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Canon today
cements its leadership position in digital
photography with the release of the 8.0
Megapixel PowerShot Pro1, the new flagship
of the PowerShot range. Targeted at
professional and highly advanced
photographers, the camera is the f<<Selection
in Document>>irst
compact from Canon to be fitted with a Canon
professional L-series lens; the f/2.4-3.5,
7.2-50.8mm (28-200mm 35mm film equivalent) USM lens. An abundance of features generally
reserved for Canon's high-end digital SLR
cameras combine to deliver outstanding
camera performance and exceptional image
quality for enlargements up to A2 size.
Professional features include RAW file
recording and a hybrid AF system, combining
TTL and external metering focusing systems
for fast and precise auto-focus. The
PowerShot Pro1 can shoot at 2.5 frames per
second, and has shutter speeds from 15 sec
to 1/4000 sec. The photographer is handed
full control over all focus points and
exposure variables. Twelve shooting modes,
including two custom modes, cover a broad
range of shooting situations. The camera's
purpose built DIGIC processor delivers high
speed, noise free and extremely accurate
colour rendition and image processing. This
is the first PowerShot to support both sRGB
and Adobe RGB colour spaces. Advanced
photographers will recognize the PowerShot
Pro1 as a system camera, with complete
access to Canons Speedlite EX flash range,
close-up lenses and an optical tele-converter
lens.
"The PowerShot Pro1 is the professional's
compact," said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon
Consumer Imaging Europe. "With its
combination of L-series lens, 8 Megapixel
resolution and DIGIC processor, this camera
reaches far into the domain of professional
digital SLRs. The PowerShot Pro1 further
establishes Canon as the undisputed leader
in compact camera technology".
L-Series lens
The bright red line on the PowerShot Pro1
lens barrel is the mark of a Canon
professional range L-series lens,
representing the highest standard for
optical performance and engineering
excellence as demanded by professionals.
This mark is reserved for only the finest
Canon lenses, until now only seen at the top
end of Canon's interchangeable SLR EF lens
range and the XM2, Canon's professional
digital camcorder. The 28-200mm L USM lens
incorporates both fluorite and UD (ultra-low
dispersion) elements for unrivalled
sharpness of image. The optical
characteristics of fluorite allow Canon's
engineers to push past the theoretical
limits of optical glass, eradicating the
effects of secondary chromatic aberrations
that degrade the image quality of even the
finest glass lenses. The iris type circular
aperture creates an elegant background blur
while a neutral density filter allows for
larger apertures in bright conditions.
USM
The zoom is driven by a tiny ultrasonic
motor (USM). The motor uses ultrasonic
frequency vibrations to drive a tiny rotor
which is powerful and highly responsive,
delivering fast and precise zoom control.
The motor's good holding torque also allows
the zoom to be stopped quickly, accurately
and firmly at the required zoom position.
Focusing
The PowerShot Pro1 has a new Hybrid AF
system that combines contrast detection TTL
focusing and an external triangulation
focusing to deliver perfect auto-focus
control. Contrast detection focusing can be
precise but slow, while external metering is
fast but can lack accuracy. The PowerShot
Pro1 first uses triangulation to move the
lens' focusing element into an approximately
correct position. TTL contrast detection
focusing is then used for a final
fine-tuning. The result is the best of both
systems for fast and precise focusing.
FlexiZone AF/AE means the auto-focus point
is selectable from either fixed centre or
anywhere in the frame. The AF system
includes AF lock, manual focus and a closest
focusing distance of just 3cm at Super Macro
mode. A single-function button on the rear
of the camera switches from AF to manual
focus mode, changing the function of the
lens zoom ring to a focus ring.
Exposure
Metering modes include evaluative,
centre-weighted average and spot (centre or
focusing frame linked). Exposure features
include an AE lock, +/- 2EV compensation in
1/3 stop increments and AE bracketing, while
a range of ISO settings (Auto/ISO
50/100/200/400 equivalent) provides
flexibility in a range of lighting
conditions.
Composition
The PowerShot Pro1 features a high
resolution 235k-pixel, Poly-Silicon TFT,
2.0" vari-angle LCD, with a selectable
mirror image (reversed laterally) display. A
2x - 10x playback zoom allows accurate
checking of focus and detail. An intelligent
orientation sensor automatically rotates
images when required before review. The
camera features a large, high-resolution
0.44" 235k-pixel EVF electronic viewfinder
positioned directly above the lens, a
familiar location for SLR users.
Prints, movies and monitoring
As with all Canon's latest digital
cameras, the PowerShot Pro1 is PictBridge
compliant, allowing for direct printing
without a PC to any compatible printer,
regardless of brand. The camera records
3-minute movie clips at QVGA and QQVGA and
30-second clips at VGA. PAL/NTSC selectable
video outs provide for real time monitoring
during studio work. An intervalometer takes
up to 100 shots in 1 to 60 minute
increments.
Flash, accessories and extras
The PowerShot Pro1 is compatible with the
full range of Speedlite range of flashes,
including the MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite and
MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite flash units. An
inbuilt retractable flash offers 3 levels of
manual power adjustment, while 13 levels of
adjustment are available with external
Speedlites. Lens accessories include a 1.5x
tele-converter to extend focal range beyond
300mm and a close-up lens. Included with the
camera is a 64MB high-speed CF card, flare
preventing hood, filter adapter ring and
rechargeable Li-ion battery (BP-511A) and
charger. Up to 420 shots are delivered from
a singe battery charge.
Housing
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Software and access to CANON iMAGE
GATEWAY
Software supplied includes browsing and
printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows)
and ImageBrowser (Mac). Also included is
PhotoStitch for merging multiple images to
create wide panoramas, plus photo and movie
manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoStudio
and VideoImpression. Drivers include TWAIN
(Windows 98/2000), WIA (Windows Me). Picture
Transfer Protocol (PTP) support allows the
camera to connect to any Windows XP or Mac
OS X (v10.1/v10.2) system without the need
for driver installation.
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