Jan. 4, 2006-- From baby things to wedding rings and holidays to golden days, Canon's newest Mini DV camcorders offer the performance and ease-of-use to help consumers capture life's special moments in vivid detail. Small enough to fit in a coat pocket but with all the technology and features to deliver outstanding video and photos of mom, dad and the kids, the new Canon ZR500, ZR600, ZR700 and Elura 100 models are "The Official Camcorder of Life."

All the new ZR and Elura models include Canon's Widescreen HR (high resolution) feature that allows users to enjoy a full-screen image on their widescreen TV with vivid detail and clarity. Canon's Widescreen HR feature not only delivers a wider picture, but in contrast to other systems, uses a wider area of the CCD image sensor to strike more pixels and deliver higher resolution for superior widescreen image quality.

Each Widescreen HR model uses a 2.7-inch Widescreen display panel making it easy to compose shots in cinema style. As widescreen television sets begin to replace standard TVs, consumers can appreciate the ability to frame and record in Widescreen HR and later enjoy full-screen playback on their widescreen TV for a theatre-like experience at home.

"Consumers bought widescreen TVs in droves this past holiday season and the latest ZR and Elura camcorders from Canon are the perfect products for showing off life's precious moments in true widescreen," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. "From celebrations to graduations, Canon's camcorders can capture life's fast, fun and fleeting moments which is why we're branding all of our new single CCD image sensor camcorders as 'The Official Camcorder of Life.' With the launch of our latest camcorders that have single CCD image sensors and SD memory card slots we are also launching 'DoubleShot.' A Canon DoubleShot camcorder shoots excellent quality video and incorporates many of the same features found on Canon cameras for amazing photos too."

Canon's New ZRs - Feature-Rich, Sleek Design, Incredibly Affordable
Designed for the beginner but with enough features to handle a variety of situations, the new Canon ZR camcorders offer a great camcorder package at an affordable price. Retailing for estimated selling prices of $299, $349 and $399 respectively. If consumers don't have a widescreen television at home, the video they shot in Widescreen HR will be displayed in letterbox format on their TV, just like movies they buy or rent.

To access the camcorder menu system, playback and manual controls, the new ZR camcorders feature a handy joystick on the housing of the display panel which makes recording and playback even easier.

Keeping It Steady...Controlled Zooming Capabilities
In addition to their widescreen capabilities, the new ZR camcorders feature Genuine Canon 25x Optical Zooms, Canon's longest optical zoom ever in a camcorder (800x Digital Zoom featured in the ZR500 and ZR600 models, and 1000x Optical Zoom featured in the ZR700). To prevent jerky zooms, the new ZR models offer a feature called Smooth Zoom Control that lets the user pick one of three fixed zoom speeds for professional-style zooming just like in a Hollywood motion picture.

Consumers can also avoid shooting crooked video when they use the Level Shot Control feature that overlays a horizontal marker and center indicator on the viewscreen. The marker, which acts as a guide for the user, can be turned on or off at the touch of a button. Of course, all the new models come with Image Stabilization so users can shoot rock-steady video even when they're at maximum telephoto without a tripod. Image Stabilization is also effective while panning or zooming.

First-Rate Photo Features
In addition to being able to capture digital photos to an SD memory card, the new ZR600 and ZR700 camcorders come with a variety of photo features to ensure outstanding results. Both models have 9 Point AiAF system that provides reliable autofocus anywhere in the frame. Also new to these models are Special Scene Modes, which help users get great results in a variety of shooting conditions such as at the beach, during a snowy afternoon or when capturing a fireworks display. On the ZR600 and ZR700 models, users can add Image Effects to their photos to give them extra creative flare, while Progressive Photo technology helps deliver sharp detail. The new ZR600 and ZR700 camcorders are classified as official Canon DoubleShot camcorders offering, not just video and photos but the best of both.

Sleek New Designs and Cool Colors
Canon's new ZR camcorders are approximately 16 percent smaller and approximately 12 percent lighter in weight than their predecessors, and boast sleek, contoured designs that fit comfortably in the hand. The new models are offered in three cool colors - the ZR500, Blue Mist; the ZR 600, Silver Frost; and the ZR700, Grey Smoke. All models have built-in lens covers so there is no dangling lens cap to lose.

The ZR700 and ZR600 camcorders both have PictBridge support to connect directly to compatible photo printers, along with USB and IEEE 1394 terminals. The ZR500 model is equipped with a microphone terminal, while the ZR700 and ZR600 models feature a Remote Control, Canon's Zoom Browser Software and Audio Dubbing. Additional benefits of the ZR700 model include a higher capacity battery, built-in video light, an Analog to Digital Converter and 1000X Digital Zoom.

The Canon ZR500, ZR600 and ZR700 camcorders are all Windows Certified and Mac compatible, and will be available at the end of January 2006. The estimated street prices include: ZR500 - $299, ZR600 - $349 and the ZR700 - $399.

The Elura 100 Camcorder- Stylish, Simple, High Tech
Many of the new features introduced on the latest ZR models are also incorporated into Canon's new Elura 100 camcorder. As with the ZR Series, the Elura 100 camcorder includes Widescreen HR Recording, 2.7-inch Widescreen display panel, easy-to-use Joystick, Smooth Zoom Control and Level Shot Control. Advanced Photo features, include 9 Point AiAF autofocus, Special Scene Modes and Image Effects. The Elura 100 also allows the user to display widescreen video on a standard television and comes with a built-in lens cover.

When stepping up to the Elura 100 camcorder consumers get Megapixel Resolution for crisper video and photos. Like the ZR600 and ZR700 models, the Elura 100 has an SD Memory Card slot for capturing photos and short movie clips.

The new Elura is also compact, offering a sleek but stylish design that is 35 percent smaller and 26 percent lighter than the previous Elura models. It features Genuine Canon 20x Optical Zoom/800x Digital Zoom. Genuine Canon Optics helps ensure that video and photos are clear and rich with color and detail.

Other enhanced features also available on the ZR700 model include a Mega Video Light for enhanced low light illumination, a Higher Resolution LCD screen at 123,000 pixels, Advanced Photo Features including Motor Drive Mode and autoexposure bracketing, a microphone terminal and the ability to use optional lens accessories, such as filters and converters.

The Canon Elura 100 camcorder is both Windows Certified and Mac compatible and will be available at the end of February 2006 for an estimated selling price of $399.

For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

SOURCE Canon