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Canon ships 100 millionth compact digital camera - Canon will introduce a special colour variation of one of their digital camera to celebrate the fact they have shipped 100 million digital compact cameras since the first one in 1996.
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 19, 2008 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced that Canon Inc. has reached an important milestone with the shipping of its 100 millionth compact digital camera.
Compact Cameras - A Historical Look Back
Beginning in May 2000, Canon launched the breakthrough PowerShot Digital model, which featured a compact body with a stylish design. This model spearheaded the digital camera market's later massive growth with its easy portability and simple operation, which won over millions of users worldwide. Following the introduction, Canon released a string of revolutionary products that drove market expansion while addressing the diversifying needs of users: the PowerShot A70 digital camera (2003), which sold more units worldwide than any other model that year due to its superb operability and cost performance; the smooth and chic PowerShot Digital SD10 Digital ELPH camera (2003); the PowerShot G7 digital camera (2006), which carved out a position for high-end models in the compact digital camera market; and the PowerShot S5 IS digital camera (2007), which combined a high-power zoom lens with precise image stabilization.
Canon began producing compact digital cameras in 1996 at Oita Canon, which continues to be the prime production site. Canon also has manufactured compact digital cameras at a number of locations, including Canon Opto (Malaysia) and Canon Zhuhai (China).
On the technology front, Canon has been a leader in pushing the evolution of compact digital cameras. Some notable contributions have been the DIGIC high-performance imaging processor, which processes richly detailed image data at very high speeds; Canon's ultra-compact lens with built-in image stabilizers; and iSAPS technology, which controls exposures with high accuracy based on shooting condition predictions.
As a leading digital camera company, Canon is committed to delivering attractive products that satisfy every user by pursuing new technical breakthroughs to better capture those important moments, by elevating the Company's renowned product quality, and by strengthening its sales and service platforms.
Canon is pleased to announce that the company has shipped its 100 millionth digital compact camera. To mark this milestone in popular photography, a special colour variation model will be launched in the near future.
Beginning with the PowerShot 600 in 1996, Canon has delivered a total of 106 models Compact digital camera models (including regional models) as of August 5, 2008 around the world. During this time, the Canon name has become synonymous with revolutionary digital compact camera design. Highlights have included:
IXUS Digital (2000) – compact, stylish and easy to use, this model spearheaded the digital point-and-shoot revolution, leading in turn to massive market expansion.
PowerShot A70 (2003) – the best-selling model worldwide during 2003, this
A-Series camera was renowned for its superb operability and great value.
Digital IXUS i (2003) – with its smooth, chic lines, the Digital IXUS i paved the way for female-orientated digital cameras.
PowerShot G7 (2007) – this 10MP model carved out a position for high-end functionality in the compact digital camera market.
PowerShot S5 IS (2007) – this super zoom model brought outstanding 12x zoom power to the digital compact camera market.
Canon has also led the evolution of compact digital cameras, with a number of groundbreaking technologies. DIGIC high-performance image processing continues to process extra-rich image data at high speeds. Ultra-compact lenses deliver smooth, blur-free results with built-in image stabilisation. And Canon iSAPS technology assesses shooting conditions to provide outstanding, accurate exposures.
“We are delighted to reach such a landmark number in camera production,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “Canon pledges to continue searching for new technologies, and new designs, that let everyone capture their most precious moments.”
Details of the special colour variation model will be announced soon.
Canon has just added a mysterious teaser to its US website. The page shows a silhouette of a camera with the words 'Destined Evolution.' Maybe it will be updated to include more detail in the future, we don't know. It's almost as if the company is building up to the launch of a camera to replace one of its older models. We have no specific information but it doesn't require any profound market insight to predict an EOS 5D replacement is coming. 
Unquestionably the most futuristic camera of 2008, the Casio EXILIM EX-F1 offers unparalleled capabilities in both still and video shooting. We expect respectable digital SLRs today to take roughly three photos per second. The EX-F1 can take 60 full-resolution pictures in a second. It can even shoot 7 frames per second while firing the flash with each shot. 
