Canon Logo PNG
The Canon logo, used by the Japanese optics and electronics manufacturer Canon, is based on the goddess Kanon. As a leading brand in its field, it uses a recognizable, succinct logo that needs no explanation or additional visual support.
Canon began in 1933 in Tokyo, when Goro Yoshida founded the Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory to develop a Japanese 35mm camera competing with the Leica. In 1934, the Kwanon prototype appeared, using lenses from Nippon Kogaku (later Nikon).
On August 10, 1937, the company became Precision Optical Industry Co., Ltd. and began producing its own Serenar lenses in collaboration with Yoshizo Furukawa. In 1942, Takeshi Mitarai became president and set a goal to match Leica. After the war, recovery accelerated, and in 1947 the company was renamed Canon Camera Co., Inc. The 1946 SII introduced a combined viewfinder and rangefinder.
In 1959, Canon released the Canonflex SLR, followed in 1960 by the Canonet, which sold about 2.5 million units. In 1964, it entered electronics with the Canola 130 calculator, and in 1965, it launched Canon USA and the Canofax 1000 copier. In 1969, it changed its name to Canon Inc.
In April 1976, the AE-1 introduced a built-in microprocessor and sold over five million units. In 1987, the EOS system with the EF mount shifted autofocus to the lens, drawing users from Nikon.
Canon expanded into printing with the Bubble Jet in 1985 and partnered with Hewlett-Packard on the LaserJet engine. In 2000, it released the EOS D30, and in 2005, the EOS 5D. In 2016, Canon acquired Toshiba Medical Systems for $5.9 billion.
Meaning and History
The Canon logo has changed several times. Designers modified the font and color, retaining only the general concept.
What is Canon?
Canon is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo that produces lenses, cameras, scanners, semiconductors, medical equipment, printers, and manufacturing devices. It was founded in 1937 as the Precision Optical Industry Co., which was renamed ten years later.
1934 – 1937
The company’s first logo contains many fine details. It depicts the multi-armed goddess Kwanon, believed to help people. She is sitting in a lotus position inside a burning black ring. Above is the word “CAMERA,” and below is “KWANON.” The mythological creature’s name is written in fiery letters.
1934 – 1935
Artists retained the word “Kwanon,” removing all other elements. To make the logo more attractive, they used a decorative handwritten font.
1935 – 1953
In 1935, Canon introduced its first logo. A graphic designer who worked on brand advertising designed it.
1953 – 1956
Typographers thickened the lines and made the font more confident. Now, the word stands out noticeably.
1956 – today
In 1956, the company introduced a red version of the emblem. It is based on the modified 1935 logo.
Font and Colors
Canon is the foundation of the brand’s visual identity. The word was coined from the name of the goddess of mercy, Kwanon, which formed the basis of the modern brand concept. Designers chose a typographic approach and avoided hand-drawn elements.
Italian designer Gio Fuga developed the exclusive logo font. Small, sharp serifs at the top of the letters, rounded shapes, and uneven line thickness characterize it. The skewed space between the letters creates the impression that the letter “O” is tilted to the left.
Two color palette options are available: red-white-primary and black-white-secondary. They are used equally depending on the color of the contextual space. Red symbolizes determination and purpose and embodies Canon’s core values, so the designers chose it.