Canon's New Feature-Packed HV20 HD Camcorder Expands High Definition Camcorder Capabilities and Choices for Consumers

Business Wire, Jan 31, 2007

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. -- Canon extends its leadership role in the creation of feature rich, high-quality, High Definition (HD) camcorders for consumers with the introduction of the Canon HV20 HD Camcorder. With its proud professional pedigree plain to see, the HV20 HD Camcorder draws on decades of Canon's proven excellence in optics and technological innovation, incorporating professional level HD video features in a handy, horizontal-style, user-friendly design.

Integrating Canon's renowned optics and imaging technology, including a 10x HD video zoom lens with Super Range Optical Image Stabilization and a Canon True HD 1920 x 1080 CMOS Image Sensor, the HV20 HD Camcorder records true 1080 high definition video, making it an ideal companion to today's HD televisions. In fact, both aspiring filmmakers and home movie shooters can give their video a truly cinematic look and feel with the addition of a 24p Cinema Mode.

"This HV20 HD Camcorder dramatically raises the bar for consumer camcorder capabilities, and will no doubt be the model of choice for discerning video enthusiasts who accept nothing less than premium quality equipment to capture and preserve their memories," states Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. "Clearly, the High Definition video revolution is upon us, and as HDTV's begin to dominate the marketplace, videographers and viewers will expect and demand superior image quality from their home video productions."

In addition to the HV20 HD Camcorder's horizontal design, the HV20 HD Camcorder incorporates an array of new and sought-after features and enhancements that offer users greater creative control and easier connectivity.

Among the new features within the Canon HV20 HD Camcorder is an Advanced Accessory Shoe capable of accommodating such additional components as select external video lights or directional microphones. The HV20 HD Camcorder also features microphone and headphone input terminals with manual level control for professional quality audio recording and a 24p Cinema Mode - found previously only on professional video equipment - that offers the frame rate of motion pictures and imparts a film-like look to the video. The HV20 HD Camcorder also features an HDMI terminal for quick and easy one-cable transport of the High Definition video signal to a HDTV.

Canon's True HD CMOS Image Sensor (1920 x 1080)

Designed, developed, and manufactured by Canon for the EOS line of digital SLR cameras popular with professional photographers and advanced amateurs alike, Canon has created a 2.96 megapixel CMOS image sensor for the HV20 HD Camcorder. The 1/2.7" CMOS image sensor acquires image information at 1920 x 1080, reproducing life-like HD movies and photos. Canon's HD CMOS Sensor also features on-chip noise reduction technology, to help ensure that even in dimly lit scenes, the signals from each pixel are as pure as possible, with minimal "noise" or other aberrations. The CMOS sensor also incorporates an RGB Primary Color Filter with a Bayer placement that delivers sharp, high definition image with vibrant, accurate color reproduction without creating false colors. As an added benefit, the HV20 HD Camcorder's CMOS sensor provides outstanding image capture in low-light conditions.

Canon HD Optical Technology

Canon lenses are the choice of many imaging professionals the world over, whether those lenses are being used on EOS SLR cameras or on broadcast cameras. It is that expertise that has contributed to the design of the HV20 HD Camcorder's 10x HD video zoom lens. The aspherical design of the lens helps to achieve low chromatic aberration and high resolution while Canon's Super Spectra lens coating lowers incidence of flare and ghosting.

Since it is critical to achieve very sharp focus when shooting in High Definition, the camcorder features Canon's revolutionary new Instant AF focusing system. It offers a dramatic improvement in autofocus speed and accuracy (compared to traditional autofocus systems). The Instant AF feature uses an external sensor, in combination with Canon's autofocus system, to help significantly decrease the time it takes to find focus, even in low light conditions. This new system achieves focus almost instantaneously, reducing focus "hunting." Users can especially see the benefits of Instant AF in high brightness and night shooting situations. Camera operators can capture fast, accurate focusing, even when following a moving subject.

Finally, Canon's Super Range Optical Image Stabilization helps correct camera shake almost instantly even when the camera is hand-held and in motion or the zoom is held at a long focal length. Employing both gyro and vector detection methods in order to pick up the widest range of vibrations, the "lens shift" type OIS compensates for a greater degree of camera shake while avoiding the loss of image quality typical in electronic image stabilization systems. In addition, the OIS system can be engaged to help steady camcorder shake when shooting still images, which aids in photographing fast moving subjects or in low light conditions.