700 still video pictures on a single MiniDV cassette by pressing the photo button. It can combine video and still pictures, and each still photo is recorded for approximately six seconds along with narration or surrounding sounds. The ZR25 MC and ZR30 MC capture still photos on a MultiMediaCard, or an SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card that is discussed in the next section.

Flexible LCD Viewscreen and Color Viewfinder - The 2.5-inch viewscreen permits easy composition of sensational shots from any angle. The screen swivels and flips for maximum handling comfort and flexibility, tucking neatly away when bright conditions make the eyecup viewfinder the preferred way to shoot.

Extended Battery Performance - Enhanced power, attributed to higher capacity batteries and reduction of energy consumption, allows for longer usage and uninterrupted recording time. More than five hours can be recorded continuously with the optional BP-522 battery pack. When powered with the optional BP-535, more than eight hours of recording time is available.

Programmed Auto Exposure - Outstanding video results are possible even during challenging conditions. By selecting the program that matches the scene, each ZR model adjusts internal controls to create perfect video each time. Mode choices are Sports, Portrait, Spotlight, Sand and Snow, and Low Light. AE Shift is another feature that gives the shooter control over how light or dark the camcorder sets the auto exposure level. The models have enhanced low light capability with a 2 lux minimum illumination. For point-and-shoot simplicity, each ZR model also includes Canon's fully automatic Easy Green Mode suitable for most indoor/outdoor situations.

Digital Effects - A choice of digital effects provides a more appealing look and greater imaging variety for stills and video. A variety of four fade effects (fade trigger, vertical wipe, horizontal wipe and mosaic fades) can begin and end scenes with a fade to and from black. Additional choices include adding art, black and white, sepia and a mosaic effect.

Digital Stereo Sound - Two digital audio modes are the16 bit mode that produces higher, CD-equivalent, two-channel sound quality and the 12 bit mode that leaves two channels free to dub extra sound at a later time.

IEEE 1394/Firewire(R) DV Terminal - Equipped with a DV IN/OUT terminal that conforms to IEEE 1394/Firewire, just a single digital cable is needed to copy video to another Canon DV camcorder, or transfer to a DV-ready computer for editing or use on the Internet.

Manual Controls - While fully automatic, the ZR series offers manual control over focus, exposure, white balance and shutter speed.

A/V Insert and Audio Dubbing - Insert new video scenes from a VCR or other camcorder into an original recording. When using a recording made in the 12 bit audio mode, stereo sound can be added from another audio source, or the internal or external microphone.

Analog Line-In Recording - An analog video signal from a television, VCR, or another camcorder can be sent into the ZR series to record images digitally onto a Mini DV cassette. Appropriate for making copies or preserving precious originals.

Other features include the following:

-- Microphone terminal for external microphone

-- Selectable AV/headphone jack

-- Built-in speaker

-- LP mode to extend taping time

-- Built-in charge function

-- A world clock

-- 16:9 wide screen TV effect

-- Time code

-- Photo search

-- Date search

-- Self-timer

-- LANC terminal

Step-Up Features Of ZR25 MC And ZR30 MC

MultiMediaCard Recording - In addition to capturing a still image on the MiniDV cassette tape, a MultiMediaCard (MMC) is used to capture, store and retrieve still images that can be downloaded to a computer and then emailed or printed. About the size of a postage stamp, the MultiMediaCard is the smallest removable solid-state memory solution. Images can be captured on tape and transferred to the MMC and vice versa. Additionally, the ZR25 MC and ZR30 MC are Canon's first models to accept the new SC (Secure Digital) Memory Card that features built-in copy protection.

The ZR25 MC and ZR30 MC come with an 8 MB MultiMediaCard. When recording still images, the images are compressed and stored in the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format. Users may select one of two image quality modes: Fine - recording approximately 60 images suitable for making prints; Standard - recording approximately 105 images appropriate for email attachments or personal website. Both modes record images in 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution. The supplied 8 MB MMC includes pre-programmed graphics that can be combined with live images from the camera to create superimposed backgrounds or cartoon-like foregrounds to add greater variety and entertainment to shooting and viewing. Currently, optional MMC cards are available in 16, 32 and 64 MB storage capacities.

Shooting Modes - The ZR25 MC and ZR30 MC feature three shooting modes. They have video mode and digital photo mode, as with the ZR20, and also have progressive photo mode, which simulates progressive scan recording on an interlace CCD image sensor to capture sharp, crisp full frame still images that are free from time lag blur onto a MultiMediaCard or SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card. Using the progressive photo mode, videomakers will see greater clarity and detail, especially when making a print from their computer or photo/video printer.

Exclusive Features Of ZR30 MC

Lighted Camera Controls - Camera control buttons, positioned above the LCD viewscreen, can be illuminated to add unique style and make them visible in low light environments. Users can customize the feature by selecting from three illumination colors: blue, turquoise and green.

Advanced Accessory Shoe - Provides videomakers with options to enhance picture and sound quality. Optional accessories -- Canon's VL-3 video light and DM-50 Directional Stereo Microphone -- can be mounted on and powered by the ZR30 MC.

Extended Recording (World's First) - In addition to the standard SP and LP recording modes, the ZR30 MC is the world's first MiniDV camcorder to included an Extended Recording Function, which substantially increases the length of recording time per cassette and prevents the running out of tape at critical shooting moments. To achieve extended recording, 2x greater image data compression is applied in the ESP mode and 3x in the ELP mode. In ELP, an 80-minute MiniDV tape will record four hours of video footage.

Contents of the ZR20, ZR25 MC and ZR30 MC kit include:

-- ZR camcorder

-- BP-512 (approximate 2.5 hour Battery Pack)

-- CA-560 Compact Power Adapter

-- WL-D77Wireless Remote (ZR30 MC, ZR25 MC only)

-- WL-D74 Wireless Remote (ZR20)

-- S-150 S-Video Cable

-- STV-250 Stereo Video Cable

-- MMC-8M (8 Megabyte multimediacard) (ZR25 MC and ZR 30 MC only)

-- SS-700 Shoulder Strap

Optional Accessories: New accessories for the ZR series include BP-522 Battery (5 hours 10 minutes), BP-535 (8 hours 15 minutes), WD-30.5 Wide Angle Converter (0.7x), TL-30.5 Telephoto Converter (1.9x), FS-30.5U set of three filters, CR-560 charge adapter/car battery adapter. The DM-50 Directional Microphone and VL-3 Video Light are for the ZR30 MC only.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc., provides professional and consumer imaging solutions that give people the Know How to access the latest technology. The company's comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices; digital and analog copiers (color and black and white); printers, scanners, image filing systems, and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment. Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

For more information, call [phone] or visit http://www.canondv.com or http://www.usa.canon.com.