Canon Introduces the PowerShot Pro90 IS Digital Camera With Built-in 10x Zoom Lens and Optical Image Stabilization.Business/Technology Editors LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2001 2.6 Megapixels and 12 EOS Eos (ē`ŏs), in Greek religion and mythology, goddess of dawn; daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia. Every morning she arose early and preceded her brother Helios into the heavens. System-based Shooting Modes with Manual and Movie Settings Make the PowerShot Pro90 IS the Perfect Choice For Photo Enthusiasts Canon U.S.A., Inc., is introducing the PowerShot Pro90 IS digital still camera, Canon's first digital camera to incorporate a built-in 10x zoom lens with optical Image Stabilization Image stabilization (IS) is a family of techniques to increase the stability of an image. It is used in image-stabilized binoculars, photography, videography, and astronomical telescopes. . The PowerShot Pro90 IS is the latest example of Canon's ongoing commitment to provide consumers with high-quality, easy-to-use products by combining its expertise in camera and lens design with advanced digital imaging technology. The new Pro90 IS tops Canon's current lineup of PowerShot-series cameras. In addition to its 10x zoom lens with image stabilization, it incorporates a multitude of advanced features including 12 EOS system-based picture-taking modes; wide exposure sensitivity (equivalent to ISO (1) See ISO speed. (2) (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, www.iso.ch) An organization that sets international standards, founded in 1946. The U.S. member body is ANSI. 50-400); several manual settings; and movie recording and playback with audio. Other advanced features include a highly ergonomic handgrip plus a variable-angle LCD monitor A flat panel display that uses liquid crystals. Although laptops have used LCDs as their flat panel technology almost exclusively, LCD is also the most popular for flat panel desktop monitors. Toward the end of 2003, sales of LCD displays for desktops overtook CRTs for the first time. for easier handling and greater shooting flexibility; full compatibility with Type I and II CompactFlash memory cards, including high-capacity IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) (R) microdrives; optional accessories including supplementary lenses and a hot shoe A hot shoe is a mounting point on the top of a camera to attach a flash unit. The hot shoe is shaped somewhat like an inverted, squared-off 'U' of metal. The matching adapter on the bottom of the flash unit slides in from the back of the camera and is sometimes secured by a for EX-series Speedlites; and a comprehensive software bundle for Mac and PC. Additional camera features include shutter speeds from 8 seconds to 1/1000 second; an iris diaphragm; built-in flash with five control modes; an eye-level electronic viewfinder An electronic viewfinder or EVF is a viewfinder where the image captured by the lens is projected electronically onto a miniature display. The image on this display is used to assist in aiming the camera at the scene to be photographed. with dioptric correction Dioptric correction is the expression for the adjustment of the optical instrument to the varying visual acuity of a person's eyes. It is the adjustment of one lens to provide compatible focus when the viewer's eyes have differing visual capabilities. ; a wireless remote controller; and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery Lithium-ion batteries (sometimes abbreviated Li-ion batteries) are a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in consumer electronics. They are currently one of the most popular types of battery for portable electronics, with one of the best energy-to-weight ratios, no that can be recharged in the camera. The Canon PowerShot Pro The PowerShot Pro1 is a digital camera made by Canon, announced in February 2004 and was discontinued first quarter of 2006. It uses a Sony-built 2/3 in (17 mm) 8.3 megapixel CCD image sensor, which gives a usable image size of approximately 8.0 megapixels. 90 IS also offers numerous advanced digital features including a 1/1.8-inch, 3.34 million pixel CCD CCD in full charge-coupled device Semiconductor device in which the individual semiconductor components are connected so that the electrical charge at the output of one device provides the input to the next device. (2.6 megapixels recorded); high-speed plug-and-play USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. data transfer plus optional RS-232C serial interface; switchable video output format (NTSC/PAL); and a wide selection of image quality settings including JPEG JPEG in full Joint Photographic Experts Group Standard computer file format for storing graphic images in a compressed form for general use. JPEG images are compressed using a mathematical algorithm. and RAW as well as adjustments for contrast, sharpness and color saturation. "Canon's heritage as an optics and imaging company is the foundation for us to provide our customers with the highest quality digital camera products with advanced and easy-to-use features," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager of the Photographic Products Group at Canon U.S.A. "The introduction of the PowerShot Pro90 IS camera furthers our commitment to providing feature-laden digital products ideal for all levels of expertise." 10x Super Telephoto Zoom Lens The PowerShot Pro90 IS camera incorporates a new 10x 7-70mm f/2.8-3.5 lens - equivalent to 37-370mm in 35mm format. This lens was exclusively developed by Canon for high-resolution digital still cameras and is based on new technology announced by the company in May of last year. Its extended zoom range enables the Pro90 IS to be used for a wide variety of photographic situations ranging from landscapes and group shots to nature, wildlife and close-ups. The all-glass lens consists of 13 elements in 10 groups and includes two aspherical a·spher·ic also a·spher·i·cal adj. Varying slightly from sphericity and having only slight aberration, as a lens. Adj. 1. elements to reduce size and weight while correcting aberrations effectively. It also has an iris-type diaphragm that produces better background blur. The zoom function of the Pro90 IS is operated by an adjustable ring strategically placed near the front of the lens. This permits quick and easy access to the zoom feature while allowing users to "cradle" the camera for a more natural feel and support. When conventional cameras are hand-held and the lens is zoomed towards telephoto, camera shake Camera shake is a common problem in photography when telephoto lenses or long shutter speeds are used with a non-stabilized camera. The resulting images will appear blurry and smeared. is likely to occur, resulting in blurry images. The Pro90 IS overcomes this problem by incorporating a shift-type optical Image Stabilizer stabilizer: see airplane. into the lens, allowing users to get sharp photos at shutter speeds up to two full steps slower than the "1/focal length" limit normally required for hand-held photography. This feature greatly improves camera performance and makes it easy for Pro90 IS users to receive maximum benefit from the extended zoom range of the lens. The shift-type optical Image Stabilizer is based on Canon's own original IS technology that was used first in selected lenses for the company's market-leading EOS line of 35mm SLR (1) (Scalable Linear Recording) A line of magnetic tape drives from Tandberg Data that evolved from the QIC Data Cartridge format. See QIC. (2) (Single Lens Reflex) A camera that uses the same lens for viewing and shooting. cameras. Unlike digital image stabilizers used by other manufacturers, Canon's shift-type optical IS system preserves maximum image quality, without increasing size or weight. The PowerShot Pro90 IS has the highest resolution of any digital camera in its class. It uses a 1/1.8-inch, 3.34 megapixel CCD sensor See CCD. with approximately 2.6 million recording pixels to produce high-quality full-color or black-and-white images up to 1856 x 1392 pixels. The camera also offers two additional resolution settings of 1024 x 768 and 640 x 480 (VGA (Video Graphics Array) The display standard for the PC. All PC display adapters support VGA, and Windows machines boot up in "VGA mode" before switching to higher resolutions. resolution). VGA is ideal for on-screen on·screen or on-screen adj. & adv. 1. As shown on a movie, television, or display screen. 2. Within public view; in public. applications such as Web sites and CD-ROMs and allows more images to be recorded on a single CompactFlash memory card. The Pro90 IS provides users with a selection of 3 JPEG compression settings (Superfine superfine a class of merino sheep with wool finer than that of fine-wool. Usual limit is wool of 18.5 microns or less fiber diameter. , Fine and Normal) at any resolution. It also features Canon's exclusive RAW file mode which provides maximum control over image attributes such as white balance, contrast, sharpness and saturation. Additionally, all images are captured at 10 bits per channel with automatic noise reduction and output in 24-bit RGB (Red Green Blue) The computer's native color space, which is the color system for capturing and displaying images. RGB was derived from our own perception of color because human eyes are sensitive to red, green and blue (see trichromaticity). for smooth gradation gradation: see ablaut. and lifelike color. The PowerShot Pro90 IS incorporates improvements similar to the PowerShot G1 in the area of shutter button The shutter button is a button found on many cameras. When you press it, it opens the shutter of the camera. On many cameras, the shutter will then close automatically after the shutter speed has elapsed. response time and shot-to-shot intervals. AF and AE are completed within 0.7 seconds after pressing the shutter button halfway, and exposure begins only 0.07 seconds after pressing the shutter button all the way down from the halfway point. In single frame mode, the shot-to-shot lag time is only 2.5 seconds. A built-in buffer memory supports continuous shooting of up to 10 consecutive Large/Fine JPEGs at 0.7 frames per second when the LCD monitor and flash are shut off. Multiple Manual Settings Many digital cameras claim to have fully manual features when the reality is the "manual" settings are minor overrides of automatic features. With the Pro90 IS, however, photographers have true manual control over shutter speeds, apertures, focusing and even the camera's metering pattern. In addition, the Pro90 IS provides an Image Zone setting offering a series of pre-programmed exposure modes for specific shooting situations. Manual settings available with the PowerShot Pro90 IS include: - Manual Exposure for complete control over shutter speeds and apertures. The Pro90 IS is capable of recording exposures up to 8 seconds when the camera is set to the shutter-priority AE or manual mode. - Manual Focus for extreme close-ups and low-contrast scenes. - Exposure Compensation, Flash Exposure Compensation and Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) up to +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments. AEB allows photographers to make three exposures (normal, over, and under according to the camera's meter) with a single release of the shutter. - Spot Metering for effective exposure control in backlit situations and other adverse shooting conditions. - AF/AE Lock allows photographers to lock in the focus point and exposure for a specific area of a scene, then recompose and shoot without losing the settings. - 7-mode White Balance, including daylight, flash, overcast, tungsten and fluorescent as well as automatic and custom. - Five Flash Control Modes including On, Off, Auto, Auto with Red-Eye Reduction and Forced Flash with Red-Eye Reduction Additional Camera Features The PowerShot Pro90 IS offers a number of additional features including Movie Mode. While in this mode, the Pro90 IS can record a QVGA (Quarter VGA) A screen resolution of 320x240 pixels, which is used on handheld devices. Although 320x240 seems half the 640x480 VGA resolution, the "quarter" comes from the total number of pixels, which is one fourth the number (320 times 240=76800; 640 times 480=307200). (320 x 240 pixel) digital movie clip with audio at 15 frames per second for approximately 30 seconds. Saved as an AVI (Audio Video Interleaved) A Windows multimedia video format from Microsoft. It interleaves standard waveform audio and digital video frames (bitmaps) to provide reduced animation at 15 fps at 160x120x8 resolution. Audio is 11,025Hz, 8-bit samples. file, the movie can then be played back on the camera's LCD monitor, a TV monitor using the supplied audio-video cable or on a compatible personal computer. The PowerShot Pro90 IS also incorporates a series of Programmed Image Control modes that are easily set by using the Mode Dial on the top of the camera. In the Auto mode, the camera sets all the parameters for exposure while the user simply sets the resolution and compression settings. In the Pan Focus mode, the lens is set to its wide-angle focal length Focal length A measure of the collecting or diverging power of a lens or an optical system. Focal length, usually designated f ′ and hyperfocal distance Noun 1. hyperfocal distance - the distance in front of a lens that is focused at infinity beyond which all objects are well defined and clear distance - the property created by the space between two objects or points to achieve the greatest depth-of-field. The Portrait mode automatically sets a larger aperture to achieve minimum depth-of-field for a blurred background. The Landscape mode sets the optimum aperture for expanded depth-of-field from foreground to background while continuing to focus on the main subject. In the Night Scene mode, the camera properly exposes the foreground subject with flash and sets a slow shutter speed for correct exposure of illuminated backgrounds. The Black-and-White mode allows users to create beautiful black-and-white images. Stitch Assist helps users create seamless panoramas by using the LCD monitor to align images while shooting. In the Creative Zone of the Mode Dial, users can select between Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority or Manual exposure control. These settings also provide access to a host of other camera features such as single or continuous 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 , spot metering and AE lock, various forms of exposure compensation, plus manual and custom white balance settings and much more. Superior Handling and Ease of Use Digital photographers at any level of skill will find it easy to maneuver around the camera's auto, manual and creative shooting modes. Similar to Canon's EOS System cameras, the User Interface (UI) is clear and concise with graphical icons that are universally understood. The main dial of the camera is used to set the camera for picture-taking, playback and PC download, while the Mode Dial is used to set the camera's 12 EOS-based picture-taking modes such as Auto, Programmed Image Control Zone, and Creative Zone. Popular features such as IS on/off, metering pattern, exposure compensation and flash have their own buttons. A four-position Omni Selector is used to change menu settings and select images during playback. The PowerShot Pro90 IS is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that has more capacity but less weight than nickel metal-hydride, with no memory effect. Image Management Software Bundled with a suite of programs enabling image management, editing compositing and printing, the PowerShot Pro90 IS comes with Adobe PhotoShop 5.0 LE and Apple QuickTime 4.1, ZoomBrowser EX 2.5 (for PC) and ImageBrowser 1.5 (for Mac); PhotoRecord 1.2 (Windows only); and PhotoStitch 3.1. RemoteCapture 1.2 is a newly developed software application for Mac and PC that enables a USB-connected Pro90 IS camera to be controlled by a personal computer. Many camera settings such as focal length, resolution, compression, flash mode, etc., can be adjusted from compatible personal computers and the images can be recorded directly to the PC. System Accessories The PowerShot Pro90 IS offers even greater creative flexibility with lens converters and adapters. The WC-DC58 Wide Angle Converter widens the focal length of the camera's lens by approximately 0.8x, giving the camera an effective wide angle of approximately 30mm (35mm format equivalent). Close-Up Lens 500D has a working distance of approximately 14 to 20 inches from the front of the lens. A new LH-DC58 Lens Hood helps to prevent flare. Semi-Hard Case SHC-PS300 is also available to protect the camera from bumps and scratches when not in use. Users who need flash coverage beyond the camera's built-in flash can add any of Canon's EX-series Speedlites to the camera's hot shoe. Flash units currently available in Canon's line of EX Speedlites include the 220EX, 420EX and 550EX. The new PowerShot Pro90 IS is supplied with the following standard accessories: USB Interface Cable, AV Cable; Remote Controller; Neck Strap; a 16MB CompactFlash Card; BP-511 rechargeable battery and CA-560 Compact Power Adapter; AC Cable and bundled software. The Canon PowerShot Pro90 IS will be available in January and have a suggested retail price of $1,299.00. About Canon U.S.A. Canon U.S.A., Inc. is an industry leader in 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. All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners. |
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