Singapore, 01 March 2011 – January 2011 marks a new production milestone for Canon’s renowned EF lenses as it hits the 60-millionth lens with the production of an EF70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM. This achievement is much celebrated as Canon had only commemorated the production of its 50-millionth lens thirteen months ago. This increase in 10 million units within such a short time reaffirms consumers’ belief in the capabilities of Canon lenses and its proprietary lens technology.

“We are proud to have reached this milestone in such a short time. We have noticed more people, including women and youths, who have started to embrace DSLR photography and in particular the Canon EOS System,” said Andrew Koh, Senior Director and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging & Information Products Division of Canon Singapore. “This milestone is testament to our commitment to continue to support so many photographers from Singapore and all over the world.”

The production of Canon’s interchangeable EF lens for Canon EOS-series AF (Auto focus) single-lens reflex film cameras began 14 years ago in 1987 at the company’s Utsunomiya Plant in Japan. Since then, global production has expanded to three other production facilities in Taiwan, Malaysia and Kyushu island in Japan. The production of Canon’s EF lenses reached its first 10-million unit milestone after approximately eight and a half years of production, followed by the 40-million mark in April 2008, and the 50-million mark in December 2009.

First introduced in March 1987, the EF lens has, through its innovative technologies, claimed several world’s firsts such as the Ultrasonic Motor-powered lens (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) that compensates handshake, Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) anti-reflection technology, and a multi-layered diffractive optical element. Just last year, Canon introduced the EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM – the world’s first* true fisheye zoom lens with angle-of-view coverage from 180-degree circular fisheye to 180-degree diagonal fisheye. This new model is slated for release in Q2 2011.

To date, Canon has 65 EF lens models ranging from super-wide-angle lenses to super-telephoto zoom lenses.

About Canon Singapore Pte Ltd

Canon is a global leader in photographic and digital imaging solutions. Canon Singapore Pte Ltd is the headquarters for South & Southeast Asia driving sales, marketing and service strategies. Besides handling the domestic market, the company leads 18 other countries including subsidiaries in India, Malaysia, Thailand and a representative office in Vietnam. The parent company Canon Inc has a global network of more than 200 companies and employs more than 160,000 people worldwide. It is dedicated to the advancement in technology and innovation and commits about 10% of its total revenue each year to R&D. Canon is consistently one of the top few companies to earn the most number of patents over the last 18 years. As a Fortune Global 500 company, Canon is guided by its kyosei philosophy that focuses on living and working together for the common good.

More information is available at www.canon.com.sg