What Do Camera Brand Names Mean: Camera Names and History

Everyone knows that the names of camera manufacturers come from Japanese, but there are some lesser-known histories and stories behind the now familiar camera brand names.

Canon

image：https://global.canon/en/corporate/logo/

Canon was originally established in 1933 as Seikikōgaku Kenkyūsho (精機光学研究所), meaning "Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory," in Japan. The company initially focused on creating high-quality cameras that rivaled German brands like Leica. In 1934, the company introduced its first prototype camera, the Kwanon (カンノン), named after the Buddhist goddess of mercy, Kannon (観音). This name reflected the founders’ aspirations for perfection and precision in their products.
The company was renamed Canon (キヤノン) in 1947, adopting a simpler, more internationally friendly name. It maintained a connection to its spiritual inspiration, with the new name symbolizing precision, innovation, and universal appeal.

Nikon

image：https://www.nikon.com/company/corporate/brand/brand_symbol/

Nikon was founded in 1917 as Nippon Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushikigaisha (日本光学工業株式会社), which translates to "Japan Optical Industries Co., Ltd." This was a result of a merger between three optical manufacturers. For decades, the company specialized in optics and lenses for military, scientific, and industrial purposes.
The brand name "Nikon (ニコン)" was introduced in 1946 as a name for its small cameras. It is believed to combine "Nippon (日本)" (Japan) and "Ikon," inspired by the German camera brand Zeiss Ikon. Nikon gained worldwide fame with the release of the Nikon F in 1959, solidifying its place as a leader in photography.

Sony 

Sony was established in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo (東京通信工業), meaning "Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation." Initially, the company specialized in electronics and communications technology.
The name "Sony (ソニー)" was adopted in 1958, derived from sonus, the Latin word for sound, and sonny, a colloquial term meaning "young boy" in English, symbolizing youthful energy and innovation. The simplified and modern name reflected the company’s desire to appeal to global markets. Sony entered the camera market in the 1980s and gained a stronghold with its Alpha mirrorless series, leveraging its expertise in imaging sensors.

Fujifilm 

image：https://holdings.fujifilm.com/en/about/logo

Fujifilm began in 1934 as Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (富士写真フイルム株式会社), focusing on the production of photographic film. The company was named after Mount Fuji (富士山), Japan’s iconic peak, symbolizing strength and stability. This reflected the company’s ambitions to be a leader in imaging products.
Although initially focused on photographic and motion picture films, Fujifilm diversified into digital imaging and medical equipment in the 1990s. The name was shortened to "Fujifilm (富士フイルム)" in 2006 to reflect its transition away from film-based products, while maintaining its strong association with photographic heritage.

Lumix 

Lumix (ルミックス) is a camera brand introduced by Panasonic, a Japanese electronics company founded in 1918 as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (松下電器産業株式会社). Panasonic entered the digital camera market in the early 2000s, collaborating with Leica to produce lenses for its cameras.
The name "Lumix (ルミックス)" highlights the brand's emphasis on light and imaging, with "Lum-" derived from "luminous" (relating to light) and "-ix" giving a modern, stylish touch. Lumix cameras are well-known for their innovation, especially in mirrorless camera technology and video recording capabilities. Panasonic used the name Lumix exclusively for its camera lineup to build a distinct identity in the competitive camera market.