It was introduced in April 1981 as the successor to the Canon AE-1, five years after that camera's introduction.

For those desiring more control, the AE-1's shutter priority auto-exposure and full manual modes are still available.

It also supports the A-1's Motor Drive MA; this requires another electrical contact on the base plate.

It is the same focusing screen design that is used in the newest model of the top-of-the-line Canon F-1 (known as the New F-1).

In its day, however, the AE-1 Program's automated features and simple controls helped introduce many new consumers to the SLR camera.