Canon MREAL S1
The Canon MREAL S1 is an enterprise mixed reality headset developed by Canon, released in February 2021 and priced at approximately $38,500 (JPY ¥4,000,000). As the smallest and lightest device in Canon's MREAL series—featuring a display unit weighing just 137 grams (338g including head mount unit)—the S1 represents a significant reduction from the previous MREAL MD-20 which weighed 480 grams (250% heavier). The headset features dual stereoscopic camera arrays providing both video passthrough for mixed reality visualization and depth sensing for accurate virtual object placement in physical space, with a resolution of 1,600 × 1,200 per eye and a 45° × 34° field of view. Designed for enterprise CAD visualization and industrial design review, the MREAL S1 enables users to place full-scale 3D models into real environments—such as walking around a virtual car, opening its doors, and sitting inside. The device includes a flip-up mechanism for quick transitions between mixed reality and the real world, and can also be used as a handheld mixed reality viewer. The approximately $38,500 price includes the unit, software, computer, and hardware/software maintenance—significantly lower than Canon's 2013 MREAL system which cost $125,000 plus $25,000 annual maintenance, though still considerably higher than competitors like the Varjo XR-3 ($6,663) or HoloLens 2 ($3,500). Initially sold only in Japan, the MREAL S1 targets automotive, manufacturing, and industrial design applications.
| Canon MREAL S1 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Mixed Reality |
| Type | MR Headset |
| Subtype | Enterprise MR, Industrial MR |
| Platform | Windows PC |
| Creator | Canon |
| Developer | Canon |
| Manufacturer | Canon |
| Announcement Date | January 2021 |
| Release Date | February 2021 |
| Price | ~$38,500 (JPY ¥4,000,000) |
| Website | https://www.canon.com/ |
| Versions | Canon MREAL S1 |
| Requires | Windows PC, MREAL software |
| Predecessor | Canon MREAL MD-20 |
| Successor | Canon MREAL X1 |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows |
| Chipset | PC-dependent |
| CPU | PC-dependent |
| GPU | PC-dependent (dedicated GPU required) |
| Storage | |
| Storage | PC-dependent |
| Memory | PC-dependent |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual displays |
| Subpixel Layout | Full color |
| Peak Brightness | High |
| Resolution | 1,600 × 1,200 per eye |
| Pixel Density | High |
| Refresh Rate | Standard |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 45° × 34° |
| Horizontal FoV | 45° |
| Vertical FoV | 34° |
| Average Pixel Density | High |
| Peak Pixel Density | High |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | See-through mixed reality |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Adjustable |
| Adjustable Diopter | No |
| Passthrough | Yes (video see-through, dual stereo cameras) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (visual tracking) |
| Tracking Frequency | High-speed |
| Base Stations | None required (marker-based option) |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | Real-time |
| Tracking Volume | Room-scale |
| Play Space | Industrial workspace |
| Latency | Low latency |
| Audio | |
| Audio | External (PC) |
| Microphone | External (PC) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | No (PC audio) |
| Camera | 2 stereo camera arrays (passthrough + depth) |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | PC tethered |
| Ports | Proprietary to PC |
| Wired Video | Yes |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | Via PC |
| Bluetooth | Via PC |
| Power | PC-powered + head mount unit |
| Battery Capacity | N/A (tethered) |
| Battery Life | N/A |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Compact (smartphone-sized display unit) |
| Weight | 137g (display unit), 338g (with head mount) |
| Material | Professional-grade |
| Headstrap | Head mount unit |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Professional black/grey |
| Sensors | Dual stereo camera arrays, IMU |
| Input | PC input, controller |
| Compliance | Enterprise certified |
History and Development
Canon MREAL Origins
Product line history:
- Original MREAL 2013
- $125,000 price point
- $25,000 annual maintenance
- Enterprise MR pioneer
Previous Generation
MD-20 predecessor:
- Canon MREAL MD-20
- 480g weight
- Larger form factor
- Professional use
S1 Development
Current generation:
- Miniaturization focus
- Weight reduction priority
- Cost reduction
- Accessibility improvement
February 2021 Release
Commercial launch:
- Japan market initial
- Enterprise sales
- Package pricing
- Full solution
Design Philosophy
Compact Form Factor
Size priority:
- Smartphone-sized display unit
- Smallest in MREAL series
- Portable design
- Practical enterprise use
Lightweight Design
Weight achievement:
- 137g display unit alone
- 338g with head mount
- 250% lighter than MD-20
- Extended wear comfort
Enterprise Focus
Market positioning:
- Industrial design
- CAD visualization
- Professional workflows
- Business applications
Full Solution Package
Pricing includes:
- Display unit
- Software
- Computer
- Maintenance (hardware + software)
Display Technology
Resolution
Display specifications:
- Per eye: 1,600 × 1,200
- High detail
- CAD suitable
- Professional quality
Field of View
Visual coverage:
- Horizontal: 45°
- Vertical: 34°
- Focused viewing area
- Design review optimized
Camera System
Dual Stereo Arrays
Camera configuration:
- Array 1: Image passthrough
- Array 2: Depth realization
- Stereoscopic 3D
- Accurate placement
Video Passthrough
Mixed reality display:
- Real-world view
- Virtual overlay
- Seamless blending
- Real-time rendering
Depth Sensing
Spatial accuracy:
- Feature point extraction
- Position identification
- Accurate object placement
- Environment understanding
Tracking System
Visual Tracking
Position system:
- Feature point extraction
- Stationary object reference
- User position calculation
- Virtual object anchoring
6DoF Tracking
Full motion:
- Six degrees of freedom
- Position + orientation
- Room-scale movement
- Natural navigation
Physical Design
Weight Specifications
Lightweight system:
- Display unit: 137g
- With head mount: 338g
- Significant reduction
- Professional comfort
Flip-Up Mechanism
Versatility feature:
- Quick reality access
- Up/down toggle
- No removal needed
- Practical switching
Handheld Mode
Alternative use:
- Detached from head mount
- Handheld viewer
- Shared viewing
- Flexible deployment
Pricing
Package Cost
Total solution:
- Price: ~$38,500 (¥4,000,000)
- Unit included
- Software included
- Computer included
- Maintenance included
Cost Comparison
Market context:
- Previous Canon: $125,000 + $25k/year
- Varjo XR-3: ~$6,663
- HoloLens 2: $3,500
- Enterprise premium
Enterprise Applications
Automotive Design
Vehicle development:
- Full-scale car models
- Walk-around viewing
- Door opening simulation
- Interior experience
Industrial Design
Product development:
- CAD model visualization
- Scale 1:1 viewing
- Design review
- Stakeholder presentation
Manufacturing
Production planning:
- Factory layout
- Equipment placement
- Process visualization
- Training development
Architecture
Building design:
- Space visualization
- Design validation
- Client presentation
- Walk-through experience
Software
MREAL Platform
Canon software:
- Mixed reality application
- CAD import
- Model manipulation
- Professional tools
CAD Compatibility
File support:
- Industry-standard formats
- CAD software integration
- Professional workflows
- Enterprise compatibility
Market Availability
Japan Focus
Initial distribution:
- Japan market only
- Canon direct sales
- Enterprise customers
- Professional deployment
Geographic Limitation
Expansion status:
- Limited international
- Enterprise inquiry
- Custom arrangements
- Regional availability
Comparison with Enterprise MR
| Feature | Canon MREAL S1 | Varjo XR-3 | HoloLens 2 | Magic Leap 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Video see-through MR | Video see-through MR | Optical see-through AR | Optical see-through AR |
| Resolution | 1600×1200/eye | 2880×2720/eye | 1440×936/eye | 1440×1760/eye |
| FOV | 45°×34° | 115° | 52° | 70° |
| Weight | 338g (system) | 594g | 566g | 260g |
| Passthrough | Video stereo | Video stereo | Optical | Optical |
| PC Required | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Eye Tracking | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | ~$38,500 | ~$6,663 | $3,500 | $3,299 |
| Primary Market | Japan enterprise | Global enterprise | Global enterprise | Global enterprise |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Lightest MREAL device (137g display, 338g system)
- 250% lighter than predecessor MD-20
- Dual stereo camera arrays (passthrough + depth)
- 1,600 × 1,200 resolution per eye
- Flip-up mechanism for reality switching
- Handheld mode option
- Full-scale CAD visualization
- Package includes unit + software + PC + maintenance
- 75% cost reduction from previous generation
- Professional-grade mixed reality
Limitations
- ~$38,500 enterprise price point
- Japan market focus (limited international)
- 45° × 34° narrow FOV
- PC-tethered operation required
- No eye tracking
- No hand tracking
- Requires dedicated workspace
- Specialized enterprise use cases
- High barrier to entry
- Limited software ecosystem outside Canon
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Enterprise mixed reality headset |
| Display | Dual displays |
| Resolution | 1,600 × 1,200 per eye |
| FOV | 45° × 34° |
| Cameras | 2 stereo arrays (passthrough + depth) |
| Tracking | 6DoF visual tracking |
| Weight | 137g (display), 338g (with mount) |
| Flip-Up | Yes |
| Handheld | Yes |
| PC Required | Yes |
| Price | ~$38,500 (package) |
| Market | Japan (primarily) |