Canon today revealed the successor to the entry level zoom A70 with the A75. The A75 has the new direct print button, an orientation sensor, is powered by four AA batteries and takes Compact Flash media. Just like the A70 the A75 has a three times optical zoom lens and three megapixel CCD sensor. This camera is aimed at the entry level user who is looking for something slightly more advanced than the A310. The A75 will be priced at $299 in the US and €329 in Europe.

Press Release:

Canon's new range-opener continues digital photography advances

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 February, 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the release of its new range-opening zoom lens digital camera, the 3.2 Megapixel PowerShot A75. The camera has a number of new features including a 'Special Scene Mode' to deliver optimal results in tricky lighting conditions and a Print/Share button to simplify direct printing and uploading to Windows PCs.

Shooting modes

The PowerShot A75 has 13 shooting modes, which include a new 'Special Scene' mode. Within the 'Special Scene' mode are six selectable pre-sets that optimise the camera's white balance, exposure and other settings for specific shooting situations. These scene modes are 'fireworks', 'foliage', 'beach', 'snow', 'underwater' and 'indoor'. Movie clips of up to 3 minutes (QVGA/QQVGA) or 30 second (VGA) can be recorded, complete with sound and with the option to cut and edit in-camera.

Fast auto-focus

The 9-point AiAF is capable of focusing the 3x optical zoom quickly even when the subject is off-centre and can be switched to single point (centre) AF. An auto-assist beam helps to focus in low light conditions and the camera has a 5cm closest focusing distance. The flash can be synchronised to a slow shutter speed and includes red-eye reduction. With the monitor turned off, 2.2 shots per second shooting speed can be maintained for a 12 shot burst at Large/Fine resolution.

Latest to include DIGIC processor

The PowerShot A75 features the same dedicated DIGIC processor now featured in all Canon cameras up the EOS 10D Digital SLR and professional series PowerShot Pro1, taking advantage of the same processing speed and award winning image processing algorithms. An Intelligent Orientation sensor detects the orientation of the camera as shots are taken, automatically rotating the image before playback.

Direct Printing made easy

The camera features Canon's new Print/Share button, which lights up when a successful connection is made between the camera's USB port and a compatible printer or Windows PC. Pushing the button when lit will initiate a print of the currently displayed image (based on the default PictBridge or Direct Printer settings of the printer) or an automatic transfer of images to the PC . The camera will transfer all images, all images not yet transferred, or all images marked for transfer, depending on what user settings have been selected in the Camera's set up options.

Extended direct printing functions

The PowerShot A75 has also been given extended PC-less direct printing functionality. When connected to a Canon Compact Photo printer, a ’Movie Print’ mode divides the selected movie clip into equal parts and prints up to 63 equally spaced thumbnail frames onto a single sheet of Postcard Size Paper (100 x 148 mm). This feature is ideal for analysing a golf swing or tennis serve, or 'freezing' an action sequence. An ‘ID Photo Print’ function prints a number of durable passport photo size images (of selected height and width) to a single sheet. The camera can be used for direct printing to any PictBridge compatible printer, regardless of brand.

Accessories

A range of accessories is available, including wide and tele-converter lenses, a close up lens and a waterproof case offering underwater protection up to a depth of 40m and defence against dust, sand and snow. The camera comes supplied with a 32MB high-speed type CompactFlash (CF) card.

Software and access to CANON iMAGE GATEWAY

Software supplied includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, plus photo and movie manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoStudio and VideoImpression. Drivers include TWAIN (Windows 98/2000) and WIA (Windows Me). Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) support allows the camera to connect to any Windows XP and Mac OS X (v10.1/v10.2) system without the requirement for a driver installation.

Camera ownership entitles the purchaser to 100MB free storage space on the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, a form of private online gallery where albums can be stored and shared and where the camera's settings (such as shutter sounds and start up image) can be personalised.

Canon PowerShot A75 specifications