The Canon EOS system was first launched in 1987 and continues to expand, with new camera models, lenses, flashguns and accessories added each year. There are currently two types of camera within the system – Digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) and mirrorless – and the common feature is that you can change the lens. Added to that, the camera sensor comes in different sizes. So which camera type do you have?

BY CLAIRE BARRETT, Last updated 16 June 2023

If you need to check which camera type you have, here's the definitive list of digital cameras (past and present) in the Canon EOS system.

Classification by letter

As a general rule of thumb, if your camera name (UK) has a D in it, it’s a DSLR camera. Some DSLR models have different names in different countries – Rebel (USA) or Kiss (Asia). Mirrorless cameras either start with M or R.

An ‘a’ at the end of a model number indicates a camera that’s designed for astronomy.

An ’s’ at the end of the number denotes a studio model.

A ‘c’ indicates a Cinema model.

Classification by number

The ‘bigger’ the number, the lower the specification. Cameras that are 1-series (e.g. 1D X, 1D Mark II) or 3-series (currently EOS R3, though there were EOS 3 film SLR cameras) are professional, and other single digit cameras are semi-professional (e.g. 5D-series or R5, R6). Cameras that have three or sometimes four digits – e.g. 100D, 2000D, M100 or R100 – are entry level models.