Merely shy of two years into its lifespan, Canon’s full-frame mirrorless camera system is starting to take precise type. Two new camera our our bodies, launched in the meanwhile, are squarely aimed towards skilled photographer and extreme hobbyists.
There’s a slew of newest lenses too, nevertheless we’ll first flip consideration to the EOS R5 and R6. The EOS R5 is the higher-end of the pair, a high-resolution model with a 45MP sensor; the R6 presents numerous the similar efficiency, nevertheless captures the world at 20MP as an alternative.
EOS R5
Canon beforehand teased the choices of the EOS R5, nevertheless now all the enjoying playing cards are on the desk. The whole-frame camera is constructed spherical a 45MP full-frame image sensor, helps 8K Raw video seize, and, in a major from Canon, mounts its image sensor on a 5-axis stabilization system.
Canon EOS R5 (Image: Canon)
There are some welcome ergonomic modifications versus the first-generation EOS R. The administration format is impressed by the 5D Mark IV SLR, so longtime system householders transferring to away from an SLR will actually really feel at residence with an R5 of their fingers. (At least in thought—I’ve solely seen images of the cameras at this degree.)
A deep handgrip and angled shutter launch are hallmarks of Canon design. Like its completely different cameras, the power swap is way away from the shutter, so you aren’t vulnerable to powering down the camera all through seize. Rear controls look good too, and now embody a flat command dial and devoted joystick for autofocus administration.
The physique itself is constructed to Canon’s skilled necessities. It’s merely as sturdy as a 5D assortment SLR, full with local weather security and constructed spherical a magnesium alloy chassis. The contact LCD is hinged, so it might face forward, and the EVF sports activities actions a dense 5.76 million dot choice.
The tech inside is substantial too. The camera presents full edge-to-edge autofocus safety and is able to observe subjects at as a lot as 12fps using its mechanical shutter and at 20fps using the digital shutter.
It helps subject recognition, along with face and eye detection for people and animals. Canon claims that its animal detection goes previous what rivals and Nikon and Sony provide, working with birds together with canines and cats.
Twin memory card slots are included. A CFexpress card is required for 8K Raw seize, and extends the Raw imaging buffer to 180 footage. The second slot is SDXC with assist for UHS-II speeds—okay for compressed footage and 87 Raw footage in a single burst. Images may even be saved in HEIF or JPG format.
The 8K Raw video is a perform for headlines, nevertheless the R5 moreover does 4K. There are causes to go for lower choice—smaller file sizes and faster physique prices are two massive ones. The R5 can report 8K at as a lot as 30fps, nevertheless it is ready to push 4K to 120fps. Whereas Raw just isn’t obtainable at 4K, compressed footage is saved at 10-bit 4:2:2 prime quality and every flat and HDR profiles are included.
Canon expects EOS R5 shipments to start out out on the end of this month. It’s priced at $3,899 as a physique solely, and can possible be obtainable in a package deal with the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM zoom lens for $4,999.
EOS R6
Not everyone desires a 45MP sensor. Canon will also be introducing a 20MP model, the EOS R6. Its controls are virtually equal to the R5, and it consists of your complete similar autofocus, stabilization, and subject-tracking choices.
The physique is constructed on the similar physique, nevertheless Canon swaps out the very best information panel in favor of a mode dial. Every memory card slots are SDXC with assist for UHS-II swap, nevertheless the camera actually has an even bigger 240-shot buffer than the R6—a benefit of smaller file sizes.
There are some specs that aren’t pretty as spectacular, nevertheless are by no means poor. Its EVF is a 3.69 million dot OLED, crisper than what you get with a Sony a7 III, and it drops assist for 5GHz Wi-Fi networks—one factor most photographers won’t uncover.
A 20MP sensor wouldn’t assist 8K seize—there aren’t ample pixels. The R6 data 4K footage on the similar 10-bit 4:2:2 prime quality as a result of the R5 at as a lot as 60fps, and will go to 120fps at 1080p. Log and HDR profiles are included too.
The R6 is about to ship on the end of August. It’s priced at $2,499 as a physique solely. There are two package deal selections—one with the RF 24-105mm F4 for $3,599 and the other with the RF 24-105mm F3.5-7.1 for $2,899.
New Lenses and a Printer Too
Canon already has a reasonably sturdy slate of RF lenses, along with a trio of stabilized F2.8 zooms and a pair of F1.2 primes. It’s together with 4 new selections in the meanwhile.
Primarily probably the most moderately priced is the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM, a $599.99 prime. It’s obtained choices which will enchantment to photographers working in macro disciplines—you get 1:2 magnification and film stabilization to reinforce handheld outcomes—and presents a shiny f/2 aperture and focal measurement that should do successfully for portraits too. It’s set to ship in October.
For the other new entries, Canon has gone all telephoto. The RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM is part of Canon’s premium L assortment and presents local weather security and anti-smudge security.
No matter offering further attain than Canon’s 100-400mm SLR lens, it’s a little bit bit lighter, almost 3 kilos and concerning the similar dimension. The focal differ is a popular one for wildlife and sports activities actions photographers, who normally should hike to a location or run throughout the sidelines all through a recreation.
Canon expects the 100-500mm to ship in September and is pricing the lens at $2,699.
It will work with two new teleconverters, the RF 1.4x ($499) and RF 2x ($599), every transport on the end of July. They delay attain to 700mm and 1,000mm respectively, nevertheless do reduce the aperture by one or two f-stops.
The extenders moreover work with the RF 600mm F11 IS STM and RF 800mm F11 IS STM. These lenses are utterly distinctive to the Canon system, marrying diffractive optics with smaller aperture and collapsing designs to internet lightweight, low-cost lenses with unimaginable telephoto attain.
The RF 600mm F11 weighs merely 2 kilos, and the RF 800mm F11 is accessible in at about 2.8. Every collapse for storage and telescope out for pictures. They’ve fixed apertures—you could’t stop down—nevertheless do embody stabilized optics and assist autofocus.
On account of they don’t acquire a great deal of gentle, use in shiny gentle is definitely actually useful. Autofocus safety will also be restricted to the central area of the physique with an R6 or R5 physique—about what you get with an SLR.
It’s a limitation that many will possible be happy to stick with. A 600mm F4 or 800mm F5.6 lens costs larger than $10,000, nevertheless the RF 600mm F11 costs merely $699 and the RF 800mm F11 is $899. Every are slated to ship in July.
Along with the gear to grab photographs, Canon is together with a model new image printer. The imagePrograf Skilled+300 helps 13-inch paper and Canon’s Lucia super paintings ink system. It’s transport in July for $899.99.
Canon Locations the Gadgets Collectively
With the EOS R5 and R6, Canon is reminding us why its 5D SLR assortment has been the gold customary for execs for larger than a dozen years. It’s lastly delivered mirrorless cameras that—on paper a minimal of—look like they cope with merely along with its SLR.
And it is not merely familiarity which will preserve photographers tied to a system. The RF lens assortment is rising, nevertheless there are a lot of wonderful EF lenses in use, and most are completely appropriate with the R assortment by the use of an adapter. Flashes, too, will merely work as they do with an EOS 5D or 6D SLR.
Possibly most importantly, Canon simply is not merely sustaining with the rivals proper right here. The R5 and R6 do points that competing fashions don’t, and finally add in-body image stabilization (IBIS), a perform that’s now anticipated in a full-frame mirrorless camera.
For the first couple years of its existence Canon first put the lenses its most demanding shoppers would wish—stabilized f/2.8 zooms and classy updates to its F1.2 prime lenses—nevertheless backed it with one just-okay camera for lovers and an entry-level model that wasn’t extra more likely to be paired with high-end glass.
The R5 and R6 change the narrative. Each is suitable for execs overlaying events, weddings, doing portrait work, or photographing sports activities actions, wildlife, landscapes, the like. Native lenses cowl the basics, and whereas there are nonetheless holes inside the lineup, they aren’t obtrusive, and easily filled with tailor-made EF selections.
It’s too early for us to make a recommendation—we’ll check out the model new gear to see if the reality lives as a lot because the promise—nevertheless the EOS R system instantly seems pretty compelling.
