Dec 21
Canon Produces 30 Millionth EOS-series SLR Camera
TOKYO, Japan — On Thursday, Dec 20, Canon announced the achievement of a new camera-manufacturing milestone as combined production of the company’s EOS-series film and digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras passed the 30-million mark.
Additionally, production of EOS Digital-series SLR cameras has passed the 10-million unit threshold.
The achievement coincides with Canon’s 70th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the launch of its EOS line of SLR cameras. Shipment of EOS cameras began in 1987 from Canon’s Fukushima Plant (now Fukushima Canon), with production later moving to Canon, Taiwan and the company’s current main production base at Oita Canon.
In 1997, the 10th anniversary of the series, production reached 10 million units, and in 2003 it passed the 20-million mark. And now, a mere four years later, Canon reached the 30-million level.
In March of 1987, Canon’s 50th anniversary, the company introduced the EOS 650 AF SLR camera, the first model of the EOS series. The EOS 650 incorporated the world’s first fully electronic mount system, achieving complete electronic control not only between the lens and body but throughout the entire camera system, representing a new generation of AF SLR cameras.
In 2000, Canon formally ushered in the age of the digital SLR camera with the introduction of the EOS D30, equipped with the company’s proprietary CMOS sensor. In addition to developing in-house such key components as CMOS sensors and the high-performance DIGIC digital image processor, Canon offers an extensive lineup of EF lenses.
This year, commemorating the 20th year of the EOS series, Canon has further bolstered its digital SLR camera lineup with the launch of the top-of-the-line EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III, featuring a fully revamped camera system, as well as the EOS 40D. More at Canon.