LONDON, 10 August 2015 – Canon, a leader in imaging solutions and Official Sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2015, has announced a new collaboration with renowned adventurer and dedicated rugby fan Bear Grylls and Dave Rogers, Getty Images’ leading rugby photographer. Together, Canon, Bear and Dave invite fans from across the world to take a close look behind the scenes of the upcoming Rugby World Cup through a video that explores the power of image in sport and gives tips on how to capture some of the Tournament’s greatest moments.
Available on Canon YouTube channel, the video features Bear Grylls explaining his passion for rugby and discussing his favourite moments and images from previous Rugby World Cup tournaments. Dave Rogers also describes his experience of rugby photography and gives fans insight into the history of the role images play in the Tournament from his unique perspective, having been behind the lens at every Rugby World Cup since 1987.
“Bear’s adventurous personality and ethos of hard work, dedication and team spirit embodies the survival of the fittest mantra that is rugby,” comments Nigel Taylor, Consumer Imaging Marketing Communications Director, Canon Europe. “As an explorer and adventurer, Bear perfectly mirrors our desire to invite consumers to look deeper at the world and inspire people to capture the enriching and captivating stories that unfold all around, every day. By working together with Bear and Getty Images’ leading rugby photographer Dave Rogers, we hope to encourage rugby fans from around the world to explore what’s possible through photography at this year’s Tournament.”
Bear Grylls adds, “I am so proud to partner with Canon. Its cameras are renowned for the highest quality imagery available in lightweight and durable designs, all of which matter, whether capturing an incredible shot of a Rugby World Cup or capturing the dawn over Everest.”
In addition to the video that’s available now, Canon will be launching a series of short films that give fans in-depth photography techniques of how to capture the perfect action shot, including tips on depth of field, shutter speeds and how to best use perspective. In this series, Bear and Dave will also demonstrate the capabilities of the Canon PowerShot G3 X, a camera which combines the versatility of a 25x optical zoom lens with premium imaging performance – the perfect device for fans to capture photos and movies of Rugby World Cup 2015 and their adventures in stunning quality.
Getty Images photographer Dave Rogers concludes, “It was a great experience to spend time with Bear ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015. As passionate fans of both rugby and photography, having a Rugby World Cup in our own back garden is tremendously exciting, and knowing the British sporting public it will be the most memorable Tournament yet.”
As part of Canon’s sponsorship of Rugby World Cup 2015, fans are also being offered the opportunity to win a ‘money can’t buy’ experience of shadowing a Getty Images photographer at an official Rugby World Cup 2015 training session for one of the participating nations, as well as winning tickets to RWC 2015 matches. More information on this competition is available at http://www.canon.co.uk/canonrugbywin
I have just arrived back home from my Alaskan wildlife photo tour. It was quite a hassle getting here and an even bigger headache getting home but the trip was quite successful from the stand point of wildlife photography and encounters. I will write a little more about that after a good rest and have time to look over the photos.
The recently announced Canon Powershot G3X camera is shipping now. Canon Professional Network has posted some background on the team that designed the new camera. PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
20.2 MP 1 inch High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
DIGIC 6 Image Processor
25x Optical Zoom f/2.8-5.6 IS Lens
24-600mm (35mm Equivalent)
3.2? 1.62M-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
High-Speed AF with 31 Focus Points
Full HD Video at 60p; HDMI Output
Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
ISO 12,800 & 5.9 fps Continuous Shooting
Control Ring, Wheel, and Physical Dials
The launch of the PowerShot G3 X saw further technical advances made in compact camera lens technology and engineering. Thanks to a superb 25x zoom – offering the 35mm equivalent of 24-600mm – an unrivalled focal length was offered in a premium compact boasting meticulous levels of engineering and design. In an in-depth interview, CPN discovers the technical challenges faced by the highly-experienced PowerShot development team – Tatsuya Yamada (product planner), Hiroshi Saruwatari (lens R&D manager), Shuichi Terada (product operations manager), Kenji Takahashi (image processor development manager), Hiroshi Kaibara (sensor development senior engineer), Koji Sudo (UI development engineer), Yasushi Matsumoto (body designer) and Yoshihiro Miyazawa (lens designer) – as they took an impressive concept and turned it into reality.
CPN : WHAT WAS THE PLANNING CONCEPT BEHIND THE G3 X? TATSUYA YAMADA : It was to pursue a new premium compact that integrated a large format sensor with a high-powered lens. In equipping a 1.0-type sensor with a 24-600mm, 25x zoom, this performance was achieved. This is the result of the know-how accumulated by Canon from continuously making cameras and lenses and investing in the experience of the development team.
Of course, the focal length of 600mm on the G3 X catches your eye, but it is not the only feature. The maximum wide angle of 24mm can capture vast landscapes too while the telephoto allows for images with a compression effect at maximum zoom. As well as this, you can enjoy shooting with a soft out-of-focus background effect which takes full advantage of the 1.0-type sensor.
CPN : WHAT ASPECTS OF THE G3 X WERE YOU PARTICULARLY AWARE OF HAVING TO FOCUS ON? TATSUYA YAMADA : As it was envisioned that this would function as a second camera for advanced amateurs and pros that normally use the EOS series for telephoto shooting, particular emphasis was placed on specifications so it could be used without feeling any different from an EOS DSLR. Specifically, through feedback gained from pro photographers, the G3 X takes advantage of lots of feedback related to detailed shooting demands, starting with the controls and User Interface (UI) which make it suitable for telephoto shooting. When set to continuous shooting, for example, rather than the UI rules on existing compact cameras, EOS ideas were implemented instead.
Furthermore, as it is a high-power model I believe that more poeple will use it to shoot in forests and on mountains, so by ensuring that the dust-proof and drip-proof functionality was equivalent to mid-range EOS models, outdoor performance would be improved. And as it also supports an external viewfinder like the PowerShot G1 X Mark II, it is possible to compose with the viewfinder (as in a DSLR) and thus suppress camera shake.
CPN : IN WHAT DIRECTION WILL THE G-SERIES GO IN FUTURE? TATSUYA YAMADA : We are putting even more emphasis on deepening the shooting range of the G-series. Deepening the range of shooting possibilities does not mean simply implementing a large sensor and high-powered lens. Rather, it means we are ensuring consistent quality of all aspects; from image quality, operability, and UI to design. The G-series will offer new values in the user's daily lives. In particular, with compact cameras that can always be carried with you due to their size, by exceeding the boundaries as a tool for shooting photos I think it is necessary to come up with something that is fun to own and will stimulate a sense of attachment as an object. By doing so, it will more than likely achieve a deeper presence in everyone's lifestyle.
Canon has revealed the new PowerShot G3 X compact – the first superzoom model to join Canon’s ‘Premium Expert’ range of cameras – which combines a 25x optical zoom lens, a large, 1.0-type, 20.2 Megapixel sensor, a dust-proof and drip-proof body and an extensive range of manual controls over exposure settings to deliver advanced performance for shooting stunning stills and recording Full HD movies.
The 25x lens of the PowerShot G3 X gives a zoom range of 24-600mm (35mm equivalent) and includes an intelligent, advanced 5-axis Image Stabilizer for capturing sharp photos and videos at all focal lengths.
The PowerShot G3 X’s bright f/2.8-5.6, 25x optical zoom gives an amazing focal length range of 24-600mm, and also features a 9-blade aperture, to ensure the camera is ideal for capturing an incredibly wide range of subjects; everything from wide-angle landscapes to stunning portraits with beautiful background blur and distant subjects in exquisite detail at the telephoto end of the zoom range.
Richard Trestain, Photo and Video Product Launch Manager, Canon Europe explained: “The PowerShot G3 X is an impressively specified and robust superzoom camera that puts photographers and filmmakers in control of all shooting settings. It will appeal to both enthusiast and advanced photographers who want to shoot a wide variety of subjects and represents the latest major development in the PowerShot ‘Premium Expert’ camera range; it delivers superb quality for shooting stills as well as Full HD movies.”
SUPERB IMAGE QUALITY
A large 1.0-type, back-illuminated, 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6 processor combine in the HS System to deliver exceptional image quality (up to ISO 12,800) even in extreme low-light conditions, making it easy to capture the real atmosphere of the moment with great detail.
Thanks to an intelligent, advanced 5-axis Image Stabilizer, the PowerShot G3 X automatically adapts and ensures sharp, detailed photos and videos even when shooting at the telephoto end of the zoom or handheld in low-light.
ADVANCED MOVIE FEATURES
Shooting stunning Full HD movies is easy with the PowerShot G3 X with full manual control over aperture, shutter, ISO and focus pull plus a choice of variable frame rates of 24p, 25p, 30p, 50p or 60p.
Filmmakers can achieve perfect focus with the MF Peaking function and use Aspect Markers to frame in popular movie formats; your creativity can be easily monitored whilst shooting with HDMI live output to an external monitor.
High quality stereo sound can be achieved via a range of versatile sound recording options that allow the use of an external microphone and headphones (via 3.5mm jacks) and Full HD movies are recorded in MP4 container format for improved compatibility with mobile devices.
EXPERT MANUAL CONTROL
The PowerShot G3 X offers full manual control over settings and features a dedicated mode dial and exposure compensation dial on its top plate.
A large, 8.0 cm (3.2”), 1.62 million dot, tiltable touch screen has an EOS-like interface and ensures excellent colour accuracy, image clarity and contrast. The touch interface enables more intuitive control, with pinch zoom capability in review mode and Touch AF for instant selection of focus points and for ensuring accurate and smooth focus pull in movies.
Quick access to advanced manual controls and settings is made easy thanks to a dedicated mode dial, an exposure compensation dial and a customisable, smooth, Lens Control Ring that allows for control over subtle focus adjustments – the Lens Control Ring also allows you to incrementally adjust settings such as aperture and shutter speed. Full Manual and RAW with multi-aspect support can be used to get just the shot required, whilst there’s also a BULB exposure mode, plus a built-in 3-stop ND filter extends shooting capabilities, such as shooting in daylight with slower shutter speeds.
A HOST OF CREATIVE FEATURES
The PowerShot G3 X boasts a host of other features including ultra-fast focusing thanks to a super-responsive 31-point Ai autofocus system and high-speed, sustained continuous shooting at up to 5.9 frames-per-second.
The camera also features an impressive array of creative modes including a choice from seven different Creative Filters, Star Mode, Creative Shot Mode and Background Defocus Mode to achieve beautiful, SLR-style background blur.
CONNECT & SHARE STILLS AND CLIPS
The PowerShot G3 X is compatible with a wide range of Canon accessories, including Speedlite flashguns and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder.
A new Short Clip movie mode allows users to record short clips (between 4 and 6 seconds) that can easily be shared via social media networks. These can be recorded with a choice of playback effects: Constant, Double speed, Slow (half) speed or Action Playback.
Using the Mobile Device Connect Button or Dynamic NFC makes it quick and easy to wirelessly transfer images to smart devices via WiFi while Image Sync can automatically back up to cloud-based services, such as Canon’s own irista and Flickr. A new Canon Camera Connect app (which is also compatible with Canon EOS WiFi-enabled cameras) enables advanced remote shooting with the camera, including Touch AF and access to most creative modes.
POWERSHOT G3 X - KEY FEATURES AT A GLANCE
20.2 Megapixel HS System with 1.0-type CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6 processor for stunning low-light results up to ISO 12,800.
25x 24-600mm* f/2.8-5.6 Canon optical zoom lens with 9-blade aperture.
Intelligent IS adapts to the situation for sharp shots.
Expert handling with smooth action Lens Control Ring, customisable menus, shortcut buttons and dedicated exposure compensation dial.
WiFi with Dynamic NFC and Mobile Device Connect Button. Remote shooting possible via smartphone or tablet.
Wireless image back-up to the cloud using Image Sync.
8.0 cm (3.2"), high-resolution (1620k dots), tiltable PureColor II G LCD touch screen with Touch AF.
Super-fast 31-point AiAF and sustained continuous shooting at up to 5.9fps.
Multi-aspect RAW file support, built-in ND filter and BULB exposure mode.
Full HD movies with variable frame rates (24p, 25p, 30p, 50p and 60p); 5-axis Dynamic Image Stabilizer for steady movie footage.
Manual control in movie for extended creativity (Aperture, Shutter speed and ISO sensitivity); MF Peaking for accurate focusing.
HDMI live output. Support for external microphone and headphones.
Dust-proof and drip-proof body.
Creative Filters, Star Mode, Creative Shot Mode and Background Defocus.
Compatible with optional accessories including a high-resolution electronic viewfinder and EOS Speedlite flashguns.
