Canon RC-251 (1988)
At 640 x 480 pixels, it captured color digital images with a lens that behaved like a 60mm on 35mm film - then saved them to a 2" floppy disk.
Overview
Canon marketed it as a camera that took full-color digital photographs as easily as a 35mm compact. It was Canon's early push into consumer digital imaging. The resolution and convenience are well short of modern cameras, but it was praised at launch for making digital capture accessible, bridging the gap between analog photography and digital.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Canon |
| Model | RC-251 |
| Type | Still Video Camera |
| Lens | 2.8/11 mm |
| Lens equivalency | corresponds to a 60 mm in 24 x 36 format |
| Sensor | commonly equipped with the Texas Instruments TC244a CCD sensor. This sensor has 242 rows (lines) with 786 elements |
| Imager Type | 0.20 |
| Storage | stores the images on a 2" Floppy-Disk |
| Alternative Storage | Images were stored on DRAM, twelve at high resolution or 48 at 640 x 480 pixels |
| Resolution | 640 x 480 pixels |
Key Features
2.8/11 mm Lens with 60mm Equivalency
The fixed 11mm f/2.8 lens gives a field of view equivalent to a 60mm lens on a 35mm film camera. That puts it in the standard perspective range. It suggests Canon wanted natural framing for everyday snapshots, with no wide-angle distortion or telephoto compression.
Texas Instruments TC244a CCD Sensor
The imaging core is reportedly the Texas Instruments TC244a CCD sensor, a 242-line device with 786 photosites per line. The physical size is listed as "0.20" (likely denoting 1/5-inch format), and the sensor's resolution lines up with the final output of 640 x 480 pixels. It was typical of early consumer digital cameras. Color fidelity was limited by modern standards, but it was considered impressive for its time.
2" Floppy Disk and DRAM Storage
Images were saved either to a proprietary 2" floppy disk or to internal DRAM. The DRAM could hold twelve high-resolution images or up to forty-eight at 640 x 480 pixels. It worked as temporary buffer storage before transfer to disk.
AS-C25 Action Set Compatibility
The RC-251 supported optional accessories. The AS-C25 Action Set bundled the AG-C25 Action Grip for better handling and the TC-C2513 telephoto lens. The MF-C25 Macro Frame was also available for close-up photography. These suggest Canon envisioned use in travel and outdoor photography.
Television-Based Image Playback
There is no built-in LCD screen. Users viewed images by connecting the camera to a television set. As user accounts put it, "you watch the pics on TV." The workflow was to shoot, insert the disk, connect via AV cables, and review on screen. That was standard for still video cameras of the era, but it limited spontaneity and portability compared to later direct-view digital cameras.
Historical Context
The Canon RC-251 was the PAL-compatible version of the RC-250, made for the European market. It had equivalent features to its NTSC sibling but was adapted for the PAL video framework, so it worked with European broadcast standards and television sets.
Collectibility & Value
The RC-251 originally sold for $800 or 5900 French francs, so it was a premium product. Today it turns up on the secondary market with listings around £103.92 or best offer. Collectors note its inclusion in the "Photo Digital Rarity index Collection," indicating limited survival rates and growing interest among early digital technology enthusiasts. No common failures or maintenance procedures are documented.
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