Canon / 1978 / SLR
Canon A-1
Canon’s fully computerised A-series flagship, combining five exposure modes with a remarkably readable LED finder display.
Image: Canon A-1 35mm SLR camera · Slugbug · source · Public domain
Overview / 概要
Why Canon A-1 matters.
The A-1 turned digital control inside a film camera into an approachable, mass-market photographic language.
Design & context
The black body is quiet from the outside, while the top dials and red LED readout make the electronic logic visible in use.
Buying today
Check the electronic shutter, meter display, battery compartment, and shutter squeal; a tested body matters more than a clean exterior.
Key specifications / 仕様
The details.
- Released
- 1978
- Production
- 1978–1985
- Brand
- Canon
- Brand country
- Japan
- Format
- Film
- Film / sensor
- 35mm
- Camera type
- SLR
- Lens / mount
- Canon FD mount
- Shutter range
- 30s–1/1000s
- ISO range
- ISO 6–12800
- Autofocus
- Manual focus
- Viewfinder
- Fixed pentaprism with LED information display
- Flash
- Hot shoe and PC sync
- Weight
- 620g
- Dimensions
- 141 × 92 × 48mm
- Battery
- 4LR44 alkaline or equivalent
Still to verify for this record: Manufacturing country · Made in Japan flag · Weather sealing.
Notable features
- Five AE modes
- Program AE
- Canon FD mount
- 7-segment LED finder display
Known issues
- Condition varies significantly on the used market.
Source record
Every field should be traceable; open a source to check the evidence boundary.
- 01 Open source ↗
Canon A-1 product record
Canon Camera Museum · Museum / institutional archive
Supports: market date, original price, five exposure modes, FD mount, shutter, ISO range, dimensions, and weight. Accessed 2026-08-12.
- 02 Open source ↗
Canon A-series history
Canon Camera Museum · Museum / institutional archive
Supports: A-1 launch context, computerised control, and the relationship to the AE-1. Accessed 2026-08-12.
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