[April 16, 2012]

Canon U.S.A. Unveils New 4K Imaging Solutions and New HDTV Lenses at the 2012 NAB Show in Las Vegas

At the 2012 NAB Show, Canon (News - Alert) U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, will exhibit the company's wide range of high-definition imaging equipment, designed for motion picture and television production, video content creation, and still photography, at booth #C4325. Among the equipment on display from April 16 to April 19, 2012, Canon will unveil the new EOS-1D C Digital SLR camera* and the development of its groundbreaking line of 4K imaging solutions, including four new EF Cinema zoom lenses, two Cinema EOS cameras, and advanced display technology to deliver 4K resolution at the pinnacle of imaging performance.

In addition to product displays, Canon will host an innovative and informative Live Learning and screening series at the company's NAB Show booth to showcase the multitude of applications Canon equipment offers the broadcast television, professional video, and motion picture industries.

The development of Canon's new 4K imaging system marks the Company's third major announcement for industry professionals within the past six months. In November 2011, Canon U.S.A. began its full-fledged entry into the film industry with the launch of the Cinema EOS System. Most recently, in March 2012, the Company announced the release of the EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR camera; this new DSLR model builds on the success of the lauded EOS 5D Mark II, which has been used in the production of blockbuster Hollywood motion pictures and hit television programs.

Canon's complete line of high-definition equipment offers cinematographers and imaging professionals an unprecedented range of creative possibilities to ensure that no story is left untold. By developing products that push the boundaries of today's digital imaging technology - such as those unveiled at the 2012 NAB Show - Canon hopes to inspire all content creators to look to the future and imagine what's next.

Cinema Zoom Lenses

Canon U.S.A. has announced the development of four new EF Cinema zoom lenses designed to deliver exceptional optical performance on 4K resolution Super 35mm-equivalent cameras. Each of the four lenses features a compact, lightweight design to facilitate handheld and Steadicam^TM shooting while also covering a wide range of focal lengths. Included are two wide-angle cine zooms - the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S (for EF mounts) and the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L SP (for PL mounts) - and two telephoto cine zooms - the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S (for EF mounts) and CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L SP (for PL mounts).

Cinema EOS C500/C500 PL

Canon Inc. is developing two digital cinematography cameras in response to growing expectations for higher levels of imaging performance in premium Hollywood films and other production markets requiring the utmost in picture quality. The Cinema EOS C500*, for use with EF-mount lenses, and the Cinema EOS C500 PL*, for use with PL-mount lenses, cameras are capable of originating 4K resolution digital motion imagery with uncompressed RAW output for external recording. The EOS C500 model will be on display at NAB 2012.

EOS-1D C Digital SLR Camera

The newest model in the line of EOS DSLR cameras and the first to be designed as a member of the Cinema EOS system, the EOS-1D C Digital SLR records video at 4K (4096 x 2160-pixel) or Full HD (1920 x 1080-pixel) resolution to support high-end motion picture, television production and other advanced imaging applications. The Canon EOS-1D C Digital SLR camera incorporates the Canon Log Gamma to enable the recording of high-quality video while also providing a high level of color-grading freedom. The camera includes an 18.1-megapixel full-frame 24mm x 36mm Canon CMOS sensor with the ability to record 8-bit 4:2:2 Motion JPEG 4K video to the camera's CF memory card or Full HD video. Additional features include an expanded sensitivity range of up to ISO 25600 for exceptional motion-imaging results with reduced noise even in low-light settings.

4K Display Technology

To help showcase Canon's complete workflow capabilities, Canon is in process of developing a display monitor with 4K resolution, developmental samples of which will be shown in the booth during NAB 2012. These high-quality displays show the potential for use in professional applications, such as color grading in professional video industries, image quality management in VFX/CG production and checking image quality at the shooting sites of various productions.

Canon Broadcast HDTV Lenses

Responding to TV industry demand for a portable HD lens combining improved wide-angle performance and the telephoto range sought by news and documentary shooters, Canon is introducing the innovative HJ17ex6.2B HD lens for 2/3-inch ENG cameras. Delivering a broad focal length range from 6.2mm to 106mm (212mm with built-in 2X (News - Alert) extender) and a Minimum Object Distance (M.O.D.) of 0.4m (shortened by approximately 30 percent compared to previous models), the new HJ17ex6.2B is well-suited for close shooting in news situations.

Designed for improved coverage of sports and other mobile-location productions, the newXJ80x8.8B* and XJ76x9B* HD field lenses deliver, respectively, a maximum wide angle of 8.8mm (a horizontal angle-of-view of 57.2 degrees; approximately five percent wider than previous long-zoom lenses), and a maximum wide angle of 9mm (a horizontal angle-of-view of 56.1 degrees; approximately three percent wider than previous long-zoom lenses). The XJ80x8.8B also includes a new built-in Optical Shift Image Stabilizer (Shift-IS) as a standard feature.

Canon's full line of HDTV portable, studio, and long-zoom field lenses will also be on display at the 2012 NAB Show, including: the XJ95x8.6B super-telephoto HD field lens (featuring a maximum wide angle of 9mm and horizontal angle-of-view of 58.3 degrees); the cost-effective KJ20x8.2B portable HDgc Series lens with built-in 2x extender (which expands its focal length to 16.4mm-328mm); and the HJ15ex8.5B portable HD zoom lens with built-in Optical Image Stabilizer to maintain stable images even when subject to jolts and vibrations. Also on display is the recently introduced XU-80 remote control pan-tilt-zoom HD camera for outdoor or indoor use.

Canon's XF Series of professional HD camcorders for broadcast and professional video production is also included in its 2012 NAB Show exhibit. A new firmware update for all four of these models (the XF305, XF300, XF105, and XF100) enabling capture of 1440 x 1080 HD at 35Mbps in either 60i or 50i is expected to be available for download at the end of May 2012 on individual product pages through the Canon website.

Canon Programming at the 2012 NAB Show

Throughout the 2012 NAB Show, Canon will host a series of unique live-learning experiences with renowned cinematographers, broadcast specialists, and filmmakers at the Canon booth. These leading industry professionals will showcase their recent works shot on Canon equipment, share best practices and real-world applications for the new Canon technology, and provide insight into the ever-changing field of optical and imaging technology. The speakers scheduled to appear in the Canon booth include:

In addition to the live-learning series, Canon will showcase six short films in the Canon booth's 40-seat 4K Theater. These films, created with the groundbreaking Cinema EOS technology, are:

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. With approximately $45.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2011† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2012. 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. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyoseiphilosophy of social and environmental responsibility. 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.

*These devices have not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. These devices are not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased until authorization is obtained.

†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.

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