introduced 1990 - discontinued 1995

The world's first camera with a bar-code program ? supplied with a book of codes which could be transferred to the camera via a bar-code reader. Quartz Date version available.

Type and Major Components
Type: 35mm focal plane shutter SLR (single-lens reflex) autofocus/auto exposure camera, with built-in motor drive.
Lens Mount: Canon EF mount (electronic signal transfer system).
Usable Lenses: Canon EF lenses.
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism. Gives 92% vertical and horizontal coverage of actual picture area and 0.74x magnification with 50mm lens at infinity. Eyepoint: 19mm.
Dioptric Adjustment: Built-in eyepiece is adjusted to standard -1 diopter.
Focusing Screen: New laser-matte screen with three focus marks.
Mirror: Quick-return half-mirror.
Shutter: Vertical-travel, focal plane shutter with soft touch electromagnetic release and all speeds electronically controlled.
Shutter Speed: 1/4000-30sec. and bulb. X-sync is 1/125 sec. Set in 1/2 stop increments.
Viewfinder Information:Displayed at the bottom of the viewing area.
• Three focus marks.
• 7-segment LCD digit and character display:
(1) Shutter speed: blinks at 2 Hz for out-of-coupling range warning.
(2) aperture value: blinks at 2 Hz for out-of-coupling range warning.
(3) Depth-of-Field AE: dEP 1, dEP 2.
(4) Camera-shake Alert indicator: ?
(5) Metered manual exposure level: -, ?, +
(6) AF in-focus indicator: ? (blinks at 8 Hz when AF is not possible).
(7) Flash-charge completion indicator: ?
(8) AE lock indicator: *
(9) Exposure compensation indicator: ?

Autofocus
AF Control System: TTL-SIR (Secondary Image Registration) phase detection type using BASIS (Base-Stored Image Sensor). Three modes available: One-shot, AI Servo with Focus Prediction and AI Focus that automatically switches to One-shot or AI Servo according to subject. Manual focusing also possible.
Focusing Point: Set by camera or user.
AF Working Range: EV0-18 at ISO 100.
AF Auxiliary Light: Automatically projected when necessary. Light through and LED (peak sensitivity: 695nm) coupled to the focusing point. Effective focal length: from 35mm to 135mm. Effective distance range: 1-7m/3.3-23ft for the central area, 1-4m/3.3-13.1ft for the peripheral areas.

Exposure Control
Light Metering: TTL full-aperture metering using an SPC (Silicon Photocell). Two metering patterns available:
8-zone New Evaluative Metering, partial metering approx. 8.5% of the central picture area.
Metering Range: EV1-20 at normal temperature (conversion with 50mm f1.4 lens at ISO 100).
Shooting Modes:
• Green Zone (?) (Intelligent Program AE).
• Programmed Image Control (Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports).
• Bar-code Program (according to the program input).
• Intelligent Program AE with variable program shift function.
• Shutter-priority AE.
• Aperture-priority AE.
• Depth-of-Field AE.
• Camera-shake Alert.
• Manual.
• Flash AE (A-TTL or TTL program flash AE with built-in flash).
Camera Shake Warning: Operates for program AE (P), aperture priority AE (Av), Depth-of-field AE (Dep) and Camera-shake Alert (?). The camera shake warning beeper tone sounds when the automatically-set shutter speed becomes 0 to 0.5 steps slower than ‘1/focal length of the lens in use’. Beeper can be cancelled with Custom Function #6.
Multiple Exposures: Up to nine exposures can be preset. Automatically clears upon completion.
Exposure compensation: +/- 5 stops in 1/2 stop increments.
Automatic Exposure Bracketing: +/- 5 stops in 1/2 stop increments. Three continuous exposures are taken in sequence: one under, one at the standard metered value, and one over.
Depth-of-Field Check: With Custom Function #11 by pressing the partial metering button.

Film Transport
Film Speed Setting: ISO 6-6400; automatically set in 1/3 stop increments according to DX code or set by user.
Film Loading: Automatic.
Film Wind: Automatic. Two modes available: ? (Single Frame) and ? (Continuous at up to 5 fps).
Film Rewind: Automatic (approx. 8 sec. with 24 exposure film at normal temperature). Mid-roll rewind also possible.

Flash
Type: Built-in, retractable type TTL automatic flash fires automatically in low-light or backlit condition in a certain shooting mode. The flash cannot be combined with an external flash.
Guide Number (ISO 100): 39.3ft/12m.
Recycling Time: Approx. 2 sec.
Flash Coverage Angle: Equivalent to the coverage angle of a 35mm lens.
Flash Coupling Range: 1-4.3m/3.3-14.1ft at ISO 100.
Flash Duration: 1ms or less.
Colour Temperature: Equivalent to daylight.
Power Source: Same as the body.

Power Source
Battery: One 6V lithium battery (2CR5).
Battery Check: Automatic by turning the camera on. Indicated by a 4-step display on the LCD panel.
Shooting Capacity: With 24 exposure film:
Normal 68°F/20°C, without flash 60 rolls, with 50% flash use 25 rolls and 100% flash use 13 rolls.
Low -4°F/-20°C, without flash 15 rolls, with 50% flash use 8 rolls and 100% flash use 4 rolls.

Other
Remote Control: Possible by using optional remote control unit.
Self-Timer: Electronically controlled with a 10 sec. delay.
Data Display: In the viewfinder and LCD panel.

Dimensions
Size: 6 1/4” (W) x 4 3/16” (H) x 2 3/4” (D). 158 x 106 x 70mm.
Weight: 20.3 oz. (580g) without battery. 21.7 oz. (620g) with battery.

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15 February 1990

Canon Introduces Bar Code System with new EOS 10

The new high performance Canon EOS 10 brings a new dimension to autofocus SLR photography with a range of innovative features offering professional-standard results for the inexperienced, while also allowing the more proficient user total control of the camera’s many advanced functions.

Among the innovations are a Bar Code program reader system with photo example book, immediately setting the camera to any one of 25 separate feature combinations; a newly-developed focus sensor enabling three point selectable focusing within the subject area; 8-zone evaluative metering, and 10 automatic exposure (AE) modes.

Other major features include a built-in automatic retractable flash unit, a compact remote control unit, high focusing performance in low light to EV—0, superior focus prediction control with automatic switching from One-Shot AF and AI Servo AF modes, and an inbuilt 5fps motor drive.

The Bar Code System has been developed as a new feature to enable the inexperienced to master advanced SLR functions. The reader unit, which resembles a pen, comes with the pocket-sized photo example book, which contains a number of different sample photographs with bar codes printed underneath.

As each bar code contains up to 10 function settings, the system is considerably more detailed and accurate than existing card or inbuilt programmed control systems. In addition, each photo example contains various comments concerning such factors as proper lens type, recommended film speed, flash or tripod use.

The bar code reader is powered by two button cell CR2025 lithium batteries, and transfers information to the EOS 10 via an optical terminal.

The potential for the bar code program is unlimited. Not only does it handle more function data than any previous program system, it can be expanded without buying additional accessories. Adding new programs to the system will only require a new photograph and bar code.

For occasions when the bar code system is inappropriate, however, the EOS 10 also contains four inbuilt Programmed Image Control modes, which can be selected by icons on the input dial for portraits, landscapes, sports or close-ups.

For the photographer who wants absolute control over the camera, there are nine additional Exposure Modes, including Program AE with Program Shift, Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE, Depth-of-field AE, Camera-Shake Prevention AE, Full Auto Mode, A-TTL Auto Flash AE, TTL Auto Flash AE, and Manual.

The EOS 10 sees the introduction of Canon’s newly-developed cross-type Multi BASIS Focusing Sensor, the first of its kind in an autofocus SLR, which can not only focus equally well in both vertical and horizontal format, but also provides automatic or manual selection of one of three focusing points within the subject area.

In the automatic mode, the focus point is shifted in sequence from left to centre to right, and logic circuits determine the optimum focus distance. The focus point can also be set manually if required. In certain shooting modes, namely Full Auto, PIC or bar Code program, the camera will also switch automatically from One-Shot AF to AI Servo AF, allowing the lens to keep a moving subject in focus up to the moment of exposure.

The focus sensor is also used to good effect in the Camera Shake Prevention AE Mode. Based on the amount of camera shake detected by the sensor, a shutter speed is set which reduces the effect of this movement in the final picture.

A built-in 3-Beam AF Auxiliary Light corresponds to the focusing points of the multi BASIS sensor, providing high speed, high precision AF operation in very low light to EV 0 or with low contrast subjects – effective up to 7m/23ft at centre and 4m/13.1ft at the periphery. When a separate flash is attached, this auxiliary light is given priority over the unit’s inbuilt AF sensor.

The camera’s newly-developed 8-Zone Metering Sensor is designed to work with the AF system’s focusing point switching function. The sensor offers a new type of evaluative metering and partial metering (8.5%) on the focusing point, as well as automatic film plane reflection flash exposure metering on the focusing point.

Other metering functions include AE lock, exposure compensation control, and automatic exposure bracketing.

All the shutter speeds are electronically controlled, running from 30 seconds to an ultra-fast 1/4000sec, and the synchronization speed for electronic flash is 1/125sec.

The Automatic Retractable TTL Flash Unit is built into the pentaprism section, and can be switched on or off as required, as well as offering automatic firing in certain Bar Code Program and PIC modes in low light or back-lit conditions.

The unit has a guide number of 12m/39.3ft (ISO 100) and a rapid recycling time of about two seconds, and automatic flash control is linked to the AF focusing points for accurate subject exposure.

When another EOS flash unit is added, such as the 430EZ, 420EZ or 300EZ, the auxiliary unit takes priority, and the built-in flash does not operate. Auxiliary flash units also provide TTL flash metering coupled with the AF focusing points.

One feature first seen on a Canon compact camera is now found on the EOS 10. The camera comes complete with its own Remote Control Unit, housed in a holder on the shoulder strap. This unit can fire the camera shutter from up to 5 metres, and is ideal for many remote control applications.

Powered by two button type CR1220 lithium cells with a life of around 20,000 operations, the unit can operate the shutter release either immediately or after a two-second delay.

Custom Functions are now an established feature of EOS cameras, and the EOS 10 contains 13 in all to allow the user to format a series of different features to suit personal preferences or special conditions. For example, it is possible to cancel the automatic film rewind function, turn off the camera shake warning bleeper, or make the aperture stop down for checking depth-of-field when the AE lock button is pressed.

One function, which will appeal to close-up enthusiasts, moves the reflex mirror to the up position as the shutter release is pressed in the self-time mode. With a 10-second delay before firing, this gives ample time for any slight vibrations in the camera to die away before the exposure is made.

Despite the hi-tech specification, the EOS 10 is easy to handle. It uses Canon’s familiar electronic input dial to set a wide range of controls and there is a selector dial for setting the shooting mode. A large LCD panel on top of the camera provides details of all settings at a glance, and for first-time use, the camera can be made ready for general photography with just a flick of a switch.

The viewfinder features a computer-aided design matte screen, providing brightness and focusing characteristics on a par with laser matte screens, but without the ‘roughness’ of texture. Eyepoint is 19mm, and the focusing point is superimposed in any one of the three focusing areas when the camera is set for automatic or manual focusing selection. The information display is the same as the EOS 600, with the addition of a camera-shake prevention indicator and a metered manual exposure indicator.

An Optional Grip Extension is available, attached directly to the bottom of the camera to allow for a handstrap, and Two New Lenses have been specially designed for the EOS 10. They are the EF 35-135mm f/4-5.6 USM zoom lens, and the EF 100-300mm f/4-5.6 USM zoom lens. With these lenses, information about subject distances can be passed to the camera, giving a higher level of exposure control in the Bar Code Program and PIC modes. All other EF lenses can also be used with all the modes of the camera.

Weighting just 380g, the EOS 10 is slightly lighter than the EOS 600 in spite of all its additional features. It is powered by a single 2CR5 lithium battery, which is sufficient for about 35 rolls of 24-expsoure film with 50% flash use.