Canon EOS

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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, although some spell out the letters. There is no officially correct way, as both ways mean something logical.

It competes primarily with the Nikon F series and its successors, and holds the primary market share in most countries.

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

Contents 1 The EF lens mount 2 EOS flash system 3 EOS cameras 3.1 Eye-controlled focusing 3.2 Quick control dial 3.3 Multi-point autofocus system 3.4 Model naming scheme 3.5 Film cameras 3.6 Digital cameras 4 See also 4.1 Canon 4.2 Single lens reflex 5 Notes and references 6 External links

[edit] The EF lens mount

Main article: Canon EF lens mount

The bayonet-style EF lens mount is at the center 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 many ways to Nikon's 1983 F3AF, although other manufacturers including Contax (with its G series of interchangeable-lens 35 mm rangefinder cameras) and Olympus (with its Four Thirds digital SLR system) have since embraced this type of direct drive system.

The bayonet-style mount	70-200mm F2.8 L lens	70-300mm F4.5-5.6 IS DO lens	24-70 F2.8 L lens
14mm F2.8 L lens	50mm F1.4 lens	100mm F2.8 macro lens	85mm F1.2 L lens
Canon EF 400mm lens

[edit] 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.

Speedlite 550EX

Speedlite 430EX

[edit] 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. The Canon EOS series helped bring in the digital SLR age with the EOS DCS 3 in 1995, although it was a joint collaborative effort with Kodak. 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 EOS 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.

[edit] 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.

ECF is a function that is usually either loved or hated. Some users feel that it is not reliable enough for common use. Others report that they are able to use it reliably. Much of this depends on the user. Eyeglasses can also reduce its accuracy for some.

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-3, EOS Elan 7E, and EOS Elan 7NE.

[edit] Quick control dial

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.

[edit] Multi-point autofocus system

The top-line EOS cameras 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. This 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 EOS-1D family feature a 45-point AF system, while most other EOS cameras in the last 3-5 years feature a seven-point AF system arranged in the shape of a cross. The EOS 20D and, later, the Rebel XTi (400D) feature a nine-point AF system in a diamond-shape formation. The EOS 5D 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.

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 offer a high degree of accuracy. The latest announced EOS-1D Mk III has 19 cross-type sensors for higher accuracy, as well as placing the cross-type sensors to complement the Rule of Thirds.

[edit] Model naming scheme

Canon's naming scheme for its EOS cameras is not straightforward, and thus the target market segment of a particular camera is not immediately obvious to a new EOS consumer. The fact that a model is marketed with different names in different parts of the world adds to the confusion. 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.

Canon uses a hyphen for the top-end cameras but not for lower end cameras: compare EOS-1Ds and EOS 10D. EOS-1 is printed on the cameras as if it were a separate camera range with the type separated, so EOS-1 is separated from Ds. However there is no space between the two when the name is written in a standard font, thus EOS-1Ds. Across the different regions within Canon there appears to be some confusion on the application of this rule: compare EOS-3 at Canon USA^[1] to EOS 3 at Canon Europe^[2]. On these cameras the EOS badge is clearly separate from the 3 badge which would imply that no hyphen should be used but Canon often refer to it as the EOS-3 on their own site.

The following table summarises which market segment a particular EOS name is targeted at.

Market segment	Common features	International	Americas	Japan
Consumer[3]/Entry level[4]	Pentamirror type viewfinder, single control dial, high megapixel sensor (consumer level DSLRs from the EOS 400D forward e.g. EOS 450D with a 12MP sensor as opposed to 10 MP with the EOS 40D)	3- or 4-digit model number E.g. EOS 350D, EOS 300X, EOS 400D,	Rebel E.g. EOS Digital Rebel XT, EOS Rebel T2	Kiss E.g. EOS Kiss Digital N, EOS Kiss 7
Advanced amateur[5]/prosumer[6]	Pentaprism type viewfinder, dual control dials, faster performance than Consumer	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
Premium[7]	Faster performance than prosumer or larger imaging sensor (digital)	1-digit model number E.g. EOS 3, EOS 5, EOS 5D	Same as International, except EOS A2 (EOS 5)	Same as International
Professional[8]	More rugged/waterproofed build than premium, 100% viewfinder, vertical grip usually included, faster performance than premium	model number 1 E.g. EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1V, EOS-1Ds Mark III	Same as International	Same as International

[edit] Film cameras

Canon EOS Film SLR Timeline 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 05-08 Professional 1 1N 1V Prosumer 10/10S 5/A2/A2E 3 Advanced Amateur 650/620/630 100 Elan 50/50E Elan II/IIE 55 30/33 Elan 7/7E 7 30V/33V Elan 7N/7NE 7s Consumer 750QD 850 1000F Rebel S 1000FN Rebel S II 500 Rebel XS Kiss 500N Rebel G New Kiss 300 Rebel 2000 Kiss III 300V Rebel Ti Kiss 5 300X Rebel T2 Kiss 7 Entry Level 5000 888 3000 88 3000N Rebel XS N 66 3000V Rebel K2 Kiss Lite This box: view • talk • edit

This is a list of the 35 mm 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 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 30V/33V	EOS 7s	April 2004
EOS Rebel T2	EOS 300X	EOS Kiss 7	September 2004

[edit] 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).

Unlike most other digital SLR manufacturers, Canon digital SLRs are equipped with a CMOS sensor (with the exception of EOS-1D that uses a CCD sensor). Canon design and manufacture their own CMOS sensors.

Canon EOS Digital SLR Timeline 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 High-end [9] - Full Frame 1Ds 1Ds mk II 1Ds mk III High-end - APS-H 1D 1D mk II 1D mk II N 1D mk III Midrange - Full Frame 5D Midrange - APS-C D30 D60 10D 20D 30D 40D Astrophotography - APS-C 20Da Consumer-level - APS-C 300D 350D 400D 450D Entry-level - APS-C 1000D This box: view • talk • edit

[edit] See also

[edit] Canon

• List of Canon products
• Canon Corporation
• Canon FD lens mount
• Canon FL
• Canon EF lens mount

[edit] Single lens reflex

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

[edit] Notes and references

[edit] External links

• EOS Camera Systems homepage at Canon.com
• Canon digital camera in Vietnam
• Detailed and comprehensive reviews of almost all Canon lenses, bodies and speedlites
• EF lens specification chart (pdf)
• The Canon EOS FAQs
• Information about EOS cameras
• Chuck Westfall's (Canon USA) AF-point diagrams)
• Advertisement introducing the EOS 650
• Flash Photography with Canon EOS Cameras - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3
• Canon Camera Museum
• EOS Digital Photographer's Resource - Index of useful articles
• Il mondo fotografico Canon
• Canon SLR Pages - A community-maintained site for Canon SLR products.
• Canon EOS Feature Overview - archived copy of Canon Model feature overview from photozone.de at web.archive.org

Canon SLR cameras and lens mounts
Lens Mount	Series	Model
R		Flex (1959), R2000 (1960), RP (1961), RM (1962)
FL		FX (1964), FP (1964), Pellix (1965), FT QL (1966), Pellix QL (1966), TL (1968)
FD	F	Amateur: FTb (1971), FTbn (1973), EF (1973), TLb (1974), TX (1975)
		Professional: F-1(1971), F-1n (1976), New F-1 (1981)
	A	AE-1 (1976), AT-1 (1976), A-1 (1978), AV-1 (1979), AE-1 Program (1981), AL-1 (1982)
	T	T50 (1983), T70 (1984), T80 (1985), T90 (1986), T60 (1990)
EF / EF-S
	1	EOS-1 (1989), EOS-1N (1994), EOS-1N RS (1995), EOS-1v (2001)
		EOS 650 (1987), EOS 620 (1987), EOS 750QD (1988), EOS 850QD (1988), EOS 630QD (1989), EOS RT (1989), EOS 700QD (1989), EOS 10sQD (1990), EOS 1000F (1990), EOS 100 (1991), EOS EF-M (1991), EOS 5/5QD/A2/A2e (1992), EOS 1000FN (1992), EOS 500 (1993), EOS 888 (1993), EOS 50 (1995), EOS 500N (1996), EOS-3 (1998), EOS 88 (1999), EOS 300 (1999), EOS 30 (2000), EOS 3000N (2002), EOS 300V (2002), EOS 3000V (2003), EOS 30V (2004), EOS 300X (2004)
	IX	EOS IX, EOS IX Lite
		Canon DSLR cameras
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