Canon R3 Announced
Canon has announced a true powerhouse camera to be released this year and it’s a beauty. As someone that uses Canon’s top-of-the-line bodies, I was not that impressed by the R5. Sure it is a fantastic camera but it is not different enough for me to justify changing over from DSRR to mirrorless. I currently use the 5D Mk IV and the 1DX MK II. Those 2 cameras are true powerhouses and made for professional photographers. They are built to take a beating and the battery life on them is excellent. I am heavily invested in EF lenses and so moving over to a new mirrorless camera and starting to change over all of my lenses is an intimidating scenario. I know that I can use a converter to make my existing lenses work on mirrorless but that sort of defeats the purpose. In all honesty, I have not been tempted to switch over. Till now. This new camera appears to have everything that I already have with my existing camera plus more. Personally, I am a fan of big cameras so the size is definitely something that I like. So for now we have limited information but some of the features that have been revealed seem to suggest it is going to be a monster of a camera. I’m also intrigued by the eye focus system. I had a brief encounter with this system back in the film days with the EOS 3 but have not seen I on any other camera till now. Do you think this is a gimmick or could it actually be usefull? This is what Canon has said so far.
So what do you think? If you were on the market for a camera such as this one and you were looking to make the move over from DSLR to Mirrorless, would this tempt you.
Sydney, AUSTRALIA – 14 April 2021: Today, alongside the news of three new innovative RF lenses and a new version of Canon’s Mobile File Transfer smartphone app, Canon Inc. announces the development of EOS R3 – its latest high-speed and ultra-responsive professional mirrorless camera. With its ground-breaking design, the camera will empower professional sports and news photographers to meet challenging demands, outpacing mirrorless EOS cameras to date. Boasting qualities seen in Canon’s DSLR and mirrorless bodies, the EOS R3 truly will be a hybrid, next-generation camera for the sports and news photographers of today and tomorrow.
The EOS R3 will feature a new Canon-developed back-illuminated, stacked CMOS sensor, a powerful DIGIC X imaging processor, shooting capabilities of up to 30 frames-per-second (fps)1 with AF/AE tracking, eye, head, and body detection, and a pioneering new autofocus Eye Control Function. It will be the ideal camera for action photographers looking for quality images, both still and moving, of objects traveling at fast speeds.
The currently-in-development EOS R3 is based on the concept of high-speed, high-sensitivity, and high-reliability. The EOS R3 will be introduced into Canon’s line-up of professional and enthusiast cameras that currently includes the EOS-1D X Mark III flagship DSLR camera (released in February 2020) and the EOS 5 series, including the EOS R5 full-frame mirrorless camera (released in July 2020).
Built on the revolutionary EOS R System, with its unparalleled RF Mount and paired with one of Canon’s innovative RF lenses, the camera will offer capabilities unseen in any other EOS camera/lens duo. With lenses like the, today launched RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF 600mm f/4L IS USM, professionals can achieve optical excellence and performance.
Here are five things you need to know about the new EOS R3:
1. High quality, at high speed
The EOS R3 will be the first EOS series camera to feature an entirely new 35mm full-frame, back-illuminated, stacked CMOS sensor, developed by Canon. The camera will feature a DIGIC X image processor for high-speed image processing that realises high-speed continuous shooting of up to 30 fps2 with AF/AE tracking when using the electronic shutter. In addition, the camera will significantly reduce image warping – a common challenge with electronic shutters; and, will also be capable of capturing moving subjects with reduced noise in such low-light environments as indoor areas or nighttime scenes – perfect for the likes of professional sports photographers challenged with capturing action within a fraction of a second.
2. Impressive tracking of fast-moving action
Professionals can push creative boundaries with pin-sharp accurate tracking and focus on fast-moving action. The EOS R3 will feature next-generation Dual Pixel CMOS Auto Focus (AF) capable of tracking subjects’ eyes and heads as well as a new capability to detect subject torsos while traveling at speed – excellent for capturing even the finest of details in a split second. What’s more, Canon INC has revealed development is also underway to enable detection of additional subject types3.
3. AF control – with your eye!
The EOS R3 will feature new and improved technology first seen in Canon’s EOS 54. The EOS R3 will be the first EOS digital camera to provide a new generation of photographers with a ground-breaking Eye Control Function, which enables users to simply select and move the AF point using their eye via the viewfinder5. This instinctive feature offers professionals natural and speedy control over AF. Reducing the time to focus, which is usually done with a multi-controller/button, this feature will again be perfect for photographers looking to capture the most important subject for their frame at speed – whether that’s during a news conference or photographing a team sport.
4. Professional build
Inspired by the EOS-1D series, the EOS R3 body will allow for ultra-intuitive, reliable, and ease of use control in the most demanding professional situations. Professionals can expect the same durability, dust, and moisture resistance as provided in Canon’s legendary EOS-1 series bodies. The camera will also feature the integrated vertical handgrip that EOS-1D series users love and trust.
5. Fast connection – introducing Canon’s new Mobile File Transfer
The EOS R3 will be compatible with Canon’s Mobile File Transfer smartphone app6. The new software provides a new way for professionals to transfer images and speed up workflow while on the move, using mobile network services, without the need for wired LAN equipment.
Version 1.2 of Canon’s Mobile File Transfer smartphone app for iOS will be available via the Apple App Store in June 2021. This version will be compatible with Canon’s EOS-1D X Mark III, EOS R5, and EOS R6 in addition to the impending EOS R3. Android support will be added in the future.
Initial EOS R3 key features announced today by Canon INC (14th April 2021) are:
• New Canon-developed 35mm full-frame, back-illuminated, stacked CMOS sensor
• High speed 30fps electronic shutter with AF/AE tracking
• First Canon digital camera with Eye Control Function
• Improved subject eye and head detection with a new capability to detect subject torsos
• EOS -1 series dust and moisture resistance
• Compatible with Canon’s Mobile File Transfer App7
Further announcements:
Today, Canon Australia also announced the RF 100mm f/2.8L MACRO IS USM – an impressive macro and portraiture lens which is also the world’s first interchangeable AF macro lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras with 1.4x magnification8. Furthermore, Canon Australia also revealed details of the new RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF 600mm f/4L IS USM – two telephoto prime lenses designed to meet the demands for sports and wildlife professionals, with incredible focal lengths and capabilities. They are set to be ideal partners for the EOS R3.
The RF 100mm f/2.8L MACRO IS USM, RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lenses will be available in Australia from authorized local dealers from late July 2021. Pricing will be set at dealer discretion. These three new lenses will be supported by Canon Australia’s 5-year warranty when purchased from an authorized Canon Australia reseller9.
More information about today’s launches can be found here and you can stay updated on EOS R3 news by signing up to Canon’s email list.
1 Maximum approx. 30fps. Continuous shooting speed may decrease depending on the combination of lens and shooting conditions.
2 Maximum approx. 30fps. Continuous shooting speed may decrease depending on the combination of lens and shooting conditions
3 Further subject types are yet to be disclosed.
4 Launched November 1992 – https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film159.html
5 This feature may not be useable depending on such factors as users’ wearing of sunglasses, hard contact lenses or glasses for vision correction, as well as individual characteristics including eye size, eyelid thickness and eyelash length.
6 Yet to be made widely available. Will be compatible with iOS only at launch in June 2021. EOS R3-compatible version requires paid purchase. Both wired and wireless connections are supported, but wired connection requires compatible USB cable (purchased separately by user). IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.
7 Yet to be made widely available. Will be compatible with iOS only at launch in June 2021. EOS R3-compatible version requires paid purchase. Both wired and wireless connections are supported, but wired connection requires compatible USB cable (purchased separately by user). IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.
8 For an interchangeable autofocus lens, for full frame mirrorless cameras. Canon survey as of April 13, 2021.
9 Applies to Canon Mirrorless, DSLR, Digital Video Camera, Lens and selected cinema product purchases made on or after 25th November 2019 in Australia from Canon Australia Pty Ltd or authorised distributors, dealers or retailers.