Canon EOS

The Canon EOS (Electro-Optical System) autofocus 35 mm film and digital SLR camera system was introduced in 1987 with the Canon EOS 650 and is still in production as Canon's current DSLR system. The acronym EOS was chosen for Eos, the Titan Goddess of dawn in Greek mythology, and is often pronounced as a word (i.e., UK: /ˈiː.ɒs/, US: /ˈiː.ɑːs/), although some spell out the letters, reading it as an initialism.

It competes primarily with the Nikon F series and its successors, as well as autofocus SLR systems from Olympus Corporation, Pentax, Sony/Minolta, and Panasonic/Leica. Between 2006 and 2008, Canon's market share in DSLR cameras decreased from nearly 50% worldwide to near-parity with Nikon DSLRs, at 38% and 37%, respectively. While in 2010, Canon rose to a share of 44.5% in the DSLR market, jumping far ahead of Nikon's 29.8% and Sony's 11.9%, becoming the worldwide leader of DSLR manufacturers .

At the heart of the system is the EF lens mount, which replaced the previous FD lens mount.

EF lens mount

Main article: Canon EF lens mount

The bayonet-style EF lens mount is at the centre of the EOS camera system. Breaking compatibility with the earlier FD mount, it was designed with no mechanical linkages between moving parts in the lens and in the camera. The aperture and focus are controlled via electrical contacts, with motors in the lens itself. This was similar in some ways to Canon's earlier attempt at AF with the T80 and Nikon's 1983 F3AF (and to many of Nikon's more recent autofocus lenses), and other manufacturers including Contax (with its G series of interchangeable-lens 35 mm rangefinder cameras) and Olympus (with its Four Thirds System) have since embraced this type of direct drive system. It is a large lens mount compared to most of its competition, enabling the use of larger aperture lenses.

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  The bayonet-style mount

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  14mm f/2.8L lens

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  TS-E 24mm f/3.5L lens

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  35mm f/1.4L lens

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  50mm f/1.4 lens

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  85mm f/1.2L lens

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  100mm f/2.8 macro lens

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  135mm f/2L lens

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  400mm f/2.8L lens

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  16-35 f/2.8L lens

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  24-70 f/2.8L lens

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  70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II lens

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  70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS DO lens

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  35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L lens

EOS flash system

Main article: Canon EOS flash system

The flash system in the EOS cameras has gone through a number of evolutions since its first implementation. The basic EOS flash system was actually developed not for the first EOS camera, but rather for the last high-end FD-mount manual-focus camera, the T90, launched in 1986. This was the first Canon camera with through-the-lens (TTL) flash metering, although other brands had been metering that way for some time. It also introduced the A-TTL (Advanced TTL) system for better flash exposure in program mode, using infrared preflashes to gauge subject distance.

This system was carried over into the early EOS cameras wholesale. A-TTL largely fell out of favor, and was replaced by E-TTL (Evaluative TTL). This used a pre-flash for advanced metering, and used the autofocus system to judge where the main subject was for more accurate exposure. E-TTL II, which was an enhancement in the camera's firmware only, replaced E-TTL from 2004.

Canon Speedlite-brand flashes have evolved alongside the cameras. They are capable of wired and wireless multi-flash setups, the latter using visible or infrared pulses to synchronise.

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  Speedlite 550EX

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  Speedlite 430EX

EOS cameras

As of 2007, Canon has released no fewer than 40 EOS SLR camera models, starting with the introduction of the EOS 650 in 1987. In the 1990s, Canon worked with Kodak to produce digital camera bodies, starting with the EOS DCS 3 in 1995. The first digital EOS SLR camera wholly designed and manufactured by Canon is the EOS D30, released in 2000.

Canon has also released two EOS cameras designed to use the APS film format, the EOS IX and the EOS IX Lite.

There is also a manual-focus EOS camera, the Canon EF-M. It comes with all the automatic and manual exposure functions but lacks autofocus. However, it comes equipped with a split-screen/microprism focusing screen for precise manual focusing.

Eye-controlled focusing

Through the tracking of eyeball movements, EOS cameras equipped with eye-controlled focusing (ECF) are able to choose the appropriate autofocus point based on where the user is looking in the viewfinder frame. ECF comes especially useful in sports photography where the subject may shift its position in the frame rapidly.

EOS cameras equipped with ECF are the EOS A2E (U.S. model names are shown; see the table below for equivalents in other countries), EOS Elan IIE, EOS IXe, EOS-3, EOS Elan 7E, and EOS Elan 7NE.

Canon has not continued its use of eye-controlled focusing with its digital SLRs, however. The EOS Elan 7NE is the last EOS camera to have this function.

Quick control dial

Quick Control Dial on EOS 100

Most prosumer and professional level EOS cameras feature a large quick control dial (QCD) on the camera back. Allowing easy operation of the camera using the thumb, the QCD is used for quick access to often-used functions that may otherwise require a more complicated procedure of button-presses and dial-clicks.

Cameras equipped with the QCD can easily be operated with one hand (forefinger on the main dial, thumb on the QCD) without taking the eye off the viewfinder.

Some useful functions that a QCD is programmed to do include setting exposure compensation, setting of aperture in manual exposure mode and scrolling of images and menus in digital EOS cameras.

Multi-point autofocus system

The top-line EOS cameras currently have up to 45 autofocus (AF) points, the most in their class, until superseded by Nikon's D3 and D300 digital SLR cameras with 51 autofocus points. Canon will regain the lead in this category with the release of the EOS-1D X in March 2012; that camera will have 61 AF points.

A higher number of AF points increases the chances of a sharply-focused photograph in situations where the subject travels across the frame at high speeds (e.g. sports, birds). The number, type, features and performance of autofocus point array systems is likely to continue to evolve.

Having so many AF points also helps relieve the photographer from having to use the 'lock focus and recompose' method of framing a photograph, since the subject will most probably have been picked up by one or more of the AF points. Even though the camera is intelligent enough to select the correct AF point(s) most of the time, EOS cameras equipped with a multi-point AF system will still allow the photographer to manually select an AF point.

EOS-3, EOS-1v, and the current EOS-1D family feature a 45-point AF system. Almost all Canon DSLRs introduced since late 2005, starting from the EOS 20D and the Rebel XTi (400D), feature a nine-point AF system in a diamond-shape formation. The EOS 5D, released in 2005, takes this 9-point AF system a step further by introducing six more 'invisible' AF points (i.e. not user-selectable) in helping the camera acquire focus faster during subject tracking. There are three exceptions to Canon's recent rule of a 9-point AF system, two having been released and one soon to be released. The EOS 1000D (Rebel XS) has the 7-point AF system of most older Canon DSLRs. The EOS 7D, released in 2009, has a 19-point AF layout, fitting essentially within the same diamond-shaped area of the frame as the nine-point layout. The EOS-1D X, which will replace both the EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds at the top of the line, has a 61-point AF layout.

For the earlier generation of 45-point AF system, the central column of 1 or 2 sensors (7 in all up to EOS-1Ds Mk II, EOS-1D Mk II N) are cross-type sensors, which are sensitive to both vertical and horizontal lines to offer a high degree of accuracy. Canon's latest professional full-frame SLR, the EOS-1Ds Mk III, has 19 cross-type sensors for higher accuracy, as well as placing the cross-type sensors to complement the Rule of Thirds. The other current Canon professional SLR, the APS-H EOS-1D Mk IV, has 39 cross-type sensors, a major increase from the 19 of the Mk III. Of the 61 AF points of the upcoming EOS-1D X, 21 central points and 20 outer points will be cross-type, and five central points will be dual-cross-type (sensitive to diagonal lines in addition to horizontal and vertical).

Similarly, all nine AF points on later generations of the X0D series (beginning with the 40D and continuing through the current 60D) are cross-type sensors for higher accuracy, and the center sensor is dual-cross-type for even greater accuracy and sensitivity.

Naming scheme

Identical Canon models are sometimes marketed under different names in different parts of the world. For example, the EOS Rebel 2000 known in the Americas is also known as EOS Kiss III in Japan, and EOS 300 in other parts of the world.

Target Market Segment	Typically Common Features	International	Americas	Japan
Entry-level/consumer	Pentamirror viewfinder, lighter and cheaper (plastic) build than other ranges, APS-C sized sensor on digital models. Built-in small pop-up flash unit.	3- or 4-digit model number. E.g. EOS 350D, EOS 300X, EOS 1000D	Rebel (used in North America since 1990) E.g. EOS Digital Rebel XT, EOS Rebel T2.	Kiss (used in Japan since 1993) E.g. EOS Kiss Digital N, EOS Kiss 7
Advanced amateur/midrange	Pentaprism viewfinder, higher frame rate and more rugged (typically magnesium alloy) construction than contemporary "entry-level" models. Partial weather sealing and crop APS-C sized sensor on digital models. Built-in small pop-up flash unit.	2-digit model number E.g. EOS 33V, EOS 40D.	Elan E.g. EOS Elan 7N (DSLRs share the same naming scheme as International)	7-series E.g. EOS 7s
Prosumer/high-end	Full frame sensor (APS-C for 7D), somewhat better weather sealing than the amateur enthusiast line, and tougher construction. No built-in flash unit (except 7D).	1-digit model number E.g. EOS 3, EOS 5, EOS 5D, 5D Mark II With the introduction of the 7D in 2009 the 1-digit (xD) formerly reserved for full-frame cameras is now also used to designate the continuation of the crop-sensor (APS-C) premium consumer line. E.g. EOS 7D.	Same as International, except EOS A2 (EOS 5)	Same as International
Professional/flagship	More rugged build and better weathersealing than premium models, larger build with vertical grip, 100% viewfinder field of view, faster performance. APS-H sized sensors on 1D models through the Mark IV and 35mm "Full-frame digital SLR" sensors on 1Ds models; the upcoming Canon EOS-1D X will be full-frame. Double card slots for redundancy/backup.	Model number 1 E.g. EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1V, EOS-1Ds Mark III	Same as International	Same as International

Film cameras

This is a list of the 35 mm Film and APS Canon EOS models in order of introduction:

Model (US)	Model (Europe)	Model (Japan)	Release date
EOS 650	EOS 650	EOS 650	March 1987
EOS 620	EOS 620	EOS 620	May 1987
EOS 750	EOS 750	EOS 750	October 1988
EOS 850	EOS 850	EOS 850	October 1988
EOS 630	EOS 600	EOS 630 QD	April 1989
EOS-1	EOS-1	EOS-1	September 1989
EOS RT	EOS RT	EOS RT	October 1989
EOS 10S	EOS 10	EOS 10 QD	March 1990
EOS 700	EOS 700	EOS 700 QD	March 1990
EOS Rebel/Rebel S	EOS 1000F QD	EOS 1000 QD	October 1990
EOS 10S commemorative kit	EOS 10	EOS 10 QD	August 1991
EOS Elan	EOS 100	EOS 100 QD	August 1991
EOS Rebel II/SII	EOS 1000FN QD	EOS 1000S QD	March 1992
EOS A2/A2e	EOS 5	EOS 5 QD	November 1992
EOS Rebel XS	EOS 500	EOS Kiss	September 1993
EOS Rebel X	-	-	November 1993
EOS-1N	EOS-1N/1N HS/1N DP	EOS-1N/1N HS/1N DP	November 1994
-	EOS 5000	EOS 888	January 1995
EOS-1N RS	EOS-1N RS	EOS-1N RS	March 1995
EOS Elan II/IIe	EOS 50/50e	EOS 55	September 1995
EOS Rebel G	EOS 500N	New EOS Kiss	September 1996
EOS IX	EOS IX	EOS IX E	October 1996
EOS IX Lite	EOS IX 7	EOS IX 50	March 1998
EOS-3	EOS-3	EOS-3	November 1998
-	EOS 3000	EOS 88	March 1999
EOS Rebel 2000	EOS 300	EOS Kiss III	April 1999
EOS-1v	EOS-1v	EOS-1v	March 2000
EOS Elan 7/7e	EOS 33/30	EOS 7	October 2000
-	-	EOS Kiss III L	November 2001
EOS Rebel XS N	EOS 3000N	Canon EOS 66	February 2002
EOS Rebel Ti	EOS 300V	EOS Kiss 5	September 2002
EOS Rebel GII	-	-	March 2003
EOS Rebel K2	EOS 3000V	EOS Kiss Lite	September 2003
EOS Elan 7N/7NE	EOS 33V/30V	EOS 7s	April 2004
EOS Rebel T2	EOS 300X	EOS Kiss 7	September 2004

Digital cameras

Prior to the introduction of the EOS D30 digital SLR, Canon in collaboration with Kodak produced four digital SLRs by modifying the internals of the EOS-1N film SLR. These four digital SLRs had a Canon EOS body and thus can accept EF lenses, while the image sensor and electronics were designed and built by Kodak. The four cameras were:

Model	Release date
EOS DCS3	July 1995
EOS DCS1	December 1995
EOS D2000/Kodak DCS520	March 1998
EOS D6000/Kodak DCS560	December 1998

In addition, Kodak produced the Kodak DCS Pro SLR/c in 2004, which was compatible with most EF lenses but was not produced in collaboration with Canon.

The following digital SLRs, starting from the D30, had bodies and sensors completely designed and manufactured by Canon (except for the Canon EOS-1D, which uses a Panasonic sourced CCD sensor).

Canon digital SLRs are equipped with a CMOS sensor (with the exception of EOS-1D that uses a CCD sensor). Canon designs and manufactures their own CMOS sensors.

See also

Canon

• Comparison of Canon EOS digital cameras
• List of Canon products
• Template:Canon DSLR cameras
• Canon Corporation
• Canon FD lens mount
• Canon FL
• Canon EF lens mount
• Canon EF-S lens mount, a derivative of the EF mount designed for DSLRs with APS-C sensors

Single lens reflex

• Single lens reflex
• Digital single lens reflex
• 35 mm film

External links

• Canon EOS Gamma Curves at Light Illusion
• EOS Camera Systems homepage at Canon.com
• EF lens specification chart (pdf)
• The Canon EOS FAQs
• Overview of the whole Canon EOS system incl. 3rd party manufacturers
• Flash Photography with Canon EOS Cameras - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3
• Canon Camera Museum