Canon U.S.A. Enhances imageCLASS Product Line with New Desktop Laser Multifunction Products; imageCLASS MF5550 and MF5530 are Feature-Rich for the Home Office/Small Business Market.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 2003

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ) today announces the introduction of its new imageCLASS(R) MF5550 and imageCLASS(R) MF5530 Laser Multifunction products. Targeted at the home office and small business markets, these two machines expand Canon's imageCLASS product line-up available at retail locations. The imageCLASS MF5550 includes a fax feature in addition to the copying, printing, scanning capabilities found on the imageCLASS MF5530.

"Market trends over time continue to show a shift from single function devices to multifunction platforms," said Tod Pike, senior vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A. Imaging Systems Group. "The imageCLASS MF5550 and MF5530 will leverage Canon's award winning MFP technology and design in meeting these evolving customer trends."

The Canon imageCLASS MF5550 and MF5530 tackle laser printing and copying tasks with outstanding speeds up to 19 pages-per-minute and copies-per-minute of letter-sized documents. The 50-sheet automatic document feeder increases work flow when using the copy or scanning functions of either machine. A 250-sheet front-loading paper cassette design helps decrease the desk space needed for these products, making less clutter of work areas for the consumer. For enhanced speed when printing and scanning, both products have a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface.(a) Another time-saving and convenience feature is the Canon Single Cartridge System found on both products. The easy-to-replace cartridge means virtually no service calls and no need to worry or stock two separate consumables - toner and drum unit.

Combining the high optical scanning resolution of 1200 x 2400 color dpi with a 48-bit depth that is capable of recognizing more than 281-trillion possible colors, consumers can complete a variety of color scanning tasks easily and with high-quality results. The Charged-Coupled Device (CCD) technology helps to ensure scans are closer reproductions of the original being scanned. ScanSoft(R) OmniPage(R) SE Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software is included with both to help scan text documents for editing quickly and easily.

For the added benefit of fax capability, the imageCLASS MF5550 incorporates a 33.6 Kbps Super G3 fax.(b) A strong list of fax features including 12 one-touch speed dial numbers, 100 coded speed dial numbers, 99-page memory capacity, sequential broadcasting and activity reports make the imageCLASS MF5550 an ideal solution for the customer needing comprehensive faxing applications in a handsomely designed desktop product.

The imageCLASS MF5550 and MF5530 meet the ENERGY STAR(R) guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. The EPA established the International ENERGY STAR(R) Program in 1992 to help prevent global warming by promoting the development and use of energy-efficient products.

Canon U.S.A. has won the ENERGY STAR(R) Partner of the Year - Product Manufacturers Award the past three years-in-a-row. Over 300 Canon products have been qualified under the ENERGY STAR(R) Program, more than any other business machine manufacturer.

The imageCLASS MF5550 will be shipping to retail outlets in October and have an estimated street price of $499.99 and the MF5530 will ship in November with an estimated street price of $399.99.(c) Both products come standard with a limited one-year warranty that includes InstantExchange.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and is ranked #39 on the Business Week list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2002, with global revenues of $24.5 billion. Canon U.S.A. employs more than 10,000 people at over 30 locations. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

(a) USB 2.0 Hi-Speed performance requires Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 with pre-installed USB 2.0 port.

(b) Super G3 capability (33.6 modem speed) available when transmitting to another v.34 fax machine, and currently available only with DSL. The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) currently supports modem speeds of 28.8 Kbps or lower, depending on telephone line conditions.

(c) Actual retail prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.