Canon has announced the achievement of two milestones: the company has recently manufactured its 50 millionth EOS-series SLR camera, and expects to produce the 70 millionth EF lens by the end of this month. The first-ever Canon EOS camera, the EOS 650, was launched in March 1987. By the 10th anniversary of the series in 1997, the number of EOS cameras sold had reached the 10 million mark. Production propelled to 20 million units in 2003, and by the 20th anniversary they had reached the 30 million mark, due to the continued popularity of the EOS system in the digital age. The 40 millionth EOS camera was manufactured in May 2010, while the current 50 million-unit production milestone was achieved in September 2011.

Canon Press Release

Canon celebrates 50 million EOS-series SLR camera and 70 million EF lens production milestones

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 18th October 2011 – Canon today announced the achievement of its latest camera-manufacturing milestone, following the production of the company’s 50-millionth EOS-series SLR camera. Underlining the huge popularity of Canon’s leading EOS System, the announcement coincides with another significant manufacturing milestone, with production of Canon’s EF lenses due to pass 70 million units by the end of October 2011.

“These latest manufacturing milestones showcase the unprecedented popularity of the EOS system,” said Rainer Fuehres, Chief of Consumer Imaging, Canon Europe. “Throughout the development of the EOS System we’ve always been focused on providing leading levels of performance for our customers, and the consistently high demand for EOS cameras and EF lenses offers a powerful testament to the quality our products offer to photographers of all levels.”

EOS cameras – leading quality
The EOS series, which stands for “Electro Optical System” and also carries the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn, began production in 1987 at Canon Inc.’s Fukushima Plant with the launch of the iconic EOS 650, an SLR that featured the world’s first electronic mount system. Over the past 25 years, Canon has invested in the development of the EOS System to guarantee it provides the most advanced technologies and exceptional image quality for photographers of all skill levels – from beginners through to professionals.

Just two years after launching the EOS Series in 1989, Canon launched its most professional EOS SLR, the EOS-1, and on the 10th anniversary of the EOS series in 1997, production reached 10 million units. Production propelled to 20 million units in 2003, largely due to the release of the lightweight and compact EOS 500 in 1993 and EOS D30 in 2000, which spearheaded the rapid growth of digital SLR cameras across the globe.

Over the past 25 years, Canon’s technological advancements has seen the company launch the industry leading high-performance DIGIC digital image processor, as well as proprietary CMOS sensors that deliver unrivalled image quality. Developments such as these saw Canon reach the 30 million-unit landmark during the series’ 20-year anniversary in December 2007, and the 40 million mark shortly after, in May 2010. The current 50 million-unit production milestone was achieved in September 2011, and has been reached after a period of just one year and four months – by some distance the fastest-ever production period in the history of the EOS range.

Today, Canon marks this historic production landmark with the launch of the Canon EOS-1D X – a revolutionary, next-generation professional DSLR offering an unparalleled combination of speed, resolution and image quality ideal for all types of professional photographers.

EF lenses – precision technology, creative flexibility
Production of Canon’s prestigious interchangeable EF lens series for EOS SLR cameras commenced in 1987 at the company’s Utsunomiya Plant, alongside the development of the first EOS Series SLR camera.  Designed to provide EOS SLR photographers with unrivalled flexibility in all shooting scenarios, the diverse EF lens range now includes over 60 different lenses, which are produced in a total of four production facilities to meet the huge demand.

Since production began in 1987, the EF lens range has expanded to include a number of innovative technologies, including the development of the world’s first[1] Ultrasonic Motor-powered lens (USM) and Image Stabilizer (IS) technology. Innovations such as these provided new and advanced levels of performance, and prompted the rapid growth of EF lenses that saw production pass 10 million units in 1995, and subsequently reach 20 million in 2001.

Production then reached 30 million units in 2006 – quickly followed just two years later by the 40-million-unit mark in April 2008. Owing to the surging popularity of the EOS series, production was increased and the 50 million-unit landmark was achieved in December 2009, before Canon reached the 60 million-unit mark in January of this year. By October 2011 Canon will pass its next 10 million-unit cycle in just nine months to achieve the 70 million-unit milestone, spurred by cutting edge products such as the new EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM – the world’s first1 fisheye zoom lens that captures circular and rectangular images with a 180° view.

In line with its position at the forefront of the imaging industry, Canon will continue to refine its various imaging technologies in the years to come. By using optical technologies as a core, Canon strives to produce exceptional cameras and lenses that cater for the needs of photographers, from first-time users to advanced amateurs and professionals, enabling users of all levels to experience and enjoy the power of image.

[1] Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras

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