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Canon
Canada Press release: MISSISSAUGA, ON., February
1st, 2005 – Canon’s new PowerShot® A520
compact digital camera combines the sought after simplicity
of a family-focused camera, a phenomenally faithful
four megapixel image sensor and a powerful 4x optical
zoom to produce pictures that all can be proud of with
the image quality Canon is renowned for.
The
camera will be in stores this March for a suggested
manufacturer's list price of $475*.
*Editor's
Note: Based on the announced US estimated street price
of $299 US, we would expect the Canadian street price
on the Canon Powershot A520 to be somewhere between
$349 and $399 CAN.
Named
for their use of AA batteries, Canon’s A-series
digital cameras offer comfortably placed controls and
feature high image quality in order for consumers to
capture, save and share images of meaningful memories,
personal milestones and family functions.
"We
created the A520 model to give consumers an enhanced
level of image quality and resolution without sacrificing
the flexibility, freedom and fun that digital photography
can be," explained Ian Macfarlane, Vice President
and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging Group, Canon
Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A.
Inc. "The PowerShot A520 digital camera continues
Canon’s long-standing tradition of providing consumers
with imaging excellence in an affordable and uncomplicated
package."
PowerShot
A520 Digital Camera
Like its little brother, the PowerShot
A510 digital camera, the new PowerShot
A520 model also is 13 percent smaller and 10 percent
lighter than previous models, and is also equipped with
a longer 4.0x 35-140mm (35mm format equivalent) optical
zoom lens with Canon optics for sharp images. The new
lens features all-glass construction and two aspherical
elements in a seven-element formula.
In
order to make the camera smaller, Canon engineered the
new PowerShot A520 model to accept SD and MMC media.
Even with its small size, the camera sports a large
1.8-inch LCD screen for easy preview and review. It
also includes Canon’s exclusive DIGIC image processor
for fast processing speed, excellent image quality,
and crisp, vibrant colours.
The
PowerShot A520 digital camera requires only two AA batteries,
while providing the same number of shots (300 with LCD
screen on) as previous models that used four batteries,
thanks to reductions in power consumption made possible
by improvements in key components and circuit design.
The
PowerShot A520 digital camera is equipped with a nine-point
AiAF "Smart" autofocus system and 13 shooting
modes. The standard shooting modes are Full Auto, Program,
Manual, Shutter-priority, and Aperture-priority with
additional modes including Portrait, Landscape, Night
Scene, Fast Shutter, Slow Shutter, Special Scene, Stitch
Assist and Movie.
The
Special Scene modes, which helps make it easy for beginners
to achieve optimum results in many popular photo opportunities,
has been enhanced with the addition of two new settings
called Night Snapshot and Kids & Pets.
The
PowerShot A520 digital camera is also capable of recording
movies with sound for up to three minutes per clip,
making it perfect for capturing memories in motion.
The
new camera’s grip is ergonomically improved, and
the control layout is even easier to use than before.
Other camera functions including self-timer and review
have also been enhanced for greater creative flexibility
from previous models
The
DIGIC® Difference
Image
quality is enhanced and improved as a result of Canon’s
proprietary DIGIC (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit)
image processor. DIGIC combines the roles of image processing
and camera function control into one chip, resulting
in faster display and write times for each image and
lower power consumption, which extends battery life.
Moreover, because DIGIC technology was designed specifically
for use in digital cameras it is also capable of handling
JPEG compression and expansion; memory card control;
LCD/Video control and processing gain control (control
of CCD signal amplification); Auto Exposure; Auto Focus;
Auto White Balance control and most other functions.
Print/Share
Button
Located on the backside of the PowerShot A520 digital
camera is the Print/Share button. This button simplifies
and accelerates direct printing to compatible Canon
and PictBridge-enabled printers and one-touch image
transfer to computers*** for use with image processing
programs, uploading to the Internet, or as email attachments.
When the camera is connected to a compatible printer
or computer via the supplied USB cable, the Print/Share
button illuminates to let the user know to press the
Print/Share button to begin the printing or downloading
process.
The
PowerShot A520 digital camera kit includes a USB cable,
audio and video cable, wrist strap, 16MB MultiMediaCard
and two AA-size Alkaline batteries as well as the Canon
Digital Camera Solution Disc Version 22, featuring the
latest versions of Canon’s powerful software and
ArcSoft PhotoStudio.
Optional
Accessories
In addition to its rich feature set, the PowerShot A520
digital camera is compatible with a wide variety of
optional accessories including supplementary wide-angle
(WC-DC52), telephoto (TC-DC52A) and close-up lenses
(52mm Close-up Lens 250D). These accessories enhance
the new camera’s versatility and make it easier
to use in specialized applications such as real estate
and insurance photography.
An
underwater housing, WP-DC60, is also available and can
be used at depths up to 39.6 metres. The combination
of the A520 digital camera with the WP-DC60 housing
unit is great for family vacations at the beach, while
skiing, or simply to help protect the camera from the
elements.
New
High Power Flash HF-DC1
Canon
was able to improve the performance of the A520 digital
camera’s built-in flash relative to its predecessor
– the PowerShot A85 digital camera, with a maximum
distance range of approximately 11 feet at ISO 100.
To
further enhance the built-in flash of the A520 digital
camera, Canon has developed a new optional accessory
called the High Power Flash HF-DC1. The flash is a supplementary
unit that operates wirelessly and increases the effective
flash range up to approximately 9.1 metres. The HF-DC1
flash is supplied with a mounting bracket so it can
be attached to the camera, but it can also be hand-held
or mounted on a tripod or accessory light stand to adjust
the lighting angle for pro-like quality results. Multiple
HF-DC1 units can be synchronized with a single camera
for even greater lighting flexibility. This smart high
powered slave flash unit is compact and compatible with
almost every PowerShot digital camera**.
**Except
for early models including the PowerShot 600, 350, and
Pro70
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