Canon Launches New Hi8 Camcorders

Four new affordable Hi8 camcorders, which sport a "sleeker look" attributable to a newly designed compact and lightweight 22x zoom lens, have been introduced by Canon. The four models are easy to use to capture family gatherings, vacations, sports and school achievements, and the many other milestones that will occur in the years ahead.
The four new Hi8 models will be available at Canon authorized retailers. They are:

• ES60 - available in March, with a manufacturers suggested price of $329.
• ES65 - available in April, with a manufacturers suggested price of $349.
• ES420V - available in April, with a manufacturers suggested price of $399.
• ES8200V - available in May, with a manufacturers suggested price of $449.

All four camcorders feature a 22x optical zoom lens, 700x digital zoom for improved telephoto performance and improved high-quality playback. All have six program auto exposure functions and digital special effects in record and playback modes. The ES420V/ES8200V have a 2.5-inch color LCD viewscreen, while the ES65 and the ES8200V have image stabilization to prevent camera shake while shooting and offer the capability to take still photographs.

The new models are successors to the ES8100V, ES410, ES50 and ES55 models.

"Canon continues to develop camcorders that are feature-rich and easy to use for first-time family movie makers to professional filmmakers," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager, Photographic Products Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "These new Hi8 models are designed to provide beginners easy access to some features found even in high-end video camcorders and offer the most value for the money."

Description of Features
22x Optical Zoom Lens and 700x digital zoom lens -- A genuine Canon 22x optical zoom lens that makes a variety of shooting situations easy to capture, including macro close-ups, group shots and subjects at far distances. Each of these models also incorporates a digital magnification feature that extends the full zoom range to 700x.

Image Stabilization - Canon's Image Stabilizer system is designed to eliminate image shake. This creates smoother, steadier, natural-looking recordings, even at full telephoto, when the camcorder is hand-held, or when shooting from a moving vehicle. Found in models ES65 and ES8200V.

Color LCD Viewscreen -- The ES420V/ES8200V have a 2.5-inch color LCD viewscreen for easy shooting of a colorful, well-composed video. Low and high angle shots (with the capability to include the videographer in the shot) are easy to compose with the 180-degree rotating screen, which also can be used for playback.

FlexiZone Auto Focus/Auto Exposure - Since the subject often moves from the center of the screen, Canon developed the exclusive FlexiZone AF/AE. By using the FlexiZone controller to align the "FlexiZone" in the viewfinder with the subject, shots achieve perfect focus and exposure anywhere within the frame. This is one of six programmed auto exposure modes found on all four models.

Programmed Auto Exposure - Point-and-shoot simplicity is easily achieved, even in challenging shootings situations, by selecting one of six programmed auto exposure modes. In addition to FlexiZone mode, there are auto mode, sports, portrait, spotlight, and sand and snow for all four models.

High Quality Playback - No jitter as playback images are stable. Horizontal color fluctuation has been reduced, and edge response has been improved and greater resolution provided.

Custom Keys - Frequently used functions can be selected from a menu and assigned to the custom keys. This simplifies operation, eliminates searching for buttons during shooting, or pressing the wrong buttons. A combination of up to four functions can be selected.

Digital Effects - Image variety during recording is possible by adding one of nine digital effects, including 16:9 wide screen, negative/positive reversal, mirror, mosaic, black/white (monochrome), strobe and art effects. During playback, art, sepia, monochrome and cinema can be used. The ES65 and ES8200V also include a digital effect known as "ghost." This is a new effect that creates residual images of a moving subject, creating the appearance of an image "echo."

Still Photography - The ES65 and ES8200V also can shoot still photography by pressing the photo button to capture images and audio for about seven seconds on the cassette tape. The photo mode can be used even when recording motion pictures. Recording is paused after still photos are taken.

Other Features - On the ES65, ES420V and ES8200V models, a compact video light is located on the front to enable recording in dimly lit rooms and at night. A high-capacity lithium ion battery, on-camera battery charger function and auto date to the year 2050 also are featured. www.usa.canon.com

Source: Canon