Canon 110ED (1975)

Name: Canon 110ED
Brand: Canon

At 26mm f/2, it punches above its 110-film weight class with a lens that still draws breath

Overview

The Canon 110ED is a precision instrument disguised as a credit card. Canon introduced it in 1975, answering the growing demand for serious optics in the 110 format, a market otherwise flooded with plastic-bodied point-and-shoots. It was built for photographers who didn't want to compromise, even when downsizing. It has a metal body, a coupled rangefinder and a fast f/2 lens, which made it a high-end offering in a category often dismissed for its limitations. Owners report it feels dense, almost heavy for its size, with a solidity that suggests engineering over economy. The 110 film format itself constrained image quality, but the 110ED did what it could to get the best out of it: sharp optics, accurate focusing, and automatic exposure that worked reliably when the battery cooperated.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Canon
Product type	rangefinder camera for 110 cartridge film
Lens	Canon lens 26mm f/2, with 5 elements in 4 groups
Focusing	Rectilinear movement of the lens, coupled to the rangefinder
Exposure	automatic exposure
Battery	powered by a PX28A battery
Viewfinder	coupled rangefinder
Body material	metal body

Key Features

26mm f/2 Lens with 5 Elements

The 110ED's main feature is its 26mm f/2 lens, a full stop faster than the f/2.7 on the base 110E model. It has five elements in four groups, which was unusually complex for a subminiature camera. The field of view is equivalent to 50mm in 135 format, a good spot for everyday photography. The speed allowed lower-light shooting and a degree of subject isolation rare in 110 cameras. The small negative still limited ultimate sharpness and dynamic range, but the lens itself was optically competent, and surviving examples, when clean and functional, can produce surprisingly detailed images.

Coupled Rangefinder with Rectilinear Focusing

Unlike zone-focus competitors, the 110ED uses a true coupled rangefinder with rectilinear lens movement. The lens shifts in a straight line as focus is adjusted, which minimizes the optical aberrations that can occur with helicoid designs. Manual focusing is more accurate as a result, especially at close distances. Owners must account for parallax error when shooting subjects under 1.2 meters, because the viewfinder and lens are offset. The patch in the viewfinder is reported to be bright and easy to use, though no magnification or coverage specs are documented.

Automatic Exposure with Battery Check

The 110ED relies on automatic exposure, which is convenient for quick shooting but a potential failure point over time. The system uses a CdS meter and requires a PX28A battery (6V), which is now obsolete and difficult to source. A "Battery Check" function lets users verify power before shooting. Whether the camera works without battery power is uncertain. The available documentation does not confirm a mechanical backup, and one user inquiry specifically questioned this limitation.

Metal Body with Thoughtful Control Layout

The metal body gives the 110ED a premium feel and sets it apart from the plastic shells of most 110 cameras. Controls are logically arranged, with shutter speed selection (including a 1/125s setting for manual override) and film advance positioned for intuitive use. The updated 110ED 20 model reportedly added a 1/1000s top shutter speed, but this spec is not confirmed for the original 110ED. No dimensions or weight are documented, but the build quality is consistently described as solid and refined.

Historical Context

Canon introduced the 110ED in 1975 alongside the simpler 110E, which used a slower f/2.7 zone-focus lens. The 110ED was the premium option, aimed at discerning photographers who wanted better optics and accurate focusing in a pocketable form. It was part of a brief but ambitious push to improve the 110 format, which Kodak had launched as a consumer convenience. The 110ED and the later 110ED 20, an updated version with improved shutter performance, represented the high-water mark of engineering in this format. The film's small negative ultimately limited its appeal to serious photographers.

Collectibility & Value

The Canon 110ED trades at modest prices today, with recent examples found around $17 on secondary markets. Its value is limited by the obscurity of the 110 format and the difficulty of servicing the PX28A battery dependency. It was once considered an expensive, high-tech jewel. Now it occupies a niche corner of the collector world, appreciated by those who value compact camera design and optical ambition. No spare parts or service manuals are widely available, and the dead battery issue is common. Functionality often hinges on battery replacement solutions or meter bypass, though documentation on repair procedures is sparse.