NewsFebruary 2009

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Canon releases PowerShot SD960 IS & SSD970 IS

Pre-PMA 2009: Canon has released two new premium Digital ELPH models, the SD960 IS (Digital IXUS 110 IS in Europe) and SD970 IS (Digital IXUS 990 IS in Europe). The SD960 offers a 4x wide-angle lens starting at 28mm equiv. in front of a 12.1 megapixel sensor. The SD970 contains the same sensor but with a 5x zoom lens, this time starting at the slightly less handy 38mm equiv. The 960 has a wide-aspect ratio 2.8" screen for shooting HD movies while the 970 IS has a 3" 4:3 LCD.

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• Press Release
• Technologies Explained
• Specifications
• Additional images

Press Release:

From wide imaging to telephoto power:
the new, smarter generation of Digital IXUS

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 18 February 2009: Canon today updates its Digital IXUS range with two exciting new models: the Digital IXUS 110 IS and the Digital IXUS 990 IS. The Digital IXUS 110 IS offers the ultimate in wide shooting via a wide-angle zoom lens, wide-aspect LCD and widescreen HD movie shooting, while the Digital IXUS 990 IS delivers superior telephoto reach via a 5.0x optical zoom, and detailed image review with a 3.0” PureColor LCD II. Both feature a new Smart Auto mode, which uses Canon’s innovative Scene Detection Technology to deliver incredible shots with simple point-and-shoot operation.

Both 12.1 Megapixel models shoot stunning HD movies (1280 x 720, 30fps) and have HDMI connections for playback on compatible HD televisions. Replacing the Digital IXUS 90 IS and Digital IXUS 970 IS respectively, the Digital IXUS 110 IS and Digital IXUS 990 IS continue the IXUS heritage combination of exquisite imaging and design. The Digital IXUS 110 IS comes in a choice of gold, silver, pink or blue - while the Digital IXUS 990 IS features a classic, metallic finish.

Go wide or go long
The Digital IXUS 110 IS offers a complete wide shooting solution for both still images and video. A wide-angle lens (28–112mm) captures more in the frame, making it ideal for scenery or group shots. Framing and reviewing wide photos or widescreen HD movies is simple with the wide-aspect (16:9) 2.8” PureColor LCD II.

With its 5.0x optical zoom, the Digital IXUS 990 IS gives users a powerful range of framing options – or the ability to bring distant subjects up close. Canon’s optical Image Stabilizer delivers blur-free results throughout the zoom range on both cameras.

Exceptional quality
Both models capture images at an incredible 12.1 Megapixel resolution, offering the freedom to crop or enlarge images with no loss in detail. Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor uses improved algorithms and calculation accuracy, allowing both models to deliver ultra-fast operation, and rich, low-noise images with outstanding clarity and colour reproduction.

Canon know-how: intelligent photography
For maximum results with minimum effort, both models incorporate a new
Smart Auto mode. This uses Canon’s Scene Detection Technology to analyse the shooting scene in detail – checking subject brightness, contrast, distance and overall hue. The camera then instantly selects one of 18 possible modes, to ensure perfect settings for the scene.

Thanks to DIGIC 4 processing, Canon’s intelligent technologies are now more accurate than ever. Improved Motion Detection Technology aids blur-free capture of moving subjects. i-Contrast brightens the dark areas of a photo without blowing out correctly-exposed areas. Face Detection incorporates new Blink Detection, which helps avoid the disappointment of a mistimed portrait shot. FaceSelf-Timer simplifies group shots or self portraits by waiting until the user enters the frame before shooting.

A smarter experience
New Active Display is a fun interactive way of reviewing images: by moving the camera gently during playback, a scrolling function is activated. Both models are easier to use than ever, thanks to an improved, better looking

Graphical User Interface. This includes a handy Hints & Tips option, which offers unobtrusive advice on making the most of the camera’s features

The wide range of shooting modes in the Digital IXUS 990 IS includes options for creative photography: the new Zoom Blur mode physically zooms the lens during exposure to create a dynamic feeling of movement, while the improved

Creative Light Effect moves the IS system lens during longer exposures for a ‘drawing with light’ effect.
“These cameras combine new levels of intelligent functionality with the kind of head-turning design that only Digital IXUS offers,” said Rainer Fuehres, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe.

• Wide-angle 4x optical zoom lens (Digital IXUS 110 IS), powerful 5x optical zoom (Digital IXUS 990 IS) – both with optical Image Stabilizer
• 12.1 Megapixel CCD
• Wide-aspect 2.8” PureColor LCD II (Digital IXUS 110 IS), 3.0” PureColor LCD II (Digital IXUS 990 IS)
• HD movies (1280 x 720, 30fps) and HDMI connection
• Smart Auto mode with Scene Detection Technology
• DIGIC 4 for ultra-fast responsiveness and superb image quality
• Combats blur with IS and Motion Detection Technology
• People shots made easy with Face Detection Technology and
  Face Select & Track, plus Blink Detection, FaceSelf-Timer and
  Auto Red-Eye Correction
• Active Display for interactive playback
• i-Contrast brightens dark areas without blowing out correctly-exposed areas
  Improved User Interface with Hints & Tips
• Digital IXUS 110 IS available in silver, gold, pink, blue
  

Printing
The Digital IXUS 110 IS and Digital IXUS 990 IS feature a dedicated Print menu for quick access to direct print options. Full PictBridge support means users can print directly to any PictBridge compatible printer without the need for a PC.

The Digital IXUS 990 IS has a Print button for one-touch printing.

Language
The Digital IXUS 110 IS and Digital IXUS 990 IS feature a user interface that supports 26 languages: English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Greek, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, Romanian, Ukrainian and Farsi.

Memory Card Support
In addition to SD, SDHC and MMC memory cards, the Digital IXUS 110 IS and Digital IXUS 990 IS support MMCplus and HC MMCplus card formats.

Software and CANON iMAGE GATEWAY
The Digital IXUS 110 IS and Digital IXUS 990 IS come bundled with the following Canon Software:

• ZoomBrowser EX 6.3 (Windows), ImageBrowser 6.3 (Macintosh): For organising and editing images, movies and slideshows, or creating and printing digital photo albums.
• PhotoStitch 3.1 (Windows), PhotoStitch 3.2 (Mac): For creating panoramic photos from multiple images.

The bundled software supports Windows Vista (including SP1) / XP SP2-3 and Macintosh OS X v10.4-10.5. Both cameras support PTP for driverless transfer to Windows XP and Macintosh OS X, along with MTP for image and movie transfers to Windows Vista.
Purchasers of the Digital IXUS 110 IS and Digital IXUS 990 IS are eligible for free membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY: 100MB of online ‘personal gallery’ space for sharing stills and video with family and friends.
Optional Accessories
The Digital IXUS 110 IS and Digital IXUS 990 IS can be combined with the following accessories:

• Soft Case (DCC-70) for Digital IXUS 990 IS, (DCC-1100) for
  Digital IXUS 110 IS
• Digital IXUS Metal or Leather Strap
• High Power Flash (HF-DC1)
• AC Adapter Kit (ACK-DC30) for Digital IXUS 990 IS, (ACK-DC10) for Digital IXUS 110 IS
• HDMI Cable (HTC-100)
• Waterproof case (40m) (WP-DC32) for Digital IXUS 110 IS
• Waterproof Case Weight (WW-DC1) for Digital IXUS 110 IS

Technologies Explained

Key Messages:

• AUTO mode is new for 1H09 in February launched Canon Cameras
• Latest Smart AUTO mode now incorporates advanced Scene Detection Technology
• Smart Auto makes it even easier for users to get better quality images with a press of the shutter button
• DIGIC 4 enables Smart Auto to be more accurate and give better images.

Introduction
Spring 2009 sees the launch of a new step-change in image quality for Canon cameras. For as long as most users can remember, AUTO mode has been a feature of point and shoot cameras -allowing minimal intervention or expertise needed to achieve satisfactory focus and exposure.  Since the introduction and rise of digital photography, there have been many technological advances and additional shooting modes, yet AUTO mode remains the staple favourite of many snappers.  Research conducted by Canon also reveals that AUTO is one of the most frequently used shooting modes.

Cameras with IQ
From today Canon are making AUTO mode different. The latest range of Digital Still Camera products launched incorporate a new smart system that uses Scene Detection Technology, which along with other advanced Canon technologies, leads to one of the most comprehensive and clever AUTO modes ever seen on a digital camera. Whilst complex in technology, Smart AUTO still delivers the peace of mind and ease of use for point and shooters that has always been expected from selecting the familiar green icon mode.

With intelligent and integrated use of key functions such as focus, exposure, ISO sensitivity, flash, dynamic range adjustments and Intelligent Contrast Correction, Canon Cameras have never been so smart.  Added to these Canon Motion Detection and Face Detection Technology plus advanced Noise Reduction, together with pleasing colour rendition all delivered by the DIGIC 4 processor, mean when selecting AUTO mode on these latest models, users can be assured of the best in image quality even in more challenging shooting conditions.

Smart Auto overview:
Using Scene Detection Technology, Smart AUTO can distinguish parameters allowing the camera to carry out optimum processing for a shot by:

• Detecting people
• Evaluating Distances
• Evaluating Subject and camera movement information
• Analysing Scene Brightness
• Analysing Colour

PowerShot SD960 IS & SD970 IS specifications

	SD960 IS	SD970 IS
Sensor	• 1/2.3" Type CCD • 12.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 4000 x 3000 • 3264 x 2448 • 2592 x 1944 • 1600 x 1200 • 640 x 480 • 320 x 140 • 4000 x 2248
Movie clips	• 1280 x 720 @ 30fps [HD] • 640 x 480 @ 30fps [L] • 320 x 240 @ 30fps [M]
Maximum clip length	• Upto 4GB or 1/2 hour [HD] • Upto 4GB or 1 hour [L or M]
File formats	• JPEG (Exif v2.2) • DPOF 1.1 • MOV [H.264 + Linear PCM (Monaural) • WAVE (Sound Files)
Lens	• 28 - 112mm (35mm equiv) • 4x optical zoom • F2.8-5.8	• 37 - 185mm (35mm equiv) • 5x optical zoom • F3.2-5.7
Image stabilization	Yes (Lens-Shift)
Digital zoom	up to 4x
Focus	TTL
AF area modes	• Face Detection AiAF / 9 point • 1-point AF (center or Face Select and Track)
AF lock	Yes (on/off selectable)
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	Closest focus distance 2 cm
Metering	• Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame) • Center-weighted average • Spot (center or linked to Face Detection)
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • High ISO Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600
AE lock	Yes (on/off selectable)
Exposure compensation	+/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments
Shutter speed	15-1/1600 sec
Modes	• Auto • Scene • Movie
Scene modes	• Program • Portrait • Night Snapshot • Kids & Pets • Indoor • Sunset • Fireworks • Long Shutter • Beach • Underwater • Aquarium • Foliage • Snow • ISO 3200 • Digital Macro • Color Accent • Color Swap • Stitch Assist
White balance	• Auto (including Face Detection WB) • Daylight • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent • Fluorescent H • Custom
Self timer	• 2 or 10sec, • Custom or Face Self Timer
Continuous shooting	• Approx 0.8fps	• Approx1.0fps
Image parameters	My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color)	My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color)
Flash	Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync • Face Detection FE compensation • Flash exposure lock • Range (30cm - 4.0m (W) / 2m (T) • External HF-DC1 flash (optional)	Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync • Face Detection FE compensation • Flash exposure lock • Range (30cm - 3.5m (W) / 2m (T) • External HF-DC1 flash (optiona
LCD monitor	• 2.8" TFT • 230,000 pixels • 100% coverage • Adjustable	• 3.0" TFT • 230,000 pixels • 100% coverage • Adjustable
Connectivity	• HDMI connector • USB Hi-Speed • AV out (PAL / NTSC switchable)
Storage	• SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
Power	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-4L	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-5L
Weight (no batt)	145 g	160 g
Dimensions	98 x 54 x 22 mm	96 x 57 x 26mm

Additional images

PowerShot SD970 IS

PowerShot SD960 IS