[December 17, 2012]

Canon U.S.A. Introduces the Competitively Priced KJ20x8.2B KRSD Portable 20x HD Zoom Lens with Exceptional Optical Performance

Canon (News - Alert) U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, has introduced the competitively priced KJ20x8.2B KRSD 20x portable HD zoom lens, which is designed to support the new generation of affordable professional 2/3-inch HD acquisition systems. The KJ20x8.2B KRSD is ideal for wedding videography, corporate and educational production, and broadcast ENG. The newest model in Canon's cost-effective HDgc Series of portable HD lenses, the KJ20x8.2B KRSD provides sharp, clear optical performance and operator-convenience features designed to rival those of "packaged lens" systems. Impressive features of the Canon KJ20x8.2B KRSD include its 8.2mm wide-angle of view, 20x zoom range, and distortion-free peripheral brightness and peripheral resolution from intermediate zoom to telephoto. Weighing only 2.75 lbs. (1.25 kg), the KJ20x8.2B KRSD also features Canon Advanced Drive Unit technology for fast 1.0 second zooms, quiet operation, and other enhanced shooting capabilities.

"The professional HDTV production market is diverse and increasingly value-minded," observed Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager of the Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "The new KJ20x8.2B KRSD portable HD zoom lens marks a price-performance breakthrough for the many production applications seeking excellent picture quality from the new generation of lower-cost third-party HD camcorders. Designed with special advantages for such cameras, the KJ20x8.2B KRSD combines advanced optical technologies, innovative operator-convenience features, and a competitive price that makes it attractive to a wide range of users."

The exceptional optical performance of Canon's new KJ20x8.2B KRSD portable HD lens is the result of Canon's world-leading design tools, including cutting-edge optical-simulation and 3D-design technologies, novel optical glass materials and coatings, and extraordinary dispersion glass (which Canon also uses for its flagship HDxs series lenses). Collectively these technologies and materials have facilitated a high degree of optimization of the cost-performance ratio of the new KJ20x8.2B KRSD. The lens has minimized axial and lateral chromatic aberrations, coma aberrations, and geometric distortion. Chromatic aberration is suppressed across the entire lens surface, enabling sharp images with minimal distortion at any object distance. An optimal balance of resolution an contrast in peripheral areas of the image enables users to achieve crisp, clear pictures. Unique Canon optical materials and multilayer optical coatings used for the KJ20x8.2B KRSD effectively attenuate optical artifacts such as ghosting, flare, and veiling glare that might be stimulated by strong light sources (for example, sun in daytime and car headlights at nighttime). The KJ20x8.2B KRSD exhibits a high MTF (modulation transfer function) at picture center that is also well controlled, out to picture extremities. This high MTF is well sustained even with operational adjustments of focal length and object distance. The KJ20x8.2B KRSD features a focal length of 8.2-164 mm, which is well balanced for both near and distant subjects and provides exceptional rendering of distant subjects at wide angles - frequently required for landscape and cityscape shots.

Various companies have introduced portable HD cameras with lens-aberration correction functions. The KJ20x8.2B KRSD portable HD zoom lens is fitted with a camera-communication interface to support these separate aberration correction functions.*

In addition to its optical sophistication, the new KJ20x8.2B KRSD portable HD zoom lens also features Canon's improved Advanced Drive Unit technology. This technology is famous for the convenience and control it affords to camera operators using Canon portable HD lenses. Advanced Drive Unit technology for the new KJ20x8.2B KRSD includes Shuttle Shot, a Canon-exclusive technology that enhances production capabilities. At the touch of a button, Shuttle Shot allows the operator to rapidly zoom back and forth between any two positions. Shuttle Shot can be used to zoom to the telephoto position to check focus and almost instantly return to the original position, or users can "shuttle" between any two zoom-positions at any time. Users can set specific Shuttle Shot zoom positions using a simple "Memo" push switch; the switch enables more reliable Shuttle Shot set-up in the field, where more consistent functioning of the controls is required. The KJ20x8.2B KRSD's zoom can travel end-to-end in as little as 1.0 second, an improvement over the speed of previous models; although faster, special noise suppression on the servomotor inside the Advanced Drive Unit ensures very quiet operation.

The KJ20x8.2B KRSD Advanced Drive Unit also features an ergonomically re-designed, tilted shape for user comfort, convenience, and balance. The operator's tactile connection with the lens is enhanced by a ribbed surface on the bottom of the Drive Unit to ensure a firmer grip and better overall operational control. A new grip support allows users to firmly grasp the drive Unit without inadvertently pressing on the VTR or Shuttle Shot buttons.

The KJ20x8.2B KRSD will have an estimated list price of $5,800 and an estimated delivery date of March, 2013.

* Check with the specific camera manufacturer to determine whether their camera is compatible with KJ20x8.2B KRSD lens-aberration-correction functions.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $45.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2011† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2012. In 2012, Canon U.S.A. has received the PCMag.com Readers' Choice Award for Service and Reliability in the digital camera and printer categories for the ninth consecutive year and for camcorders for the past two years. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

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