Canon EOS 650 (1987–1989)

Name: Canon EOS 650
Brand: Canon

The first camera in Canon's EOS line. It was Canon's full-electronic AF SLR debut, and it brought the new EF lens mount.

Overview

The Canon EOS 650 was the first model in Canon's EOS series. It came out in 1987 as an autofocus SLR built in direct response to the Minolta Maxxum 7000. Canon designed it from the ground up as a fully electronic system. It introduced the Canon EF (Electro Focus) lens mount, which dropped the FD mount and allowed electronic aperture control and motor-in-lens autofocus. It was developed to coincide with Canon's 50th anniversary, and it was a complete break from earlier Canon SLR designs.

Specifications

Evaluative metering system	Factor-Six Light Analysis
Metering communication	Two-way communication between camera and lens
Lens mount	Canon EF (Electro Focus)
Lens compatibility	Basic Arc Focus Drive (AFD) EF lenses and later Ultrasonic Motor (USM) lenses

Design

The EOS system was fully electronic from the start. It had electronic aperture control, a first in the industry. Canon put the autofocus motor in the lens, while competitors put the focus motor in the camera body. The EOS Tool can read diagnostic data such as the number of film rolls used and prior servicings.

Context

The EOS 650 was Canon's answer to the Minolta Maxxum 7000. The T80 came before it and was poorly received, so Canon gave up on FD-mount AF development and created the EOS system from scratch. The system was first called "Entirely Organic System" and then became "Electro Optical System" (EOS). The EF mount ended the FD mount, and that alienated some existing Canon users. The EOS 650 was the first EOS camera. The EOS 620 was a contemporaneous prosumer model, and service manuals cover both.

Reception

The EOS 650 matched the specifications of the Minolta 7000 and Nikon F-501 (N2020). With USM lenses, it focused faster than its competitors in light levels above EV 6, and it ran more quietly.