CANON'S NEW EOS REBEL T2 35MM SLR CAMERA PROVIDES USERS WITH SPEED AND CUSTOM FUNCTIONS AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Aug. 19, 2004 As part of its continued commitment to conventional 35mm photography and the film camera market, Canon has introduced the new EOS Rebel T2 camera. The new camera, which will replace the current EOS Rebel Ti model, includes improvements such as faster shutter speeds, better auto focus and for the first time custom functions that are user friendly and appropriate for a wide range of shooting environments.

"Since the introduction of the first EOS Rebel in 1990, the popularity and market dominance of the Rebel series has been unparalleled," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon USA, Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ). "The new EOS Rebel T2 model continues our tradition of 35mm SLR product development offering consumers ease-of-use, inspired innovation and utmost quality at affordable price points."

Enhanced Performance and Improved Ergonomics
At 3 frames per second in the One-Shot AF mode, the EOS Rebel T2 camera provides the fastest continuous shooting speed in its class. When the camera is set to the AI SERVO mode for tracking moving subjects, the maximum speed is 2.5 frames per second. The T2 is the first EOS Rebel that lets users select AF modes independently, a highly requested feature. A new four-position keypad on the back of the camera also makes autofocus point selection more intuitive and faster, providing overall better performance for users.

The newly developed high-speed shutter on the Rebel T2 model boasts a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 second and X-sync at 1/125 sec., compared to 1/2000 second and X-sync at 1/90 with previous models. Also, due to faster shutter cocking, the viewfinder blackout time has been shortened from 180 milliseconds to approx. 150 ms., which makes the shooting experience more pleasant and productive.

Enhanced Flash Control
Also enhanced in the new EOS Rebel T2 camera is the E-TTL II autoflash metering system, which is used for both the built-in flash and external EX-series Speedlites. The E-TTL II flash system, which is compatible with all EF lenses, consistently produces accurate flash exposures, even when shooting light, dark or highly reflective subjects.

This system compares the ambient light with a pre-flash reflected off the subject and selects the areas with a small difference to be weighted for flash exposure calculation. The system also ignores extremely reflective objects in the foreground or background, and improves its accuracy even further by considering the distance information data provided from EF lenses equipped with a built-in distance encoder.

In cases where photographers lock focus and recompose the shot, E-TTL II prevents over-exposure by considering the flash output level calculated according to the distance information rather than the active AF point.

Design
The new EOS Rebel T2 camera incorporates new design elements that enhance the camera's luxury look. Outfitted in a dark metallic gray finish, the T2's compactness is emphasized with cutaway surfaces on the front and back of the top cover. With a black rubber skin on the grip, users are provided with additional holding comfort. The Rebel T2 retains the large, illuminated LCD data panel and oversized command dial of its predecessor, the Rebel Ti camera, for single-handed adjustment of all camera controls.

Safety Shutter Release Lock
Other features on the new Rebel T2 camera, which make the product more user friendly and worry-free, include a shutter lock that prevents shooting if there is no film in the camera or if no lens is attached to the camera. Also present in the new model is an anti-shake warning, which can be turned on to prevent the user from taking a picture if the shutter speed is too low for hand-held photography according to the focal length of the lens.

Custom Shooting Modes
Canon's new EOS Rebel T2 camera provides photographers with ease of use and full SLR control with the ability to choose exposure modes ranging from fully manual to fully automatic with a variety of Programmed Image Control (PIC) modes. Using the Command Dial on the camera, users have immediate access to 12 different shooting modes including Full Auto, Program AE, Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE, Manual, Auto Depth-of-Field AE, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Scene, and Flash Off.

Custom Functions
The new Rebel T2 is the first Rebel-series camera with user-selectable custom functions that allow the photographer to tailor specific camera features according to personal preferences. Previously found only in more expensive models, the new custom functions include:

  1. Adjustable self-timer delay (10 sec./2 sec.)
  2. Adjustable AF point selection method (Press AF point selector and cross keys/Press cross keys only)
  3. Switch to center AF point with AF point selector button (Off/On)
  4. Emit built-in AF Assist beam (On/Off)
  5. Shutter-curtain sync with built-in flash and EX Speedlites (1st curtain/2nd curtain)
  6. Flash sync speed in Av mode (Auto/Fixed at 1/125 sec.)

Largest Selection of Autofocus Lenses and Accessories
Canon's EOS System offers not only the largest and most popular selection of high-quality autofocus cameras, lenses and accessories of any 35mm SLR system available, it also provides consumers with the widest selection of price points. Offering more than 50 current lenses, several camera bodies and scores of system accessories, consumers can literally create an EOS System to fit their needs as well as their budget. In addition to full compatibility with legendary Canon EF lenses and EX Speedlites, the EOS Rebel T2 is compatible with a wide range of EOS system accessories, including Battery Pack BP-220 as well as wired and wireless remote controllers, eyepiece accessories, etc.

Available in September, the new EOS Rebel T2 will be available in a variety of configurations including body only or zoom lens kits. There will also be a Date model with optional date imprinting. The standard zoom lens kit featuring the EOS Rebel T2 camera plus the EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 III zoom lens and a wide neckstrap will carry an estimated street price of $299.

For more information please visit, www.usa.canon.com