Release Issued by Canon:

Canon broadens PowerShot A-series range with two versatile models for creative shooting

Canon is pleased to announce the launch of two new PowerShot cameras that combine ease of use with creative flexibility – the PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540. The 6.0 Megapixel PowerShot A700 defines a new level of performance for the A-series range with a 6x optical zoom lens featuring a real-image optical viewfinder. The PowerShot A540 delivers 6.0 Megapixel resolution and a high performance 4x optical zoom lens. Both cameras feature an extensive range of creative shooting modes and are compatible with optional converter lenses for extended versatility.

The PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540 pack a vast array of additional high-end features into a remarkably compact space, including:
 Canon's DIGIC II image processor and iSAPS technology for fast, superb results
 Accurate focusing with Flexizone AF/AE1 (PowerShot A700) and 9-point AiAF1
 ISO 800 shooting
 Widescreen (16:9) stills recording
 30fps VGA movie recording
 2.5" LCD with Night Display and Grid Line Display

With its powerful optical performance and rich feature set, the PowerShot A700 is the new flagship of the A-series range. The versatile PowerShot A540 is the replacement to last year's popular PowerShot A520.

"The PowerShot A-series range stands for performance, ease of use and affordability," explains Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. "By broadening the range with these fully featured cameras, Canon is putting advanced photography into the hands of the mainstream consumer."

Optics
A 6x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 35 - 210mm) on the PowerShot A700 and 4x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 35 - 140mm) on the PowerShot A540 deliver crisp, bright results that make the very most of the cameras' 6.0 Megapixel resolution. In a first for a 6x optical zoom digital compact camera, the PowerShot A700 features a real-image optical viewfinder, allowing fast framing and precise manual focusing without the LCD.

Each camera has optional Wide (0.7x) and Tele (1.75x) converter lenses to extend the focal length range, for an effective 15x optical zoom with the PowerShot A700 and 10x optical zoom with the PowerShot A540. Both are also compatible with optional close-up lenses for detailed macro photography.

Designed for creativity
With 19 shooting modes on the PowerShot A700 and 20 shooting modes on the PowerShot A540, both cameras are superbly equipped for artistic photography. Creative Zone modes on each camera include full Manual mode, Aperture Priority and Shutter Speed Priority. Special Scene modes – such as Night Snapshot and Snow – assist with tricky lighting conditions, while Colour Accent and Colour Swap modes enable dramatic colour effects to be applied to both images and movies direct from the camera. Users can record smooth 30fps VGA quality movies of up to 1GB with sound or create 60fps QVGA clips for sharp slow motion playback. A handy Compact mode enables shooting of small format clips of up to three minutes for easy sharing via email. My Colours can also be applied to movies before shooting.

The PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540 feature a new Widescreen mode (2816 x 1584 recording pixels) for capturing still images in 16:9 format – perfect for viewing on widescreen television or printing wide photos with a SELPHY Compact Photo Printer.

Low light shooting
The addition of ISO 800 gives photographers the flexibility to shoot without flash indoors and in other low light environments. It also enables shooting at faster shutter speeds, increasing image stability at full zoom and reducing unwanted motion blur. The PowerShot A700 features a new High ISO Auto setting that automatically sets exposure using the higher range of ISO sensitivities. The advanced DIGIC II processor in both cameras minimises noise at higher ISO levels.

Instant photo prints
Both cameras are PictBridge compliant for instant direct printing to compatible printers, including all Canon SELPHY CP Compact Photo Printers and most Canon PIXMA printers. Users can also print ID photos and stills images from movies when connected to a SELPHY CP Compact Photo Printer.

The handy Print/Share button on each camera allows one-touch printing and hassle-free uploads to Windows or Macintosh systems. A new Print menu makes it easier than ever to organise print jobs direct from the camera.

The menu system on these cameras now features support for 23 languages, including Arabic.

Pricing and availability
The PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540 will be available from March 2006, priced at £289.00 RRP inc. VAT/ €429.99 RRP inc. VAT and £249.00 RRP inc. VAT/ €369.99 RRP inc. VAT respectively.

Reader enquiries
UK – www.canon.co.uk
Eire – www.canon.ie

Additional Information
Software
The PowerShot A700 and PowerShot A540 come bundled with the following Canon Software:
 ZoomBrowser EX 5.6 (Windows), ImageBrowser 5.6 (Macintosh): For organizing and editing images, movies and slideshows, or creating and printing digital photo albums.
 PhotoStitch 3.1: For creating panoramic photos from multiple images (Windows and Macintosh).

The software package also includes ArcSoft's photo manipulation software, PhotoStudio.
The bundled software supports Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000 (SP4), XP (SP1/2) and Macintosh OS X v10.2-v10.4. The cameras support PTP for driverless transfer to Windows XP and Macintosh OS X.
Purchasers of the cameras are eligible for membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY , 100MB of online ‘personal gallery’ space for sharing stills and video with family and friends.

Accessories
PowerShot A700:
 Tele-converter 1.75x lens (TC-DC58N)
 Wide-converter 0.7x lens (WC-DC58N)
 Conversion Lens Adapter (LA-DC58G)
 Close-Up Lens 250D (58mm)
 High Power Flash (HF-DC1)
 Soft Case (DCC-80)
 Compact AC Power Adapter (ACK800)
 Battery and Charger Kit (CBK4-300)
 NiMH Batteries (NB4-300)

PowerShot A540:
 Tele-converter 1.75x lens (TC-DC52A)
 Wide-converter 0.7x lens (WC-DC52)
 Conversion Lens Adapter (LA-DC52F)
 Close-Up Lens 250D (52mm)
 High Power Flash (HF-DC1)
 Waterproof Case (WP-DC2)
 Waterproof Case Weights (WW-DC1)
 Soft Case (DCC-80)
 Compact AC Power Adapter (ACK800)
 Battery and Charger Kit (CBK4-300)
 NiMH Batteries (NB4-300)

The cameras are compatible with MMC/SD cards, and come supplied with a 16MB Canon memory card.

Technologies Explained
DIGIC II
Canon's purpose-built DIGIC II (DIGital Imaging Core) image processor links all primary camera functions for maximum efficiency. High-speed processing results in outstanding responsiveness, rapid auto focus and extended continuous shooting ability. Advanced image processing algorithms deliver superb image detail and colour reproduction with accurate white balance and minimal noise. DIGIC II operates efficiently to extend battery life, for longer shooting on a single charge.

iSAPS
iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) automatically optimises key camera settings before every shot. Each scene is analysed and cross-referenced against Photographic Space – a vast in-camera library of photographic data. This enables the camera to make optimal adjustments to auto exposure, auto focus and auto white balance before image capture occurs.

9-Point AiAF
Canon's 9-point AiAF (Artificial Intelligence Auto Focus) automatically scans and selects subjects from a set of nine focusing areas across the scene. This ensures accurately focused images even when subjects are not in the centre of the frame.

FlexiZone AF/AE
FlexiZone AF/AE lets users manually select the focus point from almost any point in the frame by moving the auto focus window in the viewfinder. Exposure is linked to the focus point to ensure that the chosen subject is accurately focused and exposed.