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Canon releases new Digital IXUS IIs camera
Dennis Hissink : February 9th 2004 - 15:00 CET
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 Canon announces the new Digital IXUS camera. This brings to a total of 30 the number of IXUS models (digital and analogue) released since 1996. The 3.2 Megapixel Digital IXUS IIs takes over from the popular Digital IXUS II. Launched to popular and critical acclaim in May 1996, the original stainless steel IXUS APS camera triggered an avalanche success. Canon has stuck with IXUS ever since, never straying from the IXUS philosophy of simplicity and beauty that feels great in the hands. Released in May 2000, the first Digital IXUS marked the beginning of a string of successes for Canon in the style-conscious digital compact segment. "This new range celebrates eight stylish IXUS years," said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe.
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 "Unmistakably IXUS, these new cameras bring together uncompromising build quality and an abundance of relevant technologies in a triumph of miniaturisation and design".
All metal bodies
Still referenced in the new digital models is original IXUS creator Yasushi Shiotani's distinctive 'box and circle' design, now copied unashamedly by many other camera manufacturers. The new IXUS IIs is protected with a superbly finished stainless steel body with the traditional silky IXUS feel. The new 'Silver White' finish of the Digital IXUS IIs is so called since it contains traces of silver.
Image capture
The Digital IXUS IIs features a 2x optical zoom. Optical zoom ensures that the full sensor size is employed when closing in on a subject, so pictures taken with the zoom do not suffer from image degradation. All cameras feature 9-point Artificial Intelligence Auto Focus (AiAF) for fast and sharp images, even with off-centre subjects.
Superb images, no waiting
The new IXUS IIs features the same dedicated DIGIC processor now installed across all Canon cameras up to the EOS 10D Digital SLR. DIGIC delivers superb colour rendering and image quality, handling all the complex algorithms required to make colours brighter, images sharper and focusing crisper. It does this with unrivalled speed and efficiency, making for highly responsive cameras and eliminating the phenomenon of staring at the back of the camera waiting for an image to display. iSAPS technology uses camera settings and environmental data to predict the most likely scene and makes adjustments accordingly.
Moving pictures
This new model features 3-minute QVGA or QQVGA movie clips with sound recording, full playback and in-camera cutting and editing. When connected to any Canon compact photo printer, all models include 'Movie Print' mode. This extracts a succession of up to 63 individual and evenly spaced movie clip frames from any given movie clip and automatically prints them as thumbnails on a single sheet of postcard size paper (100 x 148 mm). This is ideal for freezing and analysing or admiring action sequences such as a golf swing. An “ID Photo Print” function prints a number of durable passport photograph size images (of selectable height and width) to a single sheet.
Simple photo printing and PC connection
The camera includes Canon's new Print/Share button. When connected via USB cable to any PictBridge or Direct Print compatible photo printer or Windows PC, a blue light on the Print/Share button lights up to indicate successful connection. Pushing the button when lit instigates a print of the currently displayed image (based on the connected printer's default settings) or an automatic transfer of images to the PC. The camera transfers all images, all images not yet transferred, or all images marked for transfer, depending on the user setting selected in the camera's set up options. |
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