Canon Announces First Digital Camcorder Equipped with Professional L-Series Fluorite 20x Zoom Lens

GL1 Offers Prosumers Unmatched Optical Technology for Superior Image Quality and Shooting Versatility

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. -- Setting a new price/performance benchmark, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in optical and digital imaging technology, introduced the Canon GL1, a digital video (DV) camcorder for the “prosumer” market.

canongl1.jpg (41774 bytes)Building on the company’s design heritage in professional 35mm photographic and broadcast TV lenses, the GL1 is equipped with Canon’s exclusive L-Series Fluorite 20X optical zoom lens and 3 CCD image sensors, offering outstanding imaging power in a lightweight, portable design.

“Digital camcorders have begun to play an integral role in the creation of content for a range of mediums—from broadcast TV and independent films to PC video streaming and applications, such as Apple QuickTime movies,” said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager, Canon Video Division at Canon U.S.A. “We see the GL1 bridging these converging worlds of home and professional DV use with an impressive array of features at an unprecedented price.”

In addition to being the world’s first mini-DV equipped with a L-Series Fluorite lens, the GL1  also incorporates the world’s first 20X optical zoom, offering greater performance and quality over competitive models.  With the GL1’s ability to extend to a 100X digital zoom, users can increase magnification and reveal details too distant to be seen with the eye alone.  Encompassing the design characteristics of a consumer camcorder with its compact size and LCD view screen, the GL1 is also equipped with much of the same functionality that attracts newscasters and independent filmmakers.

By extending broadcast-quality DV technology to prosumers, Canon is bringing high-quality video production capabilities to homes and small businesses.   For users interested in visual computing, this FireWire IEEE 1394 compatible camcorder is ideal for producing QuickTime movies and creating images for distribution via the Internet.  FireWire is one of the fastest peripheral standards in the DV industry, offering 30 times more bandwidth than USB, allowing for high-speed desktop video editing and display.

Next Generation Features

·          Professional L-Series Fluorite Lens—Canon’s Professional L-Series lenses utilize fluorite—a material that provides outstanding resolution, contrast and color reproduction and minimizes color aberration, especially in high-magnification lenses.  Within a lens structure, fluorite precisely controls components of light, providing an excellent balance of sharpness, contrast and color.

·          20X Optical Zoom—At a 35mm focal length equivalent of 40 - 806mm, the 20X optical zoom transforms distant subjects into crisp, dramatic close-ups.  The GL1 also supports a digital zoom capable of extending between 40X - 100X.  At full telephoto, the 35mm focal equivalent is 80,600mm.  With the optional WD-58 Wide-converter, the field of view will increase by 0.7X, 28mm in 35mm focal equivalent, for indoor shots or panoramic views.

·          Optical Image Stabilization - The Optical Image Stabilization system eliminates  image shake due to a wide range of movement and/or high wind conditions.  This optical system, unlike the electronic version, employs a unique Vari-Angle Prism within the lens.   It optically compensates for camera shake before light reaches the image sensor, resulting in smoother, steadier video without degradation.

·          3 CCD Plus Pixel Shift - Using 3 CCD image sensors to create true-to-life quality images, each CCD processes a primary color separately.  A beam-splitting prism precisely separates the light passing through the lens into individual color components, and each is sent to its own CCD.  This process achieves outstanding detail and highly accurate color reproduction, making the camcorder suitable for the high-end production field. By employing Pixel Shift, the GL1 rivals other 3 CCD models  that use nearly twice a many pixels on each CCD.  Pixel shift delivers outstanding clarity, natural color, a wide dynamic range, reduced vertical smear and sharp still images.

  • Three Shooting Modes—The GL1 incorporates three recording modes to fulfill virtually any imaging need:

  • Frame Movie mode allows users to record high-speed action at 30 frame images per second for the purpose of extracting high-resolution frame video.  Images can then be displayed, printed or computerized.

  • Normal Movie mode delivers more than 500 lines of resolution for superior image quality and color rendition for playback on a television monitor.

  • Digital Photo mode, with self timer, captures more than 700 remarkably clear still frame images on a single 80-minute cassette in SP mode.  Each still frame picture is recorded for approximately six seconds to ensure the best possible image quality.  For SLR-style flash photography, the digital photo mode will accommodate a selection of Canon’s speedlight flashes, including the 220EX, 380EX or 550EX.

  • Flexible View screen and Color Viewfinder—The 2.5” flexible view screen makes it easier to compose shots from any angle or playback on the spot.   It also tucks away when the eyecup viewfinder is preferred.

  • Direction Accurate Microphone—This newly developed microphone incorporates two pairs of pick-up elements, for each left and right direction, for superior directional ability and a fuller, richer stereo sound.

  • FireWire IEEE 1394 Connectivity—Using FireWire IEEE 1394 digital interfaces, the GL1 may be connected to a DV compatible computer for data transmission, editing, still image capture and output via printer, CD-ROM or the Web.

  • Top Grip with Recording Controls—The GL1 features a side-hand grip and a carrying handle, complete with a duplicate set of recording and zoom controls.

  • Programmed AE—Offers seven advanced recording controls which are easily accessed on the program dial, ensuring great results in various shooting conditions and providing precise image control:

  • Full Auto Green Zone simplifies use by restricting the operation of manual controls.

  • Auto Mode automatically controls settings while allowing users to choose functions.

  • Manual Mode allows users to control all settings.

  • Spotlight prevents subjects from being over exposed against a dark background.

  • Sand & Snow prevents subjects  from being under exposed against a bright background.

  • Shutter Priority/Aperture Priority simplifies capturing fast-action or controlling depth of field.

  • Picture Adjustment—Supports three adjustment controls including:

  • Camera Sharpness adjusts the range of picture sharpness before recording.

  • Color Phase adjusts the color tone towards red or green.

  • AE Shift provides control of how dark or light the camera sets the auto exposure.

  • Analog Line-in—Analog video signals from TVs, VCRs or camcorders can be sent to the GL1 and recorded onto DV.

Optional Accessories

  • BP 900 Series Lithium Ion Battery Packs—BP-914, BP-915, BP-930/R, BP-941

  • Battery Video Light VL-10Li

  • Digital Video Cassette DVM-E60

  • Digital Video head Cleaner Cassette DM-CL

  • Car Battery Adapter CB-900

  • Dual Charger/Holder CH-910

  • Wide Converter WD-58, available Winter 1999

  • Speedlight Flash 220EX, 380EX, 550EX

  • System Case HC-4000

Pricing and Availability

The GL1 kit comes complete with the camcorder, BP-915 battery pack, CA-910 compact power adapter, DC-905 DC coupler, SS-650 shoulder strap, WL-D73 wireless controller, S-150 S-video cable, STV-250N stereo video cable, DVM-E30 DV cassette, and lens hood. The GL1 measures 4-5/8” (w) x 5-3/8” (h) x 10-3/4” (d) (117mm x 135mm x 272mm) and weighs approximately 2 lb. 12 1/8 oz.  (1.25 kg). Available in September 1999, the GL1 has a manufacturer’s suggested list price of $2,699.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging solutions and, through its parent company, Canon Inc., is a top patent-holder of imaging technologies.  The company’s comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices; digital and analog copiers (color and black and white); printers, scanners, image filing systems, and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment.  Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

SOURCE Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Web Site: http://www.canondv.com