Released by Canon:

Canon upgrades most popular camera ever

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, today adds the 4.0 Megapixel PowerShot A85 to its popular PowerShot range. The camera replaces the PowerShot A70, one of the most successful cameras in Canon's seventy-year history.

"The A70 was successful because it found the perfect balance between point-and-shoot economy and pro-sumer control features," said Malcolm Hills, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging UK and Ireland. "The A85 builds on this success by adding new features that make it even easier to use, while at the same time giving the experienced user more options."

As well as improved ergonomics and refreshed styling, the camera includes a large 1.8" LCD, 13 shooting modes (including a special scene mode with six selectable pre-set scenes), VGA movie clips with sound, 9-point AiAF auto focus, and a Print/Share button plus extended print functionality. A wide selection of accessories includes wide and tele converters, close-up lens, and a waterproof case.

Advanced simplicity
The 13 shooting modes have been extended with six 'special scene' presets, which help the user to get great looking results in sometimes-tricky shooting conditions. They include presets for the beach, fireworks, underwater, foliage, snow, and indoor.

The focus system has been upgraded to 9-point AiAF, for consistently sharp auto-focus even with non-centred subjects. The 3x optical zoom extends to 11x when combined with the digital zoom and has a respectable f/2.8-4.8 aperture. The purpose built DIGIC processor integrates all image processing algorithms onto a single chip to deliver fast processing and write times, minimal shutter lag, optimal image definition and consistently clean and natural colour reproduction. iSAPS, an in-built photographer's assistant, analyses composition factors such as zoom position and luminosity in order to predict the type of photo being taken. This results in faster auto-focusing, more accurate auto-exposure and precise auto white balance.

Movies now in VGA
The three minute movie mode with sound, full playback and in-camera editing has been extended to include the option of shooting in VGA mode for up to 30 seconds. A generously proportioned 1.8" LCD makes for easier and more enjoyable playback and review.

Simplified Printing and Uploading
The A85 features Canon's Print/Share button for single step printing and file sharing. When the camera is connected via USB cable to any PictBridge or Direct Print compatible photo printer or Windows PC, a blue light on the Print/Share button illuminates to indicate successful connection. Pushing the button when lit instigates a print of the image displayed (based on the connected printer's default settings) or an automatic transfer of images to the PC . The camera transfers all images, all images not yet transferred, or all images marked for transfer, depending on the user setting selected in the Camera's set up options.

Expanded direct printing functions
When connected to a Canon Compact Photo Printer, ID photo and Movie Print functions are also supported. Movie Print mode divides a selected clip into equal parts and prints thumbnails of up to 63 equally spaced frames if using Postcard Size Paper (100 x 148 mm); ideal for freezing action sequences. The ID Photo Print function replaces visits to the photo booth by printing multiple durable passport style ID photos (selectable height and width) to a single sheet.

Personal online photo gallery
Free membership is included to Canon's online CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, with 100 Megabytes of free storage space for online album storing and sharing. Users can upload favourite images and now movies3 to the site, which can then be shared with friends and family as individually secure online 'albums'.

Accessories
A wide range of optional accessories extends the camera's versatility, increasing both the range of circumstances in which it can be used and the type of photographs it is capable of taking. Wide and tele converter lenses vastly increase framing options and extend the camera's effective focal length range from approximately 25mm to 250mm , while an optional close-up lens is available for macro photography. The 40m depth waterproof case is great for diving, surfing, skiing, snorkelling and general beach fun. The camera comes supplied with a 32MB Compact Flash card.

Software
Software supplied includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, photo and movie manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoImpression and VideoImpression. Drivers include TWAIN (Windows 98/2000) and WIA (Windows Me). Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) support allows the camera to connect to any Windows XP and Mac OSX (v10.1/v10.2) system without the requirement for a driver installation.

Pricing, availability and reader enquiries
The PowerShot A85 will be available from August 2004 for £239 RRP inc. VAT.

Reader enquiries: www.canon.co.uk

Specifications

DIGITAL CAMERA		PowerShot A85
IMAGE SENSOR	Type	1/2.7" CCD
	Effective Pixels	Approx.4.0M
	Colour Filter Type	Primary Colour
IMAGE PROCESSOR	Type	DIGIC with iSAPS technology
LENS	Focal Length	5.4 - 16.2 mm (35mm film equivalent: 35 - 105mm)
	Zoom	Optical 3x, digital approx. 3.6x, combined approx. 11x
	Maximum f/number	f/2.8 - f/4.8
	Construction	9 elements in 7 groups (1 aspherical element)
FOCUSING	Type	TTL
	AF System/ Points	9-point AiAF, 1-point AF (Fixed centre)
	AF Modes	Normal/ Macro
	AF Lock	Yes
	AF Assist Beam	Yes
	Manual Focus	Yes
	Closest Focusing Distance	5cm
EXPOSURE CONTROL	Metering modes	Evaluative, Centre-weighted average, Spot (centre)
	Exposure Compensation	+/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments
	ISO Speed Equivalent	AUTO, 50, 100, 200, 400
SHUTTER	Speed	15 - 1/2,000 sec (Slow Shutter speeds of 1.3 sec. and more, available in Manual and Shutter Priority AE modes only. Shutter speeds of 1.3 sec. and more operate with noise reduction. Certain combinations of shutter speed and aperture may not be available.)
WHITE BALANCE	Type	TTL
	Settings	Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
VIEWFINDER	Viewfinder	Real-image zoom optical viewfinder
LCD MONITOR	Monitor	1.8" P-Si TFT, approx. 118,000 pixels
	Coverage	100%
FLASH	Modes	Auto, Manual Flash On / Off
	Slow Sync Speed	Yes
	Red-eye Reduction	Yes
	Built-in Flash Range	46cm-4.2m (W) 46cm - 2.5m (T) 26 - 46cm (Macro) (at ISO AUTO equivalent)
SHOOTING	Modes	Auto, Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Fast Shutter, Slow Shutter, Stitch Assist, Movie Special scene mode: Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Indoor.
	Photo Effects	Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia, Black & White
	Drive modes	Single, Continuous
	Continuous Shooting	Approx. 1.5 fps(1) (speed maintained for up to 8 images)(2)
RECORDING PIXELS / COMPRESSION	Image Size	(L)2272 x 1704, (M1)1600 x 1200, (M2)1024 x 768, (S)640 x 480
	Compression	Superfine, Fine, Normal
	Movies	(L)640 x 480, 10fps (M)320 x 240, (S)160 x 120, 15fps
	Movie Length	Up to 30 sec. (640x480) (2) Up to 3mins. (320x240, 160x120) (2)
FILE FORMAT	Still Image Format	JPEG (Exif 2.2 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system, Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant
	Movies	AVI [Motion JPEG + WAVE (monaural)]
	Sound Files	WAVE (monaural)
DIRECT PRINT	Canon Printers	Canon Compact Photo Printers and Bubble Jet Printers with the direct print function (ID Photo Print, Movie Print supported on CP printers only)
	PictBridge	Yes
OTHER FEATURES	My Camera	Start-up image and camera sounds customisation
	Sound Memo	Up to 60 sec per image
	Intelligent Orientation Sensor	Yes
	Histogram	Yes
	Playback zoom	Approx. 2x - 10x
	Self Timer	Approx. 2 or 10 sec.
	Menu Languages	English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Japanese
INTERFACE	Computer	USB (Mini-B, PTP)
	Other	A/V output (PAL/NTSC)
MEMORY CARD	Type	CompactFlash Type I (3)
SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM	PC	Windows 98(including SE) / 2000 / Me / XP
	Macintosh	OS 9.0 - 9.2, OS X v10.1 - v10.3
SOFTWARE	Browsing & Printing	ZoomBrowser EX (PhotoRecord) / ImageBrowser
	Other	PhotoStitch
	Drivers	TWAIN (Windows 98 / 2000), WIA (Windows Me)
	Image Manipulation	ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft VideoImpression
POWER SOURCE	Batteries	4x Size-AA Alkaline or NiMH Batteries (Alkalines supplied)
	Battery life	Alkaline batteries: Approx. 250 shots (LCD monitor on) Approx. 800 shots (LCD monitor off) Approx. 280 min. (Playback) NiMH (NB-2AH) batteries: Approx. 500 shots (LCD monitor on) Approx. 1200 shots (LCD monitor off) Approx. 360 min. (Playback) * Under Canon testing standard
	A/C Power Supply	Optional, AC Adapter Kit ACK600
ACCESSORIES	Case	Soft Case SC-PS600, DCC-40
	Waterproof / Weatherproof Case	Waterproof Case (40m) WP-DC30
	Lenses	Tele-converter 2.4x TC-DC52, Wide Converter 0.7x WC-DC52, Close-up Lens 250D (52mm), Conversion Lens Adapter LA-DC52C
	Power Supply & Battery Chargers	Battery Charger Kit CBK100 / CBK4-200, AC Adapter Kit ACK600
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS	Operating Environment	0 - 40 °C, 10 - 90% humidity
	Dimensions (WxHxD)	101.0 x 64.0 x 31.5mm (excluding protrusions)
	Weight (body only)	Approx. 200g

1 Large/Fine with LCD monitor off
2 Depending on memory card speed / capacity
3 Compatible with all memory card capacities, including cards of 2GB and more