PMA 2006: The Canon PowerShot A700 and Canon PowerShot A540 are announced today. 6 megapixels, ISO 800, 2.5 inch LCD, 6x and 4x optical zoom lens respectively. The PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540 will be available from March 2006, priced at £289.00 / €429.99 and £249.00 / €369.99 respectively.

Canon UK Press Release

Canon broadens PowerShot A-series range with two versatile models for creative shooting
 
Canon is pleased to announce the launch of two new PowerShot cameras that combine ease of use with creative flexibility – the PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540. The 6.0 Megapixel PowerShot A700 defines a new level of performance for the A-series range with a 6x optical zoom lens featuring a real-image optical viewfinder. The PowerShot A540 delivers 6.0 Megapixel resolution and a high performance 4x optical zoom lens. Both cameras feature an extensive range of creative shooting modes and are compatible with optional converter lenses for extended versatility. With its powerful optical performance and rich feature set, the PowerShot A700 is the new flagship of the A-series range. The versatile PowerShot A540 is the replacement to last year’s popular PowerShot A520. “The PowerShot A-series range stands for performance, ease of use and affordability,” explains Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “By broadening the range with these fully featured cameras, Canon is putting advanced photography into the hands of the mainstream consumer.”

The PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540 pack a vast array of additional high-end features into a remarkably compact space, including:
- Canon’s DIGIC II image processor and iSAPS technology for fast, superb results
- Accurate focusing with Flexizone AF/AE1 (PowerShot A700) and 9-point AiAF1
- ISO 800 shooting
- Widescreen (16:9) stills recording
- 30fps VGA movie recording
- 2.5” LCD with Night Display and Grid Line Display

Optics
A 6x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 35 - 210mm) on the PowerShot A700 and 4x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 35 - 140mm) on the PowerShot A540 deliver crisp, bright results that make the very most of the cameras’ 6.0 Megapixel resolution. In a first for a 6x optical zoom digital compact camera, the PowerShot A700 features a real-image optical viewfinder, allowing fast framing and precise manual focusing without the LCD.

Each camera has optional Wide (0.7x) and Tele (1.75x) converter lenses to extend the focal length range, for an effective 15x optical zoom with the PowerShot A700 and 10x optical zoom with the PowerShot A540. Both are also compatible with optional close-up lenses for detailed macro photography.

Designed for creativity
With 19 shooting modes on the PowerShot A700 and 20 shooting modes on the PowerShot A540, both cameras are superbly equipped for artistic photography. Creative Zone modes on each camera include full Manual mode, Aperture Priority and Shutter Speed Priority. Special Scene modes – such as Night Snapshot and Snow – assist with tricky lighting conditions, while Colour Accent and Colour Swap modes enable dramatic colour effects to be applied to both images and movies direct from the camera. Users can record smooth 30fps VGA quality movies of up to 1GB with sound or create 60fps QVGA clips for sharp slow motion playback. A handy Compact mode enables shooting of small format clips of up to three minutes for easy sharing via email. My Colours can also be applied to movies before shooting.

The PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540 feature a new Widescreen mode (2816 x 1584 recording pixels) for capturing still images in 16:9 format – perfect for viewing on widescreen television or printing wide photos with a SELPHY Compact Photo Printer .

Low light shooting
The addition of ISO 800 gives photographers the flexibility to shoot without flash indoors and in other low light environments. It also enables shooting at faster shutter speeds, increasing image stability at full zoom and reducing unwanted motion blur. The PowerShot A700 features a new High ISO Auto setting that automatically sets exposure using the higher range of ISO sensitivities. The advanced DIGIC II processor in both cameras minimises noise at higher ISO levels.

Instant photo prints
Both cameras are PictBridge compliant for instant direct printing to compatible printers, including all Canon SELPHY CP Compact Photo Printers and most Canon PIXMA printers. Users can also print ID photos and stills images from movies when connected to a SELPHY CP Compact Photo Printer.

The handy Print/Share button on each camera allows one-touch printing and hassle-free uploads to Windows or Macintosh systems. A new Print menu makes it easier than ever to organise print jobs direct from the camera.

The menu system on these cameras now features support for 23 languages, including Arabic.

Pricing and availability
The PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540 will be available from March 2006, priced at £289.00 RRP inc. VAT/ €429.99 RRP inc. VAT and £249.00 RRP inc. VAT/ €369.99 RRP inc. VAT respectively.

Reader enquiries
UK – 08705 143723 / www.canon.co.uk    
Eire – (01) 2052400 / www.canon.ie

Software
The PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540 come bundled with the following Canon Software:
- ZoomBrowser EX 5.6 (Windows), ImageBrowser 5.6 (Macintosh): For organizing and editing images, movies and slideshows, or creating and printing digital photo albums.
- PhotoStitch 3.1: For creating panoramic photos from multiple images (Windows and Macintosh).

The software package also includes ArcSoft’s photo manipulation software, PhotoStudio.

The bundled software supports Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000 (SP4), XP (SP1/2) and Macintosh OS X v10.2-v10.4. The cameras support PTP for driverless transfer to Windows XP and Macintosh OS X.
Purchasers of the cameras are eligible for membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY , 100MB of online ‘personal gallery’ space for sharing stills and video with family and friends.

Accessories
PowerShot A700:
- Tele-converter 1.75x lens (TC-DC58N)
- Wide-converter 0.7x lens (WC-DC58N)
- Conversion Lens Adapter (LA-DC58G)
- Close-Up Lens 250D (58mm)
- High Power Flash (HF-DC1)
- Soft Case (DCC-80)
- Compact AC Power Adapter (ACK800)
- Battery and Charger Kit (CBK4-300)
- NiMH Batteries (NB4-300)

PowerShot A540:
- Tele-converter 1.75x lens (TC-DC52A)
- Wide-converter 0.7x lens (WC-DC52)
- Conversion Lens Adapter (LA-DC52F)
- Close-Up Lens 250D (52mm)
- High Power Flash (HF-DC1)
- Waterproof Case (WP-DC2)
- Waterproof Case Weights (WW-DC1)
- Soft Case (DCC-80)
- Compact AC Power Adapter (ACK800)
- Battery and Charger Kit (CBK4-300)
- NiMH Batteries (NB4-300)

The cameras are compatible with MMC/SD cards, and come supplied with a 16MB Canon memory card.

Technologies Explained

DIGIC II
Canon’s purpose-built DIGIC II (DIGital Imaging Core) image processor links all primary camera functions for maximum efficiency. High-speed processing results in outstanding responsiveness, rapid auto focus and extended continuous shooting ability. Advanced image processing algorithms deliver superb image detail and colour reproduction with accurate white balance and minimal noise. DIGIC II operates efficiently to extend battery life, for longer shooting on a single charge.

iSAPS
iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) automatically optimises key camera settings before every shot. Each scene is analysed and cross-referenced against Photographic Space – a vast in-camera library of photographic data. This enables the camera to make optimal adjustments to auto exposure, auto focus and auto white balance before image capture occurs.

9-Point AiAF
Canon’s 9-point AiAF (Artificial Intelligence Auto Focus) automatically scans and selects subjects from a set of nine focusing areas across the scene. This ensures accurately focused images even when subjects are not in the centre of the frame.

FlexiZone AF/AE
FlexiZone AF/AE lets users manually select the focus point from almost any point in the frame by moving the auto focus window in the viewfinder. Exposure is linked to the focus point to ensure that the chosen subject is accurately focused and exposed.

About Canon (UK) Limited
Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions for the home and office environments.

Canon has a global philosophy of Kyosei - living and working together for the common good, which clearly demonstrates commitment to customers, staff and the environment shared by all.

Canon (UK) Ltd is the UK marketing and sales operation for the US$33 billion global company based in Tokyo, Japan.  In the UK Canon employs over 2,000 people in various locations including Ireland and has achieved sales of £522m in 2004.

The main business focus for Canon (UK) Ltd, covers two clearly defined market segments: Business Solutions covering both the office and professional printing environments (including: multifunctional printers, IT consultation and peripherals: photocopiers, printers, fax machines, document management hardware & software, multimedia LCD projectors) and Consumer Imaging (input solutions: film and digital cameras, camcorders, binoculars and scanners; and output solutions: Ink Jet printers, fax machines, desktop multifunctionals and multimedia projectors).

PowerShot A700 Specifications

IMAGE SENSOR
Type 1/2.5” CCD
Effective Pixels Approx.6.0M
Colour Filter Type Primary Colour
IMAGE PROCESSOR
Type DIGIC II with iSAPS technology
LENS
Focal Length 5.8 - 34.8 mm (35mm equivalent: 35-210mm)
Zoom Optical 6x, approx. digital 4x (6), combined approx. 24x
Maximum f/number f/2.8-f/4.8
Construction 9 elements in 7 groups (1 double-sided aspherical element)
FOCUSING
Type TTL
AF System/ Points 9-point AiAF, 1-point AF (Any position is available or fixed centre)
AF Point Selection Manual selection using FlexiZone AF/AE
AF Lock On/Off Selectable
AF Assist Beam Yes
Manual Focus Yes
Closest Focusing Distance 1cm
EXPOSURE CONTROL
Metering modes Evaluative, Centre-weighted average, Spot (centre or linked to focusing frame)
AE Lock Locked when shutter button is pressed half way
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments
ISO Speed Equivalent AUTO, High ISO Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800
SHUTTER
Speed “15 – 1/2,000 sec
(Slow Shutter speeds of 1.3 sec. and more, available in Manual and Shutter Priority AE modes only. Shutter speeds of 1.3 sec. and more operate with noise reduction. Certain combinations of shutter speed and aperture may not be available.)”
WHITE BALANCE
Type TTL
Settings Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
VIEWFINDER
Viewfinder Real-image zoom, optical viewfinder
LCD MONITOR
Monitor 2.5” Low temperature P-Si TFT, approx. 115,000 pixels
Coverage 100%
FLASH
Modes Auto, Manual Flash On / Off
Slow Sync Speed Yes
Red-eye Reduction Yes
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments
Second Curtain Synchronisation Yes
Built-in Flash Range 55cm - 3.5m (W) / 2.5m (T) (at ISO AUTO equivalent)
External Flash Canon’s High Power Flash HF-DC1
SHOOTING
Modes Auto, Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Stitch Assist, Movie, Special Scene (Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Color Accent, Color Swap)
Photo Effects My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Positive Film, Custom Color)
Drive modes Single, Continuous, Self-Timer
Continuous Shooting Approx. 2.0 fps (1) (until memory card becomes full) (2)
RECORDING PIXELS / COMPRESSION
Image Size (L)2816 x2112, (M1)2272 x 1704, (M2)1600 x 1200, (S)640 x 480, (W)2816 x 1584, (Postcard Date Imprint) 1600 x 1200
Compression Superfine, Fine, Normal
Movies “(L)640 x 480, (M)320 x 240, 30/15fps
(M)320 x 240, 60fps (S)160 x 120, 15fps”
Movie Length Up to 1GB 640 x 480/320 x 240 (30/15fps), Up to 1 min 320 x 240 (60fps), Up to 3 min 160 x120 (15fps) (2)
FILE TYPES
Still Image Type JPEG compression, (Exif 2.2 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system, Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant
Movies AVI [Motion JPEG compression + WAVE (monaural)]
Sound Files WAVE (monaural)
DIRECT PRINT
Canon Printers Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printers and PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge (ID Photo Print, Movie Print supported on SELPHY CP printers only)
PictBridge Yes
OTHER FEATURES
My Camera Start-up image and camera sounds customisation
Sound Memo Up to 60 sec per image
Intelligent Orientation Sensor Yes
Histogram Yes
Playback zoom Approx. 2x – 10x
Self Timer Approx. 2 or 10 sec. or Custom
Menu Languages English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Chinese (traditional), Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Greek, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Thai, Arabic
INTERFACE
Computer USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (Mini-B, PTP)
Other A/V output (PAL/NTSC)
MEMORY CARD
Type “Secure Digital (SD) Card or MultiMediaCard (MMC),
16MB Memory Card supplied”
SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM
PC Windows 98SE / Me / 2000 SP4 / XP / XP SP1-2
Macintosh OS X v10.2 - 10.4
SOFTWARE
Browsing & Printing ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser
Other PhotoStitch
Drivers TWAIN (Windows 98 / 2000), WIA (Windows Me)
Image Manipulation ArcSoft PhotoStudio
POWER SOURCE
Batteries 2x Size-AA Alkaline or NiMH Batteries(NB4-300) (Alkalines supplied)
Battery life “Approx. 100 shots (4) (with supplied batteries)
Approx. 400 shots (with optional Canon NB-3AH batteries) (4)
Approx. 420 min. playback (with supplied batteries)
Approx. 600 min. playback (with Canon NB-3AH batteries)”
A/C Power Supply Optional, AC Adapter Kit ACK800
ACCESSORIES
Case Soft Case DCC-80
Lenses “Conversion Lens Adaptor, LA-DC58G
Tele-Converter 1.75x TC-DC58N,
Wide converter 0.7x WC-DC58N
Close-up lens 250D (58mm)”
Flash High Power Flash HF-DC1
Power Supply & Battery Chargers Battery Charger Kit CBK4-300, Ni-MH Batteries NB4-300,  AC Adapter Kit ACK800
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Operating Environment 0 – 40 °C, 10 – 90% humidity
Dimensions (WxHxD) 94.5 x 66.5 x 43.4mm (excluding protrusions)
Weight (body only) Approx. 200g

PowerShot A540 Specifications
IMAGE SENSOR
Type 1/2.5” CCD
Effective Pixels Approx.6.0M
Colour Filter Type Primary Colour
IMAGE PROCESSOR
Type DIGIC II with iSAPS technology
LENS
Focal Length 5.8 – 23.2 mm (35mm film equivalent: 35 – 140mm)
Zoom Optical 4x , digital approx. 4x (6), combined approx. 16x
Maximum f/number f/2.6 – f/5.5
Construction 7 elements in 5 groups (2 aspherical elements)
FOCUSING
Type TTL
AF System/ Points 9-point AiAF, 1-point AF (Fixed centre)
AF Modes Normal, Macro
AF Lock On/Off Selectable
AF Assist Beam Yes
Manual Focus Yes
Closest Focusing Distance 5cm
EXPOSURE CONTROL
Metering modes Evaluative, Centre-weighted average, Spot (centre)
AE Lock Locked when shutter button is pressed half way
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments
ISO Speed Equivalent AUTO, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800
SHUTTER
Speed “15 – 1/2,000 sec
(Slow Shutter speeds of 1.3 sec. and more, available in Manual and Shutter Priority AE modes only. Shutter speeds of 1.3 sec. and more operate with noise reduction. Certain combinations of shutter speed and aperture may not be available.)”
WHITEBALANCE Type TTL
Settings Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom
VIEWFINDER
Viewfinder Real-image zoom optical viewfinder
LCD MONITOR
Monitor 2.5” P-Si TFT, approx. 85,000 pixels
Coverage 100%
FLASH
Modes Auto, Manual Flash On / Off
Slow Sync Speed Yes
Red-eye Reduction Yes
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments
Manual Power Adjustment 3 levels with internal flash
Built-in Flash Range 30cm-3.5m (W) /  2.2m (T) (at ISO AUTO equivalent)
External Flash Canon’s High Power Flash HF-DC1
SHOOTING
Modes Auto, Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Stitch Assist, Movie, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Color Accent, Color Swap )
Photo Effects My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Positive Film, Custom Color)
Drive modes Single, Continuous, Self-Timer
Continuous Shooting Approx. 2.3 fps(1) (until memory card becomes full)(2)
RECORDING PIXELS / COMPRESSION
Image Size (L)2816 x 2112, (M1)2272 x 1704, (M2)1600 x 1200, (S)640 x 480, (W)2816 x 1584, (Postcard Date Imprint) 1600 x 1200
Compression Superfine, Fine, Normal
Movies “(L)640 x 480, (M)320 x 240, 30/15fps,
320 x 240, 60fps
(S)160 x 120, 15fps”
Movie Length Up to 1GB 640 x 480/320 x 240 (30/15fps), Up to 1 min 320 x 240 (60fps), Up to 3 min 160 x120 (2)
FILE TYPES
Still Image Type JPEG compression, (Exif 2.2 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system, Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant
Movies AVI [Motion JPEG compression + WAVE (monaural)]
Sound Files WAVE (monaural)
DIRECT PRINT
Canon Printers Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printers and PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge (ID Photo Print, Movie Print supported on SELPHY CP printers only)
PictBridge Yes
OTHER FEATURES
My Camera Start-up image and camera sounds customisation
Sound Memo Up to 60 sec per image
Intelligent Orientation Sensor Yes
Histogram Yes
Playback zoom Approx. 2x – 10x
Self Timer Approx. 2 or 10 sec. or Custom
Menu Languages English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Chinese (traditional), Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Greek, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Thai, Arabic
INTERFACE
Computer USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (Mini-B, PTP)
Other A/V output (PAL/NTSC)
MEMORY CARD
Type “Secure Digital (SD) Card or MultiMediaCard (MMC),
16MB Memory Card supplied”
SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM
PC Windows 98SE / Me / 2000 SP4 / XP / XP SP1-2
Macintosh OS X v10.2 - 10.4
SOFTWARE
Browsing & Printing ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser
Other PhotoStitch
Drivers TWAIN (Windows 98 / 2000), WIA (Windows Me)
Image Manipulation ArcSoft PhotoStudio
POWER SOURCE
Batteries 2x Size-AA Alkaline or NiMH Batteries(NB4-300) (Alkalines supplied)
Battery life “Approx. 90 shots (4)
Approx. 360 shots (with optional Canon NB-3AH batteries) (4)
Approx. 300 min. playback (with supplied batteries)
Approx. 420 min. playback (with Canon NB-3AH batteries)”
A/C Power Supply Optional, AC Adapter Kit ACK800
ACCESSORIES
Case Soft Case DCC-80
Waterproof / Weatherproof Case Waterproof Case (40m) WP-DC2, Waterproof Case Weights WW-DC1
Lenses “Tele-converter 1.75x TC-DC52A,
Wide Converter 0.7x WC-DC52,
Close-up Lens 250D (52mm),
Conversion Lens Adapter LA-DC52F”
Flash High Power Flash HF-DC1
Power Supply & Battery Chargers Battery Charger Kit CBK4-300, Ni-MH Batteries NB4-300, AC Adapter Kit ACK800
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Operating Environment 0 – 40 °C, 10 – 90% humidity
Dimensions (WxHxD) 90.4 x 64.0 x 43.2mm (excluding protrusions)
Weight (body only) Approx. 180g