05/14, 11:04am
Canon looks to move to fully-automated camera production by 2015
Electronics maker Canon will transition to the manufacturing of its digital cameras entirely by robots rather than human workers, company spokesperson Jun Misumi told SeattlePI. Such a move would reduce costs and isn't relegated to just Canon, as other Japanese companies are moving towards the same. Canon is aiming to have the process fully automated by as soon as 2015, though this is the best case scenario and no specific dates were revealed.
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04/23, 10:30pm
Canon details 5D Mk 3 light bug and 1.1.2 update
Canon tackled some of the teething issues of the EOS 5D Mark III, including its exposure bug. In a statement, it said that the LCD was skewing the displayed exposure value, but not the actual shot. The company would inspect DSLRs on request starting in mid-May, but it didn't see cause for a fix.
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04/17, 12:00pm
Deals on printers, USB drives, and more
Today's deals from DealNN include discounted printers, USB drives, and more. Buy.com is this week is offering a discount on the Canon imageCLASS D420 Black & White Laser Multifunction Printer, complete with two sided copying and printing, up to 9600 dpi color scanning quality, and a maximum print speed of up to 23 pages-per-minute. Currently featured at DealNN, this printer has now dropped to only $114 in price, and delivers savings of up to 76%.
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04/13, 7:25pm
EOS 5D Mark III can trigger false exposure
Canon has posted a warning about a potentially serious issue with the EOS 5D Mark III. Lighting up the LCD while photographic dark scenes can confuse the autoexposure sensor, making it think the scene is brighter and skewing the final results. The company was preparing "countermeasures" to combat the problem, but what those were hadn't been mentioned.
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04/12, 10:55pm
Mass production stalls
Canon has admitted that its flagship EOS-1D X camera and EF 24-70mm lens are facing production delays that will affect the expected ship dates. The company originally promised to ship the 1D X late in March, however the camera is now expected to be delayed until this summer.
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04/12, 10:45am
Canon intros C300 successor for 4K shooting
Canon on Thursday made a number of announcements relating to high-end pro video, starting with the EOS-1D C and now the EOS C500 and C500 PL. Either of the C500 models is meant for cinematographers and shoots up to 4K resolution (4096x2160) video, though the former takes EF-mount lenses and the latter accommodates PL-mount glass. They output in 10-bit uncompressed RAW format and meet SMPTE production standards.
The camera also simultaneously records 50Mbps HD proxy video to its CF card to ease offline editing. At its heart is a new Super 35mm-equivalent CMOS sensor rated that is rated at approximately 8.85 megapixels.
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04/12, 10:00am
Canon EOS-1D C becomes real
Canon made its concept camera real on Thursday by revealing the EOS-1D C ahead of NAB. The variant on its highest-end DSLR is the first camera of its kind to record 4K (4096x2160) video. Although capped at 24 frames per second, the 8-bit, 4:2:2 video is advanced enough that it can be used as part of a professional movie shoot using greater-than-HD video cameras from companies like RED while keeping the size much smaller for handheld recording.
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04/06, 9:50am
Makes rare backtrack on earlier code
Apple is pushing out two new patches to Mac users via Software Update. Of these the most critical is Java for OS X 2012-002, which actually replaces 2012-001, released earlier this week. Apple rarely outright removes an earlier update; 001 may have had a critical bug or security flaw that was somehow missed in a rush put out the code, which was meant to combat the Flashback Trojan.
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04/03, 8:30am
Canon focuses on star photography with new DSLR
Canon on Tuesday updated its astronomy-friendly DSLR offering for the first time in several years by launching the EOS 60Da. The new version, a modification not seen since the EOS 20Da, takes the 18-megapixel camera and gives it both a changed infrared filter and improved sensitivity to hydrogen-alpha light. The upgrades give it about three times better performance overall for photographing a nebula cloud and other star formations.
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03/30, 4:50pm
Super HD camera sports $8k price
Sony may soon be releasing a high performance NEX-based camera for the professional videography market. EOSHD quotes sources as saying the company will be unveiling the NEX FS700 at the NAB 2012 conference next month. The camera can purportedly record at 4K resolution with a price point of $8,000.
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03/26, 10:55am
Sony A99 said to get 102-point cross-point AF
The upcoming Sony Alpha 99 (A99) may sport with a 102-point cross-point autofocus system, Sony Alpha Rumors learned from trusted sources. Prototypes of the Single-Lens Translucent (SLT) camera are reportedly equipped with the feature, which offers nearly twice as many autofocus points as some flagship DSLRs from competitors. The Nikon D800 has 51 points, for example, while Canon's EOS 5D Mark III has 61. Sony's own A77 camera has 19 cross points.
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03/22, 5:35pm
Pro DSLRs hit US shelves by tomorrow
Two high-end digital SLRs have begun hitting retailers' shelves. The 36.3-megapixel Nikon D800 has started to ship to Japan and Europe as of Wednesday, and is expected in Australia today as well as the US tomorrow for Nikon Professional Services customers. The 22.3-megapixel Canon 5D Mark II was anticipated at US stores on Sunday, but B&H Photo has it in stock and already has begun shipping.
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03/19, 4:30pm
Panasonic Lumix GF5 images are leaked online
A site called nPhoto has just shared what appear to be official photos of the upcoming Lumix GF5 camera from Panasonic. They follow up from yesterday's less formal photo leak, and the source confirmed that the ISO range will be the same as that offered by Canon's EOS 7D and 60D DSLRs. This would put it at 100 to 12,800.
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03/16, 4:20pm
Best Buy screen reveals 5D Mark III due March 25
The flagship Canon EOS 5D Mark III will be shipping at Best Buy stores and likely other retailers on March 25, Engadget learned. The date is indicated in a photo of the inventory screen at Best Buy sent in to the source and lines up with earlier reports that the camera will be out before month's end. At the same time, the 404-page owner's manual (PDF) is also available online, and ahead of the release.
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03/13, 9:45pm
Strong Yen expected to affect profits
Canon is reportedly planning to slash production costs by at least 400 billion yen (~$4.8 billion USD) by expanding its use of robotics. The strategy move is said to be related to the strength of Japan's yen currency, which is expected to negatively impact the company's annual profits by as much as 100 billion yen (~$1.2 billion USD).
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03/09, 8:30pm
Canon hints at Cinema EOS DSLR news
Canon has sent out invitations for an April 15 event ahead of the NAB media production expo in Las Vegas. Saying only that "the story continues," it uses the same theme as the Cinema EOS event from November. Its most probable candidate is the Cinema EOS DSLR Canon hinted at in the fall, which would mate a full-frame DSLR body with 4K video recording and cinematography-oriented lenses.
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03/07, 12:15pm
Nikon pulls D800 promo videos with Canon content
In a promo video for its recently released D800 at its Bangkok launch, Nikon included footage that not only was used without permission but also shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Once the video was shared on YouTube (below), people who recognized their work began calling Nikon out on its mistake. One such party was Norwegian pro photographer Terje Sørgjerd, whose work is seen in Nikon's video, was used without permission, and was shot with a Canon 5D Mark II.
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03/06, 10:40am
Canon PIXMA MX892 gets cloud printing support
Canon introduced a new PIXMA-series high end printer on Tuesday in the MX892 Wireless Office All-In-One (AIO). The printer will connect to cloud and local network services to print or fax documents, including AirPrint, Google's Cloud Print, Picasa Web Albums, and PIXMA Cloud Link services. The printer also offers a number of templates for placing images on stationery and calendars, among others.
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03/02, 12:05am
Canon EOS 5D Mark III answers long call
Canon on Friday brought out one of the most sought-after DSLRs of recent years in the EOS 5D Mark III. The full-frame DSLR has only a slight resolution upgrade, to 22.3 megapixels, but the new sensor and a new DIGIC 5+ processor have rapidly caught the cult favorite camera up to the modern era. It now has a much more precise 61-point autofocusing system and can shoot at up to six frames per second (up from 3.9) at the full resolution.
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03/01, 6:45pm
Authenticity of spec sheet remains unclear
A broader range of potential specifications for Canon's EOS 5D Mark III camera may have leaked ahead of schedule. Corroborating earlier rumors, a leaked spec sheet posted on Canon Rumors suggests the DSLR will be outfitted with a 22-megapixel sensor and 61-point autofocus system. Fresh details point to a new Digic 5+ image processor, rather than the company's existing Digic 5 chip, and an ISO range that tops out at 102400.
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02/27, 11:00am
Canon 5D Mark III leaked ahead of March 2 debut
The Canon 5D Mark III that's expected to officially launch on March 2 has shown up on the CanonRumors forums. There will be at least two events to unveil it, with one in France and the other in Singapore. The unconfirmed specs include a 22-megapixel sensor and a 61-point autofocus system.
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02/21, 3:30pm
Sony may have DSLR-grade rival to Canon G1 X
Sony may be hoping to one-up Canon's PowerShot G1 X with a more ambitious camera of its own. A rumor originating from multiple "trusted sources" of Sony Alpha Rumors has a future camera using a DSLR-grade sensor at APS-C size but with a non-removable lens like its Canon alternative. The lens itself is described as a pancake-sized compact zoom that would keep the camera relatively small.
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02/20, 3:40pm
Canon lens patent confirms mirrorless camera due
A new patent application found online on Monday has lent strong support to the belief Canon is working on a mirrorless, interchangeable lens camera. The patent is for an 18-45mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens explicitly meant for APS-C mirrorless cameras. Allowing for the crop factor, the lens is equivalent to 29-70mm if it were full-frame.
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02/15, 4:55pm
Unusual burst of updates
In an unusual move, Apple has released simultaneous OS X driver updates for eight different brands. These include Canon, Samsung, Gestetner, Ricoh, Infotec, Lanier, InfoPrint, and NRG. Filesizes range from just under 17MB for the InfoPrint drivers to almost 330MB for Canon.
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02/07, 6:55am
Canon launches three AIO printers
Canon has introduced three all-in-one Pixma printers, the MX372, the MX512 Wireless and the MX432 Wireless. The two wireless enabled devices both support AirPrint allowing users to print directly from an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The printers are also accompanied by a companion mobile app, Canon Easy-PhotoPrint that is available for both iOS- and Android-based smartphones and tablets and now allows users to print PDFs created directly on the devices, not just photos as previously.
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02/07, 1:05am
Canon adopts Wi-Fi in compact cameras
Canon brought Wi-Fi to more of its point-and-shoot cameras on Tuesday. Both the Elph 530 HS and Elph 320 HS can both send media directly to Image Gateway, an in-between album that in turn lets users share to Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. An iOS app, CameraWindow is coming in March that promises to keep compact cameras relevant: it will let owners send photos and videos directly to the Apple devices both for safekeeping and to upload to the same social sites.
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02/07, 12:45am
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS joins lineup
The most performance-minded camera in Canon's lineup for the CP+ show Tuesday was unveiled as the SX260 HS. While the model name is slightly off from leaks, it confirms talk of a leap from 14X to 20X zoom in the body. The design comes outfitted with both a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor that helps in low light as well as a DIGIC 5 chip that improves image quality and allows for 1080p video.
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02/07, 12:30am
Canon PowerShot A810 through A4000 IS arrives
Canon picked Tuesday to bring out no less than six new PowerShot A-series cameras to boost its entry level. At the top, the A4000 IS and A3400 IS each have firsts: the A4000 IS has a long 8X zoom, while the similar-resolution A3400 has a 5X zoom but is the first A-series with a touchscreen that can be used to focus or take the shot. These and the other new cameras in the line all have 16-megapixel sensors and 720p video support.
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02/07, 12:10am
Canon SX240 HS carries 20X zoom in small body
Canon's turn at launches for the CP+ camera show were headlined by a major rethink of its rugged camera. The PowerShot D20 is dramatically smaller and thinner than the D10 while keeping the durability. It can take water up to 33 feet deep, survive temperatures as cold as 14F or as warm as 104F, and survive drops of up to five feet. Its button layout is designed to be used with gloves on and has presets for underwater (including macros) and snow.
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02/03, 11:30am
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS leaks ahead of debut
An upcoming portable digital camera from Canon has been spotted online. The PowerShot SX240 HS will get a 20X zoom rather than the 14X zoom of its SX230 HS predecessor. Also likely is the addition of the company's new DIGIC 5 processor and a slightly higher megapixel count, though these haven't been confirmed as the image is the only thing to go by thus far.
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02/01, 7:45pm
Fixes launch bug that prevented 10.7 use
Canon has finally updated its Canon EOS Utility to launch and work properly for users of Mac OS X Lion (10.7.x), alleviating a problem Lion users have had for months with the app. The program offers two main abilities to Canon EOS camera users: an Image Capture-like ability to selectively transfer pictures from the camera, as well as an option to remotely operate the camera from a user's computer using a supplied interface cable.
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01/31, 11:30pm
Nikon P510 and P310 push long zooms
Nikon led a slew of Coolpix camera launches Tuesday night with two models straddling the line between pro and amateur shooting. The P510 has one of the longest zooms ever on a non-removable lens camera and can shoot at 42X (24-1,000mm equivalent) with a purportedly more aggressive image stabilization engine. A 16.1-megapixel, backside-illuminated CMOS sensor helps combat shake along with helping in low light and improving autofocus speed.
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01/30, 2:40pm
CEO and chairman reprises role as Canon president
Canon's 70-year-old president is stepping down, with the company's current chairman and CEO taking on those additional responsibilities. Tuneji Uchida will step down on March 29, according to a Monday report. Fujio Mitarai, 76, was president of Canon between 1995 and 2006, and will now reprise the role.
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01/27, 2:35pm
Sigma founder, CEO passes away at 78
CEO of camera and lens maker Sigma, sadly, has passed away. The 78-year-old Michihiro Yamaki succumbed in Tokyo, Japan on January 18 after a fight with liver cancer. Yamaki founded the company in 1961 and was heading up the company up to 2011, on its 50th anniversary.
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01/24, 3:55pm
Canon EOS C300 pro video cam due January 31
The recently introduced EOS Cinema C300 pro video camera will reach Japanese stores on January 31. The PL version of the camera, which will be able to accommodate industry-standard PL lenses rather than the regular version's EF mount, is due to arrive late in March. Confirmed pricing for either shooter hasn't yet been revealed, but early indications place either model at the equivalent of about $19,300.
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01/23, 5:00pm
Canon 5D Mark III or 7D Mark II may have been seen
Canon's next higher-end DSLR may have been spotted by photographer Stephen Oachs during a rare coincidence of running into a Canon employee during a photo shoot in Kenya. The Japanese man was officially testing the new 200-400mm L lens but was using an unfamiliar DSLR body. The Q (quick menu) button was located in an unfamiliar position non the right, and the battery grip had a joystick that's not present on most other versions Canon makes.
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01/17, 6:35pm
Camera records with Super 35mm-size CMOS sensor
Canon's Cinema EOS C300 DSLR-grade pro video camera is now available for pre-order. The cinematography camera, which was launched in November, incorporates a Super 35mm-size CMOS sensor. The aim is to merge Canon's still image quality with equipment tailored to full-scale movie production.
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01/13, 1:30pm
We try the Canon G1 X and more at CES
Canon used the dovetailing of the PMA expo with CES to give us a chance to test the PowerShot G1 X as well as its pocket siblings, the Elph 520 HS and 110 HS. All three promise quality boosts as well as some fresher designs, but how well do they fare? Our early look is after the break.
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01/09, 12:45pm
Models offer Wi-Fi, DLNA support
Canon has announced six new VIXIA-series camcorders. All of the units support HD resolutions up to 1080p, and rely on flash memory, instead of discs or hard drives. Three top-end models include the HF M52, HF M50 and HF M500, which together share 10x lenses and identical CMOS sensors, as well as 3-inch touchscreens, and the ability to record in MP4 format, a standard often used by iOS and other mobile devices.
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01/09, 10:20am
Canon G1 X and Elph 110, 520 HS arrive for CES
Canon confirmed that earlier wire leaks were real after it unveiled a trio of new cameras on Monday. The PowerShot G1 X is Canon's long-awaited if indirect response to mirrorless rivals and carries a large, 1.5-inch, 14.3-megapixel CMOS sensor to let it take in more light and detail than most compacts. Although the 4X, 28-112mm equivalent lens is still non-removable, it now has a wider maximum aperture of f2.5 (better than f2.8) to improve low light and soften backgrounds.
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01/05, 8:50am
Canon G1X to carry large sensor and wide aperture
Wells Fargo has leaked virtually every camera designer's plans for CES and PMA next week but has provided unusually large amounts of detail for major Canon releases. The PowerShot G1X is Canon's long-awaited if indirect response to mirrorless rivals and carries a large, 1.5-inch, 14.3-megapixel CMOS sensor to let it take in more light and detail than most compacts. Although the 4X, 28-112mm equivalent lens is still non-removable, it now has a wider maximum aperture of f2.5 (better than f2.8) to improve low light and soften backgrounds.
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01/02, 11:50pm
High-end camera already backordered
RED's Scarlet-X camera has been reviewed by the team at Cinema5D, after the first limited production units began shipping to a select group of customers in November. A video post provides an early look at the professional camera, which starts at $9,700 and is already on backorder.
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11/26, 2:35pm
Canon EOS Rebel XS' photos last year in salty sea
Naturalist Markus Thompson orchestrated one of the more unusual camera recoveries yet after he posted about a Canon Rebel XS (1000D) on Google+ between Friday and Saturday. He found the DSLR at the end of a wharf in Deep Bay, near Vancouver, British Columbia after after it had been underwater for what turned out to be since August 2010, or 15 months ago. Although the camera itself was ruined from exposure to saltwater, the SD card inside was still working, giving a clue as to the owner through self-portraits and shots of his family.
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11/17, 3:40pm
Kodak may sell Kodak Gallery to slim down
Kodak is hoping to sell its Kodak Gallery online photo service to stay afloat, according to leaks. The camera pioneer was said by the Wall Street Journal to be talking to other photo hosting services, retail stores, private equity groups, and even rival camera makers to interest them in a sale. Advisors from FTI Consulting, which led to the sale of the image sensor group, was supposedly involved in this sale as well as part of an attempt to find buyers for as many non-essential divisions as possible
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11/10, 5:25pm
Supports new cameras from Nikon, Sony, Olympus
Apple has posted a new Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update, v3.9. The patch extends support for different RAW formats within Aperture 3 and iPhoto '11. Newly supported camera lines include Nikon's 1 J1, 1 V1, and CoolPix P7100, as well as Sony's NEX-5N, Alpha SLT-A65, and Alpha SLT-A77, and Olympus' PEN E-PL1s, PEN E-PL3, and PEN E-PM1.
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11/03, 11:25pm
Canon EOS concept with 4K video shown at event
Mentioning it just at the end of the unveiling of the EOS C300, Canon has shown an early prototype of an upcoming pro DSLR with record-setting video. The unnamed prototype would have a full-frame CMOS sensor and could shoot 4K (usually 4096x2160) video at 24FPS when using Motion JPEG. Very little else was mentioned, although it had the same red "C" badge from the C300 that denoted the Cinema badge.
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11/03, 10:10pm
RED Scarlet shown in final form at event
RED at its own camera event showed its long-delayed, finished version of the Scarlet. The new version has gone from a complete camera to a central body and sensor that fits into the RED modular system. While not ambitious as the Epic system, it's now one of the least expensive 4K cameras, costing $9,750 despite shooting at its full 4096x2160 at a slightly more than film-grade 25FPS.
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11/03, 6:25pm
Canon Cinema EOS C300 unveiled at event
Canon at its special Hollywood event unveiled the Cinema EOS C300, its first DSLR-grade pro video camera. The shooter uses a 35mm-equivalent full-frame sensor and focuses on image quality first. Canon claims to have better overall color reproduction, primarily for skin tones.
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10/24, 7:50pm
iPhone 4S compared against its ancestors
A side-by-side comparison of iPhone camera quality by the co-developer of Camera+ (99 cents, App Store), Lisa Bettany, has shown the sheer improvement in the iPhone 4S camera quality compared to earlier models, dating back to 2007. The shots also show just how closely they compare against two frequent benchmarks for compact and DSLR cameras, the Canon S95 and EOS-5D Mark II.
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10/24, 9:15am
Canon Pixma Pro-1 printer targets pro photogs
Canon started off the week by introducing a rare printer aimed squarely at pro photographers. The Pixma Pro-1 takes its looks from the DSLRs it's intended to work with, like the EOS-1D X, and focuses on producing "gallery-quality" prints both for pros and for serious hobbyists. It carries 12 inks and can put out large A3+ sized images with a wider color range, at 16 bits per color channel, that more accurately reflects the lighting and scene from the DSLR itself.
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