PMA 2002: 09:00 EST: Canon has today announced the PowerShot A100. This new model has a 1.2 megapixel CCD (1280 x 960 image size) and a fixed focal length (39 mm equiv.) F2.8 lens. The A100 is aimed squarly at the budget and first-time buyer market but still has a good feature and specifications list. The A100 also supports Canon's direct printing and is Exif Print compatible.

Press Release (Canon Europe):

The PowerShot A100: Canon's new entry-level digital camera

Amstelveen, 22 February 2002 - Canon today announces the launch of a new entry-level digital camera, the PowerShot A100 with direct print capabilities.

The PowerShot A100 is the entry point to the Canon digital camera line-up, delivering high quality digital images at an extremely competitive price point; this is the ideal camera for beginners in digital photography.

"The PowerShot A100 shows Canon's commitment to digital photography at all levels within the market." Says Mr Komatsuzaki, Executive Vice President, Canon Consumer Imaging. "The A100 offers uncompromising Canon quality at an affordable price."

Canon image processing expertise in the PowerShot A100, optimises output from the 1.2M pixel CCD sensor to create images that are ideal for use on websites or emailing. The bright F2.8 lens ensures pictures that are clear and sharp no matter what the occasion. Easy to use and delivering high quality images, the A100 is an asset to anyone with an interest in digital photography.

The PowerShot A100 takes advantage of Canon's pioneering technology by being directly connectable to the ground-breaking Canon Direct Printers.

The Card Photo Printer CP-10 is ideally suited for credit card size prints and stickers while the new CP-100 also has the capability for printing 10x15 cm*1 photos.

Canon's direct printers CP-100 and CP-10 are the easiest way to get superb photo prints from a Canon digital camera in no time at all. By simply connecting the digital camera to the direct printer by means of a dedicated cable and selecting an image, a perfect print can be delivered and passed around in just over 80 seconds.

Packed with Canon's innovative technology, this camera makes it unbelievably simple to take great digital photos. An example of this is the latest intelligent three point focussing system AiAF (Artificial intelligence Auto Focus) featured in the A100. With AiAF the subject is always in focus wherever they are in the frame, simply point and shoot for great digital images. The PowerShot A100 is not just a still camera; it is also capable of capturing short video clips, for memories that last just a little longer.

Going digital means easy connectivity between the camera and the PC's USB port for a new way to enjoy a whole new world of digital imaging. Canon's software suite for PC/Mac includes user-friendly Canon ZoomBrowser EX, PhotoStitch and PhotoRecord.

PowerShot A100 is supporting Exif Print.

Canon PowerShot A100 specifications

Canon WP-DCA100 underwater case for the A100