Canon Introduces First 8mm Camcorder With 16X Optical Zoom -- Priced Under $600.LAKE SUCCESS, NY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 27, 1997-- New ES270 Offers Novice Videomakers Extraordinary Value and Superior Image Control with FlexiZone AF/ AE Canon U.S.A., Inc., the leader in optical imaging technology, introduces the ES270 8mm camcorder. The ES270 is an entry-level model which offers families and first time camcorder purchasers unparalleled features and value in its price category. The ES270 includes a 16X Optical Zoom Changing the focal length of a camera by adjusting the physical zoom lens. All zoom lenses in film cameras and digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are optical zoom. Digital point-and-shoot cameras as well as consumer and prosumer video camcorders have optical zoom, but they also ; FlexiZone AF/AE for precise focusing and exposure anywhere within the viewfinder The preview window on a camera that is used to frame, focus and take the picture. On analog cameras, the viewfinder is an eye-sized window that must be pressed against the face. Point-and-shoot digital cameras use small LCD screens that are viewed several inches from the eyes. frame -- not just at the center as with traditional autofocus autofocus Noun a camera system in which the lens is focused automatically Noun 1. autofocus - an optical device for focussing a camera or other instrument automatically systems; Digital Special Effects special effects, in motion pictures, cinematographic techniques that create illusions in the audience's minds as well as the illusions created using these techniques. including Art, Black & White, Sepia and Negative Conversion; and a sleek, new, two-toned body design. "The ES270 will attract a larger concentration of camcorder shoppers purchasing at the entry level," said Mr. Yukiaki Hashimoto, director and general manager of the Canon Video Division. "Today's cost conscious consumer will perceive the ES270 as an extraordinary value -- offering superior features at a reasonable price," added Mr. Hashimoto. Canon 16X Optical Zoom Lens Provides Superior Capture of Remote Images The ES270 offers the strongest optical zoom range See optical zoom. in its price class. The 16X Optical Zoom makes a diversity of shooting situations better, including indoor scenes, group shots, macro close-ups and landscapes. The 4 - 64 mm lens' wide angle capability gives the user an expansive array of recording options. FlexiZone AF/AE Image Control System The ES270 incorporates Canon's exclusive FlexiZone AF/AE. This feature enables users to specifically pinpoint the area of focus or exposure anywhere within the viewfinder. The operator is not limited to the center of the frame as with conventional auto focus systems. FlexiZone AF/AE uses a "joystick" controller which can be easily manipulated by the operator to move a white-framed box within the viewfinder frame. The box lets the user know exactly where the camcorder is focusing in response to the positioning of the controller. FlexiZone Auto Focus is ideal for shifting focus within a desired composition; shooting images that are off center; or moving subjects, such as children at play or a sporting event. Similarly, with just a touch of the FlexiZone Auto Exposure button, the camcorder automatically adjusts for proper exposure of the desired subject. This is particularly useful when recording in extreme lighting conditions, such as outdoor shooting where sunlight and shading may complicate the exposure of the desired subject. Digital Special Effects and Optional FP-100 Film Adapter -- Combine to Create a Film and Slide Image Transfer System The ES270 enhances video recordings with Digital Special Effects, such as Art, Black & White, Sepia and Negative Conversion. The Negative Conversion effect is specifically designed to work in conjunction with the optional FP-100 Film Adapter to create a Film & Slide Image Transfer System. The Film & Slide Image Transfer System enables consumers to transfer their 35mm negatives and slides to video. Additional Features Focus on High Quality Recording The ES270 offers a strong package of complimentary features for dynamic video recordings including: New Pre-Set Titler Function -- includes programmed titles (Happy Birthday, Congratulations, Vacation, Happy Easter, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Thanksgiving, Party Time, Wedding and The End) which can be conveniently selected by the user in lieu of the product's standard 32-character generator. The pre-sets can also be personalized when used in conjunction with the character generator (1) Circuitry that converts data characters into dot patterns for a display screen. (2) A device that creates text characters that are superimposed onto video frames. ; Digital Signal Processing See DSP. Digital Signal Processing - (DSP) Computer manipulation of analog signals (commonly sound or image) which have been converted to digital form (sampled). IC -- Canon's unique digital signal processing IC provides high-quality pictures, superior performance and a more compact size; Five Exposure Programs and Easy Recording -- FlexiZone recording, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight and Sand & Snow match the recording conditions to ensure the best possible results. Easy Recording is a sixth program designed to take the guesswork out of video recording; Color Viewfinder and Hi-Fi Stereo -- a 113,000 pixel high resolution color viewfinder lets users see what their recordings will look like when played back on their TV. Hi-Fi stereo offers realistic and dynamic sound quality; LANC LANC Local Application Control Bus System (Sony) LANC Lan Controller Editing Terminal -- for users working with ancillary video editing See nonlinear video editing and video editor. equipment, the LANC terminal offers added convenience; Record Search and Review -- for in-camera editing or instant replay of the last few seconds of recording; Line-In Recording Line-in recording is a term often used by manufacturers of sound equipment to refer to the capability of a device to record line level audio feeds. Microphone and instrument inputs, by contrast, are designed for devices which require further amplification to be at line-level. -- enables the ES270 to receive a broadcast signal or copy from a VCR VCR: see videocassette recorder. VCR in full videocassette recorder Electromechanical device that records, stores on a videotape cassette, and plays back on a TV set recorded images and sound. ; Battery Refresh Function -- automatically drains the battery pack of any remaining energy before recharging to ensure long lasting performance; MIC Terminal, Phones Terminal -- for enhanced audio recordings; Built-in Lens Cover Backlight back·light n. A type of spotlight, used in photography, that illuminates a subject from behind. tr.v. back·light·ed or back·lit , back·light·ing, back·lights Compensation -- This feature is helpful when recording in extreme lighting conditions such as outdoor shooting where sunlight and shading may complicate the exposure. Canon also introduced the ES170, a lower-end version of the ES270, which features a black and white viewfinder and monaural See monophonic. sound. The ES270 and ES170 8mm camcorders weigh 1 pound 12 ounces each without tape and battery and measure 4-3/16" (W) x 4-3/16" (H) x 8- 1/16" (D). They will be sold in kits with the BP-711 Battery Pack, CA- R300 Compact Power Adapter An external power supply for laptop computers and just about every portable or semi-portable electronic device on the market. Also called an "AC adapter," it contains a rectifier to convert AC current to DC and a transformer to convert voltage from 120 down to 9, 12, 15 or whatever is , DC-100 DC Coupler Refers to a myriad of different types of sockets for plugging in electric or electronic cables or devices. See network coupler. , WL-71 Wireless controller, SS-500 Shoulder Strap and C-150 AV Cable. The ES270 and ES170 will be available in May 1997 at a manufacturer's suggested list price of $599 and $549, respectively. CONTACT: Canon U.S.A., Inc. Russell Marchetta (516) 328-5145 rmarchetta@cusa.canon.com Canon Web Site: http://www.usa.canon.com or The Rowland Company Lisa Kaslyn (212) 527-8976 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion