(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 13, 2002 ) Fulfilling a commitment to introduce more digital products targeted for Small Office-Home Office (SoHo) users, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE CAJ) today introduces the imageCLASS D660, a new digital copier/printer that combines the outstanding quality and reliability of Canon digital technology into an affordable desktop package. The imageCLASS D660 also marks the first of a line of digital copier/printer products that will be sold through Canon's retail sales channel. The imageCLASS D660 will be available in late August through national retailers at an estimated street price of $ 699.

"Canon is the market leader in the sale of personal copiers and it is because of our success that we can take this step, " said Hiroaki Yokoyama, director and assistant general manager of marketing for Canon U.S.A.'s SoHo Products Division. "Our customers know Canon's single-function copiers have an outstanding reputation for quality and reliability, and we intend for that tradition to continue with our imageCLASS-branded products. Our goal is to offer our SoHo customers the choice of single-function, standalone personal copiers or digital, PC-connected multi-function laser devices that can meet their broader needs at a competitive price."

The Canon imageCLASS D660 digital copier/printer is intended for businesses that need a robust copier with maintenance-free performance. The copier features Canon's exclusive Single Cartridge System, which contains the drum, development unit and toner in one easily replaceable cartridge. The imageCLASS D660's L50 cartridge, which ships with the product, yields approximately 5,000 black-and-white copies, at 5% density, for an economical $.03 per copy. A 30-sheet automatic document feeder can accept originals up to legal size and reproduce letter-size documents at 13 copies-per-minute (cpm) and legal-size documents at 10 cpm. Digital technology, through the touch of a single button, facilitates collating of multi-page documents.

The imageCLASS D660 features Canon's Advanced Printing Technology for high-quality laser prints with a resolution of 600 x 600 dpi. For added flexibility and user convenience, the imageCLASS D660 supports both parallel and USB interfaces and includes a 12 MB memory. The imageCLASS D660 offers fast, efficient paper handling through a 500-sheet front loading paper cassette and a 100-sheet multi-purpose tray, which accepts a variety of media including bond, plain and colored paper, transparencies, labels and envelopes, for faster, no-worry operation.

A further measure of Canon's commitment to SoHo customers is the inclusion of a three-year limited warranty with first year on-site service - one of the most extensive warranties in the industry to ensure the ongoing performance of the imageCLASS D660.

Canon's imageCLASS D660 also includes many other sought-after qualities that have enabled Canon personal copiers to dominate the market with a 70% share* for all analog and digital PC Copiers sold during the year 2001. The most well-known is Canon's patented RAPID Fusing System, which provides instant warm-up and eliminates waiting time. Coupled with the energy-saving automatic power-down feature, the imageCLASS D660 meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Developed in 1993, the ENERGY STAR program promotes the manufacture of energy-efficient office equipment. Its designation applies to products that contribute to the reduction of pollution and emissions from power generated at electric utilities. Canon, a long-time ENERGY STAR partner and one of the leading producers of energy-efficient equipment, assists the EPA in developing guidelines to reduce global warming and is a strong advocate of consumer education through its product labeling and environmental programs.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. In 2001, the Company was listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and was ranked #41 on the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2001, with global revenues of $26 billion. Canon U.S.A. employs approximately 11,000 people at over 30 locations. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

* - According to market studies completed in March, 2002 by Dataquest, a unit of Gartner Inc.

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Produced for Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Editorial Contacts:

Judy Raichek, Canon U.S.A.
(516) 328-5186
jraichek@cusa.canon.com
www.usa.canon.com/consumer

For sales info/customer support:
1-800-OK-CANON

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Contact Information:
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Joseph Nchor
Tel:
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