Canon announces Bubble Jet Direct photo printing

Canon`sBubble Jet Direct photo printing system allows one to print a photograph from a digital camera directly to Canon`s S820D photo printer, without the need for a PC in between. Canon`s Powershot S30, Powershot S40, Digital Ixus 330 and Digital Ixus V2 are Canon`s current range of digital cameras that allow for Bubble Jet Direct printing.

In future all of Canon`s digital cameras introduced to the consumer market will have Bubble Jet Direct print capability. Users wishing to print direct to the S820D that have a Canon digital camera without Bubble Jet direct print capability or those that do not have a Canon digital camera can make use of the PCMCIA card slot.

Canon`s S820D provides the ultimate in print quality and is currently the fastest direct photo printer in its class. The S820D allows the user to print in three different ways. Firstly, from a PC via USB as normal, secondly from the card via the PCMCIA slot and thirdly, direct from a compliant camera. It is this third way that is most unique to Canon, in that the user is able to manipulate the image and print quicker from the camera.

Along with Canon`s range of direct print cameras, the Bubble Jet S820D supports DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) allowing the pre-selection of images directly from Type I & II CompactFlash cards, SmartMedia or Memory Stick.

With the specifically designed LCD control panel on the printer itself, users can easily select print quality, paper type, and image layout, as well as selecting which images are to be printed from the memory card in use. To further enhance flexibility, an optional TFT colour LCD viewing panel is available allowing images on the memory card to be viewed during the selection process.

The S820D combines superior quality (six colours and 2400 X 1200dpi, ie 2.88 million dots per square inch) with high-speed photo printing. It`s capable of delivering a full-size 1200 x 1200dpi A4 photo within two minutes, making the S820D significantly faster than its competitors.

As one of the world`s leading researchers, Canon registers more than seven technology patents every working day. Heavy investment in R&D has resulted in unique technology advantages such as the extremely high nozzle density print heads designed for the S-Series. Proof of technology leadership can be seen in colours, which are deeper, richer, more accurate and more intense, giving an extremely natural look to any photographic print.

The S820D is an excellent example of Canon`s investment in LSI head production as it features Canon`s MicroFine Droplet Technology. This ink delivery process delivers microscopic 4 picolitre ink droplets onto the paper more accurately than any other system in use today. This advanced droplet technology combined with high resolution dot placement, six-colour print process, and 1/6 density inks ensure that the S820D produces better photos than any other inkjet printer in its class. Canon technology further ensures photo prints with smoother ink coverage, reduced image `noise` and grainy texture as well as greatly improved gradation between mid-tones.

Not only does print quality rival that of traditional silver halide photos, independent tests also confirm long photo life spans - upwards of 25 years` light fastness with Photo Paper Pro (subject to display conditions). The S820D also offers true borderless printing, making it possible to effectively print `full-bleed` images that are indistinguishable from traditional prints.

Reduced cost of ownership of an S820D is assured through Canon`s highly cost-effective Single Ink technology. The Single Ink system provides individual ink tanks for each colour, so when you run out of one colour you need only replace that colour. Unlike combined ink-tank systems, there is no need to throw away half full ink tanks. The resultant reduction of waste means reduced running costs.

Ideal for families switching to digital photography, the PowerShot A30 and A40 offer great features and value for money. Both the PowerShot A30 and A40 feature high quality 3x optical zoom lenses covering the range 35-105mm (35mm equivalent) with a bright maximum aperture of f2.8. With a 1.2M pixel CCD sensor for capturing even the finest details, the PowerShot A30 images are great for e-mail and use on the Internet while the PowerShot A40 has a high resolution 2.0M pixel CCD sensor that is great for top quality 10x15cm printouts.

With its stylish stainless steel and aluminium body, the Digital Ixus 330 is instantly recognisable as a member of the Digital Ixus family. The Digital Ixus 330`s design continues through to the photographic heart of the camera and this is the camera of choice for users who desire the best in function and form.

Integral to the Digital Ixus 330 is superb image quality. With its 2.0M pixel CCD and an f2.7, 3 x optical zoom lens (35 - 105mm, 35mm equivalent) image quality is guaranteed every time.

The Ixus 330 affords the necessary control via a new cross-key layout, to cover awkward photographic situations. With its manual mode, users can decide whether to select 3-point AiAF (Artificial Intelligence Auto Focus), or single point focussing, depending upon the subject. For optimal metering, spot or evaluative settings can be chosen and to ensure that images are perfect, irrespective of the ambient lighting conditions, ISO speeds can be manually adjusted.

Extending beyond simple still photographs, the Ixus 330 can capture movie clips for up to 30 seconds with full sound and can be played back instantly on the camera`s LCD monitor and speaker. In addition, the camera can be simply connected to a standard TV set, for sharing movies and photos.

The Digital Ixus 330 also offers a photo effects mode, to maximise creativity. Users can choose from five pre-set effects; vivid colour, neutral colour, sepia, low sharpening and classic black and white. This camera also incorporates Canon`s unique "intelligent orientation-sensor" which automatically detects and obtains optimum focus, exposure and white balance by sensing the camera`s orientation and upper most edge of the image. The image is then automatically rotated after shooting, ready for viewing on the LCD monitor, or for downloading to a computer.

Crafted from high quality Stainless Steel, the Ixus V2 offers style and image quality. Canon`s designers have not only made this a visual masterpiece, they have also improved the ergonomics with a new cross-key layout for easy control.

Despite its extremely compact form, the Digital Ixus V2 offers superb image quality. A combination of a 2.0 Mega Pixel CCD, 2x optical zoom lens (35 - 70mm, 35mm equivalent), Canon`s advanced 3-point AiAF focusing and evaluative exposure control allows the Ixus V2 to deliver high quality, sharp photos every time, no matter what the shot or setting.

The Ixus V2 provides owners with an opportunity to demonstrate their creativity, with a movie mode for clips up to 30 seconds, as well as a photo effects mode, which provides both a vivid colour and classic black and white option. The Ixus V2 also incorporates an "intelligent orientation-sensor", which automatically detects and rotates the images ready for viewing on the LCD monitor, or for downloading to a computer.