Canon Professional Video Customers Can Benefit from the Same Level of Service and Professionalism That Still Photographers Have Enjoyed for Decades

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 9, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, announced today that it has expanded its Canon Professional Services (CPS) program effective April 9th, 2010. The CPS program expansion will offer the same three levels of membership – Silver, Gold and Platinum – to qualifying professional video customers, with each level receiving better and more extensive service benefits. The expansion of the CPS program is designed to extend Canon’s service assistance and offerings to this professional demographic and support professional filmmakers and videographers with fast service, equipment evaluation loans, and a range of other benefits to be announced in the coming months. New members will be able to sign-up and join the expanded CPS program as of April 9th, 2010 and begin to take advantage of all the current CPS program benefits as listed on the CPS Web site. Existing CPS members with qualifying video equipment will also be able to take part in the expanded CPS video services and benefits. However, the expedited two-day and three-day service benefit for eligible video equipment will not be available until July 2010.

“As digital imaging evolves, we are proud to expand the CPS program to meet this new evolution and embrace the opportunity we have to serve the video market, not only with superior products, but also with continued service to ensure our professional customers have the equipment and support they need to successfully do their jobs,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.

A complimentary CPS Silver membership will be offered free-of-charge to qualifying videographers, cinematographers and filmmakers. This level of membership includes a welcome kit, access to the CPS phone hotline and a 20 percent discount on repairs^[i]. For professionals requiring a higher level of Canon support, CPS Gold membership additionally includes access to equipment evaluation loans for a limited trial period and an expedited three-day turnaround on service items.^[ii] Along with a 30 percent service discount, CPS Gold membership also includes two free Check & Clean vouchers and backup loan equipment, when available, if repair or service exceeds the three-day turnaround. CPS Gold membership has an annual fee of $100.

The CPS Platinum membership includes priority access to equipment evaluation loans for a two-week trial periods, a 60 percent discount on repairs^[iii], and expedited two-day turnaround on service items. Platinum members can also request backup equipment while their equipment is being serviced. Requested backup equipment is sent out upon the service center’s receipt of the member’s equipment.^[iv] CPS Platinum membership will have an annual fee of $500.

As part of the expanded CPS program, equipment evaluation loans will include all current professional DSLR equipment and accessories including the highly popular EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera, as well as the new Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders which employ an MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps Canon XF Codec for capturing and recording native 1920 x 1080 video onto affordable CF cards. The Canon XF305 and XF300 professional camcorders are expected to be available for loan in June of 2010.

In addition, current CPS program members are qualified for this new level of video equipment service and likewise, CPS members under the video qualifications will also qualify for still camera service and benefits.

For more information on Canon U.S.A., Inc.’s expanded Canon Professional Services program including qualification requirements and benefits for Silver, Gold and Platinum level memberships, please check the CPS web page at: www.usa.canon.com/cps

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2009†, with global revenues of US $35 billion, is listed as number four in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World’s Most Admired Companies 2009 list, and is on the 2009 BusinessWeek list of "100 Best Global Brands." Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

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†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.
Specifications, benefits and availability of the program are subject to change without notice.

1. Discount applies only to items listed on the CPS Service Items list.

2. Three day turnaround will be subject to certain conditions and limitations. For more information please visit www.usa.canon.com/cps.

3. Discount applies only to items listed on the CPS Service Items list.

4. Two day turnaround will be subject to certain conditions and limitations, for more information please visit www.usa.canon.com/cps.