Release Issued by Canon:

Canon HV10: the world’s smallest HDV1080i camcorder

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, introduces the 2.96 Megapixel Canon HDV Camcorder HV10, the world’s smallest HDV1080i (High Definition Video) camcorder. The innovation of a superior quality 1/2.7” CMOS sensor brings the imaging power of HDV1080i to consumers in an eye-catching and surprisingly compact body.

Benefiting from Canon’s DIGIC DV II image processing engine for HD, and a superior quality Canon 10x optical zoom – with the new Instant AF system for faster, accurate auto focusing – the HV10 drives the adoption of HD moviemaking as HDTV (High Definition Television) broadcasts come to air across Europe.

“The success of EOS – the world’s most recognisable professional and semi-professional brand of digital SLR cameras – positions Canon as the market-leading innovator of HD CMOS technology,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “Using our extensive in-house CMOS expertise, our engineers have designed a highly compact, high performance HDV1080i camcorder. The unique combination of Canon CMOS for HD and 70 years of Canon optical expertise is second to none.”

The new HV10 features:
HDV1080i, 1/2.7” 2.96 Megapixel CMOS sensor with RGB primary colour filter
Instant AF for accurate high speed auto focusing
DIGIC DV II image processing engine for HD
10x zoom lens with Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer
Advanced 3.1 Megapixel digital still photography and the possibility to simultaneously capture 2.07 Megapixel stills and HD video
Optimised for true widescreen with a 2.7” wide LCD

Handheld 1080i High Definition
Benefiting from an advanced 1/2.7” 2.96 Megapixel HD CMOS sensor, the HV10’s stylish shape is the face of the world’s smallest HDV1080i camcorder. Capturing full resolution 1920x1080 video, the HV10 is designed for comfortable handheld operation. Resembling the most popular MiniDV camcorders in size and ease-of-use, panoramic native widescreen 1080i footage is captured to inexpensive and readily available MiniDV cassettes. An AV input connection provides an efficient way to archive old analogue home movies, recording them to tape in the camcorder.

Instant AF
Since the far greater resolution of HD images means that focusing errors are more noticeable, Canon’s new Instant AF system offers accurate auto focusing at accelerated speeds. Similarly, Focus Assist is available to help achieve images that are pin-sharp when focusing manually.

Superior Canon optics
Inheriting 70 years of Canon know-how innovating lens technology – as well as 48 years at the forefront of broadcast lens development – the HV10 incorporates a powerful 10x optical zoom with Super Range Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This advanced IS system detects vibrations across the frequency range, even those low band movements that become noticeable when high resolution HD images are recorded. Super Range OIS also prevents camera shake when digital photographs are taken.

DIGIC DV II image processor
The HV10 features the DIGIC DV II image processor first introduced with the flagship XL H1 professional HD camcorder. DIGIC DV II is optimised for HD and incorporates split path processing to deliver the highest quality HD movies and still images – even when shooting video and stills simultaneously.

Advanced digital still photography
The HV10 is also a high quality 3.1 Megapixel digital camera with a range of advanced features, including PictBridge direct printing and a built-in flash. High resolution stills are recorded straight to miniSD memory card; still images can also be transferred from the camcorder to a computer via a USB connection. With the DIGIC DV II processing engine, split path processing allows 2 Megapixel digital photographs to be captured at the same time as video is being recorded on tape.

True widescreen
HD images have a native widescreen aspect ratio; accordingly, the HV10 is optimised for 16:9 recording. A 2.7” wide LCD screen allows users to monitor footage in the same way that it will appear when viewed on a wide television set. An on-screen horizontal level marker makes it a simple process to centre the shooting subject. The HV10 can be easily switched to Standard Definition (SD) recording at the touch of a button, providing footage in the 4:3 resolution suited to conventional TV displays.

Availability and reader enquiries
The HV10 will be available from September 2006.

Related Articles:
Ulead® VideoStudio® 10 Plus Now Compatible with Canon HV10Ulead® VideoStudio® 10 Plus Now Compatible with Canon HV10