Canon Updates PIXMA And CanoScan Line-Up And Introduces NFC Connectivity

PIXMA

Canon UK press release:

Canon updates PIXMA and CanoScan ranges and introduces new NFC connectivity
United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 19 August 2014 – Canon today announces a refresh to its PIXMA home printer range with the launch of four multifunction inkjet printers – the PIXMA MG2950, MG5650, MG6650, MG7550 – and a portable printer, the PIXMA iP110. Built with convenience in mind, the new devices have connectivity at their core and include a range of new features that enhance the printing experience between connected devices, from easy access to photos and documents stored on the cloud to printing via NFC (near field connectivity), ensuring the PIXMA series continues to lead the way in printing innovation. Two new scanners also join Canon’s CanoScan range today – LiDE 120 and LiDE 220, with cloud scanning, and reliable, high resolution capabilities.
Introducing new ways to connect and print
New to Canon’s latest PIXMA devices is the integration of NFC technology. Making it even easier to print from connected smartphones, PIXMA Touch & Print allows users to print and scan using NFC smart devices by simply touching them against compatible printers.Canon has also updated PIXMA Cloud Link to provide even greater access to photos and documents stored on the cloud. Accessible either via the PIXMA Printing Solutions app or via compatible printer TFT screens, PIXMA Cloud Link now provides access to Google Drive™ and OneDrive™, as well as existing services such as Facebook™, Evernote™, Drop Box™ and Twitter™. Users of the PIXMA MG5650, MG6650 and MG7550 can also scan JPGs and PDFs directly to cloud services such as DropBox, Google Drive and more, either directly from the printer screen or via smartphones and tablets using the PIXMA Printing Solutions app.In addition, Canon is also introducing a scan to email function for PIXMA MG5650, MG6650 and MG7550, which will allow users to save time and send scanned documents and images as email attachments directly from the printer.

To further enhance the printing experience on tablets, Canon has also updated the PIXMA Printing Solutions app with a link to a new service; Easy Photo Print+. The new service allows saved photos stored on the device or in the cloud to be edited and easily printed, from a tablet. It also helps users to get creative with their photos, providing a range of templates to create personalised cards, calendars and collages.

Smart and powerful: the PIXMA MG7550
Replacing the current MG7150 is the new PIXMA MG7550, a premium all-in-one six-ink photo printer with an 8.8cm touch screen and a touch panel display. Canon’s unique Intelligent Touch System and Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity allow for complete cloud and NFC printing / scanning capabilities using smart devices.

Thanks to its six-ink system, which includes Pigment Black and Dye Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Grey inks, the PIXMA MG7550 can produce images with smooth gradations, even in monochrome prints, delivering professional photo lab quality borderless prints at the touch of a button. Producing print resolution at 9600dpi and full photo lab quality colour prints, the PIXMA MG7550 is ideal for enthusiasts wanting professional quality results in a compact design.

High performance home printing: MG6650 andMG5650
Replacing the PIXMA MG6450 and MG5550 respectively, the MG6650 and MG5650 feature five separate ink tanks and have been designed for those looking to print a mix of high quality documents and photos at home. With Wi-Fi connectivity, both printers support a range of wireless printing features, from compatibility with Canon’s PIXMA Printing Solutions app for iOS & Android devices, to printing from Wi-Fi enabled cameras. Apple AirPrint™ and Google Cloud Print™ are also supported.

The PIXMA MG6650 includes a 7.5cm TFT touch screen and the MG5650 a 6.2cm TFT screen display, both of which are built into the devices and allow access to all of the printer menus and functions, making it easy to print and scan directly from the device. The MG6650 also supports NFC connectivity with smartphones and tablets.

Connectivity at every level: PIXMA MG2950
Delivering Wi-Fi connectivity at a competitive price, the PIXMA MG2950 features print, scan and copy functionality in a compact device. Designed for personal home use, the MG2950 allows users to connect , print and scan directly to a range of connected devices, and even print from the cloud using PIXMA Cloud Link. The MG2950 also comes with Access Point Mode, providing a direct link to wireless devices without the need for an internet connection.

Printing on the move: PIXMA iP110
Designed to deliver the ultimate in portable printing, the lightweight PIXMA iP110 is a slim, single function printer that produces quality prints, from clear crisp documents to vibrant photos, fast. The iP110 replaces the current iP100 and comes with a range of new connectivity features, including Wi-Fi and cloud printing and is compatible with Google Cloud Print™ and Apple Air Print™, and supports Canon’s PIXMA Printing Solutions app.

The iP110 prints at up to 9600dpi resolution, with print speeds of 5.8 ipm for colour and 9.0ipm for mono prints, and produces a 4×6 borderless photo in approximately 53 seconds.

High-quality scanning: CanoScan LiDE 120 and LiDE 220
As well as introducing new innovations to the PIXMA printing range, Canon has also announced a refresh to its CanoScan range with two new devices, LiDE 120 and LiDE 220.

The CanoScan LiDE 120 is a stylish LiDE scanner that replaces the current LiDE 110. Thanks to a CIS sensor, it delivers a scan resolution of 2400x4800dpi and produces an A4 300dpi scan in 16 seconds.

Replacing the LiDE 210, the CanoScan LiDE 220 includes an additional fifth EZ button, which provides users with the ability to create a multipage PDF document without returning to their PC. LiDE 220 also frees up valuable desk space by incorporating a neat stand enabling it to be used in an upright position. The device delivers scans with a resolution of 4800x4800dpi, thanks to the CIS sensor, and can produce an A4 300dpi scan in 10 seconds. Both scanners are USB powered, and feature rich software, such as as Auto Document Fix and Auto Photo Fix II, and an easy-to-use interface, which includes an Auto Scan button to help users achieve the scanning results they desire with ease. Both scanners can also scan to the cloud via a PC.

Pricing and availability

  • PIXMA MG7550 will be available from October 2014 with an RRP of £189.99/€229.99
  • PIXMA MG6650 will be available from September 2014 with an RRP of £139.99/€169.99
  • PIXMA MG5650 will be available from September 2014 with an RRP of £99.99/€119.99
  • PIXMA MG2950 will be available from September 2014 with an RRP of MG2950 €59.99/€69.99
  • PIXMA iP110 will be available from October 2014 with an RRP of  £279.99/€329.99
  • CanoScan LiDE will be available from September 2014 with an RRP of 120 £69.99/€79.99
  • CanoScan LiDE 220 will be available from September 2014 with an RRP of £89.99/€109.99

Lomography x Zenit Petzval Lens For Canon Available And Ready To Ship

Zenit Petzval

The Lomography x Zenit Petzval 85mm f/2.2 lens is the modern reinvention of a portrait lens that was highly regarded in the 19th century, and is now available and ready to ship.

The Lomography x Zenit Petzval Lens is a stunning reinvention of one of the first and greatest lenses of all time. Manufactured in Russia by Zenit, each lens is crafted from brass and features high-quality glass optics. The lens produces images with extreme sharpness, strong color saturation, artful vignetting and absolutely beautiful swirly bokeh backgrounds. For the first time ever, you can easily get the Petzval photographic look with Canon EF and Nikon F mount analogue and digital cameras.

The lens can be ordered at Lomography’s site, the price for the Canon version is $599. If you want, you can also get the first batch of the Petzval lens (black), but you have to pay $749. If you do, you will own one of the first Petzval lenses that have been produced.

The project started as a Kickstarter campaign that raised much more money than expected: the target were $100,000, but a stunning $1,396,149 was raised.

More details, pics and information after the break.

[via AP]
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Canon EOS 1200D/Rebel T5 And LEGRIA mini X Awarded By EISA

Rebel T5 Rebel T5

The Canon EOS 1200D/Rebel T5 and the Canon LEGRIA mini X camcorder have been awarded by the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA)

Canon press release:

Two Canon products honored with prestigious European Imaging and Sound Association awards

TOKYO, Japan, August 18, 2014—Canon Inc. announced today that two of the company’s photo-imaging products—a digital SLR camera and digital video camcorder—have been honored with prestigious product awards by the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA). The EOS 1200D (EOS Rebel T5 or EOS Kiss X70 in other regions) was named European Consumer DSLR Camera 2014-2015 while the LEGRIA mini X (VIXIA mini X) was crowned European Lifestyle Camcorder 2014-2015. To date, Canon products and technologies have won a total of 61 EISA titles on 29 occasions and have received awards every year over the past 26 years.

The annual EISA awards are voted for by a panel of editors representing 50 special-interest magazines from across 20 European countries. The awards celebrate products that were released in Europe during the past year that combine the most advanced technologies, covetable features, cutting-edge design and outstanding value. Started in 1982, this year marks the EISA awards’ 33rd year.

European Consumer DSLR Camera 2014-2015: EOS 1200D

Named European Consumer DSLR Camera 2014-2015, the compact, lightweight Canon EOS 1200D realizes enhanced ease of use, making it an ideal entry-level digital SLR camera for both “newcomers to photography and experienced users on a budget.” Featuring an approximately 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and Canon’s DIGIC 4 image processor, the camera delivers “high-quality images with good dynamic range and low noise up to ISO 1,600 and beyond.” About EOS Companion, the company’s free dedicated smartphone application for the European market, the EISA jury panel noted it helps users to “get the most out of the camera.” Additionally, according to the judges, the EOS 1200D offers “exceptional value for money” thanks to such additional features as a 460,000-dot LCD screen, a 63-zone dual-layer metering sensor, in-camera lens correction and a range of creative filters.

European Lifestyle Camcorder 2014-2015: LEGRIA mini X

Winner of the European Lifestyle Camcorder 2014-2015 award, the diminutive Canon LEGRIA mini X takes its predecessor’s “original innovative concept even further.” Called “multi-talented” by the EISA jury panel, the digital creative camcorder was recognized for its rotating touch screen display, “ideal for taking video ‘selfies,’” as well as its adjustable stand enabling placement on any surface and ultra-wide-angle 170-degree lens that “captures all the action.” Incorporating an f/2.8 lens and 1/2.3-type 12.8-megapixel CMOS sensor, the LEGRIA mini X delivers Full HD video in both AVCHD (50i) and MP4 (25p) codecs while an internal microphone allows the recording of uncompressed stereo LPCM audio. The camcorder enables the easy transfer of files thanks to its “generous” connectivity options, including a 3.5 mm jack for an external microphone, a headphone terminal, plus mini HDMI and mini USB, as well as support for Wi-Fi, which also enables operation from a smart device. Concluding its assessment of the LEGRIA mini X, the EISA jury said, “Genuinely flexible, this is a perfect partner for your everyday adventures.”

The Handevision IBELUX 40mm f/0.85 Performs Better Than The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 (in the center)

Handevision IBELUX 40mm f/0.85

Handevision IBELUX 40mm f/0.85

The folk at Lensrentals felt the pulse of the Handevision IBELUX 40mm f/0.85 lens. They did not test the lens for Canon EOS M mount, never the less I think the results are highly interesting. Says R. Cicala:

Let’s face it, everyone. Right in the center, even at f/0.85, the Ibelux 40mm is as good as, or a bit better than, the Canon 50mm f/1.2. Stopped down to f/1.4 (there’s no f/1.2 click on the Ibelux) it’s clearly better in the center. Away from center, the Canon is clearly better. This is an amazing optical performance, though, and for an f/0.85 lens, simply amazing. In my expectations at the beginning of this article, I never expected this lens to do this well in the center. I didn’t even consider it a possibility.

If you are a lens geek you can’t miss this post. It comes with charts, sample pics and a lot of technical talk.

The Handevision IBELUX 40mm f/0.85 is not a cheap lens, selling at $2,079.99, which is a lot of money for a manually operated lens. The Handevision IBELUX 40mm f/0.85 is available at B&H Photo and Adorama.

[via Lensrentals]

Specs and description after the break.

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Some Canon EOS 7D Mark II Specifications Surfaced


Canon EOS 7D Mark II mock-up

We are getting closer to the announcement! While very few information has leaked so far, some bits managed to surface on the web [via The New Camera]. For the time being the following specifications can be considered at least as plausible:

  • Alloy body – Same as EOS 1 series DSLRs
  • EOS-1 style top plate
  • 24MP
  • Hybrid Sensor – Multilayer + Dual Pixel CMOS AF
  • No Wifi built-in
  • Not touch screen, super durable LCD cover
  • 12fps shooting (or faster)
  • New AF system

The fact that the EOS 7D replacement might not feature WiFi puzzles me a bit. Other sites were saying that it is due to the full metal body, but it’s hard to figure out (at least for me) that Canon has not the skills to make WiFi work in a full metal body. It’s just a matter of placement of the antenna.

There are at least 3 patents filed by Canon that may refer to 3 of the features in the list above. A patent for a multi-layer sensor, a patent for a new generation of Dual Pixel AF, and a patent for high frame rates for continuous shooting.