Advanced ultracompact digital camera featuring luxurious design and easy operation

IXY DIGITAL 300

[ Japan : IXY DIGITAL 300, Americas : PowerShot S300 DIGITAL ELPH, Europe/Asia/Oceania : DIGITAL IXUS 300 ] This month's Technical Report showcases the IXY DIGITAL 300, the smallest two-megapixel class compact digital camera with a 3x zoom lens (equivalent to 35 - 105mm in 35mm format).

Concept of development The IXY DIGITAL 300 (see Photo 1) is a notch above the IXY DIGITAL; an ultracompact digital camera introduced in May 2000. The IXY DIGITAL 300 was developed to achieve an advanced ultracompact digital camera with refined design, and easy operation. It has the following features: Photo 1 IXY DIGITAL 300

• 2.11 megapixel CCD (approximately 2.02 megapixels effective) • Ultracompact, high-resolution retractable 3x optical zoom lens • Primary color filter • Improved New digital signal processing IC for high-speed and high-quality image processing • Comfortable and easy operation • Intelligent AE for optimum exposures • Precision white balance • Automatic noise reduction • Power-saving design • Direct prints with the dedicated Card Photo Printer • Digital zoom (2.5x) giving continuous view angle change • 20 frame-per-second movie clips at selectable resolutions up to 640x480 pixels

Feature 1: Smallest body in its class The latest design miniaturization and high-density mounting technology made it possible the world's smallest (as of April 1, 2001) body among digital cameras equipped with a 2 megapixel class CCD and 3x optical zoom lens. The IXY DIGITAL 300 offers a number of new and improved features including: an ultracompact 3x zoom lens with a cross-sectional diameter of only about 23mm when the lens barrel is retracted; a sophisticated New digital signal processing IC encased in a small package; an ultrathin low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD; a compact, highly efficient light-guide flash; and the small rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is also used in the IXY DIGITAL. Fig. 1 IXY DIGITAL 300 objective lens optical system Approx. 23 mm dia.

Feature 2: Luxurious all-metal, exterior Retaining the highly acclaimed "Box and Circle" concept of the "IXY" series, the IXY DIGITAL 300 has an innovative design with minimized protrusions to attain a flat profile. The stylishly elegant exterior is formed from rigid stainless steel alloy (SUS316). The camera's body lines are sharpened further by the use of a metal grip and chromium-plated parts. Feature 3: High-resolution 3x zoom lens The IXY DIGITAL 300 is equipped with a high-resolution 5.4 - 16.2mm 3x zoom lens (equivalent to 35 ~ 105mm in 35mm film format), with a maximum aperture of f/2.7 (wide angle) ~ f/4.7 (telephoto). The lens consists of 7 elements in 5 groups. Two high-refraction glass-molded aspherical elements and a cemented doublet lens are optimally arranged to achieve good aberration compensation, giving a high-resolution image throughout the entire range. Since a true round aperture is used, as in the IXY DIGITAL, the camera offers pleasing background blur for portraits, etc. The closest shooting distance from the front of the barrel in macro mode is 16cm at wide-angle (image field of 163mm x 121mm) and 26cm at telephoto (image field of 90mm x 68mm). Feature 4: Primary color filter and New digital signal processing IC Primary color filter for excellent color reproduction The CCD on-chip filter for the IXY DIGITAL 300 is a primary color filter, not the complementary color filter used in the IXY DIGITAL. Although the primary color filter gives superior color reproduction, it has disadvantages in luminance signal to noise ratio (S/N) and resolution. Satisfactory image quality cannot be obtained simply by replacing the filter alone. To compensate for the demerits of the primary color filter, the IXY DIGITAL 300 incorporates a new signal processing circuit to perform the originally developed adaptive processing. The new processing system drastically improves elimination of false colors as well as improving image resolution. In addition, the characteristics of the infrared cut-off filter have been redesigned to provide sharper cut-off of the infrared zone to limit light loss in the visible range to the minimum. With the new image processing system, the IXY DIGITAL 300 has a luminance S/N comparable to that of a complementary color filter, and beautiful color reproduction with very low noise. High-quality image processing by a newly-developed New digital signal processing IC: The IXY DIGITAL 300 is equipped with the "New digital signal processing IC," developed independently by Canon. This New digital signal processing IC is not simply a signal-processing IC. It is a system LSI in which all functions necessary for image processing are integrated onto one chip. Many improvements are made in this new image-processing engine, including adaptive signal processing optimized for the primary color filter, high-speed compression and expansion circuits for JPEG, and a high-speed CF interface circuit. These enable the camera to satisfy two opposing technological requirements, high-speed processing and high-quality image in concurrent and highly effective manner. Feature 5: High-resolution 2.11 megapixel CCD with CF Card as its recording media CCD with approximately 2.11 megapixels Like the IXY DIGITAL, the IXY DIGITAL 300 uses a 1/2.7", 2.11 megapixel CCD which can record a 1,600 x 1,200 pixel high-quality image. The IXY DIGITAL 300 stores image data on a Type I CompactFlash (CF) card, a medium that is widely used and robust. As indicated in Table 1, from about 7 (Large/Superfine mode) to 87 (Small/Normal mode) images can be recorded on the 8 MB CF card that comes with the camera.

Table 1 CF cards and estimated capacities (recordable images) Recording pixels / Compression ratio CF cards (estimated capacities) FC-8M FC-16M FC-32M FC-64M FC-128M L (Large) 1,600 x 1,200 (1.92 megapixels) Superfine 7 15 31 64 128 Fine 11 24 49 100 200 Normal 24 48 99 200 401 M (Medium) 1,024 x 768 (approx. 790,000 pixels) Superfine 16 32 67 135 271 Fine 24 49 102 205 412 Normal 46 92 189 379 760 S (Small) 640 x 480 (approx. 310,000 pixels) Superfine 35 70 143 288 577 Fine 50 99 206 415 831 Normal 87 172 353 707 1417 MOVIE 640 x 480 pixels 6 sec. 13 sec. 27 sec. 56 sec. 113 sec. 320 x 240 pixels 18 sec. 36 sec. 75 sec. 152 sec. 305 sec. 160 x 120 pixels 48 sec. 97 sec. 198 sec. 399 sec. 799 sec. [Note] * These figures may vary according to the subject, shooting conditions and shooting mode. * The L/M/S image formats are compatible with the DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) standard by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association.

Intelligent AE for optimum exposure Compared with film, a CCD requires very precise exposure control since it has narrower latitude. Even a slight exposure error will eliminate highlight or shadow detail, resulting in lower image quality. The IXY DIGITAL 300 employs the "Intelligent AE System" to achieve stable and optimum exposure in a wide variety of picture-taking situations. The new AE system mainly consists of the following: [1] Three-point AiAF-coupled AE control, [2] Exposure compensation for low light and backlight conditions, and [3] Close-distance flash exposure compensation. Precise white balance Very faithful color reproduction is realized by dividing the scene into over a hundred thousand blocks; evaluating color based on the white balance data collected from each block; and computing the color matrix using the color temperature table that is pre-installed in the camera. In addition to the TTL Auto setting, preset settings for Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, and Fluorescent are available. Automatic noise reduction Normally with a CCD, the longer the exposure, the more noise the image will have. With the IXY DIGITAL 300, when the shutter speed is 1/6 sec. or slower, noise reduction is executed automatically. This processing permits clear images with very low noise when shooting night or other low-light scenes. Superfine mode The Superfine mode lowers the compression ratio of JPEG compression. Using the Superfine mode, there is no noticeable image degradation resulting from image compression under normal shooting conditions. Feature 6: Advanced functions and comfortable operation Nine image quality modes The IXY DIGITAL 300 offers the user a choice of nine image quality combinations with three pixel modes (Large/Medium/Small) and three compression ratios (Superfine/Fine/Normal). Digital zoom with continuous variation of image angle (2.5x) The IXY DIGITAL employed an optical zoom in combination with a digital teleconverter. In the IXY DIGITAL 300, the lens zooms optically from wide to the telephoto end, and then it enters the digital zoom range. The lens remains at the telephoto position while the CCD's reading area is gradually reduced to the center portion. This permits the smooth transition from the optical zoom (3x) to the digital zoom (2.5x); preventing sudden degradation of the image. Thanks to the high-speed signal processing capability of the New digital signal processing IC, the digital zoom speed is equal to the optical zoom speed, giving continuous zoom up to the total magnification of 7.5x.

Photo 2 Card Photo Printer CP-10

Direct print by the dedicated printer The IXY DIGITAL 300's direct print mode enables the users to print out high-quality images (see Photo 4) by simply connecting the camera to the newly developed Card Photo Printer "CP-10 (see Photo 2)" through an interface cable, and operation is controlled from the camera's LCD monitor (see Photo 3). Prints are credit card size (86mm x 54mm), which is convenient for filing and carrying. Three modes are available; with borders, without borders, and 8 thumbnails of one image on a single sheet. The "CP-10" is a compact dye-sublimation printer having resolution of 300 dpi and 256 colors. The printer is capable of yielding high-quality prints comparable to those produced from silver-halide film. Photo 4 Print sample Although the picture appears in black and white due to the monochrome printing of Technical Report, the original is a color print. Photo 3 IXY DIGITAL 300 print settings display

Comfortable, stress-free operation The mode dial, the easy-to-understand user interface proved by the EOS series SLR cameras, is mounted at the top of the IXY DIGITAL 300. It makes selection easy and contributes to the outstanding operability of the camera. High-speed processing by the New digital signal processing IC together with a large capacity buffer memory enables a short shooting interval of 1.7 sec, shortened startup time, reduced release time lag by 0.05 seconds (from when the shutter button is fully pressed until the exposure starts), and smooth scrolling of playback images. Feature 7: 40 percent increase in the number of frames over the IXY Digital Large-scale energy conservation, compared to the IXY DIGITAL, is realized by several measures including the power-saving design of the New digital signal processing IC, reduction of power consumption by the LCD monitor backlight, and increased efficiency of the DC/DC converter. The IXY DIGITAL rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NB-1L) is used for the power supply. This battery, when it is fully charged, can take up to 120 frames (approximately 40% increase over the IXY DIGITAL) with the LCD monitor ON, and as many as 270 frames with the LCD monitor OFF. Continuous playback for as long as 85 minutes is also possible. Recharging the battery pack with the dedicated battery charger (CB-2LS) takes about 130 minutes for a full charge. Feature 8: Others • Built-in compact, highly efficient light-guide flash • Real-image optical zoom viewfinder • Color LCD viewfinder with 100% picture coverage • Recording/Playback of movie clips with sound   The IXY DIGITAL 300 can record high-quality movie clips with sound faster than any other camera in its class at the VGA size (640 x 480 pixels) and 20 frames/sec., or it can record 160 x 120 pixel, 20 frames/sec. clips up to 30 sec. long. • Compatible with the USB Interface • Switching output between worldwide video systems (NTSC/PAL) • Bundled with a comprehensive package of application programs   Several software programs to manipulate images using PC come with the IXY DIGITAL 300, such as image import and management, retouching, automatic layout creation, panoramic picture production, release control from the PC, simplified editing of movie clips. • Waterproof case resistant to 30m depth (sold separately, see Photo 5)   As an option, a waterproof camera case is available so that the IXY DIGITAL 300 can be used underwater down to 30 meters.

Photo 5 Waterproof case WP-DC100

This issue of the Technical Report introduces the IXY DIGITAL 300. Table 2 depicts the comparison of major specifications between the IXY DIGITAL 300 and the IXY DIGITAL, while Fig. 2 shows the names of exterior parts of the IXY DIGITAL 300. The recommended retail price in Japan for the kit displayed in Photo 6 is 85,000 yen before tax.

Fig. 2 Nomenclature

Photo 6 Contents of the IXY DIGITAL 300 kit (From top left) IXY DIGITAL 300 / Application software and driver / CF Card (8MB) / Wrist strap / Battery charger / Battery pack / AV cable / Interface cable

Table 2 Comparison of major specifications between IXY DIGITAL 300 and IXY DIGITAL Items IXY DIGITAL 300 IXY DIGITAL Image sensor 2.11 megapixel, 1/2.7 in. CCD Filter array Primary color filter Complementary color filter Sensitivity ISO 100 - 150 equivalent * ISO 100 equivalent Storage media CompactFlash card Lens (35mm film equivalent) 5.4(W) - 16.2(T) mm (35-105mm) f/2.7(W) - 4.7(T) 5.4(W) – 10.8(T)mm (35-70mm) f/2.8(W)-4(T) Optical zoom 3x 2x Digital zoom 2.5x Digital Teleconverter (2x / 4x) Autofocus TTL 3-point AiAF Focusing range (normal) 76cm - infinity 57cm - infinity Macro range (measured from top of lens barrel) W 16 - 76cm 10 - 57cm T 26 - 76cm 27 - 57cm Optical viewfinder Real-image LCD monitor 1.5in. low-temperature polysilicon TFT color Light metering method Evaluative metering (linked to focusing point) Center-weighted metering Shooting modes Auto/manual/ stitch assist/movie Auto/manual/stitch assist Exposure control Program AE Shutter type Mechanical + electronic Shutter speed 1 - 1/1500 sec. Exposure compensation +/- 2 EV (1/3 steps) Flash range W 0.26 - 3.5m 0.27 - 3.0m T 0.26 - 2.0m 0.27 - 2.0m File format DCF White balance TTL auto/preset (daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent) Recording pixels L 1,600 x 1,200 1,600 x 1,200 M 1,024 x 768 - S 640 x 480 640 x 480 Image modes (Superfine/Fine/Normal) x (L/M/S) 9 modes Superfine•L / Fine•L / Fine•S Interfaces USB / AV out USB Power sources Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NB-1L), Compact power adapter (CA-PS500) Dimensions (mm) Width 94.8mm 87mm Height 62.5mm 57mm Depth 29.9mm 26.9mm Weight (without accessories) 240g 190g * Gain up to ISO 150 equivalent automatically in low-light condition.