It appears that the Japanese manufacturers of imaging and optical products are quite optimistic about their products in the Indian market. Just simultaneously with the launch of eight new Coolpix cameras by Nikon, Canon has rolled out a slew of its new digital cameras and camcorders in the Indian Market. Canon has launched as many as 23 new products including smart digital cameras and camcorders in India.

Canon India, which has been having remarkable success in India, launched its new products at an event in Mumbai. Kensaku Konishi, the president and CEO Canon India, Alok Bharadwaj, the Senior VP of the company, and glamorous bollywood stunner Neha Dhupia were present at the launch. Canon India launched 8 digital compact cameras, 10 digital video camcorders, a digital SLR, a compact photo printer and 3 specialized lenses.

Speaking at the launch, Kensaku Konishi said, "Canon has made a conscious effort to bring the best in photographic equipment to consumers across categories. We pride ourselves on our expanded portfolio of stylish and next generation digital imaging products that will help to make lifestyle a reality for more people in India. The products launched today mark a continuation of our promise of cutting edge technology for our consumers. These are stylish and technologically advanced lifestyle products."

Canon India has launched Canon Ixus 100IS, Canon Ixus 95 IS and Canon Ixus 110 IS belonging to its Ixus series of Cameras. The cameras are priced at Rs. 15, 995, Rs, 13, 995 and Rs. 19, 995 respectively.

Canon India has rolled out Canon Powershot A480, a 10 megapixel camera with the price tag of Rs. 8, 995, Canon Powershot A1100IS with the price tag of Rs. 12, 495, and Canon Powershot 2100IS camera with the price tag of Rs. 14,
995. Canon India also launched the expensive 12.1 megapixel Powershot SX200, priced at Rs. 24, 995.

Canon India has released Canon Powershot D10, the company's first waterproof digital compact camera. The camera is available for Rs. 20, 995. In the DSLR space, the company has rolled out the EOS 500D, priced at Rs. 55,
995.

Canon India has also released a compact photo printer, Selphy 780, priced at Rs. 5, 995. The company has rolled out three specialized lenses - TS-E24/F3.5LII priced at Rs. 1, 35, 395, TS-E17/F4L priced at Rs. 1, 56, 295, and SpeedLite 270 EX priced at Rs. 10, 695.

Canon India has launched 10 new camcorders, which include - Canon HFS10 (Rs. 1, 25, 995), Canon HFS100 (Rs. 1,
00, 995), Canon HF20 (Rs. 84, 995), Canon HF200 (Rs. 62, 995), Canon HV40 (Rs. 80, 995), Canon FS22 (Rs. 42, 995), Canon FS21(Rs. 34, 995), Canon FS200 (Rs. 26, 995), Canon DC410 (Rs. 23, 995), and Canon DC420 (Rs. 25, 995).

During the launch the Senior VP of Canon India explained why Canon has brought out plethora of its products. Mr. Bharadwaj said, "In difficult business environment, one thing which everyone needs is fun and entertainment. We, at Canon, believe that this should not be at the cost of technology and gadgets and hence are launching products which are feature rich, technology packed, high on style quotient and most of all value for money."

Speaking of Canon DSLRs, Mr. Bharadwaj said, "Canon EOS is the No. 1 D-SLR brand in Asia and I am pleased to share that Canon worldwide this year is celebrating the 50th Anniversary as the leading DSLR brand. Canon has sold over 53 million SLRs worldwide! And in just 6 years since the introduction of its first digital SLR, EOS has achieved exponential sales of more than 10 million Digital SLRs as photography becomes more accessible to amateurs and professionals alike. In India, we reach out to this community through our Canon Edge programme which has almost
6000 members today."

Canon India claimed that the company has shipped 500, 000 digital cameras into the Indian market, and to commemorate the achievement, the company presented the 500,000th digital camera to the "Julie girl" Neha Dhupia.