Canon® Canon EOS R

The Canon EOS R is Canon’s first full-frame mirrorless camera that supports Canon’s line of RF-mount lenses. It’s a versatile multimedia powerhouse. Looking for a simpler comparable camera? Check out the . Key features include:

• 30.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor; DIGIC 8 image processor

• Dual-Pixel autofocus system

• UHD 4K capture at 30 fps and Canon Log Gamma

• Dual-Pixel RAW shooting

Canon RF Mount. The full-frame Canon EOS R is the first camera to support Canon’s all-new line of RF-mount lenses. The RF mount boasts a wide 54mm diameter and a short 20mm flange-back distance, which gives manufacturers the power to design lenses that are smaller and faster than equivalent SLR lenses. The RF mount’s 12-pin electronic contact system also makes for more advanced autofocus and image stabilization. Since this is an entirely different physical mount, EF mount lenses won’t natively fit. However, you can use the / to mount EF and EF-S lenses to RF-mount cameras.

30.3MP Sensor and DIGIC 8 Processor. The EOS R’s 30.3MP sensor offers an unmatched balance between resolution and sensitivity, delivering fast, high-resolution output and stellar low-light performance. The DIGIC 8 processor allows for a native ISO range of 100-40,000, which you can expand to ISO 50-102,400. You also get 8 fps continuous shooting for capturing fast-moving subjects.

Dual-Pixel CMOS Autofocus. This camera’s smooth, fast Dual-Pixel autofocus system acquires focus much like a camcorder does. Each of its pixels include two separate photodiodes that, when combined, give you a network of 5,655 phase-detection elements across most of the sensor. It can focus quickly and accurately on moving subjects when you’re shooting stills, while its Movie Servo AF mode lets you dictate tracking sensitivity, autofocus speed, and face-tracking priority. You also get touchscreen focusing, and subject recognition and tracking. The focusing system’s EV -6 sensitivity means that it functions well even in extremely low light.

UHD 4K Capture and Canon Log Gamma. The EOS R can record UHD 4K at 30 fps, 1080HD at up to 60 fps, and 720HD up to 120 fps for slow-motion playback. In-camera recording gives you 4K video with 4:2:2 sampling and 8-bit color depth, while using an external recorder can give you a 4:2:2 10-bit clean output in ITU-R CT.2020. Built-in Canon Log functionality lets you capture flat images with an improved 12-stop, 800% dynamic range, making color grading and post-production camera matching easy. You can record audio via the integrated stereo mic or by connecting an optional external mic to the standard 3.5mm jack.

Dual-Pixel RAW. This camera incorporates the fantastic Dual Pixel RAW fine-tuning functionality. By capturing information from each of the two “pixels” that make up the sensor’s Dual-Pixel photosites, you can correct microfocus issues, shift bokeh, and reduce ghosting after image capture. Please note that this is limited to use with Canon’s Digital Photo Professional 4.5 software, which isn’t included with the rental due to copyright regulations. If you source it yourself, fine and dandy.

Refined Control. You can use the customizable Multi-Function Bar near the viewfinder to control four different functions using sliding and pressing movements. The rear 3.15-inch, 2.1m-dot touchscreen LCD gives you an intuitive way to pull focus in video mode and make quick adjustments in the camera’s menu system, in addition to normal image composition and review. If you prefer a more traditional shooting method, it also features an integrated 3.69m-dot OLED EVF that provides 0.71x magnification.

Additional Features. The EOS R’s magnesium-alloy build is lightweight, durable, and dust and weather sealed to keep it running in a range of shooting conditions. It boasts Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for wireless sharing, control, geotagging, and image transfer via the Canon Camera Connect app. It runs on an battery, which gives you up to 430 shots per charge, and it’s compatible with UHS-II memory via its single SD slot.

At this moment, you’re probably looking at this because you want to try it out before taking the plunge. You’ll want it for at least a few days, there will be a little learning curve. You can start…

At this moment, you’re probably looking at this because you want to try it out before taking the plunge. You’ll want it for at least a few days, there will be a little learning curve. You can start shooting with it immediately, there are some menu changes compared to SLRs, but they aren’t bad. The form factor and ergonomics are comfortable, the viewfinder and AF is awesome. The capabilities are most similar to a Canon 6D II SLR with a 5D IV sensor inside. If you’re coming from an SLR you’ll notice the start up lag, it takes a couple of seconds to turn on. Shot-to-shot times are good though, once it wakes up the camera is quick and responsive. The Canon lenses I’ve shot on an adapter focus quickly and accurately, I didn’t notice much difference.

But what will make you probably love this camera (a few will hate it) is the touch bar control and that takes some experimenting to get the most out of for your shooting. You’ll think at first you’ll change it without meaning too, it’s very near your shooting thumb, but the 2 second ‘hold to unlock’ prevents that effectively. It also prevents rapidly changing which function you use the bar for. It allows you a ton of options though, and is pretty nice. You’ll also want to get used to the ‘quick menu’ which is really useful. Honestly, I suggest the ring-control adapter if you’ll be using existing Canon lenses. I got used to that in about 8 seconds and LOVE IT!!!

I wouldn’t recommend this as a sports-and-action camera (any more than I would a 6DII) but as a general use, portrait, or landscape camera I like it a lot. The best reason to rent it though are the R lenses, the first few out are really superb. Really.

January 2019