Canon launches 39 consumer products for its 2006 Spring Collection


Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 21 February, 2006: Canon announces the Spring Collection range, introducing 39 products. The new collection includes 9 digital still cameras, 8 digital camcorders(1) , 1 digital SLR and 2 EF lenses. Also launched are 6 multimedia projectors, 4 inkjet printers, 3 inkjet multifunctionals and 6 laser products. In addition, Canon announces entry into a new category with a series of professional-quality photo printers: PIXMA Pro.

In 2005 Canon proved to be the consumers’ choice with PIXMA taking the number 1 position in the European inkjet printer market(2). At the same time, the company consolidated its number 1 position in the digital still camera and D-SLR markets(3).

"With the current lifecycle of consumer products running at under 6 months, demand for new products is at an all time high. To meet this demand Canon announces the launch of 39 new products in the Spring Collection 2006,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. In the last decade, Canon has invested over€16 billion in research and development – more than four times that of any other imaging manufacturer.

Canon’s product announcement highlights for Spring 2006 include:

The PIXMA Pro series: two new A3+ professional-quality inkjet printers that target the needs of DSLR photographers and fine artists. The two PIXMA Pro models offer photo professionals a choice: the flagship PIXMA Pro9500 features a 10-colour pigment ink system for outstanding colour and monochrome output, with exceptional print longevity for commercial use. The PIXMA Pro9000 is an 8-colour dye ink printer with an exceptionally wide colour gamut, producing vibrant, beautiful photos.

Four new PIXMA products aimed at the small office/home office segment - two A3+ inkjets and two All-in-Ones - offer full business functionality as well as photo lab quality printing. A new wireless All-in-One, PIXMA MP800R is also launched, meeting growing demand for wireless products in the home.

The 5fps, 8.2 Megapixel EOS 30D replaces and improves on the popular EOS 20D at a time of rapid growth for the Western European D-SLR market. From 2004-2005, Digital EOS sales more than doubled(4). The announcement of the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM and EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM lenses comes shortly after Canon’s celebration of the 30 million interchangeable EF lens cumulative production milestone(5).

Building on the success of the award winning XEED SX50(6) projector , Canon now launches a complete XEED product range with three new projectors: the flagship XEED SX6, the XEED SX60 with Home Cinema capability, and the XEED X600, offering great cost performance.

Canon remains market leader in the European digital still camera market(7), with Digital IXUS 40 holding the title of best-selling model in Europe(8). Three new Digital IXUS cameras are released, including the flagship Digital IXUS 800 IS, designed to meet the demands of advanced photographers. Five new models advance the PowerShot A-series range, including the 6.0 Megapixel PowerShot A700, which defines a new level of performance for A-series cameras. The PowerShot S3 IS replaces last year's popular PowerShot S2 IS as Canon's 12x Image Stabilizer optical zoom compact.

8 new camcorder models(9) reaffirm Canon’s commitment to this market. With the DVD camcorder segment growing by 200%(10) , two models combine the ability to shoot straight to DVD with High Resolution true 16:9 widescreen recording: the entry level DC100, and one of Europe’s most powerful DVD camcorders, the flagship DC40 (launched Feb 1, 2006).
Canon launches its first European Colour LaserBase: the flagship
LaserBase MF8180C.

(1)Models include: MV960, MV950, MV930, MV900, MVX460, MVX450, DC40 & DC100
(2)GfK: EU12, August 2005
(3)GfK: EU11, Feb-Nov 2005
(4)GfK, EU11, Feb-Nov 2005
(5)January 2006
(6)2005 TIPA award for Best Photo Projector
(7)GfK, EU11, Feb-Nov 2005
(8)GfK, EU11, Feb-Nov 2005
(9)Models include: MV960, MV950, MV930, MV900, MVX450, MVX460, DC40 & DC100
(10)GfK, EU11, Feb-Nov 2005 year on year