Popularity of digital SLR photography sees the latest 10-million units
for cameras and lenses reached in shortest-ever time
Sydney, 18 October, 2011: Canon today announced the achievement of a new camera-manufacturing milestone with the production of the company’s 50-millionth EOS-series SLR camera in September 2011. In addition, production for Canon EF interchangeable lenses will reach the 70-million mark at the end of October.
“These production milestones are the clearest indication of the strong consumer movement to pursue the highest possible image quality and creative potential in their photography,” said Darren Ryan, General Manager–Marketing, Canon Consumer Imaging, Canon Australia. “Canon EOS continues to dominate*1 the market with its unrivalled image quality at all levels and the limitless creative possibilities that the EF lens range enables.”
Production of the Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) single-lens reflex cameras and interchangeable EF lenses began with film cameras in 1987. The uptake of digital SLR photography has seen the 10-million production milestone intervals for each rapidly shortening:
– Canon EOS-series cameras
- 1997 10-millionth EOS (10 million units in 10 years)
- 2003 20 millionth EOS
- Dec 2007 30-millionth EOS
- May 2010 40-millionth EOS
- Sept 2011 50-millionth EOS (10 million units in 16 months)
– Canon EF interchangeable lenses
- 1995 10-millionth EF lens (10 million units in 8 years)
- 2001 20 millionth EF lens
- 2006 30-millionth EF lens
- April 2008 40-millionth EF lens
- Dec 2009 50-millionth EF lens
- Jan 2011 60-millionth EF lens
- End Oct 2011 70-millionth EF lens (10 million units in 9 months)
The news coincides with the global announcement of Canon’s groundbreaking new EOS-1D X flagship professional digital SLR camera. “Canon aims to maintain its leadership in the digital imaging market and we are continuing our strong investment in R&D to keep delivering exciting new products of uncompromising quality,” says Ryan.
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 500, 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 DiG!C digital image processor, as well as an extensive line-up of EF lenses in an effort to fulfil the key concepts of high speed, ease-of-use, and high image quality.
About EF-series lenses
First introduced in March 1987, along with Canon’s EOS SLR camera system, the EF lens has over the years led the industry through the incorporation of a number of innovative technologies, including such world’s firsts*2 as the Ultrasonic Motor-powered lens (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) that compensates for the effects of camera shake, Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) anti-reflection technology, and a multi-layered diffractive optical element (DO).
Canon’s current EF lens line-up, comprising 66 models*3 , ranges from super-wide-angle lenses to super-telephoto zoom lenses. The diverse lens selection offers zoom options ranging from standard to super-telephoto, Image Stabilizer-equipped lenses, large-diameter lenses, macro-lenses and TS-E lenses incorporating a special tilt-shift mechanism allowing manipulation of image perspective and distortion.
This year, Canon released the world’s first*2 fisheye zoom lens that captures circular and rectangular images with a 180°angle of view: the EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM, and two large-aperture super-telephoto lenses: the EF300mm f/2.8L IS II USM and the EF400mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
*1 Canon Number 1 Market Share YTD. 51% volume share, 53% value share. Source: GfK Retail and TechnologyAustralia, Digital Still Cameras – DSLR, Retail Sales Volume/Value Jan to Aug 2011 (excludes internet and online channels)
*2 Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras
*3 Including two EF lens extenders and models available outside ofJapan
Related Links
– Learn more about Canon EOS digital SLR cameras
– Learn about Canon Professional Photography
– Enter World of EOS – a world of inspiration that comes with every Canon EOS camera
About Canon:
Canon is the world’s leading imaging brand that actively inspires with imaginative ideas that enable people to connect, communicate and achieve more than they thought possible through imaging solutions for business and consumers. Canon’s Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-four US patent recipients* for the past 19 years, and had global revenues of around $US45 billion in 2010. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit www.canon.com.au, www.facebook.com/canonaustralia, www.twitter.com/canonaustralia, www.youtube.com/canonaustralia