In April 1976, Canon released the "AE-1" camera, the world's first 35 mm Auto-Exposure (AE) SLR camera equipped with a central processing unit (CPU). The camera integrated the latest electronics and optics technologies. The "AE-1," and the "A-1" introduced in April 1978, with five AE modes, were a great hit.[4] A New FD lens series, with an innovative fit-and-lock mount system, enabled easy and quick mounting and dismounting of lenses and became very popular.
Canon introduced its first lens-shutter 35mm autofocus (AF) camera, "AF35M (Autoboy)" in November 1979. The camera featured an infrared active AF system developed by Canon, which allowed focusing even in the dark. "AF35M" was a totally automated system including automatic film winding and rewinding system.
After the emergence of a unified 8mm video format in 1981, Canon began developing video camcorders. In 1985, Canon released the first integrated 8mm video camcorder in the world, the "Canovision 8VM-E1." The era of 8mm film cinecameras reached its end with "AF310XL-S," released in September 1982.
In the 1980s, a new technology using magnetic media to record images as a substitute for film was developed. Making use of the electronic image transmission tests conducted during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Canon developed and released the “RC-701,” the company’s first still-video (SV) camera and a group of system components, in 1986.