The company was originally namedSeikikōgaku kenkyūsho (Japanese:精機光学研究所,lit. 'Precision Optical Laboratory'). In 1934, it produced theKwanon, a prototype for Japan's first-ever 35mm camera with a focal-plane-based shutter.[5] In 1947, the company name was changed toCanon Camera Co., Inc.,[5] shortened toCanon Inc. in 1969. The name Canon comes from BuddhistbodhisattvaKannon (Japanese:観音,lit. 'Guanyin'), previously transliterated as Kuanyin, Kwannon, or Kwanon in English.[citation needed]
The origins of Canon date back to the founding ofPrecision Optical Instruments Laboratory in Japan in 1933[5] byTakeshi Mitarai,Goro Yoshida [jp],Saburo Uchida [jp] andTakeo Maeda [jp]. It became the companyPrecision Optical Instruments, Co., Ltd. in 1937.[5] During its early years, the company did not have any facilities to produce its own optical glass, and its first cameras incorporatedNikkor lenses from Nippon Kogaku K.K. (the laterNikon Corporation).[6]
Between 1933 and 1936, 'The Kwanon', a copy of theLeica design, Japan's first 35 mm focal-plane-shutter camera, was developed in prototype form.[7] In 1940 Canon developed Japan's first indirect X-ray camera. Canon introduced a fieldzoom lens fortelevision broadcasting in 1958, and in 1959 introduced the Reflex Zoom 8 and theCanonflex.
In 1961, Canon introduced the Rangefinder camera,Canon 7, and 50mm 1:0.95 lens in a special bayonet mount. In 1964 Canon introduced the 'Canola 130', the first Japanese made 10-keycalculator, a substantial improvement on the design of the BritishBell Punch company, which introduced the first fully electronic calculator two years earlier with the Sumlock Anita Mark 8 unit. In 1965 Canon introduced theCanon Pellix, asingle lens reflex (SLR) camera with a semi-transparent stationary mirror which enabled the taking of pictures through the mirror.
In 1971, Canon introduced theCanon F-1, a high-end SLR camera, and theFD lens range. In 1976, Canon launched theCanon AE-1, the world's first camera with an embedded micro-computer.[8]
Canon introduced theirInkjet printer using bubble-jet technology in 1985, one year after Hewlett-Packard. In 1987, Canon introduced theirCanon Electro-Optical System (EOS), named after the goddess of the dawn, along with theCanon EOS 650 autofocus SLR camera. Also in 1987, the Canon Foundation was established. In 1988, Canon introduced 'Kyosei philosophy'.[9] The EOS 1 Flagship Professional SLR line was launched in 1989.[10] In the same year the EOS RT, the world's first AF SLR with a fixed, semi-transparent pellicle mirror, was unveiled.
In 1992, Canon launched theCanon EOS 5, the first-ever camera with eye-controlled AF, and the PowerShot 600, its first digital camera.[11] In 1995, Canon introduced the first commercially available SLR lens with internal image stabilization,Canon EF 75-300mm lens f/4-5.6 IS USM. The Canon EOS-RS was the world's fastest AF SLR camera with a continuous shooting speed of 10 frame/s at the time. Based on the EOS-1N, the EOS-1N RS had a fixed, semi-transparent pellicle mirror with a hard coat. In 1996, Canon introduced a pocket-sized digital camera with theAdvanced Photo System, named ELPH in America and IXUS in Europe. Canon entered the digital video camcorder market in 1997.[12]
In 2004, Canon introduced the XEED SX50 LCD projector.[13] Canon introduced its first high-definitioncamcorder in 2005.[14]
In November 2009, Canon made a €730 million (US$1.1 billion) all-cash offer for the Dutch printer makerOcé.[15] Canon had acquired majority ownership of Océ by March 2010,[16] and completed the acquisition of 100% of shares in Océ by the end of 2011.[17]
In 2010, Canon acquired Tereck Office Solutions, Inc.[18]
On 16 March 2010, Canon announced that it was seeking to acquire a new.canongeneric top-level domain, acquiring it in February 2015 and using it for the first time on its global website in May 2016.[19][20]
In the third quarter of 2012, Canon's global market share in the sale of printers, copiers and multifunction devices was 20.90%.[21]
In February 2014, Canon announced it would acquireTexas-based Molecular Imprints Inc., a developer of nanoprint lithography systems, for an amount speculated to be around US$98 million.[24]
On 13 June 2014, Canon announced it had acquired Danish IP Surveillance VMS software company Milestone Systems. Milestone provides open-platform software to allow video management from various vendors in a single interface; therefore the company will operate as a separate entity.[25]
On 10 February 2015, Canon announced that it had intentions to buy Swedish Security Camera makerAxis Communications for US$2.83 billion.[26] On 23 February 2015, Axis Communications reacted to this news and confirmed that it had received a purchase proposal from Canon. The purchase was effectively completed in April 2015.[27]
On 24 April 2015, Canon Europe announced it had acquired the London-based family photo sharing startup Lifecake.[28][29]
In November 2015, in an effort to avoid the selling of gray-market camera gear, Canon USA filed litigation against a number of camera gear retailers. Retailers include Get It Digital, All New Shop and F&E Trading.[30]
In December 2020, Canon concluded its photographic-equipment print-ad series named "Wildlife as Canon Sees It". This series of ads began in 1981 inNational Geographic magazine.[37]
In October 2023, Canon introduced its newnanoimprint lithography manufacturing systems, which it claims are simpler and more affordable thanASML'sextreme ultraviolet lithography systems. The system prints the desired circuit pattern onto the silicon wafer bypassing photolithography and can produce circuits equivalent to 5 nm scale.[38][39]
Canon has been manufacturing and distributing digital cameras since 1984, starting with the RC-701. The RC series was followed by the PowerShot and Digital IXUS series of digital cameras. Canon also developed the EOS series ofdigital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR) which includes high-end professional models.
Due to consumers switching from compact cameras tosmartphones, Canon's Q1 2013 operating profit fell 34 percent year-on-year.[42]
Canon produces a range of high-output flash units for its DSLR cameras, including the 270EX II, 320EX, 430EX II, 430EX III-RT, 470EX-AI, 580EX, 580EX II, 600EX-RT, 600EXII-RT, EL-1, and EL-5 Speedlites. Canon also produces macro flash units, including the Macro Twin Lite and the Macro Ring Lite.
Canon designs and manufacturesCMOS image sensors in-house for its imaging products and it has three dedicated fabs inJapan. In 2016, Canon, the fifth-largestimage sensor manufacturer in the world, decided to start selling the sensors to other companies.[43] However, it does not plan to sellsmartphone image sensors to focus on the niche markets such as industrial and space observation.
Although Canon had withdrawn from the so-called 'pixel count race' in the 2000s, it has been on the cutting edge as to the image sensor resolution in recent years. A demo of a 250MP image sensor was revealed in 2015[44] and reported to be launched in 2020. In 2018, Canon launched a 120MP image sensor as a part of its latest BtoB offerings.[45]
For many years, Canon was the principal maker of the print engines found in industry-standard laser printers. The first models ofApple LaserWriter and the equivalent products made by HP used the Canon LBP-CX engine. The next models (LaserWriter II series, LaserJet II series) used the Canon LBP-SX engine. Later models used the Canon LBP-LX, LBP-EX, LBP-PX engines and many other Canon print engines.
Following Canon's acquisition of the Dutch digital printing manufacturerOcé in 2010, Canon continued to develop and manufacture printing systems, initially under the Océ brand name. On 1 January 2020 the company Océ was officially renamedCanon Production Printing.[46]
Canon has been sued over intentionally designing all-in-one printers that cannot scan when the printer is low on ink.[47] Canon settled the lawsuit in 2023 without admitting guilt.[47]
Canon's largest division in terms of revenue is its multifunction copier division. Canon distributes its consumer and home office imageCLASS line though retail outlets and professional-grade imageRUNNER series through subsidiary Canon Solutions America and independent distributors. The professional-grade series ranges from small table tops to large digital presses.
Canon manufactures a wide range offlatbed scanners,film scanners anddocument scanners for home and business use, including theCanon CanoScan 8800F. Some of its scanners employ LED inDirect Exposure (LiDE) technology, such that USB port is sufficient to power the scanner, and no additional power is required.
Current printers use the proprietary BJNP protocol (USB over IP port 8611).
Canon produced a range of calculators in various applications, including handheld calculators, desktop calculators, printing calculators and scientific calculators. One model was the 1964 Canola 130. It had 13 digits, a result of marketing research. The reason for the odd number of figures was based on selling it to the Japanese central bank. Given the low value of the Japanese Yen, 13 digits was a requirement of the banks.
The calculator was built by germanium transistors and the display was a light pipe which gave an odd format.[48]
Canon offers a range of wireless presenters, from advanced greenlaser presenters with back-lit screen display to basic red laser presentation clickers.
Canon is developing a prototypevirtual reality headset (Canon VR). The headset offers a wider viewing angle (120°) than other VR devices but requires handles rather than a head strap. The headset is not yet available on the market.[50] As of 2020, Canon produces and sells high-end AR (augmented reality) headsets for enterprise users.[51]
Canon is one of the world's top producers of semiconductor and display manufacturing equipment. Its subsidiaryCanon Tokki dominates the market of material deposition equipment, and instruments for manufacturingOLED displays. Canon is also the leading manufacturer of displayphotolithography equipment and one of the top 3 in the semiconductor lithography machine market. Once a leader of semiconductor lithography along withNikon, it has been dwarfed byASML, and as of 2017 its share in the overall market was less than 5%. Still, Canon maintains a great presence in the i-line stepper market.[citation needed]
Canon introduced twoMSX home computer models in 1983, the V-10 and theV-20. Both offered just the minimum range of the MSX standards without any additional features. The V-20 was able to receive shooting data from the T90 Canon camera with the Data Memory Back T90 expansion.
Canon also sold a Canon AS100 PC[52] for which you could get a color or monochrome display computer, shortly after the release of theIBM PC. It was based on theIntel 8088 processor and usedCP/M orMS-DOS. Options included an 8 MB hard drive.[53]
As of 2020,[update] Canon is organized into four principal business segments:[54]
The Office Business Unit (the products of which include copying machines, digital production printers, large format inkjet printers, laser printers and multi-function devices)
The Imaging System Business Unit (the products of which include broadcasting equipment, calculators, compact digital cameras, digital SLR cameras, digital video camcorders, image scanners, interchangeable lenses, inkjetmultifunction printers and single function inkjet printers)
The Industry and Others Business Unit (the products of which include computers, handy terminals, magnetic heads, micromotors, flat panel display lithography equipment, semiconductor lithography equipment, and network cameras)
Canon Inc. has 383 subsidiaries as of 31 June 2017. The number includes second-generation subsidiaries, for example,Canon IT Solutions Inc.
Canon's world headquarters is located at 30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo 146–8501, Japan. Canon has regional headquarters in America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Japan, Asia and Oceania (including Australia & New Zealand). Canon Europe has two principal subsidiaries: Canon Europa NV (based inAmstelveen, Netherlands) and Canon Europe Ltd. (based inUxbridge, UK).
On 26 December 2003, Canon Inc. announced restructuring plans for three domestic Canon Group companies. The restructuring involved the merger of two companies and the spinning off of one.[55]
Canon generated total revenues of US$45,608 million in 2011, of which 53.9% was by the Office Business Unit, 36.9% by the Consumer Business Unit and 11.8% by the Industry and Others Business Unit.[56][note 2] In the same year, 31.3% of revenues were generated in Europe, 27.0% in the Americas, 22.2% in Asia and Oceania (excl. Japan) and 19.5% in Japan.[56]
Canon invested a total of US$3,946 million in research and development in 2011, equivalent to 8.7% of sales.[56] In 2011, Canon was granted 2,813 patents in the United States, the third-highest number of any company (afterIBM andSamsung Electronics).[56]
A report by the environmental organization Clean Air-Cool Planet puts Canon at the top of a list of 56 companies the survey conducted on climate-friendly companies.[57]
AE-1 Film Camera. AE stood for Automatic Exposure.
Canon has also launched three new calculators in Europe, called "Green Calculators", which are produced in part from recycled Canon copiers.[58]
The Canon Group has an environmental charter which looks at "offering products with a lower environmental burden through improvements inresource efficiency, while eliminating anti-social activities that threaten the health and safety of mankind and the environment".[59] In 2020, Canon joinedWIPO GREEN as an official partner in an effort to address climate change.[60]
Meanwhile, the Canon Institute for Global Studies, a thinktank affiliated with Canon, has published many articles ofdenying the climate crisis.[61] Canon said in a statement to the Guardian that, "The thinktank is not a Canon business, so we are not in a position to answer about its research or activities."[61]
In response, theAction Speak Louder, a corporate watchdog group, held a contest called "Cameras Don't Lie".[62]
In 2008, Canon donated financial support to help the estimated 5 million people displaced by the earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province in May 2008.[63] RMB 1 million was donated to the Red Cross Society of China shortly after the earthquake. Canon Inc., Japan, soon followed with a donation of RMB 10 million.[63]
In 1983, Canon came as the first title sponsors of the English football leagueThe Football League, which was named The Canon League from 1983 to 1986, when the sponsorship was taken over by theToday newspaper. Canon also sponsored Italian football clubHellas Verona FC between 1982 and 1986[64] including during the1984–85 Serie A which they won.
Since 2006, Canon has been helping the Red Cross provide support to 13 Red Cross National Societies across Europe, with focus on youth projects. Support from Canon includes financial contributions and donations of imaging equipment, including cameras, copying machines and digital radiography devices, as well as volunteer activities.[65]
Canon Europe has been a partner ofWorld Press Photo for 16 years. World Press Photo promotes the professional standards in photography; organises the largest international contest for professional photojournalists; and acts as a worldwide platform for press photography.[66]
Canon Asia sponsored many competitions such asCanon Photomarathon and reality TV showPhoto Face-Off. The latter is a reality TV show in which professional photographerJustin Mott is the judge and competes against amateur photographers.Justin started filmingseason 3 in April 2016 and that season aired at the end of that same year.[67]
^The Japanese pronunciation isKyanon (キャノン), although the name is written asKiyanon (キヤノン). This is due to the consideration of maintaining a balanced and visually appealing arrangement of characters. Usingキャノン (Kyanon) would result in a gap above theャ character, creating a perception of a void or gap, which is avoided by usingKiyanon.[3]
^Percentages do not add up to 100% due to eliminations used in consolidated accounting.
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