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<\/p>\nSYDNEY, 7 February, 2011: Canon announced today the achievement of a new EF lens-manufacturing milestone with the production of the company\u2019s 60-millionth lens at its Utsunomiya Plant in Japan.<\/p>\n
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\u201cCanon is proud to have achieved this significant production milestone, which is representative of the huge growth in the popularity of digital SLR photography in Australia and around the world,\u201d said Darren Ryan, General Manager Consumer Product Marketing, Canon Australia. \u201cThe Digital SLR format offers the ultimate in quality and creative potential, and its popularity with consumers everywhere is evident by the fact that our last 10-million units were produced in just 13 months, compared with eight and a half years for our first.\u201d<\/p>\n
Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) single-lens reflex cameras began in 1987 at the company\u2019s Utsunomiya Plant, and has since expanded to a total of four production facilities. EF lenses reached the 10-million-unit milestone after approximately eight and a half years in production, followed by the 40-million-unit mark in April of 2008. Owing to the popularity of the EOS Digital series, production then increased and EF lenses achieved the 50-million-unit mark in December of 2009. Canon has since produced 10 million units just in one year and one month and reached the 60-million-unit milestone in January 2011.<\/p>\n
R&D delivers \u2018world\u2019s first\u2019 innovations<\/p>\n
\u201cCanon\u2019s continued focus on investment in R&D of approximately 10% of consolidated net sales each year has seen the EF lens feature a range of innovative proprietary technologies that lead the industry,\u201d continued Ryan. \u201cOur lens technology is a strategic advantage across all camera categories and contributes to Canon\u2019s overwhelming No.1 position in the total retail camera market here in Australia.\u201d *1<\/p>\n
Canon\u2019s innovations include such world\u2019s firsts*2 as the Ultrasonic Motor-powered lens (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) to compensate for the effects of camera shake, Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) anti-reflection technology, and a super telephoto lens that employs a diffractive optical element. Last year, Canon successfully launched EF70-200mm f\/2.8L IS II USM, featuring outstanding optical performance and Image Stabilization.<\/p>\n
Canon\u2019s current EF lens line-up comprises 65 models*3 ranging from super-wide-angle lenses to super-telephoto zoom lenses, catering to the varying needs of photographers from first-time users to advanced-amateurs and professionals. The company\u2019s diverse selection of lenses offers several features including a number of zoom options ranging from standard to super-telephoto, Image Stabilizer-equipped lenses, large-diameter lenses, macro-lenses and TS-E lenses featuring a special tilt-shift mechanism allowing manipulation of image perspective and distortion. In addition, the EF8-15mm f\/4L Fisheye USM, the world\u2019s first*2 fisheye zoom lens, is planned for market release in March 2011.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Canon EOS brand is synonymous with quality and creativity, and the 65 EF lenses available in Australia, together with the challenges laid down to users on the World of EOS, allow all photographers to take their photography to the next level of creative expression,\u201d added Ryan.<\/p>\n
*1 30% share by value for the most recent 12 months. Source: GfK Retail and Technology Australia, Digital Still Cameras, Retail Sales Value Dec 2009 to Nov 2010 (excludes MMC, internet and online channels)<\/p>\n
*2 Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras<\/p>\n
*3 Including two EF lens extenders and models available outside of Japan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SYDNEY, 7 February, 2011: Canon announced today the achievement of a new EF lens-manufacturing milestone with the production of the company\u2019s 60-millionth lens at its Utsunomiya Plant in Japan. \u201cCanon is proud to have achieved this significant production milestone, which is representative of the huge growth in the popularity of digital SLR photography in Australia<\/p>\n