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Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Canon Introduces the New Powershot SD850 IS Digital Camera with 8.0 Megapixel Resolution

Canon today introduces the Powershot SD850 IS, which will replace the Powershot SD700 IS and adds a higher resolution 8.0-megapixel image sensor, a 2.5” “Pure Color” LCD screen, DIGIC III processor with face detection technology for both stills and movies, faster autofocus, improved exposures, flash, and overall speed.  The SD850 IS boasts a 4x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization, ISO 1600, Noise Reduction technology, 30fps VGA movie mode with stereo sound, time-lapse recording, and 18 shooting modes.  The SD850 IS will be available mid-June with an estimated selling price of $399.99.

Along with a full complement of the trendsetting style elements featured in the current PowerShot lineup, the new Powershot SD850 IS Digital ELPH adds a dash of technical advancements including Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Face Detection technology, in-camera Red-eye Correction and 8.0-megapixel resolution. Users will now have all the features needed to assure that once-in-a-lifetime moments will be vibrantly and vividly saved for years to come.

The PowerShot SD850 IS Digital ELPH camera also has an impressive array of top-tier photo features including an advanced ultra-compact zoom lens and optical viewfinder to easily capture, record and share brilliant images under a full range of shooting conditions, all within a curvaceous, eye-catching compact design.

“The PowerShot SD850 IS Digital ELPH camera continues the strong tradition of Digital ELPH imaging excellence and eye-catching style. Created out of Canon’s intimate understanding of the camera user’s needs and wants, the PowerShot SD850 IS Digital ELPH camera delivers the most up-to-date innovations in camera engineering and design. Our new product lineup provides an unmatched scope of offerings for consumers needing a digital camera with superior functions and style, backed by the Canon legacy of superior quality,” added Mr. Ishizuka.

Brains...
The “brain” of these new PowerShot SD850 IS is DIGIC III, the gold standard on all new Canon digital cameras. The DIGIC III image processor accounts for the camera’s higher performance levels, including faster start up, faster autofocus and quicker shutter response times that leave long-lag competitors in the dust. The DIGIC III chip design improves image quality and offers more efficient power consumption, resulting in extended battery life under typical shooting conditions.

...and Beautiful Faces
Canon’s enhanced Face Detection technology ensures that human faces – up to nine faces at once – take precedence in terms of focus, exposure and flash. Face Detection autofocus (AF) ensures sharp focus for portraits, while Face Detection auto exposure (AE) adjusts to ambient light conditions and Face Detection flash exposure (FE) determines the appropriate intensity of flash output to optimize face brightness without risking overexposure, even at close range. The result is more flattering photos where all subjects are in clearer focus and accurately exposed. Working in concert with Face Detection, “Red-eye Correction” helps to detect and correct red-eye during playback mode.

The extended 4x optical zoom of the Powershot SD850 IS makes optical image stabilization (OIS) essential. Canon’s lens shift OIS provides an effective antidote to camera shake, particularly at longer zoom lengths or during long exposures when even the slightest hand-held shake is magnified to picture blurring proportions. Superior to electronic image stabilization systems that simply use software to mask movement, OIS actually shifts the lens proportionately to compensate for unwanted motion, making it easier to snap great images and smooth movies, even when the camera is hand-held or in low light conditions.

The steady effectiveness is further enhanced when paired with the new “Auto ISO Shift” feature which, at the touch of a button, can automatically increase the ISO speed setting as required to maintain fast shutter speeds when shooting in low light conditions without a flash.

Eye-Easy Display
The Powershot SD850 IS features a bright, high-resolution 2.5-inch LCD displays that offer users a wide viewing angle, ideal for viewing and sharing. The PowerShot SD850 IS Digital ELPH features the new PureColor LCD that offers superior color accuracy and brightness and a multi-coated screen finish that provides enhanced resistance to glare, scratches and fingerprints. For conventional viewing, the camera also features an eye-level viewfinder.

Flexible Photo Modes
The Powershot SD850 IS also offers users a broad spectrum of creative options to customize their pictures. The Canon PowerShot SD850 IS Digital ELPH camera is equipped with a new Creative Light Effect special scene mode that can alter the shape of background bright spots - into hearts, stars and the like - when shooting a night scene. The Creative Light Effect is but one of 18 shooting modes accessible to PowerShot SD850 IS Digital ELPH users at the mere touch of a control dial.

Powershot SD850 IS Digital ELPH Camera Features:

• 8.0 Megapixels
• 4x optical zoom 35-140mm (35mm equivalent) UA lens with optical Image Stabilizer
• Eye-catching design with Touch Control Dial
• DIGIC III with Face Detection AF/AE/FE and
• Noise Reduction Technology
• Red-Eye Correction in playback
• 2.5” high resolution PureColor LCD
• ISO 1600 and Auto ISO Shift
• 18 Shooting modes including Creative Light Effect plus My Colors photo effects
• 30fps VGA Movies and Time Lapse Movie function
• Shortcut button for instant access to favourite functions
• Dazzling Stills or Movies in the Palm of Your Hand

In addition to its multiple still photo shooting modes, the PowerShot SD850 IS Digital ELPH camera features six movie modes, including normal and fast frame rates as well as a new Time Lapse movie setting that permits a movie recorded at intervals – the opening of a flower for example – to be condensed into a brief time frame when viewed at the normal 30 frames per second (fps) frame rate. Additionally, the camera’s sound recorder can capture audio clips of up to two hours each.

Height, Weight and Compact Design
True to the continual design innovations of Canon’s ELPH line of cameras, the PowerShot SD850 IS Digital ELPH is barely big enough to cause a bulge in a breast-pocket, measuring a mere 3.56-inches long, 2.22-inches high and 1.04-inches wide, and weighing in at only 5.82 ounces. In stores beginning in mid-June 2007, the camera kit includes a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and battery charger, a 32MB SD memory card, a USB interface cable, an AV cable for audio/video output and a full suite of Canon’s latest software applications. The PowerShot SD850 IS Digital ELPH camera carries an estimated selling price of $399.99*.

Windows Vista Ready
As one of Microsoft’s Premier Launch Partners, Canon is proud to announce that all PowerShot digital cameras announced in 2007 are Certified for Windows Vista according to Microsoft standards, without any extra downloads or upgrades. Additionally, all current models are fully compatible with other operating systems including Windows XP and Mac OS X (Versions 10.2 - 10.4).

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
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 on the 2006 BusinessWeek list of “Top 100 Brands.” Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2006†, with global revenues of $34.9 billion. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., Inc. sign up for the Company’s RSS feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com.