Hybrid technology to make middle east debut by end of 2009

Dubai, UAE, 27 July 2009: Canon Middle East announced today the development of Hybrid Image Stabilizer (IS), the world's first* optical Image Stabilizer which compensates for both angular camera shake and shift camera shake. The technology will be incorporated in an interchangeable single lens reflex (SLR) camera lens planned for commercial release before the end of 2009.

Several different preventative methods and corrective procedures have been introduced to compensate for errors caused by camera shake. Canon began researching methods to compensate for camera shake in the 1980s.  In 1995 Canon launched the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, the world's first interchangeable SLR camera lens to feature a mechanism that compensates for optical camera shake. Since then, the company has continued to produce a variety of interchangeable lenses with image stabilisation capabilities, and boasts a total of 21 such lenses in its current product lineup, including the EF 200mm f/2L IS USM which features up to 5-stops of blur correction.

"Canon is at the forefront of creating next-generation technologies and the new Hybrid IS technology confirms Canon's leadership in imaging solutions. Canon is actively engaged in ongoing research and development of interchangeable SLR camera lenses incorporating Hybrid IS technology, and is aiming for the early commercialisation and inclusion of the technology in a wide range of products," said Hendrik Verbrugghe, CCI Marketing Manager, Canon Middle East

Canon's newly developed Hybrid IS technology optimally compensates for angular camera shake (rotational) and shift camera shake (linear). Sudden changes in camera angle can cause significant blur in images taken during standard shooting, whereas blur caused by shift-based shaking, when a camera moves parallel to the subject, is more pronounced in macro and other close-up photography.

The new Hybrid IS technology incorporates an angular velocity sensor that detects the extent of angular camera shake which is found in all previous optical Image Stabilizer mechanisms, as well as a new acceleration sensor that determines the amount of shift-based camera shake. Hybrid IS also employs a newly developed algorithm that combines the output of the two sensors and moves the lens elements to compensate for both types of movement.  Hybrid IS dramatically enhances the effects of Image Stabilizer especially during macro shooting, which is difficult for conventional image stabilisation technologies.

* For use in interchangeable SLR camera lenses as of July 17, 2009. According to Canon research

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About Canon Middle East
Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions for individuals and businesses. Canon provides both individual products and complete networked technology solutions for information input, management and output. Its product range is divided between Business Solutions (developing IT products, solutions and services for both the office and professional print environments) and Consumer Imaging (photography, video and digital camera, Laser and Inkjet printers).  Canon Middle East is the operational headquarters for Canon in this region, and is based in Dubai, UAE. Further information about Canon Middle East is available at: www.canon-me.com

Canon Contact:    
Munther Ayache
Marketing Department
Canon Middle East FZ-LLC
Tel: + 971 4 3915050
Direct: + 971 4 3915337
Fax: + 971 4 3916715

Agency Contact:
Linsey Worgan
d'pr
Tel: +971 4 323 3668
email: linsey@d-pr.ae

© Press Release 2009