LAS VEGAS (NAB 2005, Booth # SU 7814), April 12, 2005 – High Definition program origination of sports, documentaries, special events, prime-time sitcoms, and dramas has been expanding for the past few years as the Digital Television transition continues to accelerate. HD newsgathering, meanwhile, is a new imperative among an increasing number of broadcasters, cable networks, and satellite program providers. To meet this extraordinary and wide diversity of demand for HDTV production activity, Canon has been expanding its line of portable HD lenses for the past four years. Canon HD lenses feature innovative technologies that addresses the complex demands of HD lens design in terms of weight, size, ergonomics, and price—an especially important consideration for deployment of HD newsgathering systems.

In recognition of the birth of HD newsgathering, Canon is introducing the HJ17ex7.6B lens, a new entry into its portfolio of portable HD lenses. The HJ17ex7.6B model has a focal length range from 7.6mm to 130mm (or 15.2mm to 260mm with extender) and weighs in at just 3.5 lbs. A switchable aspect ratio (16:9 and 4:3) version of the lens with Canon’s “Crossover” option is also available.

The new HJ17ex7.6B lens is smaller, lighter, and lower cost than its full production “cousin,” the popular HJ17ex7.7B HD lens, which is widely used for high-end HD field production. The addition of the new HJ17ex7.6B brings to five the family of Canon portable 2/3-inch HD EFP/ENG lenses.

“The introduction of the HJ17ex7.6B lens signals Canon’s recognition that the DTV era now anticipates HD newsgathering as a programming dynamic that will become of increasing importance over the next couple of years,” said Gordon Tubbs, assistant director of the broadcast and communications division at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc (NYSE:CAJ).“This is a lens that sought a size and weight to facilitate highly mobile HD acquisition while still delivering full HD image quality to HD camcorders.”

With the addition of the HJ17ex7.6B model, Canon’s full line of ENG/EFP portable lenses for HD includes six other third-generation lenses: the HJ40x Telephoto series; the Wide Angle HJ11ex4.7B lens; the Telephoto HJ22ex7.6B lens, the highest-quality TELE portable lens yet from Canon (the HJ22ex7.6B lens gives users an increased focal length of 7.6~168mm, or 15.2~336mm with 2X extender); and the HJ21ex7.5B, a lens specially designed not to breathe for EFP and studio applications.

Canon's e-HDxs lenses all enjoy the benefits of Canon’s X-Element and Power Optical System for highest-quality optics in a compact and lightweight housing, as well as the advanced capabilities of Canon's Enhanced Digital Drive.

These Enhanced Digital capabilities include microprocessor-driven servo control of iris, zoom, and focus along with position memory and user-defined functionality. Also known as "e-Drive," these Enhanced Digital features provide users with unique capabilities in motion control repeatability for hand-held, field, and studio production with features that include: three Canon ultra high-precision, microprocessor-driven digital servos with 16-bit optical encoders to control iris, zoom, and focus; assignable “soft” function buttons including the rocker switch; ten user-definable function profiles; choice of manual, digitally assisted, and fully programmed control; and instant “Shuttle Shot” to the longest focal length for quick check of focus, exposure, and back focus. Additional digitally assisted shooting techniques offered by Canon e-Drive include: graceful “padded” zoom start/stops, memorized focus and zoom positions, repeatable focus with no mechanical play or gear backlash, and steady and slow zoom creeps.

See the full line of Canon products throughout NAB2005 at Booth # SU 7814, Las Vegas Convention Center.

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 third overall in the U.S. in 2004, with global revenues of $33.3 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.



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EDITORS Please note corporate contact information for this division: For more information, please call Canon broadcast and communications division at 1-800-321-4388 or visit www.canonbroadcast.com.