Direct printing-compatible digital AF SLR camera incorporating ultra-fine 6.3 megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC, Canon's new Digital Imaging Processor

EOS 10D (Part 2)

Following last month's Technical Report, this month's Report continues the overview of the EOS 10D, a new digital AF SLR camera which has gained great popularity among worldwide users since its announcement and release.

Photo 1 EOS 10D with Battery Grip BG-ED3 Attached BG-ED3 can also be used with EOS D60.

Evolution of exterior design (1) Highly rigid, high-quality magnesium alloy body Magnesium alloy body parts have only been featured in Canon’s top-end EOS-1 series of SLR cameras, but the EOS 10D features magnesium alloy in the top, front, and rear cover sections of its body (Photo 2), realizing a very strong body with solid and reliable feel. A black satin finish also gives a high-grade look.

Photo 2 Magnesium Alloy Chassis (Before Coating)

(2) Digital AF SLR with a solid feel for advanced amateurs The EOS 10D not only offers higher image quality and further expanded basic functions, but also camera design that gives EOS 10D one-class higher feel and handling. While keeping the same body size as the EOS D60, the EOS 10D's pentaprism area has more "muscle," similar to the EOS-1D, giving the camera a more powerful, higher quality look. Also, the grip's curved shape matches the pentaprism area design. The shutter button and electronic dials are also ergonomically shaped for the finger to sustain the EOS tradition of excellent handling comfort and sure-fire operation. (3) Inherited operation ease and better digital interface Operation is now easier with the new Assist button and rearrangement of topside camera buttons. The shutter button, electronic dials, and other controls for shooting are positioned in the same locations with other EOS series SLR cameras making it easier for EOS users to operate the EOS 10D. Moreover, the digital interface continues to be based on the Quick Control Dial and SET button combination which offers quick and easy operation. A few of the functions assigned to camera buttons have been changed, while at the same time optimizing the layout and making print markings more distinguishable (shooting functions are marked in gray, playback functions in blue) for enhanced playback function and superior operability. Evolution of operability (1) Shooting-priority concept retained As with the EOS D60, the EOS 10D allows the user to instantly switch to shootings by pressing the shutter button halfway even during image playback, menu operation, and while a printer is connected, ensuring shutter release at the right moment. (2) New dedicated buttons (Fig. 1) • ISO speed setting button Since the ISO speed is changed often, it can now be set with the combination of the ISO speed button on the top panel and the Quick Control Dial instead of with the on-screen menu. This button also functions as Drive mode button. The desired drive mode (Single frame/Continuous/Self-Timer) can be set by turning the Main Dial after pressing the ISO speed button.

Fig. 1 Locations of Newly Added Buttons

• LCD panel illumination button Pressing the Illumination button on the top panel illuminates the LCD panel for about six seconds (orange LED). • Assist button As with the EOS-1V, the EOS-1D and the EOS-1Ds, the EOS 10D has a dedicated Assist button on the rear panel's upper right corner. By registering a frequently used AF point as the home position (HP), it is possible to instantly switch to the registered AF point, even while using another AF point. An AF point, such as an off-center AF point for preferred framing or automatic selection for the quick shooting can be registered as the “Home Position” (HP). The registration can be made with C.Fn-07. There are three methods to switch to the registered AF point (HP):

1) Press the Assist button and the AF point selector simultaneously. 2) Press only the Assist button to switch to the HP (when C.Fn-13-1 is set). 3) Switch to the HP only while pressing the Assist button (when C.Fn-13-2 is set).

• Direction switching button Provided on the rear panel, the dedicated Direction switching button changes the scrolling direction of the enlarged image during playback mode or the trimming direction of the image during direct printing mode. • Enlarge & Reduce (Index) buttons During image playback, AF point selector on the rear panel works as the Enlarge button and the AE lock/FE lock button functions as the Reduce button. The buttons are used during enlarged viewing and direct printing trimming. The Reduce button displays the images at the minimum 9-frame index size. (3) LCD monitor brightness at five levels By employing white LED as the LCD monitor's backlight, it is possible to set the brightness at five levels while achieving power conservation. Expanded interface languages / Custom Functions

(1) Display in twelve interface languages The menu display uses the same list display as with the EOS D60. The EOS D60 provided four display languages (English, German, French and Japanese). However, the EOS 10D adds Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, and Chinese (simplified), offering display in twelve interface languages (see Fig. 2). With the EOS 10D, the preceding menu display is stored in memory so that it can be displayed again. With C.Fn-11-2, the item's heading “Recording quality” can be displayed as with the EOS D60. Also, the EOS 10D incorporates the “Camera setting initialization” feature, which resets all settings except the time and date, language, video output system and Custom Function settings can be reset to the factory settings. Fig. 2 Language Selecting Menu

(2) Many Custom Functions The EOS 10D provides seventeen Custom Functions with sixty-one settings. Compared to the EOS D60, the following Custom Functions have been added or modified. A new Custom Function display showing all the current setting is also provided (see Fig. 3). • New Custom Functions C.Fn-07: AF point registration C.Fn-08: RAW+JPEG recording C.Fn-13: Assist button function C.Fn-16: Safety shift setting Fig. 3 Custom Functions List Display

• Modified Custom Functions C.Fn-09: Bracketing sequence/Auto cancel C.Fn-11: Menu display position C.Fn-17: Lens AF stop button function Direct Printing The EOS 10D is the first digital SLR camera compatible with direct printing. By connecting the camera with CP series Card Photo Printer or direct printing compatible Bubble Jet printers using dedicated cable, the images stored in the camera's CF card (JPEG only) can be printed directly from the camera without using a computer. Printing condition can be operated using the camera buttons.

(1) Direct printing with Card Photo Printer When printing images using a CP-100 Card Photo Printer, turn on the printer's main switch after turning the camera's main switch on and pressing the Playback button. The Card Photo Printer-connected screen (see Fig. 4) will appear on the camera's LCD monitor. When set up is completed, select the image to be printed and set the printing options such as the number of copies (up to 99 copies, see Fig. 5), printing style (see Fig. 6) and trimming as necessary (see Figs. 7, 8 and 9), and then select PRINT in the lower left corner on the LCD monitor. Finally, press the SET button to start the printing. Trimming frame's horizontal dimension can be adjusted to one of eight sizes and the vertical dimension can be adjusted to one of five sizes. The trimming frame's minimum size is about half the screen size and the maximum size is almost the same as the screen size. The JPEG image data is processed in the EOS 10D and then transferred to a printer to attain the optimal print. Fig. 4 Card Photo Printer-Connected Screen Fig. 5 Quantity Setting Screen

Fig. 6 Card Photo Printer Printing Style Setting Screens Left : Image Display Setting, Middle : Border Setting, Right : Date Imprint Setting (When Date Imprint Setting is set to ON, the date is imprinted on the bottom-right corner of the print paper.)

Fig. 7 Trimming Setting Screen Fig. 8 Horizontal Trimming Frame Fig. 9 Vertical Trimming Frame

(2) Direct printing with Bubble Jet Printer When printing images using direct printing compatible Bubble Jet printers (PIXUS 50i, BJ895PD and BJ535PD), turn on the printer's main switch after turning the camera's main switch on and pressing the Playback button. The Bubble Jet Printer-connected screen (see Fig. 10) will appear on the camera's LCD monitor. Fig. 10 Bubble Jet Printer-Connected Screen

When set up is completed, select the image to be printed and set the printing options including the number of copies (up to 99 copies), printing style such as paper size (see Fig. 11), and trimming if necessary, and then select PRINT in the lower left corner on the LCD monitor. Finally, press the SET button to start the printing. The trimming features are the same as with a Card Photo Printer. However, the JPEG image data stored on the EOS 10D will be directly transferred to a Bubble Jet printer and processed for optimal print in the printer.

Fig. 11 Bubble Jet Printer Printing Style Setting Screens Lef t: Image Paper Setting, Middle : Border Setting, Right : Date Imprint Setting (When Date Imprint Setting is set to ON, the date is imprinted on the bottom-right corner of the print paper.)

This issue of the Technical Report provides additional information on the EOS 10D. The components of the EOS 10D kit are shown in Photo 3 and the Table 1 depicts the comparison of major specifications between the EOS 10D and the EOS D60 (superior specifications are shaded). We hope this and the previous issue of the Technical Reports are helpful for those who are considering the use of a digital AF SLR camera.

Photo 3 Contents of the EOS 10D Kit The compact Battery Charger CB-5L, developed with the EOS 10D, accommodates one battery pack.

Table 1 Comparison of Major Specifications between EOS 10D and EOS D60