Canon EOS R Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
The Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera
After months of speculation and rumors, Canon officially announced today the Canon EOS R, the much anticipated full frame mirrorless camera that will compete with Sony’s full frame mirrorless line and the new Nikon Z6 and Z7. Concurrently, Canon is also unvieling four native RF lenses and the Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R for using EOS lenses on the new RF mount. The Canon EOS R camera body will be available in October 2018 with an estimated retail price of $2,299. The new Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 lens will also be available in October 2018 while the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM, RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM, and RF 35mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM will all be available in December 2018.
Canon EOS R Specifications
- 30.3MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
- A New 54mm diameter RF Lens Mount
- DIGIC 8 Image Processor
- UHD 4K30 Video; C-Log & 10-Bit HDMI Out
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF
- Maximum of 5,655 Manually Selectable AF Points
- 3.69m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 3.15″ 2.1m-Dot Swivel Touchscreen LCD
- Expanded ISO 50-102400
- 8 fps Shooting
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, SD UHS-II Card Slot
- Multi-Function Bar, Dual Pixel RAW
My Take on the Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera
I will very likely have my hands on this new camera within a few weeks (through some back-channel contacts) so I’ll be able to offer some hands-on, first-person opinions very soon, as well as some sample images. But for now I’ll simply offer my take on the camera and the system in general.
I believe that technology will lead us all to mirrorless systems in the not-so-distant future considering the many technological advantages to the mirrorless system over DSLRs. I won’t go into all of these advantages here but the larger lens mount and reduced physical distance between the imaging sensor and the lens are literal game-changers when it comes to future lens possibilities. We are seeing some of those possibilities with today’s announcement from Canon. But despite these facts and no matter how my hands-on experience with the Canon EOS R will be in the coming weeks, I will continue to use Canon DSLRs (Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS 1DX Mark II) for my photography in the coming months, unless the landscape and the technology drastically change in a hurry.
The two most cited reasons I hear for moving from a DSLR to a mirrorless system is a reduction in weight and size as well as the electronic viewfinder (EVF). I find the weight and size differences to be negligible (the Canon 5D Mark IV is 1.962 lbs vs. the Canon EOS R at 1.455 so we’re basically talking about a half of a pound) and I don’t consider the EVF to be a big advantage at all. With the current technology, I prefer an optical viewfinder. When I use the Canon EOS R in the next couple of weeks, I could change my mind on the EVF, however.
The biggest problem I have with the Canon EOS R is the very limited lens choices (four lenses as of this writing) unless the rumored adapter is used with the current line of EOS EF lenses. This is not an optional solution for me. For example, the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x is one of the most important lenses I use for wildlife and I just can’t imagine using this lens on the Canon EOS R with an adapter at this point. There certainly is no reduction in weight or size so why make a change at this point? As a professional photographer who needs to consistently produce quality images year-round, I will use the best available tools for the job, period. Right now, the mirrorless option is not the best tool for me but that could change soon. Stayed tuned.
Order your Canon EOS R Mirrorless Digital Camera here on Amazon
Order your Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens here on Amazon
Order your Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Lens here on Amazon
Order your Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L is USM Lens here on Amazon
Order your Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 is Macro STM Lens here on Amazon
Order your Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R here on Amazon
This is excellent! I so appreciate your expertise and wisdom here from your professional experience! I’ve been contemplating a change but just can’t justify it yet- though my back is screaming for lighter weight – I’m just so in love with the capabilities of Canons DSLR and what it’s delivered thus far! I’ll wait for your further investigative analysis after you have hands on experience! Thank you so much for posting these most informative blogs for us!!!
Yes very good to hear the ins and outs of this new system. And it won’t be fast enough for sport!
Keep up the good work!
Thanks for sharing this great review! Super excited to look more into this camera. I’ve been thinking about getting a new camera soon, and this just might end up being the one!
I thought Canon would better the Nikon z7. It didn’t.
Thanks Richard. What camera would you recommend for s woman with bad arthritis in her wrists and thumbs and can’t hold her Mark 5 any more
Carrie, I assume you mean 5D? Canon also has a smaller, more lightweight mirrorless system with an APS-C sensor: Canon EOS M50 24.1 MP Mirrorless Ultra HD Digital Camera. You might want to check that out.
I am excited about the release of this mirrorless option because it means there will be a lot of used 5d IV’s on the market as people switch and sell their old gear to get new stuff.
I guess what I’m really curious about with any new Canon offering, does the sensor offer dynamic ranger closer to what Nikon and Sony currently have. I’m not planning on signing on to mirrorless any time soon, but that gap in sensor quality has been a killer for far too long.
We don’t know that yet. I am assuming, at this point, that this camera is essentially a mirrorless 5D Mark IV. I’ll know more once I do some real world testing.
No IBIS. And I believe two of the new lenses have no IS. One card slot. I think Canon missed with this one.
I hope you get your hands on it in time for the Smoky Mountain workshop. Even though I shoot Nikon I’m curious to see what you think.
At the risk of being cast out as a heretic – I use Olympus mirrorless. There is a great range of lenses, and great cameras.
But at the end of the day, it’s about the photographer, and his or her vision.
To date, Canon has not included their mirrorless cameras in their CPS service. I have had two bodies in for service at the same time, and need that service. Do you have any idea if this body/lenses are supported now or if not, if there are plans for the future?
I wonder why we have so many new mirrorless cameras all at once. My opinion is the same. It’s not that lightweight and when you attach a lens it is still a considerable weight. No real advantages.
Very interesting article and informative Thanks!
Hacker Wedding Photography
Having been in camera business for years, Mirrorless or DSLR,the magic still lies with the photographer.
I have been seriously considering switching to a mirrorless camera from my Canon 5d Mark III’s. I hear a lot of great things about these systems and seriously love the eye recognition that Sony offers. Do you have any input on that? I will mainly be using these for wedding photography. Thank you!