Canon Announces its First Waterproof Digital Camera

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 18 February 2009

Canon today launches its first waterproof digital compact camera: the 12.1 Megapixel PowerShot D10. Engineered for those with an adventurous, active lifestyle, the PowerShot D10 combines take-anywhere levels of toughness with exceptional image quality. Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor delivers ultra-responsive performance and outstanding, richly detailed images, while a new Smart Auto mode uses Scene Detection technology to deliver effortlessly great shots.  For the ultimate in hands-free, take-anywhere operability, the PowerShot D10 also offers compatibility with an extensive accessories system.

Goes where others can’t
From surfing to snorkelling, skiing to mountaineering, the PowerShot D10 is designed to accompany users on every adventure – it’s waterproof to 10m*, can withstand the shock of a drop onto a hard surface from 1.22m, is dustproof** and will function at temperatures as low as -10°C.

A range of protective accessories are available to keep the camera safe in challenging environments, including soft case, shoulder, neck and carabiner straps***. Thanks to an innovative connection system on the corners of the camera’s body, a secure and convenient set-up can be tailored for different activities. Users can also customise their camera’s appearance with an optional coloured Front Cover Set, and protect it from knocks and scuffs with a soft case.

Exceptional quality
Incredible 12.1 Megapixel resolution is captured by the camera’s sensor, allowing the freedom to crop or enlarge images while retaining outstanding image detail. The 3x zoom lens offers a range of versatile framing options, with Image Stabilizer preventing camera-shake from causing unwanted blur. This is particularly useful when participating in the high-movement activities for which the camera is designed.

Easy to use
To ensure that users stay focused on the action, DIGIC 4 powers a host of intelligent features that make great photos effortless. A new Smart Auto mode uses Scene Detection Technology to analyse the shooting scene in detail – checking subject brightness, contrast, distance and overall hue. The camera then selects the optimum mode from 18 possible choices, ensuring perfect settings for the scene.

Even the most active situations can be photographed blur-free thanks to Canon’s Motion Detection Technology, which detects both camera and subject movement and adjusts settings accordingly. Naturally great people shots are assured by Face Detection Technology, which now also includes new Blink Detection, to avoid the disappointment of mistimed people shots. Canon’s i-Contrast brightens dark areas in an image without blowing out lighter areas.

The PowerShot D10 also features a special 2.5” PureColor LCD II, which has been specially modified for better outdoor performance. Protected by a 2mm protective shield, it offers double the brightness of a normal PureColor LCD II – allowing easy framing or image review in virtually any environment.

From the beach to the ski-slopes, a wide range of shooting modes and Special Scene modes – including dedicated Underwater, Snow and Beach modes - delivers instant fingertip access to the correct settings. FaceSelf-Timer simplifies group shots by waiting until the user enters the frame before shooting.

“The PowerShot D10 is a boundary-breaking camera,” commented Rainer Fuehres, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “It brings the hallmarks of the PowerShot range – exceptional imaging and ease of use – to places where many other cameras simply cannot go.”

• Waterproof (to 10m), shockproof (1.22m), freeze-proof (-10°C), dust-proof digital camera
• 12.1 Megapixels
• 3.0x optical zoom with optical Image Stabilizer
• Smart Auto mode with Scene Detection Technology
  
• DIGIC 4 for ultra-fast response, superb image quality and intelligent
• Exceptionally bright 2.5” PureColor LCD II with 2mm protective shield
• Combats blur with IS and Motion Detection Technology
• People shots made easy with Face Detection Technology, Face Select & Track and Blink Detection - plus FaceSelf-Timer and Auto Red-Eye Correction technologies
• Optional accessory system includes Shoulder & Neck Strap Set and Carabiner Strap*** plus Front Cover Set
• Range of shooting modes and Special Scene modes
• 30fps VGA movies

Pricing
The PowerShot D10 IS Digital Camera is scheduled to be available in early May for an estimated retail price of $329.99 (U.S.)

Printing
The PowerShot D10 features a dedicated Print menu for quick access to direct print options. Full PictBridge support means users can print directly to any PictBridge compatible printer without the need for a PC.

Language
The PowerShot D10 features a user interface that supports 26 languages: English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Greek, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, Romanian, Ukrainian and Farsi.

Memory Card Support
In addition to SD, SDHC and MMC memory cards, the PowerShot D10 supports MMCplus and HC MMCplus card formats.

Software and CANON iMAGE GATEWAY
The PowerShot D10 comes bundled with the following Canon Software:

• ZoomBrowser EX 6.3 (Windows), ImageBrowser 6.3 (Macintosh): For organising and editing images, movies and slideshows, or creating and printing digital photo albums.
  
  
• PhotoStitch 3.1 (Windows), PhotoStitch 3.2 (Mac): For creating panoramic photos from multiple images.

The bundled software supports Windows Vista (including SP1) / XP SP2-3 and Macintosh OS X v10.4-10.5. Both cameras support PTP for driverless transfer to Windows XP and Macintosh OS X, along with MTP for image and movie transfers to Windows Vista.

Purchasers of the PowerShot D10 are eligible for free membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY: 100MB of online ‘personal gallery’ space for sharing stills and video with family and friends.

Optional Accessories
The PowerShot D10 can be combined with the following accessories:

* IEC/JIS IP Protection Rating IPX8 equivalent
** IEC/JIS IP Protection Rating IPX6 equivalent
*** Optional straps are not designed for use under water

Technologies Explained:

Key Messages:

• AUTO mode is new for 1H09 in February launched Canon Cameras
• Latest Smart AUTO mode now incorporates advanced Scene Detection Technology
• Smart Auto makes it even easier for users to get better quality images with a press of the shutter button
• DIGIC 4 enables Smart Auto to be more accurate and give better images.

Introduction
Spring 2009 sees the launch of a new step-change in image quality for Canon cameras. For as long as most users can remember, AUTO mode has been a feature of point and shoot cameras -allowing minimal intervention or expertise needed to achieve satisfactory focus and exposure.  Since the introduction and rise of digital photography, there have been many technological advances and additional shooting modes, yet AUTO mode remains the staple favourite of many snappers.  Research conducted by Canon also reveals that AUTO is one of the most frequently used shooting modes.

Cameras with IQ
From today Canon are making AUTO mode different. The latest range of Digital Still Camera products launched incorporate a new smart system that uses Scene Detection Technology, which along with other advanced Canon technologies, leads to one of the most comprehensive and clever AUTO modes ever seen on a digital camera. Whilst complex in technology, Smart AUTO still delivers the peace of mind and ease of use for point and shooters that has always been expected from selecting the familiar green icon mode.

With intelligent and integrated use of key functions such as focus, exposure, ISO sensitivity, flash, dynamic range adjustments and Intelligent Contrast Correction, Canon Cameras have never been so smart.  Added to these Canon Motion Detection and Face Detection Technology plus advanced Noise Reduction, together with pleasing colour rendition all delivered by the DIGIC 4 processor, mean when selecting AUTO mode on these latest models, users can be assured of the best in image quality even in more challenging shooting conditions.

Smart Auto overview:
Using Scene Detection Technology, Smart AUTO can distinguish parameters allowing the camera to carry out optimum processing for a shot by:

• Detecting people
• Evaluating Distances
• Evaluating Subject and camera movement information
• Analysing Scene Brightness
• Analysing Colour