Like the Mamiya ES system, this was another attempt by Mamiya to abandon the obsolete M42 screw mount which limited the implementation of many automatic functions. The Mamiya CS system not only inherited shutter-priority automatic exposure (with manual override) and TTL open-aperture metering from the earlier Mamiya ES system, but also added center-weighted metering. Mamiya produced two cameras for this system: the NC1000s and the NC1000. Both were one of the smallest and lightest 35mm SLR cameras of the time, with the new bayonet-type mount and electronically controlled shutter with top speed of 1/1000th of a second. The only difference between these cameras was that the focusing screen of the NC1000 was not interchangeable, and the back cover lacked a film memo pocket.
Mamiya produced an extensive range of Auto Mamiya-Sekor CS lenses for this system, from the fisheye 14mm and ultra-wide angle 21mm to the super telephoto 300mm.