14 DAY TRIAL // Canon has today announced the production of the 30 millionth EOS film and digital single lens reflex camera since the introduction of the series in 1987. Another milestone announced by the Japanese company is the production of the 10 millionth DSLR.
As Canon's press release informs, "the achievement coincides with Canon's 70th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the launch of its EOS line of SLR cameras".
Now for a bit of history, shipment of EOS cameras began in 1987 from Canon Inc.'s Fukushima Plant (now Fukushima Canon Inc.), with production later moving to Canon Inc., Taiwan and the company's current main production base at Oita Canon Inc.
In 1997, the 10th anniversary of the series, production reached 10 million units, and in 2003 it passed the 20-million mark.
"In March of 1987, Canon's 50th anniversary, the company introduced the EOS 650 AF SLR camera, the first model of the EOS series. The EOS 650 incorporated the world's first fully electronic mount system, achieving complete electronic control not only between the lens and body but throughout the entire camera system, representing a new generation of AF SLR cameras. Standing for "Electro Optical System" while also carrying the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn, the EOS series marked the dawn of an impressive range of innovative technologies and new heights of technological development," the press release also reads.
In 2007 alone, Canon announced no less than three digital single lens reflex models, each with a specific target in mind. The EOS 1Ds Mark III comes with a 35mm full-frame sensor with a whopping 21.1 megapixels and is aimed at professional photographers who make extremely large prints and require the speed of the 35mm DSLRs. The EOS 40D is the revamped version of their advanced consumer model; this one is the flagship model in their 1.6 crop factor lineup. We left the EOS 1D Mark III at the end because this model has actually marred Canon's reputation as the biggest provider of professional sports and wildlife DSLRs.
And now for a bit of evil Christmas spirit, you'd think that after 30 million single lens cameras and 10 million digital single lens camera they'd be able to get the autofocus system of their professional models right.