Canon has a long history of innovations that have supported photography and videography at Rugby World Cup tournaments since 1987. Some of their major innovations include introducing the first autofocus SLR camera and digital SLR cameras that helped speed up publishing of images, as well as more recent advancements like the first 4K cinema camera and 50 megapixel full frame DSLR. Canon technology has helped capture iconic images and video from Rugby World Cup events.

1. Canon innovations throughout
Rugby World Cup history
Canon launches the ground breaking
and award winning Cinema EOS C300.
A compact Super 35mm digital cinema
camera which revolutionised the movie
making industry
Canon is official sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2015.
Follow us at @CanonProNetwork for more information on how
Canon technology is supporting the event
RUGBY
WORLD CUP
2011
RUGBY
WORLD CUP
2015
RUGBY
WORLD CUP
2007
1989
Canon introduces the flagship autofocus
Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera – the
EOS-1 series – the company’s professional
range of interchangeable-lens cameras.
Since this launch, Canon has continued to
develop this range to support professionals
in capturing iconic images from sporting
events such as Rugby World Cup
2008
Canon introduces the EOS 5D Mark II –
the world’s first DSLR camera with Full HD
video. This addition of Full HD movie recording
expanded the boundaries of photography,
allowing fans to capture great stills or videos of
fast moving subjects such as wingers
on Rugby World Cup teams!
2010
Canon introduces the world’s
first single-shot multi-band camera,
enabling colour distinction beyond
the capability of the human eye
at high resolution
2013
Canon releases the EOS-1DC, the world’s
first 4K DSLR cinema camera for stunning
stills and movie shooting
Canon launches the EOS 5, the first-ever
camera with eye-controlled auto focus (ECF)
Canon launches the first commercially
available SLR lens with internal image
stabilisation system (ISS), helping photographers
compensate for camera shake and enabling
users to take fewer blurred pictures – perfect
for capturing sporting events
Canon's first digital SLR camera, the EOS
DCS 3, is introduced helping to dramatically
reduce the time required by photo desks to
publish images of Rugby World Cup 1995
RUGBY
WORLD CUP
1991
RUGBY
WORLD CUP
1995
RUGBY
WORLD CUP
1999
2001
Canon’s first "camera direct" products are
launched, allowing digital pictures to be
printed using an inkjet printer directly
from a camera
Canon released the EF400mm F4 DO IS USM,
the first ever lens to use multi-layer diffractive
optical (DO) elements, allowing a reduction
in length and weight of telephoto
lenses used by professional sports
photographers
Canon introduces the EOS 650 autofocus SLR
camera, Canon’s first camera in the EOS series.
This model features the world’s first Ultrasonic
Motor (USM) auto focus, representing a new
generation of AF SLR cameras
Host nation: Australia and New Zealand
Winning nation: New Zealand
Host nation: South Africa
Winning nation: South Africa
Host nation: England, France, Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Winning nation: Australia
Host nation: Australia
Winning nation: England
Host nation: France
Winning nation: South Africa
Host nation: Wales
Winning nation: Australia
RUGBY
WORLD CUP
1987
Canon introduces the 5DS and 5DS R, the
highest resolution 35mm full frame DSLR ever
produced with a stunning 50 megapixel
TM © Rugby World Cup Limited 2008 - 2015. All rights reserved.
Host nation: New Zealand
Winning nation: New Zealand
Host nation: England
2005
Canon introduces the world’s first
high-definition camcorder, the XL H1
allowing photographers to capture key
moments at future Rugby World Cup
tournaments in stunning HD!
Canon launches the DIGISUPER 100xs
broadcasting lens, the world’s highest zoom
lens range. All of Canon’s DIGISUPER field
lenses have featured this technology since
its launch, meaning it’s easier for broadcasters
to stay close to Rugby World Cup action on
the pitch
RUGBY
WORLD CUP
2003