Hoping to beat Epson to the storage viewer crown, Canon also used Photokina as a platform to launch two portable storage and viewing devices. Dubbed M30 and M80, the USB 2.0 viewers feature 3.7 inch screens with 160º viewing angles and a 30Gb/80Gb hard disk compatible with a range of image, movie and sound file formats.There?s no news as to pricing as yet, but Canon hopes to get the products in stores before Christmas. Full details are available at www.canon.co.uk

PRESS RELEASE

New media storage viewers for digital photographers

Canon today launches the portable devices, designed with EOS and other digital photographers in mind. The Canon Media Storage M30 and Canon Media Storage M80 devices feature a large ultra-bright 3.7? TFT screen with 160º viewing angle for image and video review, and a 30Gb/80Gb hard disk to store digital images, movie and sound files of various file formats. Both units feature a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface and slots for CF and SD cards.
With their tough, robust magnesium alloy bodies and intuitive navigation familiar to EOS owners, the devices add an important link to the workflow chain of professional photojournalists and photographers on location, outdoor and expedition shoots. They are also expected to be popular with the increasing body of every-day photographers looking for new ways to store and display favourite shots and extend storage capacity whilst away from the computer.

The Media Storage M30 and M80 feature:
30/80 Gb hard disk
3.7? ultra-bright TFT screen with 160º viewing angle
CF and SD card reader
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connection
Support for multiple image, video and sound file formats, including Canon RAW, MPEG, MP3 and WAV.
Extended PictBridge functionality
4 ? 8 digit image file password protection
1/8? audio-out headphone jack

?This is the EOS accessory many Canon professionals have been asking us for,? said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. ?As well as extending pro photographer back-up and storage capacity, there is no doubt the units will appeal to amateur photographers looking for more flexible, enjoyable and portable alternatives to the traditional photo album.”

Multi-media versatility
In addition to the capacity to store Canon RAW and JPEG images, the Media Storage M30 and M80 units can also store and display / playback a variety of multi-media files. A headphone jack is provided for audio playback of MPEG as well as WAV and MP3 files.

Reliability and security
Designed for professional use, the units are robust, reliable and secure. The 1.8? HDD is chosen for its stability and superior protection features and both units are protected with a tough, rugged magnesium alloy outer casing. To avoid corruption, files are validated during upload from memory card. To prevent unauthorised access, images and other files can be protected with an up to 8 digit password.

Battery convenience
For EOS photographer convenience, the units take the BP 511A battery used in various EOS models including the EOS 5D, EOS 20D and EOS 30D, as well as professional products such as the WFT E1 Wireless File Transmitter.