Motivated by the need to develop lenses to ideally complement their cameras,
Canon produced its first in-house camera lens: the Serenar 50mm f/3.5 I. Serenar means
“clear,” a perfect representation of the influence behind the first Canon lenses.
Canon’s first camera lens to use fluorite
FL-F 300mm f/5.6
World’s first large-aperture aspherical SLR lens
with automatic diaphragm control
FD 55mm f/1.2 AL
Canon’s first camera lens to use a UD lens
FD 300mm f/4L
As autofocus began to revolutionize photography in the
second half of the 1980’s, Canon’s engineers designed
the EOS System around the brilliant EF mount. Capable of
transmitting exposure and distance information quickly,
the EF mount enabled the first EF lens, combining amazing
autofocus speeds with stellar optics in designs that
propelled Canon toward the 21st Century.
• EF 35–105mm f/3.5–4.5
• EF 35–70mm f/3.5–4.5
• EF 50mm f/1.8
• EF 300mm f/2.8L USM
Ultrasonic Motor (USM)
USM lenses use less power, and their
focusing action is much faster and
quieter than with conventional motors,
making them ideal for tracking
fast-moving subjects with minimal
camera noise.
Ring-type USM
† Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras
• EF 50mm f/1.0L USM
† Among interchangeable lenses for 35mm SLR cameras
• EF 35–350mm f/3.5–5.6L USM
† Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras
• EF 75–300mm f/4–5.6 IS USM
Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS)
Canon’s lens-based Optical Image Stabilizer
systems are highly regarded in the industry.
They’re designed to make possible sharp,
virtually blur-free handheld shots at lower
shutter speeds, accounting not only for
camera shake but to accommodate subject
movement and panning with ease.
† Among interchangeable lenses for 35mm SLR cameras
• EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
Optical Image Stabilizer
Image Stabilizer unit moves to
counteract the camera shake
• EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM
Correcting Chromatic Aberrations
with a Diffractive Optics (DO) Lens
Refractive Optical
Element
Image formation in
the blue, green and red
wavelength order
Multi-Layer
DO Element
Image formation in
the red, green and blue
wavelength order
Refractive Optical Element
and Multi-Layer DO Element Combined
Chromatic aberration canceled out
† Among interchangeable lenses for 35mm SLR cameras
As digital SLR photography began to phase out traditional
film photography, Canon introduced its first digital-only lens
series, EF-S. EF-S lenses take advantage of Canon’s digital
APS-C sized sensors, resulting in smaller, more lightweight
designs with brilliant optical performance.
• EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6
• EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 USM
• EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM
Subwavelength Coating (SWC)
The Subwavelength Coating (SWC) is a
proprietary lens coating that is utilized
on large-curvature lens elements that
are mainly found in wide-angle lenses to
significantly minimize the occurrence of
ghosting and flare.
The incident light is guided as if drawn from
the top to the base of the wedges
† Among photographic lenses
• EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Hybrid Image Stabilizer
Canon's Hybrid Image Stabilizer employs a
highly sophisticated algorithm that
combines the feedback of both the
acceleration sensor and angular velocity
sensor, and moves the image stabilizer lens
elements to effectively compensate for
both rotational and linear camera shake.
Hybrid IS dramatically enhances the effects
of Optical Image Stabilizer.
Rotational camera shake Linear camera shake
† Among interchangeable lenses for 35mm SLR cameras
• EF 70–300mm f/4–5.6L IS USM
Fluorine Anti-smear Coating
The fluorine anti-smear coating helps
keep soiling, smears and fingerprints to
a minimum for easy cleaning.
As Canon’s influence into the world of professional moviemaking
became more and more significant, Canon introduced the amazing
Cinema EOS System of cameras and optics. Designed to meet the
exacting standards of professional cinematographers and
videographers, Canon’s Cinema Lenses are critical in helping them
to realize their creative visions for the big screen.
• CN-E24mm T1.5 L F
• CN-E50mm T1.3 L F
• CN-E85mm T1.3 L F
• CN-E14.5–60mm T2.6 L S
• CN-E30–300mm T2.95–3.7 L S
• EF 8–15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
† Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras
• EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM
• EF 40mm f/2.8 STM
Stepping Motor (STM)
Canon STM lenses deliver stunning
autofocus performance with an
outstanding level of smooth and
quiet continuous autofocus,
optimized for video shooting and
still image capture.
Gear Type STM
Lead Screw Type STM
† Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras
• EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM
• EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM
† Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras
• EF 200–400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x
Built-in 1.4x Extender
† Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras
