Canon UK Press Release

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, has been awarded two prizes by DIWA (Digital Imaging Websites Association) for outstanding digital cameras. The Canon EOS 20D received DIWA’s Platinum Award for the best ‘Digital System Camera’ of 2004, and the Digital IXUS 40 won a gold medal in the ‘Amateur Digital Mini Camera’ category.

Throughout the year, DIWA members rigorously test and review digital imaging products, awarding those with the highest scores gold, silver or bronze medals. Once a year, one of the gold winners from each of three categories is selected by the members as the best of the best – honoured by a DIWA Platinum Award.

“At Canon we are passionate about photography, so we are delighted to receive these two prestigious DIWA awards,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “The awards reinforce our commitment to Canon customers and cement our dedication to continually setting standards in digital photography technology.”

EOS 20D: Platinum Award for best Digital System Camera
Launched in August 2004 with a newly developed second generation APS-C size 8.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 5fps shooting speed and Canon’s distance-linked ETTL II flash system, the EOS 20D was the first semi-professional camera to deliver all the performance, speed and flexibility of high-end film SLR cameras. DIWA applauded the camera, stating that “The EOS 20D took a giant leap in the never-ending process of technological development, improvement and perfection, elevating image quality and camera performance to a new standard … Professionals and serious photo enthusiasts alike embrace the camera for its outstanding value for money.”

DIWA also praised the camera’s speed, achieved through Canon’s advanced DIGIC II processor, commenting “the EOS 20D overtakes many of its rivals in terms of shooting speed, processing speed, storing speed and camera response”.

Digital IXUS 40: Gold medal – Amateur Digital Mini Camera
The super stylish Digital IXUS 40, launched in September 2004, benefits from a breakthrough in lens material science, making it one of the smallest ever cameras from Canon to feature a 3x optical zoom. For superb image quality at break-neck speed, all primary camera functions in the Digital IXUS 40 are handled by Canon’s dedicated second generation DIGIC II processor – the same technology driving Canon’s EOS-1 pro-series digital SLRs. DIWA awarded the Digital IXUS 40 a gold medal in recognition of its overall qualities, performance and value, commenting that it qualified for the award “thanks to 4 Megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom with 2 newly developed UA (Ultra-high Refractive Index Glass Moulded (GMo) Aspherical lens) elements, DIGIC II performance and an ‘over-sized’ 2.0” LCD display.” DIWA added that the camera was reviewed with “convincing proof of astonishing performances, despite its ultra small dimensions.”

Revolutionising digital photography
Figures released recently by IDC confirm that Canon is the market leader in Western European digital camera sales for the third consecutive year. Canon increased its leadership position in 2004 to claim a 16.8% share of the entire Western European digital camera market, which saw total shipments across all brands exceed 25 million units.  With sales of 4.2 million units of digital SLR and compact digital cameras in 2004, Canon has achieved an increase of over 66% on equivalent sales in 2003.

In terms of speed and resolution, Canon now has the leading performance camera in every D-SLR segment; all launched since January last year:
- EOS-1Ds Mark II - 16.7 Megapixel full frame 35mm sensor, 4 fps
- EOS-1D Mark II - 8.2 Megapixel APS-H size sensor, 8.5 fps
- EOS 20D - 8.2 Megapixel APS-C size sensor, 5.0 fps
- EOS 350D - 8.0 Megapixel APS-C size sensor, 3.0 fps.

DIWA Awards
The Digital Imaging Websites Association (DIWA) is a fast growing group of independent Web-based specialist publications dedicated to digital imaging. DIWA product test awards are exclusively decided through the analysis of multiple test scores from different DIWA testers, testing different samples of the same product. A very detailed and comprehensive standardised scoring procedure is employed, tailored carefully for each product category.

Availability and reader enquiries
The EOS 20D is available now priced at:
Body only = £1269.99 RRP inc. VAT / ¤1849.99 RRP inc. VAT.
EOS 20D + EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens Kit = £1349.99 RRP inc. VAT / ¤1949.99 RRP inc. VAT.
EOS 20D + EF-S17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM Lens Kit = £1749.99 RRP inc. VAT / €2599.99 RRP inc. VAT.

The IXUS 40 is available now priced at £279 RRP inc. VAT / €409.99 RRP inc. VAT.

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