Canon Focuses on Imaging Innovation, Long-Term Leadership and a Future That Anticipates, Meets, and Exceeds Customers’ Needs

LAS VEGAS—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Feb. 9, 2004—Canon U.S.A.: Canon Raises Analog and Digital Imaging Standards Spanning Professional Product Sophistication to Point-and-Shoot Simplicity, Image Capture to Output and Photos to Video

Canon expands its commanding presence in the imaging industry with the rollout of nearly two-dozen new consumer products at the 2004 Photo Marketing Association exhibit Feb. 12 - 15. Building on the company’s recently announced record results for 2003, Canon’s big picture for 2004 features a battery of new imaging products designed to fit pro photographers’ needs and consumers’ lifestyles.

“Canon is proudly in the position of imaging industry leadership thanks to the foresight, creativity and talents of our engineers and designers who consistently find new ways to improve technology for real world applications,” said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc, a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ - News). “It is our goal - our unwavering ethic - to provide our customers with products that raise their expectations of what is possible and then deliver on and even surpass those expectations.”

The Power of the Single Press
Canon’s Print-And-Share Button offered on new PowerShot Digital ELPH and A-series models speeds and simplifies printing to compatible Canon Card Photo Printers, Canon Direct Photo Printers and all PictBridge enabled printers as well as one-touch image transfer to Windows XP, Me, 2000, and 98 computers for use with image processing programs, uploading to the Internet, or placement in email.

The new PowerShot models also include Direct Print technology that features options for ID Photo Print, which automatically generates passport style prints on 4x6 paper with Canon Card Photo printers as well as ID prints of various sizes (selectable on the camera menu) and even in-camera image cropping using the camera’s monitor. Direct Print also includes a Movie Print mode that prints thumbnail sequences from movie clip captures (with Canon CP-type printers only) fitting up to 20 thumbnails on credit card-sized paper and up to 63 on Postcard-size paper.

DIGIC(TM) and DIGIC(TM) II
An acronym for Canon’s proprietary Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit Imaging Processor, DIGIC combines image processing and camera function control into one chip. DIGIC handles most functions of a digital camera including JPEG compression/expansion; memory card control; LCD/Video control and processing; gain control (control of CCD signal amplification); Auto Exposure; Auto Focus, and Auto White Balance control. Other added benefits of DIGIC are faster image display/write-times and reduced power consumption, extending battery life.

The DIGIC II, imaging engine is presently exclusive to Canon’s new EOS-1D Mark II camera, the world’s fastest professional digital SLR. DIGIC II’s high performance design and incorporation of DDR-SDRAM (double data rate) - a first in a digital cameras - help the Mark II SLR capture 8.2 megapixel files at 8.5 fps for bursts up to 40 full resolution JPEGs or 20 RAW images.

Canon’s Core Components
The cornerstone of Canon excellence remains its optics. While the wide array of Canon lenses is renowned within the professional photographic community for quality, even the company’s most basic compact, point- and-shoot camera comes equipped with genuine Canon optics. Significantly, in the video market, Canon is the only camcorder company that designs and manufactures its own lenses, providing a custom fit and seamless continuity between video optics, electronics and even ergonomics.

“Just as we know that all images begin with light, we know all imaging begins with optics,” Hashimoto explains. “At its most essential, the quality of those optics - the glass we use to capture and focus that light - determine the quality of the results. Still, the sheer enormity of the task - not simply harnessing light but controlling light - directing its properties and redirecting its natural tendencies to ultimately produce the most pristine, aberration and distortion free pictures possible is impressive. And that is what Canon optics are all about.”

Professional Printer Power
When it comes to quality output of photographic prints, Canon’s patented print head design and advanced MicroFine Droplet Technology(TM) ensure that the printers do justice to the quality images generated by Canon cameras and camcorders. Utilizing Canon’s revolutionary nozzle system that ejects consistent, prescribed-volume of ink droplets in sizes as small as 2 picoliters, these printers deliver professional photo quality results.

NEW AT PMA
Following is a brief summary of new Canon imaging products introduced at PMA 2004.

Pro Digital SLR:
The EOS-1D Mark II camera is the world’s fastest professional digital SLR and features a high-resolution 8.2 megapixel CMOS image sensor. Estimated street price of $4,499(a).
Pro Level Zoom Lenses:

The EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM Lens is an 11x wide-angle-to-telephoto zoom with a highly refined Image Stabilization system with new shake-detecting gyro sensors. Estimated street price of $2,499(a).

The EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Zoom is Canon’s newest Diffractive Optics (DO) lens, packing premier optics into a lightweight and very compact package. Estimated street price of $1,299(a).

Pro Level Printers:
i9900 Photo Printer is Canon’s top-of-the-line, 13 x 19 inch format printer and the first in its class to feature the exclusive ChromaPLUS 8-color ink system. Estimated street price of $499(a).

The Canon i80 Mobile Printer features photo-quality printing, an optional Bluetooth unit for wireless printing and an optional Automobile Power Unit for true printing on the go. Estimated street price of $249.99(a).

The imagePROGRAF 6200 wide format printer combines unparalleled speed, size and spectacular quality using Canon’s pigment-based inks for signage, banners and poster prints on a variety of media up to 24 inches wide and sixty feet long, MSRP of $3,495.

Advanced Amateur 35mm SLR Cameras:
The EOS ELAN 7 N 35mm SLR camera features faster, more precise autofocus, a top shutter speed of 1/4000 of a second, 11 shooting modes and easier to read instrumentation. The EOS ELAN 7N “body only” will carry an estimated street price of $349(a) or as a kit configuration for $489(a).

The EOS ELAN 7NE 35mm SLR camera adds Canon’s innovative Eye Controlled Focus function to the camera’s autofocus, and is identical to the new EOS ELAN 7N model. The EOS ELAN 7NE “body only” will carry an estimated street price of $399(a), or as a kit configuration for $539(a).

PowerShot Digital Cameras:
The PowerShot Pro1 Digital Camera is designed for discerning digital shooters seeking a versatile, high resolution digital camera. This top-of-the-line 8 megapixel camera uses a 2/3” size CCD imaging sensor and features a fast, 28 - 200mm f2.4 - 3.5 L-Series zoom lens. Estimated street price of $999(a).

The Powershot S1 IS Digital Camera features Canon’s new, image stabilized 10x optical zoom; a 3.2 megapixel CCD image sensor and extended, high-speed/high-resolution movie mode. Estimated street price of $499(a).

The PowerShot S500 Digital ELPH is the first five megapixel ELPH camera. It features a fast, ultra-compact 3x optical zoom lens and a top shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second. Estimated street price of $499(a).

The PowerShot S410 Digital ELPH four megapixel model features a 3x zoom lens. Estimated street price of $399(a).

The PowerShot SD110 Digital ELPH packs 3.2 megapixels into the smallest digital ELPH camera ever made with an optical zoom (a 2x zoom lens with a cross-section smaller than a dime). Estimated street price of $299(a).

The PowerShot S500 and SD110 Digital ELPH Coach Edition Gift Sets featuring the new PowerShot S500 (5MP) and SD110 (3.2MP) Digital ELPH cameras, custom made Coach leather carrying case, and exclusive Coach Edition Metal Neckstrap. It’s the perfect gift for any occasion. Estimated street price of $549.00(a) (S500) and $349.00(a) (SD110).

The PowerShot A75 Digital Camera is a 3.2 megapixel model with a 3x optical zoom lens, an enlarged LCD monitor and a new Special Scene mode for improved results. Estimated street price of $299(a).

The PowerShot A310 Digital Camera is the entry-level camera of “A” series yet still offers consumers remarkable quality and features including a 3.2 megapixel CCD and a fixed 33mm f3.6 Canon lens with a 5.1x digital zoom. Estimated street price of $199(a).

Compact 35mm Lens Shutter Camera:
The SureShot 150u 35mm Camera is lightweight, uncluttered, uncomplicated and packed with features including a 3.9x optical zoom lens and a “smart” autofocus system that keeps the subject in focus even when it’s not in the center of the frame. Estimated street price of under $150(a).

Canon Binoculars:
The 7x42 AWP binoculars are Canon’s brightest model ever. These 7x magnification binoculars are waterproof, feature a slim, “roof prism” design and are well suited for night and low light viewing. Estimated street price of $249(a).

The 12x36 IS II Binoculars are image stabilized and designed for “on the go” situations where motion and the high, 12x magnification create shaky viewing. Canon has made these image stabilized binoculars more comfortable by using a slimmer design and lighter, Porro II prism optics. Estimated street price of $649(a).

(a) Actual prices set by dealer are subject to change.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies in America, and is ranked #39 on the Business Week list of “Top 100 Brands.” Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ - News) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2003. Canon Inc. achieved global revenues of $29.9 billion in 2003; $9.8 billion of which came from Canon Americas. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

DIGIC is a trademark of Canon Inc.

PictBridge is a trademark.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

System requirements vary by application.