First compact digital camera with wireless communications
[ Japan : IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS, Americas : PowerShot SD430 DIGITAL ELPH WIRELESS, Europe/Asia/Oceania : DIGITAL IXUS WIRELESS ]
Product Outline
Since the original IXY DIGITAL was introduced in the spring of 2000, it has been developed into three distinctive series as typified by the IXY DIGITAL 700 (Photo 2), IXY DIGITAL 60 (Photo 3) and IXY DIGITAL L3 (Photo 4). With sophisticated designs, advanced functions and high image quality, the IXY DIGITAL models are always Canon's best-sellers.
The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS (Photo 1) is the newest model of the IXY DIGITAL series and includes, for the first time, wireless communications. The features of the camera are as follows:
Feature 1: Wireless communications
Development concept
The concept of ''home printing,'' proposed by Canon since the release of the CP series Compact Photo Printers, is now taking hold in the market. To ensure home printing's popularity, our products need be more user-friendly.
The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS is Canon's first digital camera that has a wireless communications transmitter built in. This allows the camera to connect to a printer or PC wirelessly, eliminating the need for troublesome cable connection (Fig. 1).
The camera comes with the ''WA-1 Wireless Print Adapter,'' which is the receiver for wireless printing. It connects to the USB port of a PictBridge-compliant printer.
IEEE802.11b support
The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS supports the IEEE802.11b (2.4GHz) wireless standard, widely used for wireless LAN in offices.
When communicating with a PC, the camera operates in the Infrastructure mode (via an access point: Fig. 2) or in the Ad hoc mode (with a wireless LAN card: Fig. 3). When communicating with a printer (via the Wireless Print Adapter), it operates in the Ad hoc mode (Fig. 3).
Easy-to-use wireless Direct Print
Wirelessly, the IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS prints as easily as normal direct printing. Specifically, printing is performed by selecting ''Connect'' in the new Wireless Setup menu (Fig. 4), and pressing the Print/Share button when connection is established.
Wireless direct transfer
The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS transfers images wirelessly to a PC connected to an access point by wired LAN or to a wireless PC with a wireless LAN card. The communication range is about 30 meters if there are no interfering obstacles between the devices.
Table 1 shows various communications setups possible with the IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS.
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Wireless PC-controlled shooting
When connected wirelessly to a PC, the IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS' shutter release can be controlled remotely from the PC.
Security system
The security system is very important for wireless communications, as they can be intercepted more easily than wired ones. The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS adopts WEP and WPA-PSK (TKIP/AES) for wireless data security. In addition, the camera employs the reliable AES for connecting to a printer (via the Wireless Print Adapter), ahead of other manufacturers.
Up to 8 target devices can be registered
Devices used with the IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS must be pre-registered using ''Registration for a Target Device.'' The registration is completed easily by connecting the camera and PC with a USB cable and using the dedicated application. The camera accepts up to 8 device registrations.
Feature 2: Advanced form
Slit&Frame
The slit and frame design that splits the camera and antenna sections emphasizes its wireless capabilities. A blue LED blinks during wireless transmission to tell users that the wireless communication is active.
Feature 3: High image quality
CCD sensor with about 5.0-million effective pixels
The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS features a CCD with about 5.0-million effective pixels. Together with the primary color filter, it produces high resolution and fine color reproduction with up to 2592 x 1944 pixels.
High-resolution 3x zoom lens
The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS has a 3x retractable zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 35-105mm) with a f/2.8-f/4.9 aperture.
Having adopted two ultra-high refractive index glass molded aspherical lenses (UA lenses), the optical unit is very compact. The cross-sectional diameter of the optical unit is about the same diameter as a euro 1 cent coin. Along with the UA lenses, a cemented doublet lens is used to achieve optimal aberration compensation.
High-quality image processing with the DIGIC II digital imaging engine
The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS uses Canon's proprietary ''DIGIC II'' digital imaging engine for signal processing.
As a result, the camera gives better color gradation, resolution, and reproduction than previous models.
High-speed AF and precise AE/AWB based on iSAPS technology
Precise white balance with five preset positions and manual adjustment
Wide range of ISO equivalent speeds including the high image quality ISO 50
Feature 4: Advanced functions and comfortable operation
Direct Transfer
Within addition to its wireless communication functions, the IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS has improved Direct Transfer functions and operability.
The latest image and transfer options are displayed on the LCD monitor in the playback mode when the camera is connected to a PC (Fig. 5). The images are transferred to the PC by simply pressing the SET button after selecting a transfer option.
Low Level Format
The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS employs Low Level Format that completely erases data stored in a memory card. This achieves comfortable operability in continuous shooting and a VGA movie frame rate of 30fps.
Self-Timer with different time settings
The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS increased the delays possible from 2 or 10 seconds to 0-10 seconds in one second increments, 15, 20 or 30 seconds. It also allows users to select the number of shots from 1 to 10 (individually).
LCD Booster/Night Display function
Grid lines display for horizontal and vertical alignment
Playback with correct vertical/horizontal camera orientation
My Colors
Smooth continuous shooting
Jump to folder function
Image playback/forwarding with effects
World Clock function
Special Scene modes
Digital Macro shooting modes
9-point AiAF or 1-point AF can be selected
Three light metering modes
Movie recording with audio and replay function (max. 1GB)
Histogram display of playback images
Enlarged image display for easy confirmation
Digital zoom
International user interface (UI) supporting 22 languages
My Camera function
Feature 5: Digital communication
Direct Print with CANON printers
The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS enables users to print out high-quality images by simply pressing the Print/Share button when using the SELPHY CP/DS Compact Photo Printer series or PIXMA inkjet printers.
PictBridge standard supported
The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS supports PictBridge standard established in February 2003.
Exif Print supported
Bundled with a comprehensive package of software applications
Compatible with USB 2.0 Interface
Feature 6: Wireless Print Adapter WA-1
Versatile USB connection
The WA-1 Wireless Print Adapter (Photo 5) is the dedicated adapter used with the IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS for wireless printing.
Canon SELPHY CP710/510 Compact Photo Printer is powered by the USB bus, eliminating the need for an additional power adapter.
*This does not guarantee that all printers will operate properly.
Registration of target device
In order to establish communications with the IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS, a target device needs to be registered in advance.
The WA-1 included in the kit is registered with the camera as the factory default, enabling even beginners to print easily and instantly.
Design consistency with the IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS
In terms of design, the WA-1 is consistent with the IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS for pair use.
It is also compact and lightweight to lighten the load on the USB port of a printer.
This issue of the Technical Report introduces the IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS and the WA-1 Wireless Print Adapter.
Major specifications of the IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS and the WA-1 are described in the Table 2 and 3, respectively.
The IXY DIGITAL WIRELESS Kit comes as shown in Photo 6. There is no recommended retail price.
