CANON INTRODUCES TWO ADDITIONAL HDgc PORTABLE HIGH DEFINITION LENSES AT IBC 2006

KH16ex5.7 IRSE Lens for 1/2-Inch CCD Cameras and KT20x5B KRS Lens for 1/3-Inch CCD Cameras Expands the HDgc Product Line to Seven Lenses

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 24, 2006—As the worldwide transition to HDTV (high definition television) continues to accelerate, broadcasters, cable networks, and other video content creators are demanding cost-effective cameras and lenses to produce news and other programming in this new format. In response, leading camera manufacturers have introduced economical, mid-range portable HD cameras, and Canon Broadcast and Communications has developed its revolutionary HDgc line of affordable HD portable lenses. An established leader in high-end HD lens technology, Canon has leveraged the advanced image quality and superior operational capabilities of its eHDxs line of portable lenses to engineer its new line of HDgc lenses, five which were introduced at NAB 2006.

Joining the HDgc family at IBC 2006 is the KH16ex5.7 IRSE lens for portable HD cameras using 1/2-inch CCD’s, and the KT20x5B KRS lens for portable HD cameras using 1/3-inch CCD’s. As with the other members of the new HDgc lens line, these latest additions combine the best characteristics of Canon’s world-leading optical expertise and engineering innovations, including reduced chromatic aberration, excellent contrast performance, compact size and weight (in direct response to the equally compact new affordable HD camcorders), and digital operational features previously found only in high-end lenses. Canon’s HDgc lenses also incorporate special elements without lead to minimize the impact on the environment, including “Flourite” with extraordinary dispersion characteristics and the newly developed Hi-UD (High Index Ultra Low Dispersion) glass.

“Canon’s new HDgc line was very well received at NAB,” states Gordon Tubbs, assistant director of the Broadcast and Communications division at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. “In response to this overwhelming reception, Canon is introducing these two additional new HDgc lenses engineered to meet the needs of even more of the new generation of affordable HD camcorders being made for broadcast-level production. With the addition of the KH16ex5.7 IRSE and the KT20x5B KRS, the HDgc line of lenses now includes models for all leading camera-imager sizes: 1/2-inch, 2/3-inch, and 1/3-inch.”

The new KH16ex5.7 IRSE, designed for 1/2-inch imager lenses, features a 16X zoom ratio and a wide angle of 5.7mm for a focal length of 5.7–92mm (11.4-184mm with built-in 2X extender). Like its companion 1/2-inch HDgc lenses—the KH21ex5.7 IRSE and the KH10ex3.6 IRSE, which also feature built-in 2X extenders—the KH16ex5.7 IRSE includes eDrive, Canon’s revolutionary innovation that provides nine user-definable function profiles, a choice of manual, digitally assisted, or fully programmed control, and instant “Shuttle Shot” to zoom to the longest focal length for quick check of focus and back focus. These settings can be programmed into the lens by means of an easy-to-use menu screen, assignable “soft” function buttons, and the rocker switch built into the lens grip. Users can program multiple settings or none at all, depending on their personal needs and preferences. Utilizing three Canon ultra-high-precision, microprocessor-driven digital servos with miniature 16-bit optical encoders, eDrive is an entirely new way to control portable lenses.

Other HDgc 1/2-inch lenses include the KH20x6.4 KRS and the KH19x6.7 KAS. The KH20x6.4 KRS features Canon’s exclusive Shuttle Shot function, an advanced servo system that facilitates zooming back and forth between any two focal length positions and brings an entirely new range of value-added creativity to hand-held acquisition systems. The KH19x6.7 KAS lens is the only HDgc lens to feature Auto-Focus technology, which it accomplishes via a serial digital connection that allows it to communicate with the camera and determine the appropriate focus point. The lens also features a 19X zoom ratio and a wide angle of 6.7mm for a focal length of 6.7-127mm.

Also new for IBC 2006, the KT20x5B KRS HDgc lens features a 20X zoom ratio and a wide angle of 5mm for a focal length of 5–100mm; it is designed for portable HD cameras using 1/3-inch imagers and is 16:9 and 4:3 switchable. Like the KH20x6.4 KRS 1/2-inch lens, the KT20x5B KRS (and the KJ20x8.5B KRS lens for 2/3-inch imager cameras) includes Canon’s Shuttle Shot feature.

With these new IBC product introductions, Canon’s HDgc line now includes: the KH16ex5.7 IRSE, KH21ex5.7 IRSE, KH10ex3.6 IRSE, KH20x6.4 KRS, and KH19x6.7 KAS lenses for 1/2-inch cameras; the KJ20x8.5B KRS lens for 2/3-inch cameras; and the KT20x5B KRS lens for 1/3-inch cameras. All seven HDgc lenses feature new, smaller, ergonomic drive units with grip support and a ribbed surface tilted at an ideal angle to achieve optimum balance and comfort to reduce operator fatigue. Canon’s HDgc lens line combines high picture quality, ease of use, sophisticated operation, lighter weight, compact size, and price-performance that is appropriate to the new and more affordable HD cameras that manufacturers such as Grass Valley Group, Hitachi, Ikegami, JVC, Sony, and Panasonic are making for the expanding universe of cost-effective HDTV production.

See the full line of Canon Broadcast products at IBC 2006 at Stand No. 11.530.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is rated #35 on the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2005, with global revenues of $31.8 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

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