The Camera Site

A couple of APS Cameras /Canon EOS IX, Canon Ixus Z50, Canon Ixus II and Konica Revio

Canon EOS IX

Canon EOS IX (October 1996)

The Canon EOS IX is an extremely compact autofocus single-lens reflex (SLR) camera which integrates the EOS system and the Advanced Photo System (APS). Lens interchangeability is the foremost feature of an SLR camera and the EOS IX is compatible with nearly 50 of Canon EF lenses available for the EOS (Electro-Optical System) without using any adapter. The EOS IX is packed with aIl features such as high-precision and high-speed three-point autofocusing, various exposure control modes, IX (Information Exchange) capability, and midroll film change.

The exterior features, a stainless steel alloy finish and the body, which is shaped as a circle around the lens mount for a futuristic look. Actually the innovative "box and circle" design design in two color variations. Style of a large amount of Cameras made by Canon. Drop-in film loading, magnetic recording of all IX information and midroll change make the camera a top-notch camera. The EF 4-5.6/28-90 mm II lens marketed at the same time matches the color of the camera body. Canon had actually two AF SLR cameras among its APS lineup, this, EOS IX and IX 7 (IX Lite in North America). The IX 7 is an entry-level camera with its body construction made of glass-fiber reinforced polycarbonate while the EOS 1X is made as I wrote, mainly of stainless steel.

European APS Camera of the Year '97-'98 Canon EOS IX 

 
With a beautifully designed metal finish and a lens mount compatible to the whole range of EF lenses, the Canon EOS IX is the ideal choice for introducing the Advanced Photo System to your SLR photography. It is a camera that gives both the beginner and the experienced photographer a wide range of creative possibilities via 10 exposure programs and full manual operation. (The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA))

APS - Advanced Photo System

It is released in 1996 by Canon and some other major manufacturers, including Agfa, Fuji, Kodak, Minolta and Nikon. Although it has many technological advancements, such as the ability to record shooting data to film using a magnetic recording layer on the film surface, a possibility to change negative formats, change a film in the middle of the roll etc it will probably be the last film format ever invented. The cartridges are slightly smaller than in 35mm film, thus permitting the creation of cute little cameras. The simple drop-in film loading APS cartridges are fully sealed and the film is supposed to stay in the cartridge so, that users never will handle the negatives.

  • Loading a film: Just open the film chamber an drop in the 24mm APS Cassette . Almost everything is automated after that.
  • Picture size: You may choose between three picture formats and change a format between the shots: (C) for 4" X 6" Classic Prints, (H) for 4" X7" HDTV/Group prints, and (P) for 4" X 10" or 4" X 11" Panoramic prints.
  • Exposure: In most APS cameras it is is automatic but sometimes with a compensation possibility.
  • Flash: Considering Ixus and Revio: Auto Flash, Fill in Flash and a Flash of Mode
  • Titles: You may set the titles on the photo. A variety of sentences in several languages.
  • APS Cassette / film: APS film has a magnetic coating that records data from the camera. An exposure indicators on the cassette tells you if you film is (1) unexposed, (2) partially exposed, (3 fully exposed, or (4) processed. The film cassette protects your negatives. In fact, with the cassette, you'll never need to touch the film itself.
  • Smaller camera : An APS cassette allows to make a camera smaller and lightweight
  • Nastily said : APS system was the last effort to to get people not to click the forthcoming Digi Age
Type Fully automatic IX240 focal-plane shutter multi-mode AF SLR
Picture Size 16.7x30.2 mm (C, H, and P formats also selectable with IX data)
Compatible
Lenses		 Canon EF lenses
Lens Mount EF mount
AF System TTL phase detection. AF modes: One-Shot AF/Predictive AI Servo AF (automatic switchover). Multi-BASIS (|+|) for the AF sensor. Three focusing points selectable by Eye Control, dial operation, or by the camera automatically. AF operating range at ISO 100: EV 2 - 18.5. AF mode selected with a button.
In-focus
Indicator		 LCD superimposition within image area. In the Full Auto mode and Programmed Image Control modes (except the Sports mode), an in-focus beeper also sounds.
Shutter Vertical-travel, focal-plane electronic shutter. 30 sec. - 1/4000 sec., B. X-sync at 1/200 sec. In the manual and shutter speed-priority AE modes, the shutter speed can be set in 1/2-stop increments. Hot shoe provided for flash sync. Built-in electronic self-timer (AF-assist lamp blinks and beeper sounds).
Viewfinder Fixed eye-level roof mirror. 0.6x magnification (at 40mm focal length and infinity) and 95% print coverage.
Viewfinder
Information		 Superimposed LCD within image area: Focusing points (3 superimposed LED points, active point lights by Eye Control or dial operation), C-, H-, and P-format masks, and P-format mask. 7-segment LCD outside the image area: Shutter speed, aperture setting, depth-of-field AE, calibration, and FE lock. Yellow-green LCD mask: AE lock, exposure level dot scale (±2 EV in 1/2-stop increments), manual exposure level, autobracketing amount, Eye Control mode, Eye Control failure (blinks), and other indications.
Metering &
Exposure Control		 SPC for TTL full-aperture metering (6-zone evaluative, 6.5% partial metering at center, centerweighted averaging [set automatically in manual mode]) with shutter speed-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, shiftable Intelligent program AE, depth-of-field AE, five program AE modes, and metered manual. Manual exposure compensation range of ±2 EV (in 1/2-stop increments). AE lock enabled with a button. Autobracketing range of ±2 EV (in 1/2-stop increments) for three consecutive frames. Metering range at ISO 100 and f/1.4: EV 1 - 20. Film speed range: ISO 25 to 8000 (in 1/3-stop increments with DX code).
Built-in Flash Located on pentaprism hump. Retractable head. TTL autoflash control (fires automatically in backlight and low-light conditions in the Full Auto and certain Programmed Image Control modes) with off-the-film metering. TTL autoflash uses a TTL program to set the flash aperture automatically according to 3-zone evaluative metering linked to the focusing point. Guide No. 11 (at ISO 100 in m). Fill-flash enabled. Red-eye reduction lamp provided. * With the optional Canon Speedlite 220EX or 380EX, the flash specifications and features are the same as with the New EOS Kiss.
Power Source Two 6V CR123A lithium battery (auto battery check provided)
Film Loading &
Advance		 Drop-in auto loading. Automatic film advance with built-in motor. Single-frame and continuous advance (2.5 fps) enabled.
Midroll Change Different types (film speed, color or B/W) of IX 240 film can be loaded in midroll. The camera reads the IX data to advance to the next unexposed frame.
Film Rewind Fully automatic with built-in motor. Midroll rewind/change enabled.
Frame Counter Two-digit display with 7-segment LCD. Counts up during film advance, and counts down during rewind.
Autodate
Feature		 Year, month, day; day, hour, minute.
IX Data Magnetic head for two-track writing and single-track reading.
Dimensions &
Weight		 132 x 80 x 59 mm, 485 g (with battery)
Ixus Z50

Canon IXUS Z50

IXUS Z50 is smaller and lighter than most contemporary pocket-sized cameras, the elegant IXUS Z50 takes up the minimum amount of space. The features include a 2 x zoom lens that produces results with high contrast and sharp image quality as well as Canon's active center point focusing system. Reliable autofocus and flash systems are essential to successful photography and the IXUS Z50 has both systems built in for superb results shot after shot. (©Canon)

Features
  • Canon 26-52mm f/4.2-6.7 lens
  • New viewfinder with outstanding visibility
  • 3 custom functions
  • PQI, Date/Time and captions
  • Active 1-point AiAF focusing system
  • Closest focusing distance 0,45m
  • Shutter speed 2-1/560 sec.
  • 5 flash modes
  • Battery: One CR-2 lithium battery (3V)
  • Dimensions (W x H x D mm) 93 x 63x 30
  • Weight excluding battery 150 g

Amongst its Advanced Photo System features the IXUS Z50 has 10 data recording functions which record information on the film to enhance the print quality. Data such as magnification, lighting conditions and print quantity, which allows the user to select the number of multiple prints before shooting, flash use and date, time and caption printing are all recorded to improve the final photograph.


The camera also features three new custom functions: Auto rewind lets you cancel the automatic rewind, preventing any disturbance of the peach. Real Time shutter release lets you capture unmissable action shots and flash Mode Preservation temporarily prevents the flash firing when flash is prohibited.
Canon Ixus

Canon IXUS II

The original IXUS Advanced Photo System (APS) camera became a design classic when it was introduced in 1996. An unique 'box and circle' design by Yasushi Shiotani, the IXUS ushered in a fundamental shift between function and form. A stainless steel covered fully automatic APS (Advanced Photo System) camera . APS format has several advantages compared to 35mm film. The disadvantage is a rather small negative size. Excellent 23 - 46mm / F: 4,2 - 5,6 Canon Zoom lens (including 2 aspherical lens elements) is still able to produce sharp and contrasty 4" X 11" prints so the small negative size is a disadvantage only if you try to make prints bigger than A4. "APS" = Ain' t Perfect Sharpness.. is mostly a joke.
On Aug. 28 1997, Canon Inc. produced its 100 millionth camera, a Canon IXY. (IXUS Is sold as IXY in Japan)

Features
  • Exposure: automatic through center-weighted metering
  • Shutter speed: 2 - 1/800 sec. (down to 1/900 in tele position of lens)
  • Weight: 170 g without the CR-2 battery
  • Size: 87×57×24.5 mm
It's small. It's slim. It's sexy. Whether you're carrying it or wearing it, you won't want to go anywhere without it. After all, it's loaded with advanced features such as five-mode flash, hybrid AF and precision autofocusing.
It's easy to handle too. Even though we made the IXUS II the world's smallest 2x zoom APS camera*, we kept its buttons big. We brought them to the back, where they're easier to sec and use.
As you've probably noticed, we also redressed the rest of the IXUS II. Encased in stainless steel, we think you'll find that this is a camera that looks as sharp as the pictures it takes. It's one that lets you capture the moment in style.
The IXUS II. Try one on for size.
Revio

 

Konica Revio

Konica Revio is also a fully automatic APS auto-focus camera. The lens is Konica Zoom 24-48mm / f : 4 - 7.6 (5 elements/5 groups) The shutter is electronic programmed 2 - 1/500sec. Multi infrared non-scan active type auto-focus system, electric self timer etc.

Basically these three cameras are identical considering to features.They all are quite simple to use with one button used to scroll through the various functions indicated on the rear LCD screen. All of them need one 3V Lithium battery (CR2) to their functions.

Konica Revio-M, Specifications
Type Fully automatic auto-focus 1X240 lens shutter camera
Format 16.7 X 30.2mm
Lens 24mm F4-48mm F7.6 focal length Konica zoom lens  (5 groups 5 elements)
Shutter Electronic programmed shutter, 2 - 1/500 sec.
Focusing Multi infrared non-scan active type auto-focus system, effective range ; f=24mm : 0.5m (1.6ft) ~oo, f=48mm : 0.4m (1.3ft) Focus lock with shutter release half stroke.
AE adjustment Programmed AE with CdS photo cell. Center Weighted
AE coupling range ISO 100 : f=24mm : EV3 - EV17, f=48mm EV5 - EV17
Film speed Auto setting IS0 25 to ISO 3200
Flash Flash operates automatically when shutter speed approaches limit for hand-held shooting, range (ISO 100) f=24mm 0.5m (1.6ft)-4.1m (13.5ft), f=48mm 0.4m (1.3ft)-2.2m (7.2ft), recycle time about 5 sec.
Self-timer Electronic self-timer about 10 sec. delay, red LED blinks for first 7 sec. then lights for 3 sec. cancel function provided
Finder Real-image zoom finder with auto-focus frame, close-up parallax marks, Green lamp (auto-focus/focus lock, blinks when subject is out of range), Hand shake warning
Frame counter Backward count system, shown in the shooting display panel
Film transport Automatic film advance to first frame (The film supplied automaticallywhen the film compartment cover is closed.)
The film rewinds automatically after shooting the fixed number of frames.
The camera stops automatically when the rewind is completed but the cartridge cannot be exchanged during the rewind operation.
Power source Lithium battery (CR2:3V), battery
power check on LCD pan
Size and weight: 95x57x26.5 144g (5.1oz)
©2008 Reijo Lauro