Canon U.S.A. Sets New Standard for High-Volume Document Production with New imageRUNNER Digital Imaging Systems.

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. -- New Devices Deliver Award-Winning imageRUNNER(R) Technology and Professional-Level Finishing Capabilities to High-Volume Corporate and Production Environments

Addressing the needs of high-volume corporate departments and production environments, Canon U.S.A., Inc., the nation's market share brand leader in black-and-white and color copier solutions(i), today unveiled the imageRUNNER 7105, imageRUNNER 7095, imageRUNNER 7095 Printer and imageRUNNER 7086.

Powered by Canon's fourth generation imagePlatform architecture, these new imageRUNNER devices feature dual Canon custom processor technology for faster, more robust data processing and superior image quality; increased memory capabilities to support improved job workflow functionality; and production-level document handling features for mid-production environments. The imageRUNNER 7105 (105-pages-per-minute (ppm)(ii), imageRUNNER 7095 (95-ppm), imageRUNNER 7095 Printer (95-ppm) and imageRUNNER 7086 (86-ppm) are Internet-ready and leverage Canon Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform (MEAP(R)) technology, allowing for advanced document management and communication features with the tightest possible integration and device control across entire corporate networks.

"These new imageRUNNER devices incorporate a number of enhancements designed to increase overall durability, reliability and productivity, as well as brand new professional-level finishing capabilities to handle the sophisticated applications common in production environments," said Sam Yoshida, director and general manager, Corporate Systems Division, Canon U.S.A. "Each new model can be configured with a full range of advanced document finishing options to bring professional publishing capabilities - once only achieved through back office/IT environments or offset printers and bindery houses - to every customer."

imageRUNNER 7105/7095/7095 Printer/7086

Designed for central reproduction departments, print-for-pay establishments and print-on-demand applications where rapid document capture and production is required, the imageRUNNER 7105 and imageRUNNER 7095 meet professional publishing needs. The new imageRUNNER 7095 Printer is ideal for print-only environments performing large volumes of transaction and host-based printing, such as monthly statements and customer invoices by the thousands, allowing users to take advantage of cut-sheet plain paper printing with full access to finishing support. The imageRUNNER 7086 offers the speed and versatility to serve as a complete document publishing and communications hub device for busy corporate departments with dozens of users, providing an affordable, productive solution.

The advanced document finishing options available for all of the new mid-production imageRUNNER devices include:

--High Capacity Stacker that accurately stacks up to 6,000 sheets through two sources for long periods of unattended operation, and includes a convenient removable dolly for transporting output to packing and shipping desks or off-line finishing;

--Perfect Binder to produce perfectly bound and trimmed books all in-line with wraparound covers using hot glue technology;

--Paper Folding Unit that folds 11" X 17" pages into document sets with a finished 8-1/2" X 11" size;

--Enhanced finishers that provide collating, stapling, stacking (up to 5,000 sheets), saddle finishing, and optional punching flexibility required for busy production environments;

--Document Insertion Unit for either finisher to feed booklet covers into job streams;

--Booklet Trimmer to trim and stack large quantities of booklet sets;

--Professional Puncher that provides a number of hole punch tools to support a variety of advanced in-line binding selections with a high degree of registration accuracy.

These new imageRUNNER devices have been designed with added strength and durability to meet the rigors of high volume environments and improve operability. The main unit frame, with a large 10.4" color LCD (7.8" on the imageRUNNER 7095 Printer), has been reinforced with steel struts and its components have been re-engineered for added stability and to maintain rigidity in busy production settings. A new multi-feed detection sensor using ultrasound technology has also been incorporated into the new devices, providing more reliable paper feeding to prevent the output of unintended blank pages.

These new devices offer greater maximum monthly volumes from previous models, including a 6,000,000-impression Amorphous Silicon (A-Si) Drum, and a high-yield 2Kg set-on toner bottle that installs cleanly in seconds, helping to reduce overall operating costs.

Each new production-level imageRUNNER device ships standard with 1GB RAM and a 40GB Hard Disk Drive, providing the virtual space to handle complex jobs from multiple users and allowing for a number of digitally-enabled functions. In addition to network connectivity using 10/100BaseTX Ethernet and USB 2.0 High Speed interfaces, the new devices support true 1,200 X 1,200 dpi print resolution(iii) with a four-beam laser unit and use Canon's new Fine Character and Edge Technology (FCET) to enhance the reproduction of fine lines and text for outstanding image quality.

Offered with the powerful imagePASS-S1 print controller, these new models quickly process the most complex jobs with support for page imposition and genuine Adobe PostScript 3, PCL 5e/6, plus EFI's Hot Folder utility (optional) for automated job queuing and control to produce manuals, workbooks and guides with maximum efficiency. Canon also offers a second print controller option - the Canon Multi-PDL Printer Kit-H1, which offers UFR II (Ultra Fast Rendering II), PCL 5e/6 and Adobe PostScript 3 emulation printing.

The new imageRUNNER models, which incorporate an increased total document storage capacity of up to 20,000 pages in memory, offer a number of new copying(iv) and document storage features designed to further boost efficiencies in production environments. Features include a Job Block Combination function, which allows for the scanning of up to 32 batches of originals with different settings for output as a single job, and a Sample Set Feature for viewing output before committing to a lengthy document run.

Also, by including the Universal Send Kit(iv), these models can add even more value as a high-speed scanning and document distribution solution for print-on-demand needs. The new Canon devices are also available with a Web Access function, which allows workgroup users to leverage their imageRUNNER device as a data-access terminal to call up Internet or intranet sites on the user-interface panel. This function supports information retrieval and printing of administrative application forms directly from the imageRUNNER device without the need for a personal computer. Canon also offers a Secure Watermark option to enable users to embed hidden text within the backgrounds of documents to discourage the unauthorized copying of confidential information.

The suggested retail price for the imageRUNNER 7105 and 7095, which will be available through authorized Canon U.S.A. dealers and Canon Business Solutions locations at the end of January, will be $50,000 and $39,000*, respectively. The imageRUNNER 7086, also available at the end of the January, will have a suggested retail price of $33,000. The imageRUNNER 7095 Printer, available in March, will carry a suggested retail price of $33,000. All document handling options will be available at the time of launch with the exception of the High-Capacity Stacker-A1, Booklet Trimmer-B1, and Perfect Binder-A1 (these high productivity accessories will be available in the second quarter of 2006).

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

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 rated #35 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 2004, with global revenues of $33.3 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Prices, availability and specifications subject to change without notice.

As an ENERGY STAR(R) partner, Canon U.S.A., Inc. has determined that these products meet the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.

(i)Source - Gartner Dataquest - "Printer Quarterly Statistics United States - Database," Camille Iorns February 2005.

(ii) Print speed based on Letter-sized output.

(iii) 1,200 X 1,200 for UFRII and PS only; PCL supports equivalent 2,400 X 600 dpi.

(iv) The imageRUNNER 7095 Printer does not support Universal Send or copy functions. This model requires a print controller option for printing functionality.

* Actual price set by individual dealer and may vary.