Sam Oh!

A combination dealer night / product roll-out event, ImageNation wowed the attendees with flamboyant performances and an impressive number of prizes and giveaways all around. In fact, so impressive it all seemed that a fellow editor muttered to me sotto voce that Canon must be using up a lot of its yearly allotted budget for this event, which is probably a fair observation, seeing that Canon is introducing 6 new models into the canon imaging family in one event, saving the cost of holding separate events for each of the products in turn.

The event was presided over by Mr. Ramon Arteficio, the 1^st Filipino CEO and President of Canon Marketing, who commented that 60% of all Canon sales comes from new products, hence the introduction of new products roughly every 6 months.  Bring it on, I say, we always welcome new products here at Hardwarezone. He was assisted by the energetic and always beautiful Sam Oh, emcee for the night’s activities.

More impressive than the cheerleaders (stay with me here..) were the products themselves.  All the main camera model lines were well represented in the event, which included the Powershot S5 IS, Ixus 950 IS, HV20 and the HR10 for the camcorder line, and the Selphy 740 and 750 for the portable printer line.

The Powershot S5 IS is aimed squarely at the prosumer market, and indeed has the lines of an SLR, while retaining the usability of a point-and-shoot.  A notable feature of this model is its very flexible lens system, which is used in place of interchangeable lenses, as can be found on true SLR-type cameras.  This is a feature that underlines its target market, since “prosumer” is defined as the balance between consumers who just want to take good pictures with no hassle, and the professional who must have supreme flexibility in their shots.  Aiding this balance is the addition of an accessory hotshoe for flash attachments, an 8MP rating for its censor, a swiveling 2.5” LCD screen and a 12x optical zoom feature.

The Ixus 950 IS in turn is meant for the fashionista crowd for which a camera is simply another accessory for the evening, as well as a serious piece of hardware for taking excellent photos. It shares some big numbers with the Powershot S5, namely the 8MP CCD Sensor, as well as the 2.5” LCD.  A 4x optical zoom and flexible lighting options round out its feature set.  This Ixus is built more along the lines of a sports car, with sleek lines and alluring curves that catches the light and wink at you when you look at it right.  Definitely a stylish addition to the Ixus family.

Canon’s HV20 introduces us to High Definition video recording in a well-accomplished package. Featuring 10x optical zoom and the capability to take pictures while filming in video mode, this model is the update to Canon’s vertical-form HV10, the company’s first compact HD videocam.

 
The Ixus and the Powershot

The HV20 uses a more convenient (thou larger) horizontal form, and improves on its predecessor in the image stabilization department, and adds on an accessory shoe and an HDMI output.  The HR10 on the other hand, underlines the coming maturity of HD recording as the new de facto standard for the video taking public. Features such as DVD-media recording for both HD and regular content, and Digic DV II image processor complements the ease of use and the entrance of HD videocams into the mainstream.

All of the camera models introduced by Canon boast of the Digic Image Processor, as well as image stabilization (IS) system which damps down the “shakes” and small movements that might otherwise ruin a good picture. Of course we can expect Canon’s usual high level of build quality and durability in these products.

 
Actually the Selphy ES-1, the 740/750 bears a nice family resemblance 

The compact photo printers introduced includes the Selphy 740 and 750, the most noticeable difference between the two being the size of the LCD screen on each – 2” and 2.4” respectively.  Both feature extensive editing options for hassle-free printing, as well as Bluetooth connectivity for direct printing from camera-enabled cell phones. Convenience seems to be the key to these products, as they offer a very affordable and easy way to have memories that you can actually hold in your hands, and not just stare at on a computer screen. 

The products, while important, was only one tip of the two-pronged attack that Canon is staging on the market.  All the products are backed by marketing campaigns and sponsors appropriate to their intended target use and market. Powershot for example, is being promoted by the athletic Maria Sharapova, whose likeness we can spot nearly everywhere as life-size standees, and in ads and brochures.  Powershot is also one of the sponsors for the UAAP, which is turning into a memorable, if disappointing (for yours truly at least~) year. Ixus has a tie-up with Preview Magazine – well known for being on the leading edge of fashion. Similar campaigns are planned for the new camcorders and compact printers, with Canon also banking on the resurging popularity of scrapbook making to increase sales for the Selphy 740 and 750.

Canon made sure to avoid making the event become a tedious affair, as some product introductions tend to become.  The event accomplished its intended effect of creating excitement for the products among the media and the resellers with promos, contests, good food and a host of cheerleaders from the UP Pep Squad! Their high-power and high-energy routine emphasized the excitement Canon wanted to impart during the event and would have been good subjects to test out the new products on. Alas your editor got transfixed by their performance and couldn't be bothered. (I didn't think people could be thrown so high up.) But the products were way more impressive, assuredly.  No, really. I'm watching out for these products to appear soon on our store shelves! (and I'm keen to watch the next UP game!)

Yes, they were really throwing people almost up to the tent-rafters during a product roll-out.