LAKE SUCCESS, NY., June 25, 2002 - 
Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), and a leader in Digital Video camcorders, has literally taken professional-level features and functions and placed them in a versatile DV camcorder designed for enthusiasts and consumers: the GL2.

Canon's new GL2 allows even the most novice videographer and aspiring filmmaker to create outstanding videos even under the most difficult shooting conditions. By combining advanced technologies in lens design and signal processing, along with manual and automatic features and controls, the GL2 achieves a perfect balance of amazing picture quality and performance.

"The new GL2 represents Canon's desire to incorporate the most advanced features and functions into a DV camcorder offering the highest picture quality and creative flexibility," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager, Photographic Products Group at Canon U.S.A. "Listening to the needs of professional filmmakers helps us to produce new technology that gives users more opportunity producing professional quality videos," added Mr. Hashimoto.

Key Features and Functions

Three 410,000 Pixel CCD Imaging Sensors and Pixel Shift Technology
The Canon GL2 employs 3 CCD image sensors, one for each primary color (red, green and blue), to create a high-resolution digital video signal suitable for broadcast and professional applications. Improved Pixel Shift technology is also incorporated to achieve outstanding picture quality in a wide variety of situations from daylight to candlelight.

20x Optical / 100x Digital Zoom Lens with Fluorite and Optical Image Stabilizer
The GL2 is designed with a built-in 20x professional L-Series fluorite optical zoom lens which transforms distant subjects into dramatic close-ups. The 20x optical zoom is the 35mm equivalent of approximately 39mm to 790mm. The camcorder's 100x digital zoom provides crisp detail at high magnification due to its superior lens design.

Canon has satisfied the demands of experienced image-makers for years through the power, design and quality of 35mm and broadcast TV lenses. Canon's line of L-Series lenses incorporates fluorite, a material that reduces chromatic aberration, providing virtually the best resolution, contrast and color reproduction available in any optics system.

Canon has combined the high quality of a fluorite lens with its Optical Image Stabilizer technology, to produce great images without camera shake. Even at the 100x Digital telephoto setting, the video will remain steady and shake-free.

Three Recording Modes
1. Movie Mode
By combining Canon's superior lens quality with 3 CCD's, the GL2 delivers stunning resolution and color reproduction. The Movie Mode records crisp, high-quality interlaced video for playback on a standard TV.

2. Digital Photo Mode
The Digital Photo Mode captures high quality, 1.7 megapixel (1488 x 1128) images on a Memory Card. A built-in memory card slot accepts either a Secure Digital (SD) or Multimedia (MMC) card for recording digital photos. Digital photos can also be recorded to the MiniDV tape where each is recorded for approximately 6 seconds with digital stereo audio and combined with the video for variety.

The GL2 provides even greater creative flexibility in the Photo mode by accepting either the 420EX or 550EX Speedlite flash units. The flash units are the same as those used with Canon EOS System film and digital still cameras and provide an additional light source for any shooting condition.

3. Frame Movie Mode
This mode captures video in a unique, non-interlaced method, which allows the GL2 to record 30 frames of video per second. Similar to a motor drive on a 35mm camera, Frame Movie Mode is ideal for giving video a cinematic appearance or for creating high quality video to post on a website.

Manual Audio Level Control
The GL2 offers two-channel manual audio level control, allowing one to accurately adjust the left and right channels to record the best possible audio. The levels can be monitored by an external VU meter or through the viewfinder or LCD screen.

Three Audio Modes
The GL2 provides three Audio modes to coincide with changes in shooting conditions. The Normal setting is typically used in a studio or other controlled environment. The Voice mode is used for accentuating voice over background noise. The Wind Screen mode is used to minimize whirling and whistling sounds normally associated with windy environments such as open fields.

New MA-300 Microphone Adapter
For more creative control, Canon offers the optional MA-300 microphone adapter, which easily connects and powers without wires, to the GL2's Advanced Accessory Shoe. It allows you to connect 2 professional style XLR microphones. The Advanced Accessory Shoe lets you also take advantage of the optional The DM-50 Directional Stereo Microphone and VL-3 Video Light, which are also powered via the Advanced Accessory Shoe.

Programmed Auto Exposure AE
This feature offers seven advanced recording techniques at the touch of a button including: Full Auto which automatically adjusts all camcorder settings for quick operation, Auto, for programmed operation with manual override of key functions, Manual which gives the user complete control over all settings, Shutter Priority (TV) for manual adjustment of shutter speed while the camcorder automatically adjusts aperture, Aperture Priority (AV) for manually setting the depth of field while the camcorder sets the appropriate shutter speed, Spotlight which is ideal for shooting stage presentations, and Sand and Snow for correct exposure when shooting in highly reflective areas such as the beach or on the ski slopes

Picture Adjustment with Custom Preset
The Picture Adjustment feature allows users to create and store a preset function for fast and easy access when needed such as Camera Sharpness for adjusting the range of picture sharpness to your personal preference before recording; Color Gain which provides the ability to adjust and set the saturation of the color between "off" and "over-saturated;" Color Phase to adjust the color tones within a scene; and Setup Level for adjusting the black level of the video signal for greater shadow detail.

IEEE 1394 / USB Terminals
The GL2 is equipped with both a USB Terminal and an IEEE 1394 DV Terminal for fast and convenient transfers of video and still images from the camcorder directly to the computer.

By using the USB cable and software provided, transferring still pictures to the computer for organizing and editing is quick and easy.

The GL2 is also equipped with a DV in/out terminal that conforms to IEEE 1394, for fast and easy transfer of video to the computer for editing, video streaming or for website use.

Flexible 2.5-inch Color LCD Screen
The LCD screen of the GL2 provides a bright, 200,000-pixel color image, making it easier to compose beautiful videos from any angle. The LCD screen swivels and flips for maximum handling and flexibility. It can also be neatly tucked away and protected when using the camcorder's .44-inch, 180,000-color viewfinder.

Analog to Digital Converter
For fast and easy editing, users can simply connect a TV, VCR or any analog camcorder to the GL2 and send the analog signal directly to your computer's IEEE 1394 terminal without recording to tape. Users also have the option of first recording the analog signal to DV tape to create a high-quality master of the original recording.

Clear Scan
For shots that involve a computer screen, Clear Scan mode means the GL2's shutter speed can be adjusted to match the monitor's frequency, allowing one to record the monitor without rolling black bars.

Slow Shutter Speeds
In addition, the GL2 offers a Slow Shutter speeds of 1/8, 1/15 or 1/30 second for dramatic effects.

16:9 Aspect Ratio
The new GL2 is equipped with two 16:9 aspect ratio methods - 16:9 Guides and 16:9 Recording Mode. The 16:9 framing guides are thin white lines which appear in the viewfinder only and are not recorded on the tape. These guides allow users to view the 16:9 wide screen composition while actually filming in the standard 4:3 aspect ratio. This is ideal for those wishing to show their video on both normal and wide-screen television or transferring to film. The 16:9 Recording Mode creates an electronic "stretch" effect allowing users to fill an HDTV wide screen with the recorded video.

Variable Zebra Patterns
The Zebra Pattern helps to identify areas of overexposure in a scene by using diagonal stripes as a guide when setting the aperture and shutter speed. Users can select one of five settings: 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100%.

Standard SMPTE Color Bars
The GL2 generates SMPTE color bars for accurate matching to your monitor or edit suite.

Interval Timer
With the Interval Timer, you can record for a selected interval which is convenient for filming sunsets and monitoring animal habitats. Interval times can be set to 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5-minutes, and 10-minutes and the recording time from 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 1.5 seconds and 2 seconds.

Gain Control
The GL2 has settings for 0dB, +6dB, +12dB, +18dB and Automatic Gain for complete creative control in any shooting condition.

White Balance
White Balance can be set for Automatic, Manual, preset Indoors and preset Outdoors.

AE Shift/AE Lock
By adjusting the AE Shift Control users can lighten or darken the image to precisely control the exposure level of the Program AE modes. In difficult lighting conditions, AE Lock allows you to lock exposure at the current level.

Additional Features
The Canon GL2 offers a number of other advanced features and functions including Headphone Terminal with Level Control, Top Grip with Recording Controls, AV Insert and Audio Dubbing, Time Code, Index Recording, Photo/Date/Index Search, Built-in Speaker, World Clock, Self-Timer, Zero Set Memory, Remote Control, Data Code, and numerous Digital Effects capabilities.

The Canon GL2 DV camcorder kit includes: the GL2 body with built-in 20x Optical Zoom Lens, BP-915 Battery Pack, CA-920 Compact Power Adapter DC-920 DC Coupler, Standard and Large Eyecup, SS-650Shoulder Strap, WL-D77 Wireless Controller, S-150 S-Video Cable, STV-250N Stereo Video Cable, Lens Hood, SDC-8M SD Memory Card, Software/USB Cable.

The Canon GL2 DV camcorder will be available at authorized Canon dealers in Mid July and have a suggested retail price of $2999.00.

Optional Accessories for the GL2 include: the BP-915, BP-930, and BP-945 Battery Packs, CH-910 Dual Battery Charger, CB-920 Car Battery Adapter, WD-58H Wide-Converter, MA-300 Microphone Adapter, DM-50 Directional Stereo Microphone, VL-3 Video Light, HC-4100 System Case, VL-10Li Video Light, and the 420EX/550EX Speedlite flashes.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. In 2001, the Company was listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and was ranked #41 on the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2001, with global revenues of $26 billion. Canon U.S.A. employs approximately 11,000 people at over 30 locations.

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