In response to increasing demand for digital video camcorders that can capture high-quality digital still shots in addition to movies, the FV M100 features a high-resolution 1.33million-pixel CCD image sensor, enabling superlative video and still-image recording. Equipped with Canon’s proprietary DIGIC DV image processor, which processes stills and video separately, the new camcorder optimizes color processing to ensure vivid, high-quality color performance in either mode.

The FV M100 camcorder incorporates a range of advanced Canon optical technology that enables high image quality as well as compact dimensions, including a newly developed 18x zoom lens, that make it ideal for capturing distant subjects at such events as school-entrance and graduation ceremonies. Canon’s lens coatings further contribute to the reproduction of clear, sharply defined images that capitalize on the full potential of the model’s megapixel-class CCD sensor.

To further simplify the printing of digital still shots, the FV M100 offers Canon’s new Print/Share button. Once the camcorder is connected to a compatible printer via a single USB connection, the Print/Share button automatically lights up to indicate that the unit is ready to print photos or transfer files to a PC with just one push.Canon’s new digital video camcorder is also compatible with the PictBridge industry standard for the direct printing of photos from digital cameras. In addition to Canon’s range of Direct Print-compatible printers, users can connect the camcorder directly to any printer enabled for PictBridge and output photos (JPEG) from the SD Memory Card without having to use a computer.

The FV M100 digital video camcorder features a stylish high-gloss metallic finish with design accents on the lens ring and other areas for a sophisticated air. The ergonomic body offers an enhanced grip design for increased handheld comfort and a non-slip finish for sure finger placement, making even long shooting sessions less tiring.

The new system enables the recording of high-resolution video in the 16:9 wide format, making possible full-screen playback on wide-screen TVs without any loss of image quality. Unlike methods that vertically crop and digitally enlarge the picture to fit the screen, the FV M100’s 16:9 shooting mode uses the recording pixels on either side of the standard 4:3 effective-pixel area, employing the full width of the CCD for a naturally larger horizontal angle of view.

Other performance-enhancing features include: Continuous Shooting, capable of capturing up to 10 consecutive images at five frames per second in resolution equivalent to SXGA (1,280 x 960 pixels); Super Night Mode which, sensing insufficient ambient light, automatically emits a bright LED light as supplemental illumination to enable color video recording in virtual darkness; and Night+ Mode, which allows users to activate the LED light when and for as long as they choose.

For the first time in Canon’s digital video camcorder lineup, the FV M100 camcorder offers users three body color variations – silver, champagne gold, and rosé – enabling a color choice to suit personal preference.