Canon Celebrates 50 Million EOS-Series SLR Camera & 70 Million EF Lens

 About EOS-series SLR cameras

The EOS series, which stands for "Electro Optical System" and also carries the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn, was first introduced in March 1987 as a new generation of AF SLR cameras that incorporate the world's first electronic mount system, achieving complete electronic control not only between the lens and body but throughout the entire camera system.

With the key concepts of high speed and ease-of-use, the EOS-series cameras, including the top-of-the-line EOS-1 professional model, which was first introduced in 1989, and the compact, lightweight EOS Rebel XS, which was released in 1993 and helped to expand Canon's user base, actively incorporated innovative technologies and gained acceptance from a wide range of users. Following the introduction of the EOS D30 in 2000, a time when the spread of digital SLR cameras was in full swing, Canon developed such advanced technologies as its proprietary CMOS sensors and the high-performance DIGIC digital image processor, as well as an extensive lineup of EF lenses in an effort to fulfill the company's new key concepts of high speed, ease-of-use, and high image quality.

Canon has its rich product lineup in each category-professional, advanced-amateur, and entry-level-in the EOS series, and aims to further enrich its lineup by releasing the new flagship-model EOS-1D X in March of 2012.

50 millionth EOS-series SLR camera

Production of the EOS SLR camera first began in 1987 at Canon Inc.'s Fukushima Plant (now Fukushima Canon Inc.), and then later moved to Oita Canon Inc.; Canon Inc. Taiwan; and most recently Nagasaki Canon Inc. from March of 2010. In 1997, the 10th anniversary of the series, production reached 10 million units, and in 2003 passed the 20-million mark. After the rapid spread of digital SLR cameras, Canon went on to reach the 30-million mark during the series' 20-year anniversary in December 2007 and the 40-million mark in May 2010, followed by the current 50-million-unit production milestone, attained after a short one year and four months.

70 millionth EF lens

Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) SLR cameras began in 1987 at the company's Utsunomiya Plant, and has since expanded to a total of four production facilities including Canon Inc. Taiwan; Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.; and Oita Canon Inc. in Japan. EF lenses reached the 10-million-unit milestone in 1995, the 20-million-unit milestone in 2001, and the 30-million-unit milestone in 2006, followed by the 40-million-unit mark in April of 2008. Owing to the rapid spread of the EOS Digital series, production then increased and EF lenses achieved the 50-million-unit mark in December of 2009 and the 60-million-unit mark in January of this year. Canon will produce 10 million units just in nine months and reach the 70-million-unit milestone at the end of October of 2011.

Canon will continue to refine its various imaging technologies by using optical technologies as a core, striving to produce exceptional and reliable cameras and lenses that cater to the varying needs of photographers-from first-time users to advanced amateurs and professionals-while contributing to expanding an enjoyable photo and imaging culture.