Canon UK Press Release

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the launch of the stylish and super-compact 1.33 Megapixel MVX350i, MVX330i and MVX300 digital video cameras. The MVX350i features a 20x optical zoom (400x combined), while the MVX330i and MVX300 both feature an 18x zoom (360x combined). Digital video cameras in the range incorporate high-resolution 16:9 mode, built in mini video light (MVX350i), digital still flash (MVX350i and MVX330i), Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) and large 2.5” 123K pixel LCD screen.

With generous specifications and highly sculptured ergonomics that include flush switches and recessed buttons, the super-compacts are expected to appeal to consumers demanding feature-rich products with superior finish quality and design.

All models utilise Canon’s DIGIC DV processor for split path video and still image processing. All are PictBridge compliant and feature a Print/Share button for simple PC-less printing of digital stills direct to compatible photo printers, and PC/internet uploads. The MVX350i comes equipped with a 0.6x wide converter lens.

Optics and CCD sensor
The 1.33 Megapixel 1/4.5 inch CCD sensor utilises 1.23 effective Megapixels when recording to memory card and 860k effective pixels when recording to miniDV tape. Canon’s engineers have drawn on over 60 years of precision optics experience to incorporate 18x and 20x optical glass zoom lenses that contain an aspheric element for sharp, high contrast footage, without the aberrations caused by low quality lenses. To prevent white clipping (loss of differentiation in the brightest whites) that can occur when shooting in bright conditions (such as on a beach or in snow), each model features a double neutral density (ND) filter. To keep footage and images sharp, crisp and true in all shooting situations, Super Spectra coatings are applied to each lens element to eliminate internal reflections that can cause ghosting (secondary images of bright light sources such as candles) and flare (washed out footage/images).

Electronic Image Stabilisation (EiS) in all models limits frustrating image shake, keeping footage calm, steady and pleasurable to watch. Canon’s EIS is so effective at eliminating image shake that it renders tripod use unnecessary in most shooting situations. Image Stabilisation is available in both 4:3 and 16:9 modes. 16:9 is available in both standard mode and in a special high-resolution mode which allows slightly broader framing by switching off the EIS. In 16:9 mode, the LCD converts to letterbox display for undistorted viewing, so users see exactly what they are recording.
Intuitive and comfortable

Special external buttons include LCD Backlight button, used to raise the brightness of the LCD display in order to improve visibility during recording and playback, and a special Night Mode button to switch quickly into low light operation without menu navigation. A Tape/Card selector simplifies selection of recording media, while a new ‘Easy’ button can be used to switch between fully automatic and manual modes; ideal for new users and occasions when there is no time to adjust settings.

Digital Stills
Canon has drawn on sixty years of camera manufacture expertise to provide the digital video cameras in the MVX300 range with the facility to capture quality digital still images whilst shooting video footage. The MVX350i and MVX330i both incorporate a light guide flash for digital stills, which can be recorded to SD or MMC memory card while video is being recorded to tape . The DIGIC DV processor combines all key processing and memory requirements onto a single chip, with two discrete paths for movie and still image processing. This optimises the algorithms and processing for each output, eliminating any image quality compromise during simultaneous video/still capture to deliver high quality video footage and high quality digital stills simultaneously.

All models are PictBridge compliant, allowing them to print direct to any compatible photo printer without the need for a computer.
To ensure the quality of photographs as well as video footage, digital still functionality includes Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB), a mechanical shutter and a progressive scan photo system to eliminate blur that can plague conventional digital video cameras. The frame is split into three auto-focus regions which can be individually selected, particularly useful with non-centred subjects. The digital video cameras support the Exif Print standard, passing shooting scene data to photo printers for higher fidelity prints than would otherwise be possible. A Drive Mode button allows users to select between three and five digital still frames per second continuous shooting.

Full range of modes
To help deliver great results in difficult and tricky lighting conditions, the MVX350i and MVX330i feature Super Night mode, with an LED for shooting in zero-light conditions, plus Night+ mode, making it possible to switch the LED on and off whilst shooting. All three digital video cameras feature another eight modes: EASY, Auto, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight, Sand and Snow, Low Light and Night modes. Creative digital effects include Art, Sepia, Monochrome, Mosaic, Mirror, Cube and Wave, with 9 fade modes to choose from. A skin detail mode softens skin tones for flattering warm results, ending the harsh and unforgiving results of conventional digital video cameras.

Motion-JPEG
Internet sharing of clips and footage has been simplified with the capacity to record Motion-JPEG files direct to the MMC or SD memory cards. In-camera conversion of footage stored on tape into Motion-JPEG and transfer to MMC or SD card is supported. Depending on memory card capacity, up to 60 minutes of Motion JPEG can be recorded straight to card.

Purchase of an MVX300 series digital video camera entitles the owner to free CANON iMAGE GATEWAY (CiG) membership: 100MB of free space for online sharing of digital stills and MPEG clips. Rather than sending large video clips or images as email attachments, users can upload their favourite material to their own secure galleries on CiG and use a site facility to send gallery links to family and friends.

Software
Two-way communication software DV Messenger 2.0 (available for download free from www.canon-europe.com/dvmessenger) combines elements of Microsoft Windows Messenger and Canon’s own network solution. It provides two-way (peer-to-peer) communication while also enabling the exchange of audio and video data – live or recorded – over the Internet. It allows the digital video camera to be used as a web cam for video chat and remote control the unit via the internet.

Connections
The digital video cameras are equipped with both DV and USB terminals. The DV terminal allows high quality dubbing with no loss of resolution, connection to a PC’s IEEE1394 port for nonlinear editing and high-speed file transfer of still images and video files from the digital video camera’s memory card. The USB terminal is used for fast and simple uploading of video clips and still images from the digital video camera’s memory card.

Analogue/Digital converter
All models feature an Analogue-In port and Analogue/Digital converter (MVX350i and MVX330i). Analogue devices such as VHS players or analogue video cameras can be plugged in to have analogue signals converted into digital, which can then be stored direct to the video camera or output to a digital storage device such as a PC.

Multi Language Display
The menu display can be set from a selection of 8 languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Simplified Chinese.

The MVX300 range of camcorders will be available from late February 2005.