When Canon South Africa launched its S-Series Bubble Jet Printers in May 2001, the company expected a phenomenal response to the new products. However, the sales of the S-Series have exceeded even our most ambitious expectations.
"Keeping up with the demand has been a challenge, as sales have literally sky-rocketed and in some channels our forecasts have been tripled," says Jennifer Gruwell, Product Manager for Printers and Scanners at Canon SA.
"We have put a lot of effort into educating the public on the benefits of using Single Ink technology and we are thrilled at how receptive both the channel and end-users have been to the launch of the S Series," added Gruwell.
The whole range has been a great success, but the top of the range S800 photo printer has performed particularly well, not only in SA, but in Europe too.
The S800, which is the ideal model for imaging professionals, combines advanced technologies such as 2400dpi x 1200dpi, 1/6 density photo inks, new High Colour inks and advanced Microfine Droplet Technology. It is these advances in printing technology that delivers exceptional quality printouts, able to rival traditional silver halide photos.
So successful has the S800 been in Europe that it has received a number of awards. Two of these awards include the EISA (European Sound and Imaging Association) Award for European Photo Printer of the Year for 2001/2002, as well as the TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) Award for Best Consumer Printer at the European Photo and Imaging Awards 2001/2002.
The European media has also been singing its praises for the S800, with the printer having received extensive favourable coverage in recent months. UK-based Which? magazine had the following to say in its July 2001 issue: "It also turns out stunning photographic shots - perhaps the best ever on inkjet."
PC Magazine, a German-based publication, delivered comments such as "excellent print quality, rich and brilliant colours, correct skin colours and great contrast" following its test of the S800. Another German publication, Computerfoto, placed the S800 in first place in its "Photo Printer Top 10" and comments included "high resolution creates sharp images, very high print speed, as well as colour reproduction and print speed are very good".
Amateur Photographer, considered an authority in the UK photo press, has described the S800 as "the leader of the pack". In France, Photo and Video has given the S800 a perfect score of 10/10, which is seen to be a very rare score to achieve. Photo and Video also considered the speed and quality of the printer unbeatable, the colours fantastic and texture invisible.
"Canon South Africa is extremely pleased with the performance of the S-Series on the South African market," says Jennifer Gruwell, Product Manager for Printers and Scanners at Canon SA. "I do believe that this performance will further strengthen Canon SA`s position as a major player in the South African printer market."
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