Canon EOS 30th Anniversary

In March 2017, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Company’s EOS System, which includes EOS-series interchangeable-lens cameras and a diverse range of system accessories, beginning with interchangeable EF lenses.

EOS, which stands for “Electro Optical System,” is also the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn. Canon’s EOS System debuted in March 1987 with the launch of the EOS 650 single-lens reflex (SLR) camera and EF lenses,1 making EOS cameras the world’s first to incorporate an electronic mount system, representing a new generation of Auto Focus SLR cameras.

Featuring the essential components of a digital camera, the CMOS sensor, image processor and interchangeable lenses, the EOS system was developed in-house and set the foundation for a product lineup that saw increased performance as new technology was developed. As a follow up, with the essential components in mind, in September 2003, Canon took another step forward, introducing the first entry-level DLSR, the EOS Digital Rebel, ushering in a new digital era. As the EOS Digital Rebel began to garner praise for its compact, lightweight design, user-friendliness and affordable price-point, Canon achieved an overwhelming portion of the interchangeable-lens camera market that year, taking the No.1 share, which it has held for 13 consecutive years through 2015. Thanks to the long-term support from Canon customers, in November 2015, cumulative production of EOS-series cameras reached 80 million units, and in August 2016, the total number of EF lenses produced surpassed the 120 million-unit mark.

Canon’s EOS System made its debut in March 1987 with the launch of the EOS 650 single-lens reflex (SLR) camera and EF lenses.1 An acronym of “Electro Optical System” while also carrying the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn, the EOS series saw first light in 1987 as the world’s first fully electronic mount system, representing a new generation of AF SLR cameras.

With all the digital camera key devices—the CMOS sensor, image processor and interchangeable lenses—utilized by the EOS System developed in-house, a strong product lineup began to take shape as the basic performance of each product steadily increased. Playing to this strength, Canon released the first entry-level DSLR in September 2003, the EOS 300D (EOS Kiss Digital or EOS Digital Rebel in other regions), ushering in a new digital era.

With the EOS 300D highly praised for its compact, lightweight design, user-friendliness and competitive price, Canon seized an overwhelming portion of the interchangeable-lens camera market that year, taking the No.1 share, which it has held for 13 consecutive years through 2015. What’s more, thanks to long-term support from customers, in November 2015, cumulative production of EOS-series cameras reached 80 million units, and in August 2016, the total number of EF lenses produced surpassed the 120 million-unit mark.