Canon Europe released the following press release on 21 December, 2007.
Canon today achieves a momentous milestone as production of EOS film and digital SLR cameras passes the 30 million mark. Underlining the massive popularity of Digital EOS, 10 million models have been sold in the last four years alone.
Since launching the EOS D30 in 2000, Canon has maintained a clear lead as the world’s most popular digital SLR manufacturer. It was the introduction of the EOS 300D in May 2003 that turned digital SLR photography into a mass market phenomenon. With a price-tag below €1000, the camera caught the industry by surprise and triggered an avalanche of sales, as a new generation of consumers discovered the fun of shooting with interchangeable lenses.
Today, Canon enjoys a clear leading position with 46% share of the digital SLR market1. The EOS 400D is the best selling European consumer model2, while professional EOS-1 series cameras and EF lens are chosen by the vast majority of the world’s news and sports photographers.
The 30 million milestone coincides with Canon’s 70th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of EOS, which was launched with the EOS 650 in March 1987. 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 that revolutionised the camera industry.
Through ongoing investment in R&D and by listening to its users, Canon will continue to offer photographers the very best tools available – contributing to new directions in the future of photographic expression.
1 GfK, WEU14+Poland, Hungary and Czech, January to October 2007
2 GfK, WEU14, January to October 2007
