The Canonex is an SLR camera. It was built by Canon in Japan starting in 1963. The new price was 20,800 yen at the time and would be 100,191 yen (around 778 euros) today.
The camera comes with a fixed lens, which is unusual for an SLR. The focal length of the lens is 48 mm and the maximum aperture is f/2.8. It is labeled Canon SE 48 mm f/2.8. Focusing is manual on the lens, which is made up of 3 elements. The Canonex does not have an autofocus.
Measuring the exposure is made easier by the built-in light meter. It can be used to measure the exposure for films with a sensitivity of ISO 10 to ISO 400. The selenium metering cells are located above the lens and do not require batteries. Depending on the specimen, nowadays they can only measure the exposure incorrectly or not at all.
The automatic exposure mode is an aperture priority mode, where the camera automatically sets the aperture to the set shutter speed. There is an additional manual mode. The shutter is built into the lens on the Canonex and supports exposure times up to 1/500 second. A bulb mode is also available.
The use of an external flash is possible via the PC flash socket. The Canonex offers the possibility to connect a cable release and has a thread for a tripod. The camera weighs in at 690 grams. The dimensions are 13 x 7.5 x 7 cm. No batteries are needed to take pictures.
Films for the Canonex
The Canonex is a film camera and is loaded with 35mm film. 35mm films are still manufactured today. They can be developed in most laboratories. A 35mm film for color photography is the Kodak Portra 160*. A possible black and white film is the AgfaPhoto APX 100*.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 48 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/2.8 |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure times | 1/500 second to 1/15 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Selenium light meter |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 10 to 400 |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | PC-Flash |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | Not necessary |
| Size | 13 x 7,5 x 7 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.12 x 2.95 x 2.76 inches |
| Weight | 690 Grams |
| Estimated value / Used price | 102,48 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 27 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 112,19 Euro (121.23 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 136,94 Euro (147.21 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 124,17 Euro (134.22 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Canonex
Is the Canonex a digital or film camera?
The Canonex is a film camera. It uses 35mm film, which is still available today. You'll need to get your film developed at a photo lab after taking pictures.
How does the camera focus?
The Canonex has manual focus only. There's no autofocus. You need to manually adjust the focus ring on the lens to achieve sharp images.
Does the camera need batteries?
No, the Canonex doesn't require batteries for taking pictures. The light meter uses selenium cells, so it works without a battery, but its accuracy may decrease over time.
What kind of lens does it have?
It comes with a fixed 48mm f/2.8 lens. This means you cannot change lenses. The lens is relatively wide-angle, good for everyday use.
Can I use a flash with this camera?
Yes, you can use an external flash with the Canonex. It has a PC flash sync socket for connecting an external flash unit. This allows for better lighting in low-light conditions.