---
title: Canon CX-1 / BX-3
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1981'
cpus:
- '6809'
params:
  name: CX-1 / BX-3
  image: /media/museum/photos/canon_cx1_2s.jpg
  company: /companies/canon
  company_name: Canon
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: CX-1 / BX-3
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Canon
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: december 1981
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke keyboard with separated numeric keypad.
  - label: CPU
    value: '6809'
  - label: SPEED
    value: 1 Mhz
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB (up to 128 KB)
  - label: ROM
    value: 4 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 x 24
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: Optional (300 x 260)
  - label: COLORS
    value: monochrome (green & black)
  - label: SOUND
    value: plain one tone beep
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 56 (W) x 64 (L) x 33 (H) cm (20-7/8
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: 36 Pin Centronics Parallel connector, 3 x optional RS232 ports, optional GP-IB port
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: two 5.25'' disk drives (327,680 Bytes each)
  - label: OS
    value: MCX (Media for Canon X Series), similar to CP/M
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in PSU
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: External dual 8'' floppy drives (X-8330), graphic card, 20 MB hard-disk
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  - docs
  forum_thread: 114
  photos:
  - title: CX-1
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/canon_cx1_2.jpg
  - title: CX-1
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/canon_cx1.jpg
  - title: CX-1
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/canon_cx1_3.jpg
  - title: OPENED
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to **Ronald Coon**
    image: /media/museum/photos/canon_cx1_opened_s1.jpg
  - title: LOGIC BOARDS
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to **Ronald Coon**
    image: /media/museum/photos/canon_cx1_mainboard_s1.jpg
  - title: BX-3
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/canon_bx3_1.jpg
  adverts:
  - title: SPANISH ADVERT (MAY 1982)
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  docs:
  - title: CANON CX-1 BROCHURE
    url: null
    cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/canon_cx1_brochure.jpg
    text: |-
      **CANON CX-1 BROCHURE**\
      written by Canon

       compiled/archived by Mike Griffin\
       type of document : Online reader

      **... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :**
  oc_id: 100
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230606201343/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=100
    date: '2023-06-06'
---

This business computer has a monitor and two 5.25" drives built-in. The drives had a door lock so the disk could not be removed while a file was open. The CX-1 uses MCX (Media for Canon X series) as its operating system, which is similar to CP/M.

The character matrix consists of 5x7 dots for normal characters, and of 7x9 for semi-graphic characters. There was a graphic option in Japan (300 x 260), but it never became available in the US.

The **Canon BX-3** was the same machine except the CRT was replaced by a Fluorescent Display and a thermal printer.

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>