Canon UK Press Release 21/09/04

Canon’s new CanoScan 4200F makes 3200 x 6400 dpi scanning affordable

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the launch of the low cost, high performance 3200 x 6400 dpi CanoScan 4200F.  With a price tag similar to that of many entry level scanners, the 4200F features 48 bit colour depth, class-leading 2.6 second preview time, a film guide built into the FAU (film adapter unit) for quick and easy transparency scanning and a rapid warm up time of approximately 15 seconds.

A super fast scan engine and USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface combine to deliver 2.6 second preview times, 12 second scan times (A4, full colour at 400 dpi)  and fast transfer of large hi-resolution images to the PC. The 4200F also features QARE Level 2 automatic retouching function for restoring old or damaged photographs.

A sleek design, smooth curves and granite-like finish match the scanner?s commanding performance and challenge the appearance of much higher priced models.

“The 4200F represents high-end scanner performance at an entry level price,” said Malcolm Hills, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging in the UK and Ireland. “With such exceptional price and performance, Canon expects this ground-breaking product to redefine the first-time scanner buyer market.”

The CanoScan 4200F will be available from November 2004 for £99 RRP inc. VAT / EUROS 143 RRP inc. VAT

Built for film
The film guide of the 4200F can take up to four frames of 35mm negatives, or two mounted slide transparencies. It is built into the FAU, which saves the frustration of the guide ever being misplaced. The robust guide design allows easy, uncomplicated and quick insertion and removal of transparencies.

Brilliant resolution, accurate colour
With class-leading 3200 x 6400 dpi, the 4200F delivers greater resolution than many dedicated film scanners, at a fraction of the cost. Canon?s advanced CCD sensor extracts incredible detail to produce superb, crisp images suitable for enlargement and high-resolution printing, whilst 48 bit colour depth ensures exceptionally accurate colour reproduction.

Automatic image retouching
The 4200F features Canon?s QARE Level 2 automatic image retouching technology. Intelligent software processes automatically detect and correct imperfections such as dust and scratches, saving hours of manual retouching. The software also has a grain correction function to smooth out the effect of fast (high ASA) film, and an automatic colour resaturation function to restore scans of faded images to their original condition .

Speed and versatility
A super fast scan engine moves the scanner?s optical carriage fast enough to deliver a preview in just 2.6 seconds, whilst a full colour A4 400 dpi original scans in as little as 12 seconds?. The USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connection ensures rapid data transfer of large hi-resolution files. Fast Multi-photo mode generates up to 10 separate files from a single scan pass, automatically identifying, cropping and de-skewing individual images so users no longer have to spend time carefully aligning and arranging their originals.

One-touch simplicity
Four EZ buttons can be individually configured to save time by performing commonly used functions, such as ?Copy?, ?File?, ?Scan to PDF? and ?E-Mail?. Scan to PDF allows the creation of searchable PDF files. This automatically converts text within scanned documents into characters via an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) process and embeds them in the document.

Advanced Z-Lid
The 4200F?s advanced double-hinged Z-lid opens wide and parallel with the glass platen to accept and apply even pressure across thick documents and articles such as books, magazines, blue-prints and small packages. A quiet mode minimises acoustic noise levels for minimal disruption to other people when the scanner is being used.

Exif compliant
When creating a JPEG file, Exif data can be embedded in the image file. Exif data includes information about the scan date and name of the scanner, and is useful for managing JPEG images with Exif-compliant software such as ArcSoft PhotoStudio and Adobe PhotoShop Elements.

Powerful software
The 4200F comes bundled with a suite of user friendly, practical PC software:
CanoScan Toolbox 4.6 ? easy to use application that allows customisation of EZ buttons ? setting preferred resolution and scan mode for common tasks such as Scan to PDF or OCR. Each button launches a specialised menu, showing only those settings relevant to the function being performed.
ScanGear CS 8.6 ? powerful driver software with ?Simple? or ?Advanced? modes. Simple mode offers users fast results in four simple steps: 1. select the source type (such as colour photo or colour film), 2. Request preview, 3. Select destination (print, edit in application, save to hard drive, etc.), 4. Select output size. Advanced Mode offers users fine-tuning control over settings such as brightness/contrast, gamma, histogram, and tone curve. It also provides a range of time saving features such as automatic trimming to 35mm film scans, at either standard (100% of frame area), large (105%) or small (95%).
OmniPage SE OCR ? powerful Optical Character Recognition application allows scanned text to be converted into recognisable text characters/data.
ArcSoft PhotoStudio 5.5 ? digital image editing software including features such as cropping, red-eye removal, creation of animated 3D text and fast & easy photo browsing.
Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 ? allows reading of PDF files, created either with the scanner?s ?Scan to PDF? function or via other PDF creation applications such as Acrobat Professional.

Compatibility
The 4200F is compatible with Windows XP Professional, XP Home Edition, XP Media Center Edition 2004, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows Me and Windows 98.