Canon, a giant in the camera and lens industry, is a Japanese multinational company. Their headquarter is in Ōta, Tokyo, and its major manufacturing is done in the country.
However, the camera manufacturing or assembly plants are situated in several locations around the world.
To know all about where are canon cameras made, read this article without skipping a part.
Where Are Canon Cameras Made?
The single-liner answer is Japan where most of Canon’s top-notch cameras are made. However, some of its second-grade products are manufactured in the US. It gives the company the necessary. Furthermore, there are many manufacturing facilities outside Japan. Let’s know about those locations one by one.
Inside Japan
Let’s see the manufacturing and R&D facilities of Canon inside its birth county.
Oita City: Oita Canon Inc. produces digital cameras, digital video camcorders, EF lenses, and others. The facility is located in 710, Shimobaru, Akimachi, Kunisaki, Oita 873-0292. They have been operating in this location since 1982 and employs almost 3254 people according to 2019 data. Here, you can also find another wing of the company which is named Canon Wind Inc. The facility makes parts for digital cameras and others.
Ibaraki: It is the capital city of Mito located northeast of Tokyo and bordering the Pacific Ocean. Here, a small facility named Canon Optron, Inc. produces optical crystals for cameras, telescopes, and vapor deposition materials. Canon Mold Co., Ltd. is also located in this area where plastic molds are designed and made. These are for cameras as well as other products.
Nagasaki: Nagasaki is the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture which has Nagasaki Canon Inc. This facility is known for its top-end production line of digital cameras and network cameras. It is a comparatively new facility operating since 2008.
Miyazaki: Making digital cameras and packaging electronic items are the specialties of Miyazaki Canon Inc. This is a medium-sized facility with 1104 employees operating since 1980.
Kanagawa: In Sagamihara-Shi, Kanagawa, OHARA Inc. is situated which is responsible for making optical and special glasses for various products under the Canon brand.
Outside Japan
Canon cameras are renowned all over the world. Their production facilities outside the company’s birthplace make it possible to bring out new products from their main factory. Let’s see all Canon’s camera subsidiaries and affiliates outside Japan.
Brazil: Canon Indústria de Manaus Ltda. is the name of their factory. Its location is in the Distrito Industrial which is a neighborhood in the Brazilian municipality called Manaus. They primarily manufacture photographic and photocopying equipment here. The official Canon website mentions digital camera production in this facility.
Germany: Canon Giessen GmbH is a centralized camera repairing center of the company which is located in Giessen, Germany. This facility manufactures other printer-related equipment. The company is operating here since 1972.
Sweden: Axis Communications AB is located in Sweden that does not work with digital cameras or DSLRs. They look after the development and sales of surveillance cameras and solutions.
Note: Besides marketing subsidiaries and affiliates, Canon does not have any facility in Africa, Australia, and the Middle East.
China: Canon Zhuhai, Inc. is one of Canon’s largest production facilities outside Japan. It is situated in the Guangdong Province, China. Since 1990, they have been manufacturing digital cameras, digital video camcorders, and lenses in this facility.
Taiwan: Another one of the largest facilities besides China is in Tan Tzu District, Taichung City, Taiwan. According to 2019’s data the facility employs 4335 skilled personals in its premises.
Malaysia: Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. is in Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia which specializes in EF lenses and optical lenses. It is a considerably old facility operating since 1988. Though this is directly not connected to camera manufacturing but plays an important role in the process.
Apart from those, several other manufacturing facilities take care of the other products.
In recent news, the Japanese government has issued a whopping $2.2 billion economic stimulus package for large camera manufacturers including Canon. It is to help the companies move their plants out of China. The companies are aimed to bring the production back to Japan.
If those have already happened at the time of your reading this article, you should recheck the factory locations in China listed above. Otherwise, there are no big changes to be mentioned right now.
Conclusion
Now, you know where are Canon cameras made. Some people ask it thinking their quality depends based on the location of the production. However, it is not true. Whether you are purchasing a product labeled “Made in China” or “Made in Japan” doesn’t make a difference.
However, to compete with the market, the company sometimes makes products with cheap-quality components. Their first-grade products are never compromised. No matter where you live, you can have top-liner canon products without worrying about anything.
Do you want to know more about the company? Let me know in the comments and I will try to respond as fast as possible.
