Canon EOS Elan / EOS 100

1991

EOS Elan

The EOS Elan (EOS 100 in Europe and Japan) was Canon’s first SLR to address the noise created when using these cameras. So, it was designed to be as quiet as possible. Contemporary ads would show pictures of sleeping grandpas and babies to drive the point home that using the camera wouldn’t wake them up and spoil the moment. It was also the first EOS besides the flagship EOS-1 to make use of the Quick Control Dial on the back.

EOS Elan Viewfinder

But besides these two great features, it really wasn’t a step-up from the EOS 10s that preceded it but more of a step back down. Metering was handled by a 6-zone evaluative system (down from the 8-zone in the 10s), and had a reduced frame advance rate of 3 fps. And it’s list/street price reflected this.

The Elan could also make use of the bar code system used by the EOS 10s. Note first non-flagship use of rear control dial.

Technicals Specifications:

Original List Price (1991): $874.00 (body)
Street Price (1992): $329.00
Price in 2025 Dollars: $740.00*
Manufacturer: Canon
Model: EOS Elan / EOS 100
Year Introduced: 1991
Film Format: 35mm AF SLR
Lens: Canon EF mount
Shutter: vertical travel
Self-timer: yes
Shutter Speeds: 30 – 1/4000
Shutter Release: on top
Built-in Meter: TTL – 6-zone Evaluative, 6.5% Partial, Center-weighted Averaging
Film Speed/ASA Range: 6-6400
Flash Sync: 1/125
Film Advance: 3 fps
Frame Counter: LCD
Exposure Modes: manual, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, program, full auto, programmed-image-control, bar code
Multi-Exposure: yes
Finder: shutter speed, aperture, metering info, focus confirmation, flash ready-light, metering pattern
Focusing Screens:
Mirror: quick-return
Battery: one 2CR5

*Based on current information at
in2013dollars.com

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