High-Cost-Performance 2X Zoom IX 240 Camera
IXY 220
[ Japan : IXY 220, Americas : ELPH LT260, Europe/Asia/Oceania : IXUS Z50 ] As the fourth article in the series introducing new products, marketed in the spring of 2000, this month's Technical Report presents an overview of IXY 220, Canon's high-cost-performance IX 240 2X zoom compact camera.
Developmental Targets The IXY 220 (see Photo 1) has been developed to realize the following objectives: To be the world smallest and lightest body. To retain the elegant design of the IXY series. To produce high quality images using a 2X zoom lens. To adopt a new viewfinder for excellent visibility. To offer comprehensive basic functions and outstanding operability including:	Photo 1 IXY 220 (at WIDE and ready to shoot)
• Major Advanced Photo System (IX 240) functions including Mid-Roll Change (MRC), Print Quality Improvement (PQI), and the print quantity setting. • Three Custom Functions. • Improved operability and visibility by grouping large operating buttons and display panel on the rear. • A safety lock mechanism for the cartridge chamber cover. Let us now introduce the major features of IXY 220.
Feature 1: Small, Lightweight Zoom Compact Camera The small, lightweight camera was realized by using the latest miniaturization technology for making lenses and AF units more compact and for reducing the layout distances among components, as well as the latest plastic exterior finish technology. It measures 93 mm (width) x 63 mm (height) x 30 mm (depth), and the body weighs only 150 grams (see Figs. 1 and 2).	Fig. 1 IXY 220 Front View
Fig. 2 Internal Layout of IXY 220
Feature 2: Refined Design The IXY 220 has an exterior design following the highly acclaimed IXY series' "box and circle" motif, soft bodylines for comfortable handling, a classy jewel-like exterior finish popular with young people of all ages, larger operating buttons and display functions concentrated on the back of the camera (see Photo 2 and Fig. 3), for improved viewfinder visibility and operability.	Photo 2 IXY 220 Rear View
Fig. 3 Contents of Display Panel (Total Display)
Feature 3: High-Image-Quality 2X Zoom Lens The 2X zoom lens has a range of 26 ~ 52 mm (equivalent to about 32.5 ~ 65 mm in the 135 format), maximum aperture of f/4.2 ~ 6.7, and 6 elements in 6 groups (see Fig. 4). The size of lens elements in two zoom groups are made smaller by increasing the refraction of each lens group, while coma at the wide angle end, and spherical aberration at the telephoto end are well compensated by a plastic aspherical lens placed at the G5 position (the fifth element from the front). This lens layout made it possible to achieve sharp, clear images with superb contrast across the entire zoom range. Like IXY, the IXY 220 ensures sufficient marginal illumination to capture images even at wide-angle by placing the aperture within the first zoom group.	Fig. 4 IXY 220 Objective Optical System
Feature 4: New Viewfinder for Sharp, Clear View In order to achieve a sharp, clear viewfinder, a real-image zoom finder (see Fig. 5) employing a newly developed air gap roof prism and four aspherical lenses. The air gap roof prism is an optical system with an air layer between the prism and the roof (focusing) prism so that all the incident light to the roof prism is transmitted while all the outgoing light from it is reflected. The unique feature of this optical system is that the total reflection of the incident light is achieved independently of a vapor deposition surface.	Fig. 5 IXY 220 Viewfinder Optical System
With this prism configuration, the number of reflections, one factor for image degradation, is decreased to 4 from the conventional value of 6. By making the exit surface of the prism cylindrical, the aberration caused by the air gap can be well compensated. The magnification factor of the viewfinder of IXY 220 is approximately 20% greater than that of IXY and IXY 320.
Feature 5: Comprehensive Basic Functions The auto-exposure control of IXY 220 is performed through the AE program by detecting the brightness of the subject using SPC photocells. The guide number of the retractable built-in flash is 10.3 (ISO 100•m). The five shooting modes are: A Auto without the red-eye reduction B Auto with the red-eye reduction C Flash On (forced flash) D Flash Off (flash inhibited) E Slow Sync with red-eye reduction [Note] When either mode A or B is selected at the time the main switch is turned off, that mode is automatically set when the main switch is turned on. This automatic retention function can be extended to modes C through E by using the new Custom Function. The maximum shutter speed is 1/560 second. The minimum shutter speed at Slow Sync is 2 seconds. Red-eye reduction uses a mini-lamp. Film speed setting is performed by reading the film cartridge data disk information, which is in 1/3-step increments from ISO 25 to10000. Feature 6: MRC (Mid-Roll Change) Function This is a very convenient function, and is unique to the IX 240 system. When a cartridge that has been rewound midway during shooting is loaded back into the camera, the previously exposed frames are automatically passed over. The first unexposed frame is placed in the aperture ready for shooting. With the use of this function, it is possible to use a partially exposed film, making it possible to alternate the films of different characteristics (e.g. ISO100 film during the day, and ISO400 film during the evening). These changes can be made at will. The MRC function of IXY 220 is also compatible with those of the other Canon IX 24 cameras having the same function. Feature 7: Comprehensive Magnetic IX (Information Exchange) Function The following IX data is magnetically recorded onto the film during shooting by IXY 220.
C/H/P print format information With this information, the printing format will be set automatically photo lab during processing. Print quantity information This function permits specifying the number of prints (0 ~ 9) to be made. It can be set before or after the picture is shot. This function can be used to save the trouble of reordering prints, or to avoid printing unwanted frames. [Note] Please note that this function does not work if the date has not been set. [Note] Since some photo labs cannot handle this service, please be sure to confirm the capability of this service at the photo lab counter. Title information Just like IXY and IXY 320, the IXY 220 has 5 titles in 6 languages. When an appropriate title matching the picture is selected, that title will be imprinted on the back of the print automatically. Date and time information Automatic date information programmed through 2029 can be printed in the following patterns: Year-Month-Day / Month-Day-Year / Day-Month-Year Day + hour and minute (24 hour format) Information to specify type and position of characters to be printed This information permits specifying whether the date information is printed on both sides of the print or only on the back of the print. [Note] The availability of printing on the front of the print (front print), and the position, font, size, and color of the characters printed depends on the photo lab's equipment. Please verify the details at the photo lab counter. The following six kinds of information will be used by the photo lab mainly to improve the quality of automatic printing: Cartridge loading direction Flash use Subject brightness Artificial lighting Magnification Flash exposure
Feature 8: Three Custom Functions There are three Custom Functions to modify the standard functions depending upon purpose and conditions of use. The details, which are similar to those of the IXY 320, are as follows: [1] Real-time (RT) Shutter Release Normally, the distance and the brightness are measured by pressing the shutter button halfway. Lens focusing (the actual lens movement) and exposure are then performed when the shutter button is fully pressed. Strictly speaking, there is a slight delay (time lag) between pressing the shutter button and the actual exposure of the film. If Real-time Shutter Release is selected by Custom Function C.Fn1, lens focusing is also completed when the shutter is pressed halfway down, so the actual exposure starts almost instantaneously after the shutter is fully pressed (0.03 second delay). This is effective in catching that fleeting moment. [2] Flash Mode Retention With this function, the selected flash mode is retained when the main switch is turned off. When the main switch is turned on, that flash mode is set automatically. This should be useful when taking available light exposures without flash, or using fill-flash in bright situations. In other words, this function is convenient for changing the automatic setting of the flash mode at your discretion. [3] Auto Film Rewind With this option, you can choose whether or not to use automatic rewind at the end of a roll of film. This function should be useful when the sudden whining sound of the film rewinding is undesirable. When this Custom Function is set, pressing the MRC button starts film rewinding.
This issue of the Technical Report has introduced the IXY 220. Table 1 gives a comparison of the major specifications of IXY 220 with those of IXY and IXY 320, both of which are equipped with 2X zoom lenses. Fig. 6 shows the exterior appearance and the names of the components.	Fig. 6 Names of Exterior Parts of IXY 220
Fig. 6 Names of Exterior Parts of IXY 220
Table 1 Comparison of Major Specifications of IXY 220, IXY 320 and IXY Items IXY 220 IXY 320 IXY Lens 26-52mm f/4.2-6.7 23-46mm f/4.2-5.6 24-48mm f/4.5-6.2 (Equivalent Focal length in 135 format) (32.5-65mm) (29-58mm) (30-60mm) Zoom Ratio (X) 2 2 2 Focusing Range (m) 0.45-Inf. 0.45-Inf. 0.45-Inf. Maximum Image Magnification (X) 0.13 0.11 0.12 AF (Autofocus) Hybrid AF - Active AF - - Center-Point Focusing AF Steps(W) 200 77 150 AF Steps(T) 266 108 150 Viewfinder Real-Image Zoom Viewfinder Magnification(X) 0.42-0.84 0.33-0.66 0.31-0.62 Eye Point (mm) 15 15 15 Shutter Speed Maximum (Sec) 1/560 1/900 1/500 Minimum (Sec) 2 2 2 Built-in Flash Retractable Type Fixed Type - - - Guide No. (ISO100•m) 10.3 7.4 8.2 Coupling Range (ISO200•m) 0.45-5.8 0.45-4.2 0.45-4.2 Autoflash in Dim Condition Autoflash in Backlit Condition - Automatic Backlight Exposure Compensation - IX Data Record Date Title Print Format Cartridge Loading Direction Flash On/Off Subject Brightness Magnification - Artificial Lighting Source - Flash Exposure - Lighting Condition (Front/Back) - - Print Quantity - Wireless Remote Control Receiver Function MRC (mid-roll change) - Film Type Validation Display - Safety Lock for Cartridge Chamber Cover Custom Functions - Battery Life (number of rolls of 25-exposure films with 50% flash usage in normal temperature) 8 10 10 Battery CR2x1 CR2x1 CR2x1 Exterior Finish Material Plastic Metal (stainless steel) Metal (stainless steel) Color Silver Silver Silver Dimensions (mm) Width 93 87 90 Height 63 57 60 Depth 30 24.5 27 Weight (w/o Battety) (g) 150 170 180 Price (excluding tax, Yen) 33,000 46,000 48,000 Wireless Remote Controller / Carrying Case Released in Japan March, 2000 March, 1999 April, 1996
Inf. = Infinity