Canon Epoca

Last updated
Canon Epoca
Canon Photura
Canon Autoboy Jet
Canon Epoca - global 1.jpg
Overview
Maker Canon Inc.
Type 35 mm bridge [1]
ReleasedJune 1990
Lens
Lens mount Fixed
Lens 35–105 mm
F-numbers f/3.2 to f/8
Sensor/medium
Film speed ISO 25 to 400
Focusing
FocusAutomatic; 3-point smart AF system with near-infrared beam
Exposure/metering
Exposure Automatic
Exposure metering EV2.35 to EV18.6 at ISO 100
Flash
Flash Built-in
Shutter
Shutter speed rangeAuto mode and flash on mode:
EV 10 (f/3.2 at 1/100 sec.) – EV 16 (f/13.2 at 1/350 sec.) at 38 mm
EV 12.6 (f/8 at 1/100 sec.) – EV 18.6 (f/34 at 1/350 sec.) at 13 5mm
Slow speed and flash off mode:
EV 2.35 (f/3.2 at 2 sec.) – EV 16 (f/13.2 at 1/350 sec.) at 38 mm
EV 5 (f/8 at 2 sec.) – EV 18.6 (f/34 at 1/350 sec.) at 135 mm
General
Battery 2CR5
Dimensions 100×74×170 mm (3.9×2.9×6.7 in)
Weight 700 g (25 oz) with battery
Made in Japan
Replaced byCanon Epoca 135/Jet 135/Photura 135

The Canon Epoca (also known as the Photura in North America and the Autoboy Jet in Japan [2] [3] ) is a 35mm bridge camera by Canon Inc. [4] [1]

Contents

Overview

Introduced in June 1990, the Epoca is known for its unusual design that more resembles a camcorder, as well as its 35 mm to 105 mm zoom lens. [5] [6] In addition, the camera features a flash that is stored behind the lens cover, a low-angle viewfinder on top of its body, and the option to imprint one of five captions on the picture. [2] [7] The North American release was offered without the quartz date and caption features, while the European and international version was released with these features as the Epoca Caption. [8] [9] Film is loaded into the chamber inside the bottom panel of the camera, where it is fed through a unique loading system that minimizes light exposure. [10] [11] A remote shutter and a close-up lens attachment with flash diffuser were bundled with the camera or sold separately; the lens attachment enables macro photography from 0.55 m to 0.8 m. [12] [1]

The name Epoca is derived from the word "epoch", implying that the camera's release marked an important point in the history of cameras. The name Photura is a portmanteau of the words "photography" and "Futura", the font used for the camera's logo in the North American market. For the Japanese market, the camera was called the Autoboy Jet, as it resembled a jet engine. [13]

In September 1991, Canon released the Autoboy Jet Canon Williams Racing Version for the 1991 Japanese Grand Prix, with the team logo printed on the hand strap and a pouch in the team's colors. The camera was limited to 5,000 units in Japan only. [14]

The Epoca was replaced by the Epoca 135/Photura 135/Jet 135 in March 1992, with a black body and a more powerful zoom up to 135 mm. [15] [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Canon Photura (Epoca) – a strange looking point and shoot camera of the film era". CameraGX. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  2. 1 2 Ōra, Takeshi (8 February 2025). "キヤノン オートボーイジェット". ProNews. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  3. ↑ "1990/平成2/Canon/AutoboyJET/キヤノン/オートボーイジェット/光学3倍ズーム/ドロップインフィルムローディング/ズームスピードライト/". Extinct Media Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  4. ↑ Luyckx, Alex (3 July 2023). "Camera Review Blog No. 157 - Canon Photura". Alex Luyckx Photography. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  5. ↑ Djudjic, Dunja (2 April 2021). "This weird Canon 35mm camera looks like a camcorder". DIY Photography. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "Canon Photura". Ollinger's Camera Collection. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  7. ↑ Dowling, Stephen (31 March 2022). "Ten of the Quirkiest Film Cameras". Kosmo Foto. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  8. ↑ "Canon Photura". Utah Film Photography. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  9. ↑ Harrison, Phil (13 May 2022). "Canon Epoca – A Review of a Twice Owned Camera". 35mmc. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  10. ↑ "Sure Shot Photura: How to Load the Film". Canon Inc. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "Photura". Flynn Marr Photography. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  12. ↑ Dirklancer (16 May 2011). "Canon Photura - an interesting blip in 35mm evolution". Lomography. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  13. ↑ "Canon Epoca Review". Nokko's Blog. 26 January 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  14. ↑ "Autoboy Jet Canon Williams Version". Canon Inc. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  15. ↑ "Photura 135". Canon Inc. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
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