Canon company

Canon Inc. (キヤノン株式会社, Kyanon Kabushiki Gaisha) (TYO: 7751 , NYSE: CAJ) is a Japanese company that specializes in imaging and optical products, including cameras, photocopiers and computer printers. The headquarters are in 30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo. Their North American headquarters is located in Lake Success, New York, USA.

History

he predecessor company was established in 1933 by Goro Yoshida and his brother-in-law Saburo Uchida. Named Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory (Seiki Kōgaku Kenkyūjo, Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory?), it was funded by Takeshi Mitarai, a close friend of Uchida. Its original purpose was to develop a 35mm rangefinder camera.

In June 1934 they released their first camera, the Kwanon (see "Origins of company name" below). Three variations of this product were marketed, however, none were actual products. Of the ten Kwanon cameras that were rumored to be produced, none were ever known to reach the market.
The new company was off to a good start. However, there was a problem: Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory had not developed a lens. Several alternatives were considered, but the decision was made to seek help from a corporation known as Nippon Kogaku Kogyo (Japan Optical Industries, Inc., the predecessor of Nikon) to use their Nikkor lens. So in February 1936, the Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory was able to release the "Hansa Canon (Standard Model with the Nikkor 50mm f/3.5 lens)", which became Kwanon's first commercially available camera.

The following year the company name was changed to Canon to reflect a more modern image, and on 10 August 1937, the current corporation was founded.
Today, despite the company's high profile in the consumer market for cameras and computer printers, most of the company revenue comes from the office products division, especially for analog and digital copiers, and its line of imageRUNNER digital multifunctional devices. Additionally, Canon is the supplier of print engines found in the hugely popular Hewlett-Packard LaserJet series of laser printers.[citation needed]
Canon has also entered the digital displays market by teaming up with Toshiba to develop and manufacture flat panel televisions based on SED, a new type of display technology. The joint venture company SED Inc. was established in October 2004. In January 2007, Canon announced that it would buy Toshiba's share of the joint venture. This move was triggered by litigation from Nano-Proprietary, Inc., which claimed Canon breached a license agreement by sharing technology licensed to Canon with the joint venture company.
Canon has also announced it is developing OLED and rear-projection displays.

Origins of company name

The company's original product, the "Kwanon" camera was named after the Buddhist Bodhisattva of Mercy.
The company name "Canon" was chosen because it sounds similar to the name of their original product, and because the usual meaning of "canon" implies precision, a characteristic they wanted associated with their company.

My camera: CANON DIGITAL IXUS 800 IS

This camera is good, and i like IT!! ;PP





Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS review : The successful series of digital IXUS cameras brings us the Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS digital camera. This new top model from the Digital IXUS series is equipped with the latest technology, and comes in the trendiest "jacket" of the series. As far as specifications are concerned, the Canon IXUS 800 IS leads Canon's compact camera range; not only does the camera have the stylish looks that the IXUS line is famed for, it also features a 4x optical zoom and the same optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology that is used in Canon's professional EF lenses to reduce blur caused by movement of the photographer's hand.






Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS digital compact camera: The Canon IXUS 800 IS was introduced early this year, right before the start of the PMA 2006. It did take three months for the camera to actually become available, but as the holiday season approaches, the time finally seems to have come for the Canon IXUS 800 IS to make its mark. Canon find themselves in the middle of a particularly successful period, which seems far from over. IDC recently published a report in which Canon is declared market leader of the Western European market for the fourth consecutive year. Despite the increased competition, Canon easily managed to hold on to their clear number one position in 2005. In the past year, 27 million digital compact cameras and digital SLR cameras were sold in Western Europe alone (as opposed to 25 million in 2004). As the ultimate number one in this market, Canon hold a 16.5% share.

CANON IXUS 800 - DIGital Imaging Core image processor: The DIGIC II (DIGital Imaging Core) image processor, designed and produced by Canon themselves, guarantees a swift start-up time, a short shutter release lag, fast image processing and excellent image quality. Although one might argue this comes across as nothing short of a commercial slogan, it should be said that the powerful image processor has already more than proven itself in the past. The fact that Canon are able to introduce innovative developments from the professional reflex world into their amateur product line, shows an impressive degree of progressive effort and perseverance.

Soo, buy it and use it!! ;DD

Canon Digital IXUS 900 Ti

Canon Digital IXUS 900 Ti camera review : September 2006 marked the 10th anniversary of the IXUS camera, which gave Canon a good reason to celebrate. Ten years of IXUS is without question an impressive achievement in today's rapidly changing camera world. Ten years ago, Canon embarked on their journey with an analogue IXUS camera, which proved to be the start of an impressive line of analogue and digital IXUS models. During the party, Canon introduced no less than three new IXUS models, among which the Canon Digital IXUS 900 Ti camera. This new top model from the Digital IXUS series is equipped with the latest technology, and as one may expect of an IXUS camera, the Canon 900 Ti features a truly stylish design.

Canon IXUS digital camera concept: The compact Canon IXUS 900 Ti was introduced worldwide in mid-September. Visitors of the Photokina 2006 were able to thoroughly inspect the new camera, as well as hold it to their heart's content. Although it cannot be escaped, we must conclude Canon is one of only very few manufacturers that have actually succeeded in maintaining their leading market position. It are the IXUS cameras in particular that appeal to a broad audience, and the fact that Canon have managed to do so for ten consecutive years should certainly be regarded as remarkable. During the party, which was held in a trendy London neighbourhood, we also heard from Mogens Jensen; head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. According to Mogens Jensen, a staggering 33 million IXUS cameras have already been purchased. This means in the past ten years, an IXUS camera was sold every 10 seconds!

The latest top model, the Canon Digital IXUS 900 Ti, aims at continuing the IXUS success story. The camera's specifications show it is far from an average entry-level compact camera. A resolution of 10.0 Megapixels, a titanium housing, an ultra-compact 3x optical zoom lens, Canon's new DIGIC III image processor with advanced Noise Reduction technology, and the advanced Face Detection AF/AE are all features that ensure the Canon 900 Ti stands out from the crowd. Face Detection AF/AE is a new technology by Canon that automatically detects faces in an image, and optimizes focus and exposure accordingly.

Canon IXUS 900Ti - DIGIC III image processor: For a while now, Canon have been successfully equipping their cameras with the image processor developed by themselves. The Canon IXUS 900 Ti features Canon's DIGIC III (DIGital Imaging Core) image processor, which has already reached its third generation. Naturally, the new processor has been considerably improved from its predecessor. Significant improvements are noticeably faster response times, support of the Face Detection AF/AE technique and an advanced noise reduction. In addition to this, the DIGIC III image processor allows the application of faster internal working memory in the camera. DDR-SDRAM memory enables a doubling of the data throughput rate, which results in an instantly improved performance.

I want it... mm.... :]]

Digital Photography :)

Digital photography, as opposed to film photography, uses electronic devices to record and capture the image as binary data. This facilitates storage and editing of the images on personal computers, and also the ability to show and delete unsuccessful images immediately on the camera or software itself.
Digital cameras now outsell film cameras and include features that are not found in film cameras such as the ability to shoot video and record audio. Some other devices, such as mobile phones, now include digital photography features.

Sensors and storage:

Sensors read the input of light data, such as luminosity and chromatic information, and digital memory devices store the digital image information. There are two main types of sensors:
charge-coupled device (CCD) - charge is shifted to a central charge-to-voltage converter
CMOS sensors
Nearly all digital cameras now use solid state flash memory, but for a time floppy disks were used in early digital cameras such as the Sony Mavica.

Performance metrics:

The quality of a digital image is the sum of various factors, many of which are similar to film cameras. Pixel count (typically listed in megapixels, millions of pixels) is only one of the major factors, though it is the most heavily marketed. Pixel count metrics were created by the marketing organizations of digital camera manufacturers because consumers can use it to easily compare camera capabilities. It is not, however, the major factor in evaluating a digital camera. The processing system inside the camera that turns the raw data into a color-balanced and pleasing photograph is the most critical, which is why some 4+ megapixel cameras perform better than higher-end cameras.
Lens quality: resolution, distortion, dispersion (see Lens (optics))
Capture medium: CMOS, CCD, Negative film, Reversal Film etc.
Capture format: pixel count, digital file type (RAW, TIFF, JPEG), film format (135 film, 120 film, 5x4, 10x8).
Processing: digital and / or chemical processing of 'negative' and 'print'.

Pixel counts:

The number of pixels n for a given maximum resolution (w horizontal pixels by h vertical pixels) can be found using the formula: n = wh. This yields e. g. 1.92 megapixels (= 1,920,000 pixels) for an image of 1600 x 1200. The majority of compact (not SLR) digital cameras have a 4:3 aspect ratio, i.e. w/h = 4/3.[citation needed]
The megapixel or pixel count quoted by some manufacturers can be misleading because it may not be truly representative of the number of full colour pixels. For cameras using a Bayer sensor it is the number of single coloured photosites (light sensitive areas) on the sensor. For the Foveon X3 sensor the number currently (Feb 2004 - Sigma SD-10) presented by Sigma is the number of photosites times three (multiplied because each photosite records three colours), however the images that result will have a number of pixels equivalent to the number of photosites - not the tripled number quoted. It is not possible to directly compare the megapixel ratings of these two sensors but in many people's opinions a 6 MP Bayer filter sensor is roughly equivalent to a 10.2 MP Foveon X3 (3.4 MP*3). Some hold the opinion that the Foveon is worse than this and the ratio is more like one Bayer to two Foveon. It is largely a matter of personal opinion so prints from the two sensors should be inspected by interested parties.

Equivalent features:
Image noise / grain: Noise in a digital camera's image is remarkably similar to Film grain in a film camera. At high ISO levels (film speed) the grain/noise becomes more apparent in the final image. Although film ISO levels can be lower than digital ISO levels (25 and 50 respectively), digital settings can be changed quickly according to requirements, while film must be physically replaced and protected from all light during such replacement. Additionally, image noise reduction techniques can be used to remove noise from digital images and film grain is fixed. From an artistic point of view, film grain and image noise may be desirable when creating a specific mood for an image. Modern digital cameras have comparable noise/grain at the same ISO as film cameras. Some digital cameras though, do exhibit a pattern in the digital noise which is not found on film.
Speed of use: Current digital and film cameras can be switched on and take images instantly. Saving images to disk takes no longer than winding on the film (see Frames per second).
Frames per second: The Canon EOS-1D Mark III can achieve 10 frames per second which makes it the fastest digital SLR in the world; the fastest film SLR could shoot 10 frames per second. The Nikon F5 is limited to 36 continuous frames (the length of the film) while the Canon EOS-1D Mark III is able to take ~110 high definition jpeg images before its buffer must be cleared and the remaining space on the storage media can be used.
Image longevity: Although digital image data does not degrade (film stock can fade), the media on which the digital images are stored can decay or become corrupt, leading to a loss of image integrity. Both formats should be stored under archival conditions for maximum longevity. Perfect copies of digital images can be made on fresh media, and digital images can be stored on duplicate media. This greatly reduces the risk of losing digital images, and if done correctly, digital backups are safer than film. In comparison, copying negatives or transparencies incurs additional noise and loss of detail. Negatives can however be easily converted to digital if longevity is a requirement.
Colour reproduction: Colour reproduction (gamut) is dependent on the type of film / sensor used and the quality of the capture media, lens group and processing. Different films and sensors are sensitive to differing subsets of colour thus the photographer needs to have an understanding of the light conditions and the media used to ensure accurate colour reproduction. Many digital cameras offer RAW format (sensor data) which makes it possible to choose color space in the development stage regardless of camera settings.

more info will be later.. ;)

Types of photographs

Non-digital photographs are produced with a two-step chemical process. In the two-step process the film holds a negative image (colors and lights/darks are inverted), which is then transferred onto photographic paper as a positive image. Another widely used film is the positive film used for producing transparencies, usually mounted in cardboard or plastic frames called slides. Slides are widely used by professionals due to their sharpness and accuracy of color rendition. Most photographs published in magazines are taken on color transparency film.
Originally all photographs were monochromatic, or hand-painted in color. Although methods for developing color photos were available as early as 1861, they did not become widely available until the 1940s or 50s, and even so, until the 1960s most photographs were taken in black and white. Since then, color photography has dominated popular photography, although the black and white format remains popular for amateur photographers and artists. Black and white film is considerably easier to develop than color.
Panoramic format Images can be taken with special cameras like the Hasselblad Xpan on standard film. Since the 1990s, panoramic photos have been available on the Advanced Photo System film. APS was developed by several of the major film manufacturers to provide a film with different formats and computerized options available, though APS panoramas were created using a mask in panorama-capable cameras, far less desirable than a true panoramic camera which achieves its effect through wider film format. APS has become less popular and will be discontinued.
The advent of the microcomputer and digital photography has led to the rise of digital prints. These prints are created from stored graphic formats such as JPEG, TIFF, and RAW. The types of printers used include inkjet printers, dye-sublimation printer, laser printers, and thermal printers. The process that use inkjet printers are sometimes given the coined name "Giclée".

History

The first permanent photograph was made in 1826 by a French inventor, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, building on a discovery by Johann Heinrich Schultz (1724): that a silver and chalk mixture darkens under exposure to light. Niépce and Louis Daguerre refined this process. Daguerre discovered that exposing the silver first to iodine vapor, before exposure to light, and then to mercury fumes after the photograph was taken, could form a latent image; bathing the plate in a salt bath then fixes the image. These ideas led to the famous daguerreotype.
The daguerreotype had its problems, notably the extreme fragility of the resulting picture, and that it was a positive-only process and thus could not be re-printed. Inventors set about looking for improved processes that would be more practical. Several processes were introduced and used for a short time between Niépce's first image and the introduction of the collodion process in 1848. Collodion-based wet-glass plate negatives with prints made on albumen paper remained the preferred photographic method for some time, even after the introduction of the even more practical gelatin process in 1871. Adaptations of the gelatin process have remained the primary black-and-white photographic process to this day, differing primarily in the film material itself, originally glass and then a variety of flexible films.
Color photography is almost as old as black-and-white, with early experiments dating to John Herschel's experiments with Anthotype from 1842, and Lippmann plate from 1891. Color photography became much more popular with the introduction of Autochrome Lumière in 1903, which was replaced by Kodachrome, Ilfochrome and similar processes. For many years these processes were used almost exclusively for transparencies (in slide projectors and similar devices), but color prints became popular with the introduction of the Chromogenic negative, which is the most-used system in the C-41 process. The needs of the movie industry have also introduced a host of special-purpose systems, perhaps the most well known being the now-rare Technicolor.

Photograph

Photograph (often shortened to photo) is an image created by light falling on a light-sensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic imager such as a CCD or a CMOS chip. Most photographs are created using a camera, which uses a lens to focus the scene's visible wavelengths of light into a reproduction of what the human eye would see. The process of creating photographs is called photography.
Motion pictures, such as film or video, are not generally considered to be sequences of photographs.