New XJ27x6.5B IE-D HD Studio Lens Provides Unprecedented Wide Performance, an Increased Zoom Ratio and Servo-Zoom Speed, and New Multi-Layer Optical Coatings

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Sept. 6, 2007 – As HDTV program production continues to accelerate, Canon U.S.A., Inc. continues to improve High-Definition lens technology with new and advanced features for enhanced performance and ease-of-use. Canon’s latest addition to its acclaimed line of HD lenses is the DIGISUPER 27 studio lens (model XJ27x6.5B IE-D), which is being introduced at IBC 2007, the International Broadcasting Conference held in Amsterdam, Holland, from September 7 to 11. This new HD lens along with Canon’s industry-leading HD studio, field, portable and cine lenses can be seen at Stand No. 11.431, at the RAI Convention Center.

“The DIGISUPER 27 is the successor to the DIGISUPER 25xs, which was one of the industry’s most popular HD studio lenses,” stated Gordon Tubbs, director, Broadcast and Communications division, Canon U.S.A. “This lens is the evolutionary ‘next step’ in HD studio lenses for Canon, and the broadcast industry. It’s wider, has a bigger zoom ratio and features newly developed multi-layer optical coatings that dramatically reduce ghosting and flaring.”

With the widest angle of any lens available, the DIGISUPER 27 has a focal length of 6.5mm to 180mm. The lens offers the optional BWA-271 0.9x Wide Attachment, the industry’s first wide-angle attachment for an HD studio lens. This “zoom-through” Wide Attachment enables users to begin with a wide shot and go telephoto without experiencing negative effects on light transmission. This feature alters the range of the zoom on wide settings by ten percent toward the wide side, making a new zoom range of 5.85mm to 162mm.

Improvements in the new Canon DIGISUPER 27 also include a servo-zoom speed of 0.5 seconds and a new optional remote-controllable macro-focus feature that allows the camera operator to perform macro focusing from the pan bar (a helpful tool for focusing on jewelry and other small objects).

As with Canon’s other DIGISUPER HD studio lenses, the new DIGISUPER 27 features the highest possible optical quality and is among the best HD studio lenses available today. Canon, a world leader in optics, utilizes advanced technologies in its lens design and manufacturing processes, including advanced computer-aided design techniques, special optical materials, and specialized multi-layer coatings on each optical element. All Canon DIGISUPER lenses incorporate the second-generation Digital Servo System, which makes zoom and focus controls precise and repeatable. Canon’s Digital Servo System provides microcomputer compensation of lens focus-breathing (the inadvertent alteration of field of view when operating the focus control) as well as a host of other improved digital operational features for focus and zooming control. These include an information display that enables the camera operator to select and customize zoom-servo settings. The DIGISUPER 27 is equipped with virtual output as a standard feature, thanks to unique Canon built-in encoders. This positional data output provides added versatility and allows for greater precision of both the zoom and focus controls.

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 on the 2006 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 2006†, with global revenues of $34.9 billion. 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/pressroom.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

Specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.

†IFI Patent Intelligence, January 11, 2007

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