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CANON COMBINES TOP-TIER
TECH AND CLASSIC CAMERA DESIGN INTO LINE
LEADING 10-MEGAPIXEL POWERSHOT G7 DIGITAL
CAMERA
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., September 14, 2006
– Canon's PowerShot G7 digital camera,
the new flagship of Canon's ever popular
fleet of PowerShot digital cameras will
be sailing into stores beginning in October,
equipped with a boatload of Canon's newest
technological achievements and user-friendly
features and carrying an estimated selling
price of US $599.99.* Designed to delight
even the most die-hard photo enthusiast,
the 10-megapixel PowerShot G7 digital camera
continues the tradition of imaging excellence,
innovation and ease of use that began when
the PowerShot G1 was introduced a mere six
years ago.
Compact and comfortable to hold, handle
and use, the PowerShot G7 digital camera
is an aesthetic treat as well, harking back
to the look and feel of classic Canon cameras.
From its retro "wet black matte finish,"
leather-toned grip and the detailed knurling
and analog-style "click-click"
of the camera's top side ISO Speed Dial
and Shooting Mode Dial, to the stylish metallic
accents of the body's aluminum-finish parts
and metallic-finish bayonet ring, this PowerShot
G7 conveys a sense of "camera-ness"
rarely encountered in the world of digital
photography. Photo panache and feel appeal
not withstanding, the PowerShot G7 remains
true to the G-Class tradition by offering
an array of the industry's advanced photographic
features.
"In the PowerShot G7 we have created
the ultimate prosumer compact digital camera
for the discerning hobbyist, the photo enthusiast
and for those who require uncompromising
photo quality for business and industrial
applications," states Yukiaki Hashimoto,
senior vice president and general manager
of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A.,
Inc. "Faster, more responsive, more
efficient and easier to use, thanks to Canon's
proprietary new DIGIC III image processor
and a newly enhanced and intuitive user
interface, the PowerShot G7 digital camera
also offers users a greater level of creative
control and flexible shooting options than
ever before."
The Eyes Have It
The "brain" of the new camera
is DIGIC III, the newest iteration of Canon's
ultra-efficient (and proprietary) image
processor. Making its debut on the PowerShot
G7 digital camera (along with Canon's three
newest Digital ELPH models) the DIGIC III
chip accounts for the camera's higher performance
levels including faster start up, autofocus
and shutter response times, and of course,
improved image quality and more efficient
power consumption; resulting in extended
battery life under typical shooting conditions.
What's more, thanks to the DIGIC III chip's
more aggressive noise reduction, the PowerShot
G7 digital camera is able to shoot at ISO
equivalent speed ratings from 80 to as high
as 1600. This increased sensitivity at the
top-end allows users to select faster shutter
speeds, significantly reducing camera shake
and subject blur during hand held low-light
photography.
With Canon's new Face Detection AF/AE technology
(working in concert with Canon's 9-point
Autofocus system), the camera can detect,
lock on and track up to nine human faces
in a scene simply by pressing the shutter
button halfway. The face detection algorithm
automatically prioritizes and selects the
optimum subject and not simply the closest
face (based on Canon's Intelligent Scene
Analysis/iSAPS technology). It will then
optimize the focus and exposure to ensure
the best possible results for even easier
picture taking moments.
Reflections in an Image Stabilized Glass
Eye
True to Canon's tradition of optical excellence,
the PowerShot G7 digital camera is equipped
with a fast and sharp f/2.8-4.8 6X optical
zoom lens (35-210mm, 35mm equivalent). Canon's
specialized SR coating augments the all
glass lens, the first time this lens coating
technology has been applied in a compact
digital camera. In combination with the
lens' aspherical elements, the SR coating
helps reduce flare and ghosting, delivering
a cleaner image to the camera's CCD sensor
in the process. The precision lens also
features an extreme macro setting that focuses
down to one centimeter.
The PowerShot G7 digital camera also features
a Lens-Shift type optical image stabilization
system that can help defeat the effects
of camera shake in low light situations,
or while shooting handheld. This optical
image stabilization system is based on advancements
made in the development of Canon's EF lenses
and video lenses. Unlike electronic or "digital
image stabilization systems" that typically
degrade image quality, the PowerShot G7
digital camera's lens shift-type preserves
maximum optical performance while providing
up to three stops of shake correction in
shutter speed equivalent.
The PowerShot G7 digital camera's new 1.4x/2.3x,
onboard, digital tele-converter achieves
the digital equivalent of having an actual
teleconverter lens attached to the camera.
The camera also offers a new Safety Zoom
that enables non-stop digital zoom operation
at reduced resolution settings up to the
maximum magnification possible before the
image begins to degrade. Optional optical
wide-angle (WC-DC58B), telephoto (TC-DC58C)
and close-up (58mm 250D) supplementary lenses
are also available for the PowerShot G7
digital camera.**
Admiring the View
The PowerShot G7 digital camera is equipped
with a newly enhanced, 2.5- inch color LCD
screen with approximately 207,000 pixels,
a wide viewing angle and 15 brightness settings
making it easier to read the display menus
and easier to preview and review subjects
and scenes. Adding to the ease of composing
a picture in the proper print proportion,
the PowerShot G7 is appointed with optional
grid lines and a 3:2 aspect ratio print
display overlay. Simply put, this convenient
composition guide overlays horizontal gray
bars at the top and bottom of the LCD screen
so that photographers can compose and shoot
their images in the proportion best suited
to the print size they wish to make (typically
4"x 6").
Making Special Scenes
When it comes to special scenes, the PowerShot
G7 camera makes a quantum leap over its
predecessor with the addition of 13 new
modes for a variety of scenic shooting situations.
Notable among the special scene modes (which
include portrait, night snapshot, kids &
pets, indoor, foliage, snow, beach and fireworks
settings etc.) are the new ISO 3200 and
Aquarium settings that permit low light,
no-flash photography in situations where
using a flash would ruin a picture by bouncing
back off aquarium glass or other reflective
surfaces. For those whose photographic passions
take them beyond the water's edge and beneath
its surface, the PowerShot G7 camera also
has an underwater special scene mode. In
order to actually take the camera underwater,
users must safely ensconce it in the optional
waterproof case WP-DC11, specifically designed
for the PowerShot G7 and rated safe to depths
of up to 130 feet.
Improving upon Excellence
A combination of technological advancements,
as well as the introduction of the DIGIC
III image processor has allowed the PowerShot
G7 digital camera to become the fastest
G series camera to date, with a startup
time approximately twice as fast as its
predecessor at 1.4 seconds (LCD monitor
on). Other firsts on a G series model include
Optical Image Stabilization and the addition
of 13 new special scene modes for a variety
of shooting situations. The PowerShot G7
model also adds the "My Colors"
function. Users have added flexibility with
an increased ISO sensitivity, which ranges
from 80-1600, or as high as ISO 3200 in
the special scene mode. With the enhanced
noise reduction, users can confidently shoot
in low light scenes.
Other New Features of the PowerShot
G7 Digital Camera:
* USB 2.0 high speed interface
* SDHC Memory Card/SD Memory Card/MultiMedia
Card compatibility
* Addition of “My Colors” function
that allows users to creatively adjust the
colors, contrast, sharpness and saturation
of images for a completely custom look while
shooting or during playback.
* 25 language menu options
* 1024 x 768 XGA movie mode (maximum recording
time of 31 minutes)
* 16:9 widescreen photos to fit today’s
widescreen TV’s
* 25 shooting modes including 16 special
scene modes, and two user customized shooting
modes
* Approximately 20% lighter than PowerShot
G6 model (including battery and memory card)
* Hot shoe accommodates Canon 220EX, 430EX,
580EX, MR-14EX** and MT-24EX** Speedlite
models
* Sound recorder stores up to two hours
of voice memo
* “My Category” makes it easy
to sort images while shooting or during
playback based on user preferences
* Real time histogram while shooting to
check exposure levels
* An Image Inspection tool that, when
engaged in the REC. Review mode, permits
users to make certain that their images
are in focus.
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
second overall in the U.S. in 2005, with
global revenues of US $31.8 billion. For
more information, www.usa.canon.com.
# # #
All referenced product names, and other
marks, are trademarks of their respective
owners.
Specifications and availability are subject
to change without notice.
* Pricing subject to change at any time.
Actual prices are determined by individual
dealers and may vary.
** Requires Conversion Lens Adapter LA-DC58H
and Macrolite Adapter 58C. (Close-up Lens
58mm 250D is optional but recommended.).
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