Canon 450D released
Anuradha Ratnaweera
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 24 January 2008: Canon today launches its
latest D-SLR, the EOS 450D. Featuring a 12.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor,
EOS Integrated Cleaning System, 3.0" LCD with Live View mode and a new
9-point AF system, the model presents consumers with an unprecedented
level of image quality and versatility at this end of the market.
The EOS 450D employs features already proven in Canon's professional
EOS-1 series cameras, including the DIGIC III image processor and a
redesigned menu system that enables features such as direct control of
Speedlite flash units from the camera LCD. A choice of 13 custom
functions allows the photographer to customise the camera to their
shooting style.
"The EOS 450D bears the fruits of more than 20 years of ongoing
investment into EOS," said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer
Imaging, Europe. "This camera continues Canon's policy of taking
technologies proven in the professional arena and putting them within
reach of a wider market of amateur photographers."
The EOS 450D features:
* 12.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor
* Canon's EOS Integrated Cleaning System
* 3.5 frames per second
* 3.0" LCD with Live View shooting
* 9-point wide-area AF system with f/2.8 cross-type centre point
* Picture Style image processing parameters
* DIGIC III image processor
* Digital Photo Professional RAW processing software1
* Compact and Lightweight body
* Fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series
Speedlites
The EOS quality advantage
With all key components developed and manufactured in-house, EOS
offers photographers a unique quality advantage. The EOS 450D's
specially designed 12.2 Megapixel sensor employs Canon's
high-sensitivity, low-noise CMOS technology to produce richly detailed
images with minimal grain. The DIGIC III processor ensures superior
image rendering and rapid response times, with an almost instant 0.1
start up. Image data is processed at 14 bits for Delivering a burst
rate of 3.5 frames per second, the DIGIC III processor works with the
image buffer to handle up to 53 JPEGs (6 in RAW) without interruption.
Built for better photos
The EOS 450D is designed to make photography a fluid experience for
photographers of all levels and experience. Housed in a compact body
that weighs less than 475 grams, the camera features an improved grip
design that provides a natural, ergonomic fit with the user's hands. A
large, bright viewfinder makes image composition clearer and more
comfortable. The menu system inherited from professional EOS cameras
uses a simplified tab structure that does away with scrolling. It
includes a user-defined My Menu tab for instant access to frequently
used settings.
Several custom functions are available to optimise the quality of
photos captured in a range of situations. Highlight Tone Priority
boosts the dynamic range at the highlight end, providing better tonal
detail from wedding dresses, cloudy skies and other bright objects.
The new Auto Lighting Optimiser corrects brightness and contrast
during image processing, while improving skin tones in portraits by
ensuring correct exposure for faces. Photographers can also enable
additional noise reduction for shots captured at high ISO speeds.
Live View
Available for the first time on a Canon consumer D-SLR, Live View mode
makes it easier to shoot from awkward angles, such as ground-level
macro shots or when shooting from a tripod. The image from the Live
View mode is displayed as a smooth, 30fps video feed on the 3.0" LCD,
which is 50% brighter than the screen of the EOS 400D. A grid line
display and live histogram can be selected to help with shot
composition and exposure. While focusing, the photographer can zoom in
on specific details with up to 10x magnification of the image
displayed on the LCD screen. Two types of auto focus are available:
Quick AF flips the camera mirror momentarily to engage the AF sensor;
Live AF uses the image contrast data to focus - a method familiar to
anyone upgrading from a compact digital camera.
For studio environments, remote Live View lets the photographer
compose, adjust settings and capture the shot from a PC using the
supplied EOS utility software.
Other improvements
The EOS 450D complements its headline features with a host of smaller
improvements that enhance the photographic experience. The viewfinder
now displays all key exposure information including ISO speed. The
addition of spot metering (4% of viewfinder) allows for greater
control over exposure in tricky lighting conditions. PictBridge
functionality has been expanded so that photographers can correct
horizons and add picture effects before printing. A new high capacity
battery extends shooting time on a single charge to a maximum of 500
shots.
Software
The EOS 450D is supplied with a comprehensive software suite that
provides everything the photograph needs to manage and process images.
This includes Digital Photo Professional (DPP), a powerful RAW
converter that provides complete RAW image processing control. DPP
also integrates with camera features such as Dust Delete Data and
Picture Styles. The supplied Picture Style Editor software can be used
to create custom Picture Styles for fine control over colour display.
The camera also comes with EOS Utility, Image/Zoom Browser and
Photostitch.