News Release

Canon comprises top share of press cameras used during the 20th Asian Games in Japan

TOKYO, October 9, 2026—Canon Inc. announced today that Canon-brand equipment comprised the No. 1 share—approximately 62%¹ of cameras—used by press photographers at each event² during the 20th Asian Games held primarily in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Throughout the event, Canon empowered professional photographers aiming to capture decisive moments and contributed to the success of the event.
As an official partner of the Games, Canon established photographer support facilities at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium and the Main Press Center, with the latter being the largest support facility of its kind at the Games. These two locations served as bases for the company to deploy speedy maintenance and repair services based on the professional support expertise it has cultivated for over half a century. For the event, Canon arranged a wide range of products including the EOS R1 (released in November 2024), the flagship model of the EOS R System, and the EOS R5 Mark II (August 2024), ideally suitable for sports photography, as well as super-telephoto lenses.

Professional photographers demand comprehensive assistance from camera makers, including state-of-the-art technology, top-class performance, customized service and a strong support network. For that reason, Canon operates behind the scenes at a wide variety of sporting events, aiming to achieve “zero downtime” for professional photographers so that they are never forced to stop and miss the definitive moments of these intense competitions due to equipment malfunction. It was thanks to such efforts that Canon was able to obtain the number one spot, according to a survey of press cameras used to cover the matches.

Canon also played an important role in the field of remote shooting. Its CR-S700R remote robotic camera system (February 2020) and EOS Multi Remote (November 2025), a remote-operating application for professional photographers, were used by news agencies and newspaper companies to support the operation of remote cameras at two of the event venues. Because remote cameras are installed in locations inaccessible during matches, Canon provided comprehensive remote support, including power supply and network infrastructure, to facilitate necessary inspection and defect diagnosis.

Canon will continue striving to create competitive, highly reliable products and, through such on-site support of members of the media as equipment maintenance, contribute to the further advancement of photographic and videographic expression.

• 1

  Represents the average use rate of cameras during the competitions listed above, based on a Canon survey.

• 2

  Artistic gymnastics (men’s and women’s team competition finals and men’s and women’s individual all-around finals), basketball (men’s and women’s finals), cricket (men’s and women’s finals), fencing (women’s team foil finals), football (men’s and women’s finals), golf (men’s and women’s final rounds), swimming (men’s and women’s finals and mixed 4×100m medley relay finals), table tennis (men’s team finals, women’s singles finals), tennis (men’s and women’s singles finals), and track and field (men’s and women’s 100m finals).

Comments from photographers who used Canon’s camera service

Koji Aoki, Founder & CEO, Chief photographer of Aflo Sport

The generous support Canon has provided at international competitions and sporting events around the world has been invaluable to photographers like me. Dependable equipment and comprehensive support are essential for capturing the perfect shot, which is why I am so grateful to Canon for creating an environment where photographers can perform at their best. I also admire Canon's commitment to technological innovation, continually advancing its products and capabilities to help photographers create even better work. Canon's products and technologies are more than just tools for photography; they expand possibilities for creative expression and generate new value. I can't wait to see what other technological advances they will deliver in support of photographers' creativity.

Hidetaka Komukai, Photographer for Kyodo News

At large-scale international events like the Asian Games, photographers are expected to capture decisive moments and deliver them to audiences without delay. Canon’s equipment met those demands with exceptional reliability, and the prompt support provided through CPS proved invaluable in supporting on-site coverage. Canon provided an environment which enabled us to work with peace of mind.