Canon EOS 650 (1987)
The first camera in Canon’s EOS line, marking a bold electronic departure from their previous systems.
Overview
The Canon EOS 650 is the inaugural model of Canon’s EOS series, released in March 1987 to coincide with the company’s 50th anniversary. It was the first 35mm SLR from Canon built entirely around electronic control, introducing the new EF (Electro Focus) lens mount. Unlike previous systems, the EOS 650 relies on full electronic communication between body and lens, with no mechanical linkages—making it a clean break from Canon’s FD-mount legacy.
Designed to compete with the Minolta 7000 and Nikon F-501, the EOS 650 matched them in core specifications and surpassed them in autofocus performance when paired with Canon’s new Ultrasonic Motor (USM) lenses. Though it could also use basic Arc Focus Drive (AFD) EF lenses, its real innovation lay in the quiet, fast focusing enabled by USM technology—an industry first.
Specifications
| Product type | 35mm SLR camera |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Shutter speed range | 30s – 1/2000s |
| ISO range | 6 – 6400 |
| Dimensions | 148 mm × 108 mm × 68 mm |
| Weight | 700 g with battery |
| Battery | 2CR5 lithium battery |
Design
The EOS 650 was engineered from the ground up as a fully electronic system, with electronic contacts handling autofocus and lens aperture control—eliminating mechanical levers. Canon chose a motor-in-lens autofocus design, differentiating itself from competitors who placed the motor in the camera body. This allowed for quieter and faster focusing, especially with the introduction of USM lenses, which the EOS 650 was the first to support.
Context
Canon abandoned further development of its FD-mount cameras to start fresh with the EOS system, a risky move that gave Minolta a two-year lead in the autofocus SLR market. Despite alienating some existing Canon users, the EOS 650 established a new standard with its electronic mount and USM compatibility. It was positioned as the entry point to the EOS line, with the EOS 620 following as a prosumer-level upgrade.
Market
The Canon EOS 650 was originally priced at $570 for the body only in 1987. Today, it sells for around $25 USD in working condition, with estimated used values ranging from $10 to $50 for the body. Common issues include the "BC error," where the shutter remains open, and sticky shutter mechanisms due to degraded internal lubricants.
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