Canon UK Press Release 19/08/04

Canon wins two EISA awards for Professional Camera and Photo Printer of the Year
 
Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, has received two prizes at this year’s prestigious European Imaging & Sound Association (EISA) awards: the EOS-1D Mark II was named European Professional Camera of the Year 2004?2005 and the Bubble Jet i9950 was awarded European Photo Printer of the Year 2004?2005. “At Canon we are passionate about photography, so we are delighted and honoured to receive these two prestigious EISA awards,” said Malcolm Hills, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging in the UK and Ireland. “The awards cement our commitment to Canon customers and reinforce our dedication to continuously innovating in both digital photography and photo printing technology.” 

EOS-1D Mark II: European Professional Camera of the Year 2004-2005.
The EOS-1D Mark II is the most powerful digital SLR (D-SLR) camera in the world, combining formidable 8.5 frames per second speed with 8.2 Megapixel resolution. EISA judges applauded the camera by saying it is a ?professional digital SLR camera without a single compromise when it comes to performance, picture quality and resolution. The EOS-1D Mark II exposes almost faster than your own reactions: the speed is incredible, the autofocus extremely fast, and the metering function almost impossible to trick. In practically every area that counts, the EOS-1D Mark II is the best, or comes very close to being the best, professional digital camera on the market.?

Canon integrated three new technologies to deliver the EOS-1D Mark II’s high-speed / high-resolution combination: Canon’s next generation DIGIC II processor, a new CMOS sensor, and a new extra large buffer system. These technologies work in harmony to deliver 40 frame bursts at 8.5 fps in JPEG, or 20 frame bursts in RAW mode.

Bubble Jet i9950: European Photo Printer of the Year 2004-2005.
When it was released in February 2004, Canon’s Bubble Jet i9950 was the world?s fastest and highest resolution A3 photo printer, as well as being the only 8-ink A3 printer on the market. It set the ultimate standard in professional photo printing. Commending the printer, the EISA judges declared: ?This 8-colour inkjet printer delivers high quality photo prints in less than two minutes, ready to be framed for exhibition. Unique sharpness, the extra green and red colour, perfect saturation and a reasonable price make this printer a perfect and easy-to-handle tool for enthusiastic amateurs and professional photographers.?

The Bubble Jet i9950 was the first printer to feature Canon?s ChromaPLUS technology, expanding the colour gamut to include new red and green inks, therefore delivering more vibrant, lifelike results.Canon’s advanced MicroFine Droplet Technology? ensures superior clarity and accuracy as well as ultra-fast print speeds ? this printer produces a full A3 photo print in just 65 seconds, approximately four times faster than any competing product.

Revolutionising digital photography and photo printing.
With its 8.2 Megapixels, the EOS-1D Mark II has nearly double the resolution ofCanon?s EOS-1D, which has already secured a major position in the world of sports and photojournalism globally. The world?s leading wire agencies such as Reuters, Getty Images and AFP choose Canon professional products for their photographers. With such a high resolution, the EOS-1D Mark II also opens the digital SLR realm to the areas of fashion, nature and event photography.

Digital camera growth is now at an all time high, resulting in a rapidly accelerating demand for personal photo printers. With its European-award-winning A3 photo printer, the Bubble Jet i9950, and its new range of PIXMA photo printers, Canon is committed to not only meeting these demands, but setting new standards in personal photolab technology.

EISA Awards.
The EISA Awards are chosen annually by panels representing nearly 50 prominent Photo, Video, Audio, Home Theatre and Mobile Electronics magazines from over 18 European countries. Every year, the EISA Awards applaud the new products that combine the most advanced technology, the most desirable features, the ultimate expression of design, the most satisfying ergonomics and greatest value for money. Canon will be presented with it?s awards at this year?s Photokina in Cologne, Germany.