Like a particularly good movie franchise with millions of fans and very good production values, Canon’s Image Nation celebration comes out swinging with part two (for this year only!) in this fourth quarter introduction of Canon cameras, printers, projectors and scanners.

Canon’s Image Nation campaigns have always been exuberant, but this aptly named “Image Nation Celebrations” – simple yet to the point - starts off with live samba music and some of the most hotly anticipated products for the past months, and ends not only with a bang, but a presentation of excellent photos and compositions by some very talented artists who use Canon’s products exclusively. In other words, this Image Nation Celebration is the best yet since this editor started covering them, a brilliant and exciting event that not only introduces the products, but reinforces Canon’s commitment to “Delighting You Always”.

                                             There was no briefing on product specifications beforehand, but there was dancing aplenty moving to the beat of samba drums.

                                             The EOS 1000D is the perfect entry-point for the avid photographer wanting to step up to DSLR territory.

First off, we have 3 new EOS DSLR cameras to entice any and all photography enthusiasts, generating the greatest buzz among all the products presented during the event. These cameras, namely the entry level EOS 1000D, the HD-Ready mid-range 50D and the highly anticipated pro-level 5D Mark II, are at the forefront of Canon dominance this coming holiday season. As a sample of these cameras’ prowess, we zero onto the 5D Mark II -  a camara that boasts of a mind-boggling 21.1 MP full-frame CMOS censor – a feature anyone, even the non-photography inclined, can understand. Adding to that is a DIGIC IV image processor, Canon’s latest. HDMI output, recording of HD movies at 30 fps, and a powerful bundled lens completes the package.

                                             The event presented different "zones" where the crowd can see the products in their most natural setting and usage scenario.

The 1000D, while considered an “entry-level” product, still boasts of 10.1 megapixels of resolution (the previous generation top-of-the-line EOS 5D had 12.8MP), Live View LCD, and a bundled lens with image stabilizer – the EF-S 18-55mm IS. The 50D on the other hand is the mid-range champ and is indeed at the crosshairs of many talented amateur photographers and professionals alike. No wonder, as it has a 15.1 MP CMOS sensor, the same DIGIC IV as the 5D Mark II, and a blistering shooting rate of 6.3 frames per second. These new products aren’t simply bigger and better specs in new packaging, Canon is backing these products with the confidence in the growth of the local market, which means they are expecting sales of these beauties to be higher than ever before, leading to better availability and support.

                                             14.7 MP on a point-and-shoot - that's the march of progress right there.

Along with these momentous announcements, a widespread refresh on many of Canon’s product lines were done, with the Ixus and PowerShot lines prominently displayed during the event. Leading the charge is the Ixus 980 IS with 14.7 Megapixels, Image Stabilization and DIGIC IV Image processor. The Ixus 870 IS was also present, boasting of 10 MP, 4x Optical Zoom, and a wide-angle capability that’s useful for group pictures. The PowerShot line wasn’t left behind either; with the A1000IS, A2000 IS, SX110 IS, SX1 and SX10 IS, and the entry level E1 making sure everyone can find a camera that fits their lifestyle. Of particular note is the SX10 IS, which impressed this editor to such an extent that it is a top-of-the-list must-buy this coming holiday season – super macro, 20x Optical Zoom, 10MP, and a full HD (1920x1080) recording capability is a powerful attraction for a casual yet “techie” photographer.

                                             The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS - super macro (0 cm!) to 20x optical(!) zoom, super-tweakability, beautiful form factor =editor's new lust object.

                                             The SX110 IS is the more mild-mannered version of the above, and probably where most buyers will end up after weighing the features and the price.

The newly christened VIXIA Camcorder line (the name is used for the American product line until recently) was headed by a dual flash version of the recently released HF10 and HF100 camcorders – the HF11 Dual Flash (dual memory flash that is) Camcorder.12x Optical zoom, 24Mbps HD recording and a very comact yet sleek package make this camcorder a dream to use and hold.

                                             The HF11 flash-based camcorder featuring dual flash memory options. Looks like a Coke can, but much sexier.

                                             The ZR series - constantly improving tech means features found only in high-end cameras before can now be had in the mainstream products.

Also making an appearance were the Selphy Compact Photo Printers, still riding the wave of popularity of scrapbooking and instant convenience of at-home printing of photos. The Selphy ES3 and ES30 are new models with integrated gold and silver ink/paper cartridges, which adds to the festive delight to be had from these fun printers. The ES3 also includes 1 GB of internal memory for easy reprinting of photos.

                                             The Selphy family of portable printers is the first word in convenience, all the more so with the recent improvements made to the product line. The Es3 on the top picture now has 1GB of internal storage.

                                            A whole table-full of Pixma and CanoScans! From left, we have the 5600Fscanner, the tiny iP100 printer, Lide200, Lide100 scanners, and the entry-level iP1980printer.

                                             The Pixma MP628 with Wi-Fi capability.

What’s an Image Nation without the constant stand-bys of scanners and printers? The newest member of the CanoScan family is the 5600F, with a scan speed of 11 seconds for a full document and Dual Gamut Processing Technology, this scanner automatically reproduces perfect copies of treasured photographs quickly, and more importantly for the consumer, easily. The Lide 100 and 200 scanners were also presented as the latest refresh of Canon’s popular Lide 25 scanner. The Pixma line on the other hand, had some great news to relay – with Canon’s continuing presence in our local market, Canon’s share in the critical entry-level printing market-pie has never been bigger, and is increasing while its competitor’s share continues to decrease. This is obviously an indication of continuing acceptance of the Canon brand, a fact that is celebrated by the introduction of the Pixma iP1980, a ChromaLife-wielding printer set to continue the Canon trend for printers. A whole gamut of printers were also presented, most notable of which is the Pixma MP628 and MP988 Wi-Fi multi-function printers and the comprehensive Pixma MP545 multi-function printer.

                                             The SX80 (top) and the WUX10 XEED projectors - the WUX10 is an especially exciting product with its full-HD, 1920 x 1200 resolution in widescreen format.

Bringing up the rear, but in many ways also completing the picture, are the XEED projectors – the newest of which is the WUX10 and SX80. Projectors are low-volume compared to its other Canon products brethren, yet they pack as much technology and innovation as their more constantly-refreshed brothers. A most interesting feature for the WUX10 is a full WUXGA resolution, meaning  1920 x 1200 (2,304,000 pixels) in a 16:10 aspect ratio – a feature that makes us editors exclaim – “finally, a widescreen projector!” with not a small amount of wonder. With this projector, full HD, super-large home theatre systems are no longer out-of-reach, especially compared to an LCD TV of similar size – after all, these types of projectors will be able to project onto a screen of more than a hundred inches in size. The SX80 on the other hand is the first Pictbridge compatible XEED projector, and also boasts of an HDMI connector.

                                             It's the full Mardi Gras treatment!

                                             An exhibit of JohnChua and Richard Gomez's photos were looked upon with awe by the lesser photographers milling around - namely me.

With this, the Canon product line up has come full circle, the whole passel of products on display once again convincingly underlines the whole Image Nation concept – from the taking of the pictures, to printing, reproducing, showing and storing – Canon has covered all aspects of the Imaging needs of everyone, and this literal celebration of technology had a fanciful yet fitting theme of a Mardi Gras event – complete with dancers, samba music, pumped-up staffers explaining to the milling crowd the features of the products, models strutting their stuff, a whole exhibit of “Celebration” pictures submitted by Canon users, as well as the appearance of Canon ambassador Richard Gomez, who contributed hugely to the event by having his collection of travel, landscape and human interest photos displayed along with the photos of celebrated photographer John Chua.

                                             Mr. Ramon Arteficio, President Canon Philippines, was all into the festive occassion.

                                             A line of models ready to strut their stuff.

For the gadget-inclined like us, it was a dream wonderland of high-tech gadgetry, good food, and entertainment – a celebration of such magnitude that the title Image Nation Celebration needs no elaboration – the products and the obvious excitement of the Canon people in introducing them were more than enough explanation of such a simple title for such a grandiose event. More pictures to follow.

                                             Even the consumables got their own display corner - not shown are the ink cartridges.

                                             A whole table of Selphy products! This looks somewhat like my desk, but is a lot more colorful.

                                             We also unearthed other gems not listed in the official "released" items - this G10 for example.

                                             Designers from the School of Fashion and the Arts (SOFA) collaborated with Canon to produce a tasteful fashion show during the event.

                                             Such a great title - with the holidays coming up and a great product line to greet it, this event can't be anything else but "Celebrations".