New "Digital ELPH" is Smallest 2.1 Megapixel Camera with a 3x Zoom and Offers Movie Clips with Audio, and Direct Prints Using the
New CP-10 Dye-Sub Printer

February 11, 2001 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., is once again combining its expertise in camera design and advanced digital imaging technology to create the latest addition to its line of PowerShot digital cameras: the PowerShot S300 Digital ELPH. The camera's ultra-compact and elegant stainless steel design is based on the extremely popular PowerShot S100, and offers new and improved features including a powerful 3x zoom lens, making it the world's smallest and lightest 2.1 megapixel camera with a 3x zoom lens. Aside from the PowerShot S100, the new S300 joins several other PowerShot-series cameras including the newly introduced PowerShot A10 and A20, as well as the current Pro90 IS and G1 models.

The PowerShot S300 Digital ELPH is Canon's second ultra-compact digital camera. In addition to its high-resolution, and retractable 3x zoom lens, the S300 offers a number of new and improved features including: direct print capabilities from the new Canon Card Photo Printer CP-10; 20 frame-per-second movie clips with audio at selectable resolutions up to 640x480 pixels; shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/1500 second; an adaptive primary color filter for improved color reproduction; a choice of nine image quality modes; automatic exposure sensitivity adjustment; a high-output light guide flash; and a new high-speed digital signal processing IC with low power consumption.

"The new PowerShot S300 is a perfect example of how Canon is reinforcing its presence in the digital camera marketplace," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager, Photographic Products Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "We are determined to continue providing our customers with the highest-quality digital imaging devices available anywhere," Mr. Hashimoto added.


Direct Printing with Card Photo Printer CP-10

A new digital signal processing IC in the PowerShot S300 enables high-speed image processing and rapid data transfer through the cameras' USB interface. The PowerShot S300 takes advantage of this feature by offering a Direct Print mode that enables users to print hard-copy images using Canon's new CP-10 dye-sublimation printer. The CP-10 makes printing from digital files simple and fun by allowing users to control all print settings directly from the camera's LCD monitor. Printer data is then transferred to the CP-10 directly through a dedicated interface cable. The new, ultra-compact printer produces beautiful, 300 x 300 dpi credit card-sized color prints in as little as 56 seconds. The CP-10 can also be used to print eight miniature copies of the same image on one sticker sheet, adding a new dimension of fun for everyone. Each sticker measures approximately 0.9 x 0.7-inches.

Record and Playback Movie Clips

The Canon PowerShot S300 can record movie clips with audio at 20 frames per second in any of three resolution modes: 640x480, 320x240 or 160x120. PowerShot S300 movie clips are recorded as QuickTime AVI files, with the image data saved in the Motion JPEG format and the sound in the WAVE format. The video portion of the PowerShot S300 movies can be replayed on the camera's LCD monitor. Full audio-video playback is possible with a connected TV monitor or a compatible PC after downloading. Downloaded movie clips can be edited, saved, and sent to others via e-mail using the PowerShot's S300's bundled software. Due to the new digital signal processing IC, the S300's movie clip processing speed is approximately 2.7 times faster that other models in its class.

PowerShot S300 Features

The elegant stainless-steel body styling of the PowerShot S300 is based on the popular PowerShot S100, but the S300 features a new 3X (equivalent to 35-105mm in the 35mm format) f/2.7-4.7 all-glass aspherical lens compared to the 2X zoom lens on the S100. The body dimensions and weight of the S300 are slightly larger than the S100 at 3.7 x 2.5 x 1.2-inches and 8.5 ounces, but the PowerShot S300 is still the world's smallest 2.1 megapixel digital camera with a 3X zoom lens.

The Digital ELPH features a 0.37-inch, 2.1 megapixel CCD sensor that creates full color or black-and-white images up to 1600x1200 pixels when set to the camera's Large resolution mode.

The camera also offers an additional resolution settings of 1024x768 and 640x480 when set in the Middle or Small modes, which are ideal for on-screen applications, such as Web sites and CD-ROMs and allow more images to be recorded on a single CompactFlash memory card. The new camera is compatible with Type I CompactFlash Cards and will be shipped with an 8MB CF card.

Image Management Software

Bundled with a comprehensive suite of programs enabling image management, editing, compositing and printing, the PowerShot S300 comes with ArcSoft PhotoImpression and VideoImpression software plus Apple QuickTime 4.1, Canon RemoteCapture 1.3, and PhotoStitch 3.1 for both Macintosh and Windows, as well as Canon ZoomBrowser EX 2.6, PhotoRecord 1.2 and WIA and TWAIN for Windows, plus ImageBrowser 1.6 and a Photoshop-compatible plug-in for the Mac. Features integrated in both ZoomBrowser EX 2.6 and ImageBrowser 1.6 include TimeTunnel and SlideShowMaker. When using ZoomBrowser EX 2.6 or ImageBrowser 1.6, users can take advantage of new and improved features for auto layout printing, self-running full-screen slide shows, and automated preparation of images for use as e-mail attachments. ZoomBrowser EX and Image Browser simplifies the process of emailing photos by automatically compressing the image and starting the email program.

Accessories and Availability

The new PowerShot S300 is supplied with the following standard accessories: Lithium Battery Pack NB-1L, Battery Charger CB-2LS, an 8MB CompactFlash Card (FC-8M), Interface Cable for USB (IFC-300PCU), AV Cable (AVC-DC100), Wrist Strap (WS-110), and PowerShot Solutions Software CD-ROM.

Optional accessories include AC Adapter Kit ACK500 (which contains Compact Power Adapter CA-PS500, DC Coupler DR-500, and an AC Power Cord) and Soft Compact Case PSC 300 (with space for an extra battery and CF card) as well as spare batteries, CF cards and interface cables. In addition to Card Photo Printer CP-10 previously mentioned, Canon will also introduce a new WP-DC100 dedicated underwater housing with a depth rating of 100 feet. The PowerShot S300 digital camera will be available in the second quarter, 2001, and have a suggested retail price of $699.*

About Canon U.S.A.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging solutions that give people the Know How to access the latest technology. The company's comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices; digital and analog copiers (color and black and white); printers, scanners, image filing systems, and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment. Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

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*All prices subject to change without notice.