| Kobe Steel's aluminum sheet is being used in the body of the IXY DIGITAL L, the world's smallest 4-megapixal digital camera. The aluminum is a 5000 series alloy called 5X30, which contains magnesium. Canon was draw to the material's classy metallic finish that adds to the camera's stylish elegance. Kobe Steel was able to reduce defects in the aluminum alloy by adjusting the alloy composition, decreasing impurities, and achieving a uniform grain structure through cold rolling. An anodized treatment gives the surface of the metal a platinum-like color. Production capacity at Kobe Steel is expected to reach 30 metric tons per month by the end of this month. In addition to the Canon camera, 5X30 has been used in automobile body panels, which require high strength and excellent formability. Kobe Steel hopes to increase sales of the aluminum alloy for use in the exteriors of appliances, precision equipment and other fields. On sale in Japan since late October, the IXY DIGITAL L is sold in the United States and Canada as the PowerShot SD10 DIGITAL ELPH. In Europe, Southeast Asia and Oceania, it is known as the DIGITAL IXUS i.
Dimensions: W 90.3 x H 47.0 x D 18.5 mm (excluding protrusions)
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