Canon EOS

Canon EOS (Electro-Optical System) is an autofocus single-lens reflex camera (SLR) camera series produced by Canon Inc.. Introduced in 1987 with the Canon EOS 650, all EOS cameras used 35 mm film until October 1996 when the EOS IX was released using the new and short-lived APS film. In 2000, the D30 was announced, as the first digital SLR designed and produced entirely by Canon. Since 2005, all newly announced EOS cameras have used digital image sensors rather than film. The EOS line is still in production as Canon's current digital SLR (DSLR) range, and, with the 2012 introduction of the Canon EOS M, Canon's mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (MILC) system.

The name "EOS" was chosen for Eos, the Titan goddess of the dawn in Greek mythology,^[1] and is often pronounced as a word (UK /ˈiː.ɒs/ or 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. In 2010, Canon held 44.5% market share in DSLRs.^[2]

At the heart of the system is the EF lens mount, which replaced the previous FD lens mount, which mainly supported only manual-focus lenses.

EF lens mount

Features of EF-lens

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. Other manufacturers including Contax (with its G series of interchangeable-lens 35 mm rangefinder cameras), Nikon's 1983 F3AF 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.^[1]

EOS flash system

A Speedlite 550EX, an early E-TTL flash from 1998

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. Canon also produces Speedlite accessories, including the OC-E3 Off-Camera Shoe Cord, which can be used to hand-hold the flash while allowing the camera to control it through the cord. The Off-Camera Shoe Cord is popular among portrait photographers who need to have more control over lighting than a camera mounted flash can offer.

EOS cameras

As of 2007, Canon has released no fewer than 40 EOS SLR and DSLR 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 was the EOS D30, released in 2000.

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

Canon also sold a manual-focus camera, the Canon EF-M, which used the same EF lens mount as the EOS cameras. It came with all the automatic and manual exposure functions but lacked autofocus. It came equipped with a split-screen/microprism focusing screen for precise manual focusing.

• 

  Canon EOS 650D, a Canon entry-level DSLR

• 

  Canon EOS M, Canon's first mirrorless system camera

Eye-controlled focusing

Through the tracking of eyeball movements, EOS cameras equipped with eye-controlled focusing (ECF) (some identifiable by the suffix E) were able to select the desired autofocus point in the scene, based on where the user was looking in the viewfinder frame. ECF was especially useful in sports photography where the subject may shift its position in the frame rapidly.

EOS cameras equipped with ECF were 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 did not continue its use of eye-controlled focusing in its digital SLRs. The EOS Elan 7NE was the last EOS camera to have this function.

Quick control dial

Rear view of Canon 60D featuring quick control dial to the right of the LCD screen.

Most prosumer and professional level EOS cameras feature a large quick control dial (QCD) on the camera back. The first consumer-level EOS camera with this feature is the EOS 760D/Rebel T6s, announced in February 2015. This feature allows easy adjustment of certain parameters using the thumb, the QCD is used for quick access to often-used functions that would 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

Currently, top-line EOS cameras have either 61 or 65 user-selectable autofocus (AF) points, the most in their class. Although two Nikon models introduced in 2016, the D5 and D500, have 153 AF points, only 55 of these points are user-selectable. The following EOS cameras feature such a system, with 61 points unless otherwise indicated:

• The EOS 5D Mark III, introduced in March 2012.^[3]
• The EOS-1D X, announced in October 2011 and originally scheduled for sale in April 2012,^[4] but delayed until June 2012.^[5] Since replaced by a Mark II version.
• The EOS 7D Mark II, on sale since November 2014. This APS-C body has Canon's first (and so far only) 65-point AF system.^[6]
• The EOS 5Ds and 5Ds R, two closely related higher-resolution full-frame bodies otherwise similar to the 5D MkIII, announced in February 2015 with sales beginning in June of that year.^[7]
• The EOS-1D X Mark II, the replacement for the original 1D X, announced in February 2016 with sales expected to begin in April of that year.^[8]
• The EOS 5D Mark IV, announced in August 2016 as the replacement for the 5D Mk III.^[9]

The release of the 5D MkIII gave Canon the lead once again in this category; previously, its top-line cameras had 45 AF points,^[10] which led the industry until Nikon released its D3 and D300 DSLRs with 51-point AF systems.

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, wildlife).

Having so many AF points also helps relieve the photographer from having to use the 'lock focus and recompose' method of framing a photograph that can introduce focussing inaccuracy. The camera generally focuses on the closest object or on human faces, which may not be what the photographer wants, so EOS cameras equipped with a multi-point AF system still allow the photographer to manually select an AF point.

The EOS-3, EOS-1v, all EOS-1D models prior to the EOS-1D X, and EOS 80D feature a 45-point AF system. Most 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 have been several exceptions to Canon's recent rule of a 9-point AF system. 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 70D, released in August 2013, inherited the 7D's 19-point layout, but with fewer AF control options. The 70D system was in turn handed down to the EOS 750D (Rebel T6i) and 760D (Rebel T6s), announced in February 2015. As mentioned above, the EOS 5D Mark III, EOS-1D X, EOS 5DS/5DS R, and EOS-1D X Mark II have 61-point AF layouts. The EOS 6D, released in October 2012, has an 11-point layout. The EOS 80D, announced in 2016, marked the return of 45-point AF systems to the Canon EOS line, as well as the first appearance of a 45-point system in a non-professional body.

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. The EOS-1Ds Mk III, replaced by the EOS-1D X, has 19 cross-type sensors for higher accuracy, as well as placing the cross-type sensors to complement the Rule of Thirds. The other Canon professional SLR replaced by the EOS-1D X, 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 EOS-1D X and 5D MkIII, 21 central points and 20 outer points are cross-type, and five central points are dual-cross-type (sensitive to diagonal lines in addition to horizontal and vertical). All 65 points of the 7D MkII are cross-type, but only the center point is dual-cross-type.

Similarly, as of 2016, all AF points on later generations of the X0D series (beginning with the 40D and continuing through the current 80D) are cross-type sensors for higher accuracy, and the center sensor is dual-cross-type for even greater accuracy and sensitivity. In June 2012, the EOS 650D (Rebel T4i) became the first consumer-level Canon to receive this AF system.

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[11]/consumer[12]	Pentamirror viewfinder, lighter and cheaper (plastic) build than other ranges, APS-C sized sensor on digital models. Built-in small pop-up flash unit. Single CF card slot (CFI/II/Microdrive) on three-digit models starting with the 300D through the 400D (→which predate the 4-digit series and the subcompact 100D); single SD slot on all models since.	3- or 4-digit model number. E.g., EOS 650D, EOS 300X, EOS 1100D, EOS 100D	Rebel (used in North America since 1990) E.g., EOS Digital Rebel T3, EOS Rebel T4i, EOS Rebel SL1	Kiss (used in Japan since 1993) E.g., EOS Kiss Digital N, EOS Kiss X6i, EOS Kiss X7
Advanced amateur[13]/midrange[14]	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. Single CF card slot (CFI/II/Microdrive) on digital models through the 50D; single SD slot on the 60D and later models.	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[15]	Full frame sensor (APS-C for 7D & 7D Mark II), somewhat better weather sealing than the amateur enthusiast line, and tougher construction. No built-in flash unit (except EOS 5 and 7D/7DMKII). Single CF card slot (CFI/II/Microdrive) on digital models except for the 5D Mk III, 5DS/5DS R, and 7D Mk II, with two slots (one CF [CompactFlash I] and one SD), and the 6D, with one SD slot. With the introduction of the EOS 7D in 2009 the 1-digit (xD) formerly reserved for full-frame cameras is now also used to designate crop-sensor (APS-C) cameras. The crop sensor models also retain the internal camera flash from the prosumer line. The company's cheapest and most versatile full frame camera to date, the EOS 6D, was announced in September 2012.	1-digit model number E.g., EOS 3, EOS 5, 5D, 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, 6D, 7D, 7D Mark II	Same as International, except EOS A2 (EOS 5)	Same as International
Professional/flagship[16]	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 most recent 1-series bodies, the Canon EOS-1D X and 1D X Mark II, are full-frame. Single CF slot on the original 1D and 1Ds; dual card slots for redundancy/backup on all other models (CF + SD on models prior to the 1D X, dual CF on 1D X, CF + CFast on 1D X Mk II).	Model number 1 E.g., EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1V, EOS-1Ds Mark III, EOS-1D X Mark II	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

Canon EOS DCS 3c

Prior to the introduction of the EOS D30 digital SLR, Kodak produced four digital SLRs also sold under the Canon brand. These cameras used a digital camera back with the image sensor and associated electronics designed and built by Kodak together with modified internals of the EOS-1N film SLR. Due to the using the Canon EOS body, these four digital SLRs can accept EF lenses. 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

After termination of the agreement by Canon, Kodak cooperated with Sigma – who at that time had a Canon license – to produce the Kodak DCS Pro SLR/c based on a SA9 SLR body in 2004, which was compatible with EF lenses.

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

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

Single lens reflex

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

References

1. "Canon History Hall: Birth of New-Generation Autofocus SLR Camera, "EOS"". Retrieved 26 October 2016.
2. "DSLR Worldwide Market Share, 2010". Retrieved 2 May 2011.
3. "Canon U.S.A. Announces the Highly Anticipated EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera" (Press release). Canon U.S.A. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
4. "Canon U.S.A. Introduces The New Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera, Re-Designed From The Inside Out" (Press release). Canon U.S.A. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
5. Carnathan, Bryan (12 April 2012). "Canon Announces Delay of EOS 1D X and EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens". The-Digital-Picture.com. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
6. "Fuel Your Creative Passion With The Highly Anticipated Canon EOS 7D Mark II Digital SLR Camera" (Press release). Canon U.S.A. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
7. "Canon U.S.A. Introduces The World's Highest Resolution Full-Frame DSLR Cameras: EOS 5DS And EOS 5DS R" (Press release). Canon U.S.A. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
8. "Fast, Formidable, And 4K, All-In-One Camera Canon U.S.A. Introduces The EOS-1D X Mark II Professional Digital Camera" (Press release). Canon U.S.A. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
9. "It's Finally Here: Canon U.S.A. Announces The Highly Anticipated EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera And New L-Series Lenses" (Press release). Canon U.S.A. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
10. "Canon 1D Mark IV". Usa.canon.com. 25 May 2006. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
11. "CANON U.S.A.'S NEW EOS REBEL XSi PLACES SUPERIOR OPTICS AND PROFESSIONAL FEATURES INTO THE HANDS OF EMERGING PHOTO ENTHUSIASTS". Retrieved 25 February 2008. Canon U.S.A., Inc.'s EOS Rebel series of digital single lens reflex cameras – the cameras that defined and refined what it means to be an "entry level" digital SLR
12. "EOS 450D: get ready to play". Archived from the original on 29 January 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008. the model presents consumers with an unprecedented level of image quality
13. "Canon EOS 40D brings new EOS platform to advanced amateur market". Archived from the original on 12 November 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008. Canon today introduces its latest digital SLR for advanced amateurs and semi-professionals
14. "The Wait is Over: CANON U.S.A.'S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EOS 40D DIGITAL SLR DELIVERS HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGE QUALITY, HIGH-SPEED SHOOTING AND HIGH-END FUNCTIONALITY". Retrieved 25 February 2008. Building on the success of Canon's perennially popular "prosumer" EOS 20D and 30D models, the EOS 40D advances the state-of-the-art for mid-range Digital SLR cameras
15. "NEW CANON EOS 5D IS A PREMIUM DIGITAL SLR AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE OFFERING A FULL-FRAME SENSOR WITH 12.8 MEGAPIXELS OF RESOLUTION". Retrieved 25 February 2008. The New Canon EOS 5D Camera Is a Premium DSLR for Under $3,300
16. "CANON U.S.A.'s NEW LINE-LEADING, 21.1-MEGAPIXEL, FULL-FRAME EOS-1Ds MARK III DIGITAL SLR KEEPS CANON AT THE TOP OF THE PRO PHOTO CLASS". Retrieved 25 February 2008. While Canon's EOS-1D series has dominated the 35mm-based professional Digital SLR market for the past six years

External links

• Canon EOS Gamma Curves at Light Illusion - Broken link
• EOS Camera Systems homepage at Canon.com
• EF lens specification chart (pdf)
• The Canon EOS FAQs
• Flash Photography with Canon EOS Cameras – Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3
• Canon Camera Museum