New Models Provide Fast, High-Quality, Borderless Photos With Exif Print Support

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. -- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. today introduces two new Bubble Jet Direct photo printers and one entry-level Color Bubble Jet printer for the consumer and SOHO markets - the Canon S530D, S830D and S330.

The four-color S530D and six-color S830D provide fast, high-quality, borderless photo prints directly from a removable memory card, through a PC or from Bubble Jet Direct-enabled Canon PowerShot digital cameras. The entry-level S330 Color Bubble Jet printer features borderless printing and Advanced MicroFine Droplet Technology(TM) for exceptional quality.

All of the new printers offer Exif Print support for easy, smart processing of digital images. To ensure optimal results from Canon's full line of Bubble Jet printers, the Company is also announcing today new Photo Paper Plus Glossy and Matte Photo Paper.

"With the introduction of the S530D, S830D, and S330, Canon combines its unique expertise in photo and printing technology to make it easier than ever for users to achieve optimal results, whether at home or in the office," said Ryoichi Bamba, senior vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A. Personal Imaging Systems Group. "These models address the critical speed, connectivity, software, media type, and borderless print capabilities customers are looking for when buying a photo printer."

Canon Bubble Jet Printers

S530D and S830D Bubble Jet Direct photo printers -- These Canon printers connect directly to six Canon PowerShot digital cameras, including the S30, S40, G2, G2 Black, S200 and S330 via an included Bubble Jet Direct USB cable. This cable allows users to print directly from the camera without connecting to a computer. For those customers who want the ability to print photos directly but don't have a Bubble Jet Direct Canon camera, the printer has a PCMCIA Type II memory card slot so that virtually any brand camera's "digital film" can be inserted into the printer(a). The optional Canon Image Viewer allows customers to view their images prior to printing. Both printers feature Canon's Advanced MicroFine Droplet Technology enabling high-speed, high-quality printing with a high-precision, high-density multi-nozzle print head.

The S830D offers six-color printing at 2400 x 1200 dpi and provides borderless printing at speeds of approximately one minute for a 4" x 6" and approximately two minutes for an 8" x 10" photo print when printing from a computer. And when using Canon's Photo Paper Pro, the images have the ability to be lightfast for approximately 25 years.(c) The S830D will be shipping in August 2002 with a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $399(c) including the Bubble Jet Direct USB cable, PCMCIA Compact Flash adapter and a PCMCIA 4-in-1 adapter that accepts Memory Stick, Smart Media, Secure Digital, and Multi-Media Card type removable memory cards.

The S530D provides four-color borderless photo printing at 2400 x 1200 dpi with print speeds of 14 pages-per-minute (ppm) for black and 10 ppm for color. Printing borderless 4" x 6" prints in less than a minute provides customers the fast photo printing speed they expect from a direct connect printer. The S530D will ship in August 2002 with an MSRP of $249.00(b) including the Bubble Jet Direct USB cable, PCMCIA Compact Flash adapter and a PCMCIA 4-in-1 adapter that accepts Memory Stick, Smart Media, Secure Digital, and Multi-Media Card type removable memory cards.

The S530D and S830D Photo Printers both support Exif Print (Exif 2.2 "Exchangeable Image Format File"), the new worldwide open standard for higher quality digital photo printing. Exif Print enables smart image processing of digital camera images by embedding important camera settings (such as landscape or portrait mode, if the flash was on or off, etc.) into the image file. Both the S530D and S830D Photo Printers can utilize this information when printing through the computer, direct from the media card and when printed through a Bubble Jet Direct camera.

The S530D and S830D Photo Printers ship with Canon's exclusive Easy-PhotoPrint software. Easy-PhotoPrint is designed to print digital camera images with ease-of-use, speed, and quality. Easy-PhotoPrint automatically sets the optimum driver settings for beautiful photographic output from your Canon printer. Easy-PhotoPrint features Exif Print for results that will be a truer photo print matching the photographer's original intention.

The Color Bubble Jet S330 replaces the current S300 printer with increased speed at 14 ppm for black and 10 ppm for color. This printer brings true borderless printing down to the $99 price level while maintaining print quality with Canon's Advanced MicroFine Droplet Technology and 2400 x 1200 dpi resolution with 5 picoliter precision. The S330 is Exif Print compatible and ships with Canon's exclusive Easy-PhotoPrint software to produce the highest quality photo prints. The S330 will be shipping in July 2002 with an MSRP of $99.00.

New Canon Photo Papers

Canon is also debuting two new photo papers, Photo Paper Plus Glossy and Matte Photo Paper, to support Canon's full line of Color Bubble Jet and Photo Printers.

Photo Paper Plus Glossy is manufactured to produce vivid photos that rival that of standard mini-lab prints at an economical price. With a 10.5-mil thickness and a high-gloss surface, pictures will have the look and feel of traditional photographs. Photo Paper Plus Glossy will be available in 4" x 6" 20 and 50-sheet packs as well as an 8.5" x 11" 20-sheet pack at an MSRP of $5.99(b), $12.49(b) and $12.99(b) respectively. The 4" x 6" and 8.5" x 11" 20-sheet packs will ship in August 2002 and the 4" x 6" 50-sheet package will ship in September 2002.

Canon Matte Photo Paper is a new heavyweight paper designed for high-resolution images. The 8.5-mil thickness and instant-drying characteristics will reduce paper cockling while its non-glare surface allows for mounting, framing or other dynamic means of presentation. The 8.5" x 11" Matte Photo Paper 50-sheet package will ship in September 2002 at a MSRP of $9.99(b).

Canon S530D, S830D, and S330 Print Technology

Latest Generation Advanced Microfine Droplet Technology and High Intensity Inks for Long Lasting Photos -- All of the new printers, the S330, S530D and S830D feature the latest generation of Canon's Advanced Microfine Droplet Technology. This revolutionary ink ejection process separates and ejects prescribed-volume, ultra-fine ink droplets from the nozzles with precise accuracy. The Advanced Microfine Droplet Technology enables high-speed, high-quality printing with a high-precision, high-density multi-nozzle head. In addition, Canon printers use specially formulated inks creating sharper text and vibrant, rich colors. Using these inks and Canon's Photo Paper Pro, photos will last approximately 25 years(c).

Canon Think Tank System of Individual Ink Tanks -- The S530 and S830D printers include Canon's hallmark feature of individual ink tanks. This is a unique technology that Canon invented, offering users a cost performance advantage, especially when printing photos. End-users only replace the individual color ink tank they have depleted which eliminates ink waste. In addition, the Canon Think Tank System has an optical ink sensor that triggers an on-screen warning so that users are alerted when the ink has run low.

Borderless Printing -- Borderless printing on Canon's new printers is now possible on 4" x 6" and letter size papers. This type of printing can be performed at dramatically faster printing speeds compared to competitive printers. On competitive models, the number of nozzles that can be used is limited in printing the top and bottom of the page when in borderless mode, but Canon's high-density multi-nozzle heads provide a sufficient number of nozzles and enough density to ensure high-quality and fast borderless prints.

Canon Supports New Exif Print Standard -- Canon will strive to further promote the benefits of digital photo imaging through the launch of digital camera and Bubble Jet printer products supporting the new Exif Print (Exif 2.2) standard, expected to gain acceptance as the global industry standard.

High Speed Four-Motor System and Relay Feeding -- The S530D and S830D printers incorporate a four-motor independent drive structure in which a single motor is assigned to each of the following: line-feed, carriage, auto sheet feeder, and maintenance unit. This independent control makes it possible for a high-speed and high-precision drive system. This eliminates drive switching, providing increased throughput and reduced noise.

Relay Feeding -- All of the new printers feature relay feeding which feeds in the next sheet of paper before the sheet being printed has been ejected. This dramatically reduces the overall time taken for continuous printing.

Precision Paper Feed Mechanism -- High-speed and consistent paper feeding is created by the outstanding auto sheet feeder that was highly acclaimed on the original S600 and subsequent S630 and S500 products. This is incorporated into the new printers to help ensure consistent paper feeding even at high speeds regardless of paper type.

Canon Quiet Mode -- In addition to the reduced operating noise by using the 4-motor system, Canon's printers feature a "Quiet Mode" setting inside of the driver. The Quiet Mode setting can achieve a greater reduction in operating noise and can be set for specific time periods to reduce noise at night. The quiet mode setting can reduce operating noise by as much as 7 db(A) on the S830D.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. In 2001, the Company was listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and was ranked #41 on the Business Week 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 2001, with global revenues of $26 billion. Canon U.S.A. employs approximately 11,000 people at over 30 locations. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

Specifications subject to change without notice. All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

(a) For information on compatible memory cards and adapters, visit Canon's website at www.usa.canon.com/consumer. See www.usa.canon.com/consumer/lightfast for details.
(b) Prices are MSRP at time materials were created. Prices subject to change at any time. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
(c) Based on Canon Inc. studies using Canon Photo Paper Pro, under glass, utilizing industry standard lighting conditions and controlled temperature and humidity. Results may vary based on individual environmental factors. Customer Service website [email protected]