It's no secret that there is a clear species hierarchy in the family of cameras. Simple digital compacts are located at the lower levels, and the highest echelons of power are represented by full-frame mirrors and mirrorless mirrors, or even delegates of a small detachment of medium format.

EOS (mirrored)

The Canon EOS (Electro-Optical System) system debuted in 1987 and has grown to a large scale in 30 years of existence. It includes all cameras with interchangeable optics of the Japanese brand. But first we will focus exclusively on the mirrors of the EOS line.

So, the fewer digits in the name of a Canon SLR camera, the higher its rank:

  • EOS XXXXD — Basic level mirrors for beginners;
  • EOS XXXD — Amateur SLR cameras;
  • EOS XXD — strong mid-level cameras with an eye on photo enthusiasts;
  • EOS XD — Canon flagships.

A high figure in the expanded naming of "thousandths", "hundredths" and "tenths" models often denote more recent generations. The exception to the rule is the Canon EOS 4000D DSLR, which is essentially a stripped—down version of the Canon EOS 2000D entry-class camera.

With the "single" squad of Canon SLR cameras, things are a little more complicated:

  • EOS 1 — professional—level "adult" reportage DSLRs (starting from generation 1D X they have a full-frame matrix, before that — a sensor of the homegrown APS-H format);
  • EOS 5 — notorious "nickels"; professional SLR cameras with a full-frame image sensor;
  • EOS 6 — available fullframes in a lightweight semi-professional level case;
  • EOS 7 — advanced Canon DSLRs (with an APS-C image sensor).

The prefix Mark marks the generation of a particular camera. For example, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a full—frame "nickel" of the fourth generation.
It's important to know! In Japan and the USA, three-digit series mirrors are called differently. So, in the Land of the rising sun they are called Kiss, and in the States — Rebel.
Canon EOS series cameras (SLR)

EOS (Mirrorless)

Mirrorless mirrors in the Canon EOS line play no less significant role than mirror mastodons. Especially in light of the emergence of the full-frame EOS R system.

The first mirrorless "swallow" from the Japanese brand left its native nest in 2012. It was a Canon EOS M camera. Since then, all cameras of a similar design with a cropped matrix are automatically assigned to the EOS M family.

Canon fullframes without a bulky mirror mechanism in the design first rolled off the assembly line in 2018. They belong to the newly minted EOS R line.
Canon EOS series cameras (mirrorless)

PowerShot (compacts)

Cameras without interchangeable objects of the Japanese brand are ranked among the numerous PowerShot series. In the days before the advent of adequate cameras in smartphones, the line had a huge number of branches. Now three main branches continue to grow:

  • PowerShot G — charged cameras with advanced shooting capabilities;
  • PowerShot SX — compact "babies" with a huge multiplicity of optical zoom;
  • PowerShot D — all-protective cameras in a durable waterproof case.
Canon PowerShot series cameras (compacts)

IXUS (ultra-compact)

The IXUS group is represented by low-cost Canon cameras in an ultra-compact case.

Canon IXUS series cameras (ultra-compact)


That's it. Have a good shooting!