Canon U.S.A. Addresses Needs of High-End Graphics Professionals With Introduction of Next-Generation Color Laser Copier/Printers.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2002

Color Market Share Leader Introduces New CLC 1140 and 1180,

Featuring a 70% Improvement in Color Consistency

With a focus on delivering the highest color quality and consistency in its products than ever before, Canon U.S.A., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ) and U.S. market share leader in color laser copier/printers(a), today introduces the new CLC 1140 and 1180, two mid-range systems that allow the Company to further its market presence with graphic arts professionals.

With enhanced engine technologies such as Real Time Calibration that provide a 70% improvement in color consistency over previous models, the CLC 1140 and 1180 are ideal for true graphics environments such as pre-press and commercial printing, where they can be used for short production runs and intermediate proofing. The CLC 1180 includes duplexing capability standard.

"Canon's engine development expertise has led to our new mid-range CLC systems offering a non-linear Press Like Density Curve, which can simulate the tonal density of offset printing presses," said Mason Olds, director and general manager, Canon U.S.A. Graphic Systems Division. "Combining this technology with other hardware and software RIP enhancements allows critical color accuracy within demanding environments, allowing the CLC 1140 and 1180 to penetrate new markets segments."

The new CLC models will be on display at the Canon Digital Solution Forum, which takes place at New York's Jacob Javits Convention Center April 23-25.

The CLC 1140 and 1180 produce full color laser output at 11 pages-per-minute (ppm), and black-and-white output at 42 ppm. In targeting a wide range of users from corporate to graphic arts, the devices use Color Automatic Image Refinement screening technology, which improves the resolution to 800 dpi x 400 dpi in appearance, and Finer Brighter Toner (FB-Toner), which is comprised of toner particles that are much smaller than conventional color copier/printer toners.

Enhanced Network Color Server Options

The CLC 1140 and 1180 are sold either as standalone copiers, or as a fully networked copier/printers with the addition of color print controller options known as the Canon ColorPASS-Z400E and ColorPASS-Z650. Both color servers were co-developed by Canon Inc. and longtime partner Electronics for Imaging (NASDAQ: EFII).

Canon ColorPASS-Z400E

As an entry-level controller solution, the architecture of the ColorPASS-Z400E features an Intel Celeron 566 MHz processor, 192 MB of RAM, and 20 GB Hard Drive. Windows NT is the resident operating system. Basic color management functionality comes standard, with new features including tray alignment for simplex and duplex output, and member printing for job accounting purposes. With ECT file compression, raster image processor (RIP) performance is dramatically enhanced without any data loss.

Canon ColorPASS-Z650

Canon's ColorPASS-Z650 comes with EFI's Fiery System 5 software delivering cutting-edge color management capabilities. An optional Graphics Arts Package is also available for the ColorPASS-Z650. This Graphic Arts Package (MSRP $5595) is specifically designed for the color critical user, and includes: Soft Proofing, for facilitating customer approvals; Spot-on Color Matching for easier color management, customization, and adjustment of named Pantone colors; Hot Folders setting to automate the printing process for anything from job imposition to media thickness; Halftone screening capabilities to simulate the final screened result that will be imaged on films or plates; and Paper Simulation to simulate the media that will be used when printing i.e. newsprint.

A new version of Fiery(R) Remote Scan for the first time enables use of the CLC Re-circulating Document Feeder (RDF) for scanning documents to the ColorPASS hard drive, or for sending e-mail attachments remotely to the printer or Internet via use of NetWise(TM) 3.

The Canon ColorPASS-Z650 is powered by a high-speed 1 GHz Intel Pentium III processor, a 60 GB hard drive, 256 MB of RAM, an internal 250 MB Zip drive, and CD-ROM, all for transporting a wide range of files across virtually any network, platform, or application. ColorWise(R) 3 color management includes Post-RIP calibration, to separate the calibration process from the RIP process, ColorCal(TM), an improved two-step calibration process, gray component removal for giving black areas a sharper look, and Auto Gray to improve consistency when using multiple CLCs in one location.

Pricing and Availability

The new CLC models and related optional accessories are available today through all Authorized Canon U.S.A. Dealers and Canon Business Solutions locations. The CLC 1140 and 1180 have suggested retail prices of $22,150 and $25,350, respectively. The ColorPASS-Z400E and ColorPASS-Z650 have suggested retail prices of $7,495 and $21,000, respectively.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. In 2001, the Company was listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and was ranked #41 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 2001, with global revenues of $26 billion. Canon U.S.A. employs approximately 11,000 people at over 30 locations. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

(a) Source - Gartner Dataquest "Digital Document and Imaging Group

Integrated Document Output (Copier, Printer, Fax)--Database", 5

March 2002.

All page-per-minute statistics based on standard letter-sized output.

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