Canon UK Press Release

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, has been awarded four best product medals in this year’s Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) awards. Cementing its place as the only imaging technology innovator to have leading edge products through the entire digital imaging chain, Canon took the main awards in each of the camera, printer and projector categories.

· “Best A4 Photo Printer in Europe, 2005” for its PIXMA iP8500 printer
· “Best Professional Digital SLR Camera in Europe, 2005” for its EOS-1Ds Mark II camera
· “Best Entry Level Digital SLR Camera in Europe, 2005” for its EOS 350D camera
· “Best Photo Projector in Europe, 2005” for its XEED SX50 projector

“These awards attest Canon’s consistent, long term investment into research and development,” remarked Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “Imaging technology leadership is fundamental to our business; it is at our core. From image capture through to image output, we are committed to manufacturing the finest products in the world. We are delighted with this recognition from the TIPA members.”

TIPA
TIPA is made up of expert editors from the largest family of independent photo & imaging magazines in Europe. A non-profit organisation that is not affiliated with any manufacturer, TIPA represents 31 magazines and a readership of approximately 8 million across 12 European countries.

Best A4 Photo Printer
Voted “Best A4 Photo Printer in Europe, 2005”, the PIXMA iP8500 was described by the TIPA judges as putting “unprecedented image quality and speed in the hands of photographic professionals.” The reasons given for the award included the printer’s capacity to print a full A4 photo “in just 35 seconds,” without compromising its “superb” image quality. Judges cited the PIXMA iP8500’s 8-ink ChromaPLUS technology as key to its success, noting that the additional red and green inks “expand the printer’s colour gamut significantly, particularly in the yellow-to-red and green hues.” Canon’s speed and quality is made possible through its patented FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology, an adaptation of its own silicon chip manufacturing technology which creates print heads with tolerance and precision similar to that of integrated circuits. The FINE print head in the PIXMA iP8500 features over 6 thousand Micro-Nozzles, capable of ejecting millions of microscopic 2 picolitre droplets per second with unrivalled consistency and accuracy. PictBridge support, direct CD/DVD printing and duplex unit for easy two-sided printing were also acknowledged as an important consideration in the association members’ decision.

Best Professional Digital SLR
The TIPA judges were unanimous in their praise for Canon’s flagship digital SLR camera, the 16.7 Megapixel EOS-1Ds Mark II. Describing the camera as “the real sensation of the year,” the judges remarked that the camera has “pushed digital photography to a new level.” They observed that its full frame 16.7 Megapixel CMOS sensor produces “amazing output (that) not only enables print-sizes up to 60 x 90 cm, but also ensures that professionals can safely crop images without the fear of losing quality.” The judges were also enthusiastic about the camera’s full format sensor, noting that “in addition to the awesome file sizes, its 24 x 36 mm CMOS sensor is a true full-frame, so keeps the focal lengths of lenses exactly equivalent to those of 35mm film SLRs.” This is seen as a “huge advantage to users of wide-angle lenses, and the large viewfinder image that results gives professional photographers the clarity they need for critical composition and focusing.” The camera’s image processing was described as being “second-to-none, offering excellent detail at high sensitivity.”
Best Entry Level Digital SLR
Released a little over one month ago to popular and critical acclaim, the 8.2 Megapixel EOS 350D D-SLR is already breaking sales records. Sharing the same DIGIC II super processor that drives the award winning EOS-1Ds Mark II, it was described by the judges as “the most compact and powerful digital SLR camera on the market.” The judges also commented that although the camera “incorporates the latest technology employed by high-end models in the Canon professional range” its use is easy and intuitive enough to “allow newcomers to develop their photographic skills.” The association also commented that access to all Canon EF and EF-S lenses provides an “unparalleled choice of optics for the discerning user.”

Best Photo Projector
Canon’s revolutionary SXGA+ resolution XEED SX50 projector captured the TIPA judge’s attention as the “Best Photo Projector in Europe, 2005”. As slide transparency projectors become obsolete, the image quality of digital projectors becomes paramount for digital photographers looking to show their images. With its latest LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) projection panels, 1000:1 contrast ratio and 2500 lumens brightness, the XEED SX50 was described as setting “a new quality level in its class.” Judges noted that the projector “allows the user extensive control over contrast, sharpness and colour. Its comprehensive user interface combined with the ability to project very fine detail makes it ideal for displaying detailed photographic images and graphic design work.”

Gaps between the LCD pixels used in conventional projectors result in images appearing as though covered in a fine mesh grid. With virtually no gaps between the pixels of Canon’s LCOS panels, diagonal lines in presentations are reproduced with outstanding clarity, and subtle gradations are rendered clearly with exceptionally smooth greyscale displays. Overcoming the cumbersome size and high cost of traditional LCOS projectors, Canon developed AISYS (Aspectual Illumination System), a unique optical illumination system incorporating LCOS technology into a remarkably compact body. By optimising the light from the projector’s lamp in relation to the characteristics of the LCOS panels and PBSs (Polarisation Beam Splitter), AISYS achieves a lightweight and compact chassis without compromising brightness or contrast.

Availability and reader enquiries
The PIXMA iP8500 is available now for £329 inc. VAT / ¤475.01 inc. VAT.

The EOS-1Ds Mark II is available now for £5999.99 RRP inc. VAT / ¤8699.99 RRP inc. VAT.

The EOS 350D is available now priced at:
Body Only: £749.99 RRP inc VAT / €1,099.99 RRP inc VAT.
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II lens kit: £799.99 RRP inc VAT/ € 1,199.99 RRP inc VAT

The XEED SX50 is available now for £2839 inc. VAT / ¤4099.95 inc. VAT.

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