Canon Announced New Indoor/Outdoor Network Cameras

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 30, 2016 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today unveiled five new network cameras with advanced capabilities designed to effectively meet the needs of indoor and outdoor applications in a wide range of markets. All five cameras share several core technologies and features including a Genuine Canon Lens for capturing high-clarity, virtually distortion-free video, a 2.1 Megapixel (1920 x 1080) resolution high sensitivity CMOS sensor, and Canon’s powerful DIGIC DV III Image Processor which helps to provide images with remarkable color accuracy even in low-light environments.

“The importance of security and surveillance continues to increase for all types of markets and sectors,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “With the announcement of these new high-performance indoor and outdoor models, Canon is once again demonstrating its strong commitment to developing network cameras that meet the ever-changing needs of these varied industries.”

Outdoor/Indoor Speed Dome Network Cameras

Canon’s new Speed Dome Network Cameras, the VB-R12VE (outdoor) and VB-R13 (indoor), both offer seamless PTZ control provided by 360 degrees endless panning capability. In addition to 30x optical zoom for crisp images even from long distances, these cameras also share an Enhanced Digital Zoom function that can offer up to an equivalent 120x optical zoom when streaming at lower resolutions. Adding to their user-friendliness and ease of PTZ control is the ability to create up to 256 preset positions and up to five tour routes. Canon optical encoders, micro-stepping motors, and a timing belt enable these models to provide fast (up to 450 degrees per second), precise panning and tilting.

With a robust weather- and vandal-resistant housing and built-in heater, the VB-R12VE camera is outdoor ready and able to withstand a variety of challenging environments. This model is also available with audio and external I/O support as the VB-R13VE.

VB-H651V Vandal Resistant Indoor Fixed Dome Network Camera

The VB-H651V is Canon’s newest Indoor Fixed Dome Network Camera to feature the company’s unique Remote PTRZ Adjustment function for easy post-installation changes to the camera’s pan, tilt, zoom and rotation positions. A vandal-resistant enclosure helps facilitate this camera’s safety from impact and tampering. The VB-H651V camera’s ability to deliver high-quality video is supported by an Auto Focus function for clear focusing on subjects both near and far away. This camera comes with a mounting plate to enable fast and simple installation, and it has multiple power options for installation flexibility, including 24 V AC, 12 V DC and PoE.

VB-H652LVE Infrared Vandal Resistant Outdoor Fixed Dome Network Camera

Canon also introduced the VB-H652LVE, its new infrared outdoor-ready Fixed Dome Network Camera which has a vandal-resistant, water-tight housing and optional heater unit making it suitable for installation in many climates. It is equipped with four built-in IR illuminators that enable video to be captured in little to no visible light, and an Auto Focus function for clear focusing on subjects both near and far away. It offers analog video output and installation controls for simple camera positioning during installation, and multiple power options including 24 V AC, 12 V DC, PoE and PoE+ provide further installation flexibility.

Convenience and Versatility

For added versatility, all of these new Canon network cameras have the ability to stream in both 16:9 and 4:3 resolutions, and also offer Custom Video Settings for optimal image exposure according to time of day and conditions (includes shutter speed, iris, gain, white balance, and noise reduction). Two available features, Motion Adaptive Noise Reduction and Area-Specific Data Size Reduction (ADSR), are both designed to help reduce data size while also helping to improve the image quality of areas of interest. These cameras are suitable for installation in areas with frequent vibrations – such as on top of a pole or near heavy machinery – as an Image Stabilization feature enables them to deliver clear video with minimal motion blurring.

The simple setup and use offered by these new Network Cameras is furthered by a Camera Viewer and a Mobile Viewer that provide easy access to the camera’s features and functionality from a variety of different compatible devices including PCs, mobile phones and tablets. All of these cameras are ONVIF Profile S and Profile G Conformant to help facilitate maximum interoperability with third-party recorders, and all also include a Canon Camera Management Tool (CCMT) that allows for centralized management of all current Canon Network Cameras (camera discovery, configuration, back-ups and restores, firmware upgrades, etc.).

Canon Buys Axis AB, Video Surveillance Company

Although Canon is the largest photographic company in the world and a big conglomerate, they have decided to branch out in other growth areas and announced their acquisition of Axis, the Swedish security camera and surveillance company. The consumer camera market has been declining for a few years now with the advent of more sophisticated smartphone cameras.


TOKYO/STOCKHOLM, Feb 10 (Reuters) – Canon Inc made a 23.6 billion-Swedish-crown ($2.83 billion) offer for network video surveillance leader Axis AB on Tuesday — the biggest purchase ever for the Japanese firm trying to expand beyond a shrinking camera market.

Canon said it had launched a bid to buy all the Swedish company’s shares at 340 crowns apiece, a premium of nearly 50 percent to their closing price of 226.90 on Monday. At 1126 GMT, shares of Axis were up 48 percent at 336.50 crowns.

Axis said its board of directors unanimously supported the offer, and that three of its top shareholders representing around 40 percent of total shares will accept it.

Canon already sells surveillance cameras and sees the sector as a growing market, although it has not disclosed how much it earns from such products.

The deal will make Canon a top player in the video surveillance market, which was worth an estimated $15 billion at the end of last year, according to researcher IHS.

Within that market, there is a $3.86 billion segment for network-connected security cameras which is led by Axis with a 17.5 percent share as of 2013.

Greger Johansson, analyst at research firm Redeye who had a bull case scenario of 250 crowns per share, said he thought the main owners had been unwilling to sell below 300 crowns as Axis had high revenue growth and was the No. 1 player in its market.

“We think some of the bigger players like Panasonic, Sony and Pelco could be interested… although the likelihood is relatively low considering the high bid.”

The deal comes after Canon late last month reported a slight increase in fourth-quarter profit, as a weaker yen and rising sales of office equipment offset weakness in a camera division competing with smartphones capable of high-quality imaging.

The company, which earned over 80 percent of its revenue overseas in 2014, said it would pay in cash.

Axis’ is targeting average annual growth of at least 20 percent and a profit margin of at least 10 percent. The company reported a fourth-quarter operating profit of 199 million crowns, slightly below analyst forecasts but up from 166 million a year earlier.

Around half of its sales come from the Americas, 40 percent from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the rest from Asia.

Axis said it will remain as a separate legal entity within Canon, and that its current management team will stay. ($1 = 8.3486 Swedish crowns) (Reporting by Ritsuko Ando,Chris Gallagher and Olof Swahnberg; Editing by Miral Fahmy, Christopher Cushing and Crispian Balmer)