Redesigned Additions to Realis Line-up Are 25 Percent Smaller Than Predecessors

Canon today announced a new category of projectors designed to expand options for installations. Called "Pro AV Compact Installation LCoS projectors," the four new models each weigh less than 14 pounds and are about 25 percent smaller than previous projectors, with a new exhaust design and flat chassis.

Each of the new models has a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 2000:1 contrast ratio, Canon said. The Realis WUX450 and Realis WUX400ST (the "ST" denotes a short-throw design) are WUXGA (1920×1200) projectors rated at 4500 and 4000 lumens, respectively, while the Realis WX520 (pictured, top) and Realis WX450ST are WXGA+ (1440×990) resolution rated at 5200 and 4500 lumens.The WUX450 and WX520 have lenses with a fixed aperture of f/2.8 and no light loss across their 1.8x zoom range, while the "ST" models use a 1.35x zoom lens with more flexibility for undistorted images in tighter projection environments. Two units can be stacked to double the light output while maintaining a compact footprint.

"The demand for installation projectors is growing across many professional markets," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive VP and GM for Canon U.S.A.'s Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, in a prepared statement. "Canon is demonstrating its commitment to these users by developing this entirely new category [of projectors]." Canon said the new projectors are designed for use in classrooms, lecture halls, auditoriums, churches, museums, galleries, conference rooms, post-production facilites, training simulators, and more.

The WUX450 and WX520 will ist for $5499 and $4999, respectively, while the WUX400ST and the WX520ST will list for $6899 and $6299, respectively. All four projectors are expected to ship no later than September.

In addition to the new Realis models, Canon also introduced the LE-5W three-LED multimedia projector (pictured above), an "ultra-portable" (3.5 pounds) model designed for business communications and home entertainment. The three-LED design means the projector has a separate light source for red, green, and blue, so that a color wheel isn't necessary, which Canon says increases the vibrance of color. It's rated at 500 lumens of brightness with a contrast ratio of 3000:1 and a 1.2:1 throw ratio. It has an HDMI input, USB and SD card slots, and 1.5 GB of on-board memory, plus two built-in 2.5-watt speakers for audio playback.

It's slated to ship this summer with an estimated retail price of $799.
 

Canon U.S.A.: www.usa.canon.com/projectors