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Canon celebrates the production of 30-million EOS camera units and looks forward to continued technological innovation to support professional and amateur photographers alike
Sydney, 21 December 2007 - Canon Australia today 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.
This 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 Inc.) in Japan, with production later moving to Taiwan and the company's current main production base at Oita in Japan.
Production reached 10 million units in 1997 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the series, and in 2003 it passed the 20-million mark. Now, a mere four years later, Canon has reached the reached the 30-million milestone.
Rich History
Canon introduced the first model in the EOS series - the EOS 650 AF SLR camera - in March of 1987 to coincide with its 50th anniversary. The EOS 650 represented a new generation of AF SLR cameras, and incorporated the world's first fully electronic mount system to achieve complete electronic control not only between the lens and body but throughout the entire camera system. EOS stands for "Electro Optical System" and also carries the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn and the series marked the dawn of an impressive range of innovative technologies and new heights of technological development.
EOS cameras garnered high acclaim from a wide range of users and have always been designed to realize Canon's key concepts of high speed and ease-of-use. In 1989 the company introduced the top-of-the-line EOS-1 professional model, and in 1992 the EOS 5 (also known as the EOS A2/EOS A2E or EOS 5QD). The groundbreaking camera was equipped with Eye-Controlled Focus, and a revolutionary auto focus function that allowed users to select a desired focusing point just by looking at it.
Canon succeeded in expanding the company's user base with the compact, lightweight EOS 500 (also sold as the EOS Rebel XS or EOS Kiss) the following year.
Canon formally ushered in the age of the digital SLR camera in 2000 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 and has launched cameras aiming to fulfil the company's new key concepts of high speed, ease-of-use, and high image quality.
Canon has further bolstered its digital SLR camera line-up with the launch of the top-of-the-line EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III this year, commemorating the 20th year of the EOS series. The cutting-edge EOS-1D Mark III models comprise advanced optical technologies and feature a fully revamped camera system. Canon has also launched the EOS 40D, which has won praise from a wide range of users, from first-time SLR camera owners to advanced amateurs.
Canon plans to continue its efforts to deliver all-around user satisfaction with an even more attractive line-up of products in future. Canon is committed to continued technological innovation with the EOS series and contributing to the future of photographic expression with enhanced product quality and services. For more information customers can contact Canon on 1800 021 167.
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