Canon

Canon is a Japanese company perhaps most known for its range of imaging and optical products. Goro Yoshida and his brother-in-law Saburo Uchida founded the company in 1930 as the Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory.

The company was set up by Goro Yoshida to manufacture a 35 mm rangefinder camera. The company released its first product, the Bodhisattva Kwan’on camera, in June 1934. Of the ten Kwan’on cameras (in three different variations, none of which were actual products) that were supposed to have been manufactured, none have been known to reach the market.

It must be noted the origin of the name "Canon" can be traced to "Kwan’on". After considering multiple options, including researching and manufacturing of the lens in house, the company decided to source the lenses from another company -- Nippon Kogaku Kogyo (Japan Optical Industries, Inc.) that later became the predecessor of the current-day Nikon.

In 1935, Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory launched its first commercially available camera, the Hansa Canon. The company introduced the Canon SII camera in the year 1946; this camera drew widespread acclamation from the Occupation Forces and the then Japanese government. The company becomes the Canon Camera Co., Inc. in 1947. Canon introduced the Canon IVSb, the world's first speed-light synchronized 35 mm flash-and-shutter camera, in 1952.

In 1960, Canon was successful in developing a magnetic head for use in VTRs. In 1964, the company introduced the Canola 130, the world's first 10-key electronic calculator. 1965 saw Canon entering the office copying machine market with the launch of the Canofax 1000. In 1971, the company introduced the Canon F-1 top-end SLR camera, the FD lens range and the BP-1000 billing machine.

The late 1970s, the 1980s and the 1990s saw the company cross one record after another. Canon introduced the Canon EOS (Electro-Optical System) autofocus 35 mm film and digital SLR camera system in 1987. This system is still in production and use, and the current offerings from Canon, based on this system, include the mid-range Canon 40D, the entry-level Canon EOS 350D (no longer in production), etc. By 1991, Canon had successfully developed the world's first display based on ferroelectric liquid crystal display (FLCD) technology.

The 2000s also saw Canon reach several milestones; the company introduced the Canon 5D, the world’s first full-frame DSLR camera with a standard body size. It must be noted that in spite of the company’s high-profile presence in the consumer electronics market, a majority of the company’s revenue comes from industrial and office copiers and multi-functional devices.

The Canon camera range is quiet expansive and includes offerings catering to all sections of the market. The Canon Digicam (Canon digital camera) range includes both SLR and non-SLR offerings. Canon SLR cameras are available in both digital and film variants. Canon also sells 35 mm compact cameras. Beside cameras, Canon’s printers, scanners, camcorders, etc. are also well known all across the globe.

Other than the Canon EOS range, the Canon IXUS range of cameras is also very popular and famous.