This month's Technical Report showcases two digital cameras with 3x optical zoom lenses (equivalent to 35 - 105 mm in 35mm film format), the PowerShot A20 (2 megapixel class) and the PowerShot A10 (1.3 megapixel class). An overview of the Card Photo Printer CP-10 is also included.
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Concept of development
The PowerShot A20 (see Photo 1-left) was released this April, and the PowerShot A10 (see Photo 1-right) this May as an entry-level digital camera. These new models were developed to achieve the concept of "Basic & Good Value" while providing high image quality and advanced functions that are normally found in a luxury model. They have the following features:
| • | 2.11 megapixel CCD (PowerShot A20) and 1.32 megapixel CCD (PowerShot A10) |
| • | High-resolution, retractable 3x optical zoom lens |
| • | Primary color filter and New digital signal processing IC for high-quality image processing – same digital signal processing function as the IXY DIGITAL 300/200 |
| • | Comfortable, stress-free operation |
| • | Camera controls on the back |
| • | Widely available size-AA batteries |
| • | Power-saving design for volume shooting |
| * | Up to 500 frames with size-AA alkaline batteries, or 1,000 frames with NiMH batteries |
| • | Credit-card-sized direct prints with the dedicated Card Photo Printer |
| • | Comprehensive package of application programs and system accessories |
Feature 1: High image quality
2.11 megapixel CCD
The PowerShot A20 uses a 1/2.7", 2.11 megapixel CCD which can record a high-quality image of 1,600 x 1,200 pixels. Its sister model, the PowerShot A10, has a 1.32 megapixel CCD, yet it employs the same-sized 1/2.7" CCD chip as the PowerShot A20, to obtain higher-quality images than the ordinary 1.3 megapixel class models
High-resolution, retractable 3x zoom lens
The PowerShot A20/A10 has a high-resolution 5.4 - 16.2mm 3x zoom lens (equivalent to 35 - 105mm in 35mm film format), with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 (wide angle) - f/4.8 (telephoto). The lens consists of 9 elements in 7 groups. The high-refraction molded glass aspherical elements and a cemented doublet lens are optimally arranged to achieve good aberration compensation, giving a high-resolution image throughout the entire range.
The PowerShot A20/A10 uses rear focusing by the moving group 3. The focusing group’s compact size makes the lens movement faster while consuming less power.
The closest shooting distance from the front of the barrel in macro mode is 26cm at telephoto (image field of 92mm x 69mm).
Primary color filter and New digital signal processing IC for high-quality image processing
The CCD on-chip filter for the PowerShot A20/A10 is a primary color filter. Although the primary color filter gives superior color reproduction, it has disadvantages in the luminance signal to noise ratio (S/N) and resolution. To compensate for the demerits of the primary color filter, the PowerShot A20/A10 incorporates the "New digital signal processing IC," developed independently by Canon, in which all functions necessary for image processing are integrated onto one chip.
As the signal processing in the new system runs along with the originally developed algorithm which is optimized for the primary color filter, it eliminates false colors as well as improving image resolution.
Intelligent AE for obtaining optimum exposures
While the PowerShot A20/A10 is an entry-level model, it employs the same "Intelligent AE system" as the high-end models to achieve stable and optimum exposure in a wide variety of picture-taking situations.
Precise white balance
Very faithful color reproduction is realized by dividing the scene into over a hundred thousand blocks (PowerShot A20); evaluating color based on the white balance data collected from each block; and computing the color matrix using the integral color temperature table. In addition to the TTL auto setting, preset settings for daylight, cloudy, tungsten, and fluorescent are available.
Automatic optimization of exposure sensitivity and noise reduction
Normally with a CCD, the longer the exposure is, the more noise the image will have. With the PowerShot A20/A10, the camera sets the optimum exposure sensitivity up to ISO 150 equivalent automatically in low light condition to prevent camera shake. Together with the automatic noise reduction, this minimizes image degradation.
Superfine mode
The Superfine mode lowers the compression ratio in the JPEG format. Using the Superfine mode, there is no noticeable image degradation resulting from image compression under normal shooting conditions.
Feature 2: Advanced functions and comfortable operation
Digital zoom with continuous variation of image angle
The PowerShot A20/A10 has a seamless digital zoom. The lens moves from wide to telephoto, and then 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 (PowerShot A20: 2.5x / PowerShot A10: 2x), preventing sudden decrease in image quality.
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 (PowerShot A20) or 6x (PowerShot A10).
Nine image quality modes
The PowerShot A20/A10 offers the user a choice of nine image quality combinations with three pixel modes (Large/Medium/Small) and three compression ratios (Superfine/Fine/Normal). Users can select the image quality mode that suits their purpose.
Comfortable, stress-free operation
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, release time lag reduced to 0.05 seconds (from when the shutter button is fully pressed until the exposure starts), and smooth scrolling of playback images.
Camera controls on the back
The PowerShot A20/A10 has all the camera controls (except the shutter button) on the back, including the Mode dial which was hitherto on the top. This enables the user to operate the camera without looking back and forth between the top and back of the camera.
Widely available size-AA batteries
The PowerShot A20/A10 utilizes four size-AA batteries as a power source. Since this type of the battery can be found anywhere in the world, there is no need to worry about running out of them. Sold separately, economical, rechargeable NiMH batteries are also available.
CF Card as its recording media
Real-image optical zoom viewfinder
Color LCD viewfinder with 100% picture coverage
Compatible with the USB interface
Switching between worldwide video systems (NTSC/PAL)
Feature 3: Power-saving design
Energy efficient LCD monitor
Since the liquid crystal does not emit light on its own, the LCD panel needs to be lighted from the back in order to display the images. The PowerShot A20/A10 employs a high-brightness white LED for the backlight instead of the flat fluorescent tube used in previous models. This contributes to lower power consumption and more space.
Power-saving design enabling 1,000 images to be recorded
The PowerShot A20/A10 promoted large-scale energy conservation by such measures as the New digital signal processing IC which consumes much less power than previous designs, and a lower power supply voltage. When the LCD monitor is OFF, the PowerShot A20/A10 can capture as many as 1,000 frames using fully charged NiMH batteries, and approximately 500 frames with size-AA alkaline batteries.
Feature 4: Print directly to the dedicated Card Photo Printer
Credit-card size prints with high image quality Card Photo Printer CP-10
The Card Photo Printer CP-10 was developed with the PowerShot A20/A10. It introduces the dye-sublimation printing method which is excellent at reproducing neutral tints and providing as high-quality images as silver-halide prints. The dye-sublimation system places the ink sheets of yellow, magenta and cyan in a proprietary paper one by one, and then applies heat onto the ink sheets according to their color depth in order to transfer the ink into the paper and produce color images.
| After the printing process, a clear protective coating is automatically applied over the printed surface to protect it from ultraviolet rays and fingerprints which can degrade or fade the color of the image. The CP-10 prints are the same size as a credit card: 86 x 54mm. There are three printing options: borderless print (see Photo 3), bordered print (see Photo 4), sticker paper print (eight-image print: each sticker image is 22 x 17.3mm, see Photo 5). The printing speed is as fast as 56 seconds per print with borders The ink cassette and printing paper is sold in a package: 18 sheets set (1,200 yen), 36 sheets set (1,500 yen). The sticker paper is available only in 18 sheets set (1,500 yen). The CP-10 has a very compact size of 108 x 125 x 47mm with a weight of 510g. Since the CP-10 can be conveniently powered by a car battery, it is possible to connect the printer with the digital camera for easy printing outdoors. Direct print The PowerShot A20/A10’s direct print mode enables the users to print out high-quality images by simply connecting the cameras to the CP-10 through a dedicated interface cable, and operation is easily controlled from the camera’s LCD monitor. The CP-10 complies with the DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) standard print modes to enjoy digital camera photography and image printing at home. |
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| Photo 2 PowerShot A10 + Card Photo Printer CP-10 |
Feature 5: Abundant application programs and system accessories
Bundled with a comprehensive package of application programs
Several software programs to manipulate images using a computer come with the PowerShot A20/A10, such as image import and management, retouching, automatic layout creation, panoramic picture production, and release control from the computer.
Lens accessories (optional)
The Wide Converter WC-DC52 (sold separately) has been newly developed for taking 24.5mm (35mm film equivalent) wide-angle shots which was not possible with the conventional lens-shutter cameras. Also, with 52mm-threaded diameter Close-Up Lens 250D (sold separately), the PowerShot A20/A10 can fill the image with a field of 48 x 36mm maximum telephoto.
| Waterproof case effective down to 30m underwater (optional) The WP-DC200 (see Photo 6) is a dedicated waterproof case for the PowerShot A20/A10. It is water resistant down to 30m depth for scuba diving. |
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This issue of the Technical Report introduces the PowerShot A20/A10 and the Card Photo Printer CP-10. Table 1 depicts the specifications of the CP-10 and Table 2 compares the major specifications of the PowerShot A20 and PowerShot A10, while Fig. 1 shows the names of exterior parts of the PowerShot A20/A10. The recommended retail price in Japan for the kit displayed in Photo 7 is 56,000 yen for the PowerShot A20, and 49,800 yen for the PowerShot A10 (both before tax). The price for the CP-10 kit without consumables is 30,000 yen before tax. The PowerShot A10 packaged with the CP-10 as the Digital Camera Photo Print Kit is 79,800 yen before tax.
Fig. 1 Nomenclature
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| Photo 7 Contents of the PowerShot A20/A10 kit (From top left) PowerShot A20/A10 / Application software and driver / Wrist strap / CF Card (8MB) / Size-AA Alkaline batteries (x4) / AV cable / Interface cable |
| Items | Description |
| Printer type | Full-color direct digital printer |
| Print method | Dye-sublimation
thermal transfer (with overcoating) |
| Print resolution | 300 x 300dpi |
| Gradation | 256 gradations/color |
| Ink | Dedicated ink cassette (Y/M/C, overcoating material) |
| Paper | Dedicated paper (standard sheets or sticker sheets) |
| Paper-feed method | Automatic feed from paper cassette |
| Paper-eject method | Sheets eject onto top of paper cassette |
| Print mode | Standard (1-screen) print(bordered or borderless) Multiple (8-screen) print (for sticker sheets) |
| Print size | Standard print (borderless): 86 x 54 mm |
| Standard print (bordered): 66.6 x 50 mm | |
| Multiple prints: 22 x 17.3 mm | |
| Print speed | Standard print (borderless):
Approx. 58 sec. |
| Standard print (bordered):
Approx. 56 sec. |
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| Multiple print: Approx. 53 sec. | |
| Signal transfer Connection |
USB compliant (Dedicated
connector) Dedicated cable |
| Information display system | Lit or blinking LED |
| Information display contents | Power on: green Printing: blinking green Error: red |
| Operating environment | 5 - 40 °C / 20 - 80% RH |
| Power source | 100 - 240V AC (50/60
Hz), 12V DC (with Car Battery Adapter) |
| Power consumption | 50W or less (Idling: 4W or less) |
| Dimensions (mm) | 108 W x 125 D x 47 H |
| Weight (without accessories) |
510g |
Table 2 Comparison of major specifications between PowerShot A20/A10
| Items | PowerShot A20 | PowerShot A10 | |
| Image sensor | 2.11 megapixel, 1/2.7 in. CCD | 1.32 megapixel, 1/2.7 in. CCD | |
| Filter array | Primary color filter |  |
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| Sensitivity | ISO 100 - 150 equivalent * | |
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| Storage media | CompactFlash card | |
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| Lens (35mm film equivalent) |
5.4(W) - 16.2(T) mm (35-105mm) f/2.8(W)-4.8(T) |
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| Optical zoom | 3x | |
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| Digital zoom | 2.5x | 2x | |
| Autofocus | TTL 3-point AiAF | |
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| Focusing range (normal) | 76cm - infinity | |
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| Macro range (measured from front of lens barrel) |
W | 16 - 76cm | |
| T | 26 - 76cm | |
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| Optical viewfinder | Real-image | |
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| LCD monitor | 1.5 in. low-temperature polysilicon TFT color | |
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| Light metering method | Evaluative metering (linked to focusing point) |
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| Shooting modes | Auto/Manual/Stitch assist | |
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| Exposure control | Program AE (AE lock enabled) |
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| Shutter type | Mechanical + electronic | |
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| Shutter speed | 1 - 1/1,500 sec. | |
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| Exposure compensation | +/- 2 EV (1/3 steps) | |
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| Flash range | W | 0.26 - 4.2m | |
| T | 0.26 - 2.5m | |
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| File format | DCF | |
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| White balance | TTL auto/preset (daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent) | |
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| Recording pixels | L | 1,600 x 1,200 | 1,280 x 960 |
| M | 1,024 x 768 | |
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| S | 640 x 480 | |
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| Image modes | (Superfine/Fine/Normal)
x (L/M/S) 9 modes |
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| Interfaces | USB | |
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| Power sources | Size-AA alkaline battery x 4 / rechargeable size-AA NiMH battery x 4 / Compact power adapter (CA-PS500) | |
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| Dimensions
(mm) (excluding protrusion) |
Width | 110.3 | |
| Height | 71 | |
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| Depth | 37.6 | |
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| Weight (without accessories) |
250g | |
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