JPN.CAM

Canon / 1976 / SLR

Canon AE-1

The camera that brought electronic exposure automation and mass-market design into the mainstream.

filmmade in Japaninterchangeable lens

Editorial placeholder visual / rights-safe until a licensed image is attached.

Overview / 概要

Why Canon AE-1 matters.

The AE-1 made a capable system SLR legible to a huge new audience and helped define Canon’s consumer era.

Design & context

A clean black-and-silver body with a single mode-first control philosophy rather than a wall of dials.

Buying today

Listen for a clean shutter cycle and check for the common shutter squeal before buying.

Key specifications / 仕様

The details.

Released
1976
Production
1976–1984
Brand
Canon
Brand country
Japan
Format
Film
Film / sensor
35mm
Camera type
SLR
Lens / mount
Canon FD mount
Shutter range
2s–1/1000s
Autofocus
Manual focus
Viewfinder
Fixed pentaprism
Weight
590g
Battery
4LR44 / PX28

Still to verify for this record: Manufacturing country · Made in Japan flag · ISO range · Flash · Dimensions · Weather sealing · Original MSRP.

Notable features

  • Shutter-priority auto exposure
  • Canon FD mount
  • Electronic timing

Known issues

  • Condition varies significantly on the used market.

Source record

Every field should be traceable; open a source to check the evidence boundary.

Primary source checked
  1. 01

    Canon camera history: 1976–1986

    Canon Camera Museum · Museum / institutional archive

    Supports: AE-1 launch context, embedded microcomputer, and shutter-priority exposure history. Accessed 2026-08-12.

    Open source ↗
  2. 02

    Canon AE-1 reference record

    Wikipedia · Reference index

    Supports: model identity, release era, format, and commonly documented specifications. Accessed 2026-08-12.

    Open source ↗