Canon RC-250 (© M. Aubry)

Canon ION RC-250 (1988)

The Canon RC-250 was the first still video camera intended for regular consumers. The camera recorded in field-mode only but there was no loss in quality because images were recorded in Hi-Band mode. It featured a built-in flash, direct playback feature, rechargeable battery, recording speed up to three frames per second and autoexposure.

For an additional $200 one could buy an accessoire kit that contained a water-resistant housing, sports finder, macrophotography frame, sportsbag and an action grip where a 1.33x teleconverter lens could be attached. Pretty weird but also pretty amazing. There was also an imaging kit available that included a digitizer board and cables for a macintosh, IBM PC and Apple IIGS(!) computer.

The camera was called Q-PIC in Japan and XAPSHOT in the US. This camera was also the first SVC that was available in two different body colors. Black and white. Not marketed in Europe.

Spezifikationen

  • Brand: Canon
  • Model: ION RC-250
  • First mentioned: 1988
  • Marketed: yes
  • MSRP: $800
  • Imager Type: 0.20MP 1/2" CCD
  • Resolution: 786x?
  • Internal Storage: -
  • External Storage: Hi-VF Disk
  • Lens: f=11mm / F2.8
  • Shutter: 1/30s to 1/500s
  • Aperture Range: F2.8 - F22
  • LCD screen size: -
  • Size: 142 x 106 x 34.5mm
  • Weight: 420 gr.
  • Remarks: -