CDLC: What Is Cross-type AF?

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

The term “cross-type AF” has been used since the late 1980s in the camera industry, but perhaps not always with supporting information to clearly define what is meant by it. In this article, we’ll attempt to explain more clearly what the term means, and why it remains an advantage in SLR AF systems to this day.

Want to know how many cross-type AF points your camera has? Check out our Camera Specifications Comparison Tool to find out!