7 minute read
Substantially leaked ahead of their launch this morning, the new Canon EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II are serious additions to the company’s mirrorless range.
While they’re not exactly a nested pair, Canon has very deliberately introduced the new EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II together, with some big commonalities across the two of them. We did a live blog which you can read further down below and we even did a live reaction video too.
There was a lot to react to too. Both cameras are being introduced with a new ‘Accelerated Capture’ imaging platform comprised of a new processor – the DIGIC Accelerator – along with the already well-known DIGIC X image processor and some newly developed high-speed image sensors.
The DIGIC Accelerator is newly added to support the processing of large volumes of data, alongside Deep Learning technologies (it’s interesting that AI is not being mentioned much in this context).
For videographers, the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II offer video in 12 bit RAW recording internally to the memory card as well as using Cinema EOS Movie Recording formats alongside Canon Log 2 and 3 with proxy video recording that is now fully supported between two cards, and four channel audio. The cameras are also able to record high resolution stills and Full HD video simultaneously, with the option to record externally via the HDMI type A ports in both cameras.
Thanks to this new imaging platform, the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II both feature the latest version of Dual Pixel CMOS – Dual Pixel Intelligent AF. This includes multiple enhancements including the ability to more accurately track subjects, by identifying the face and upper bodies of players and avoiding obstacles or other players. This is further enhanced by the ability for users to register specific faces and track and prioritise them consistently over other players.
A newly added ‘Action Priority’ mode automatically identifies common action poses in basketball, soccer and volleyball, identifying and tracking the main subject in fast and dynamic situations and capturing the headline-grabbing moment of action.
Eye-control AF is offered for the first time in the EOS R5 Mark II and is improved to twice the level of the EOS R3 in both models including a higher pixel count sensor, enhanced LEDs, a larger eye detection area, and an updated detection algorithm allowing a unique and instinctive way to select a subject to track in a complex scene.
The EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II both offer new high-speed image sensors, resulting in faster shooting speeds and faster sensor readout with a 40% reduction of rolling shutter in the EOS R1 compared to the EOS R3. In fact, this puts it on the same level as the mechanical shutter in the EOS-1D X Mark III. With a similar 60% reduction in the EOS R5 Mark II, Canon reckons both models are highly capable of capturing action without any reduction in image quality or dynamic range.
Both also feature a pre-continuous shooting function offering up to 20 frames (for EOS R1) and 15 frames (for EOS R5 Mark II) to be captured in HEIF/JPEG or RAW format at any frame rate before the shutter is pressed. This is also available in video. Both also feature large, high brightness and resolution blackout-free viewfinders with the EOS R1 featuring the highest resolution at 9.44M dots and the EOS R5 Mark II offering twice the brightness of the EOS R5.
Canon reckons that that Deep Learning in-camera image upscaling and noise reduction provides an additional 4x resolution or reduced noise in-camera when using JPEG or HEIF formats. Users can also crop and upscale in-camera making it that much easier to send out photos without editing via separate applications.
Both cameras feature up to 8.5 stops of image stabilisation with effective shooting capabilities particularly in low light or in other difficult conditions.
Several features ensure fast and stable connectivity and failsafe options, with multiple routes to image/video destinations for filing news with support for the C2PA content authenticity format or reviewing the first rushes of a film. Industry standard file naming, separate photo/video folders, and advanced tagging in News ML-G2 standard are also supported. Both cameras also support Wi-Fi6E/11ax 6GHz in-body, making them the first EOS series cameras to offer new levels of transfer speed, with the EOS R1 additionally supporting 2.5Gbps Ethernet connectivity and dual-threaded FTP in the body and the EOS R5 Mark II providing 2.5Gbps Ethernet via an optional grip.
Canon EOS-R1
It’s been 35 years since the launch of the original EOS-1, and Canon is bold about the fact that it has been engineered this latest generation for elite sports photographers and pros working in sports and news photography.
The new Cross Type AF system is a first for Canon and has required a completely new Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor arrangement in which individual Gb pupil divisions of pixels are rotated by 90 degrees to offer auto focus tracking sensitivity along the vertical and horizontal axis of the sensor. This offers users fast and accurate results and the ability to capture an image that could have previously been missed.
The camera offers 40fps silent electronic shutter with AF tracking and 20 frames of pre-continuous shooting, meaning that users can follow a scene without sacrificing image quality. Its 24.2 megapixel resolution delivers high-speed performance, while also achieving up to 96 megapixels in-camera with Deep Learning and image upscaling and noise reduction. Enhanced flash sync speeds up to 1/400th of a second and improved white balance and image exposure evaluation means more consistency and versatility for a variety of genres.
The EOS R1 also champions hybrid multimedia functionality with 6K resolution at 60fps or 4K at 120fps, along with Full HD at 240fps.
The camera also features a newly designed weather-resistant body with renewed outer texture and integrated vertical grip. A high-resolution EVF with an anti-fog design and a wide viewfinder eyepiece make it comfortable for shooting over long durations. Newly added is the two-stage AF-ON button which allows the instant activation of two programmable functions within one button allowing photographers to quickly respond to changing action in front of them.
As indicated earlier, the EOS R1 $6299 and is coming in November. Full specs here.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
The cheaper EOS R5 Mark II is more of a jack-of-all-trades and features a new back-illuminated, stacked sensor design with a 45 megapixel resolution. Auto focus tracking and an electronic shutter capable of 30fps with low rolling shutter allows users to capture fast-paced action situations. The pre-continuous shooting mode captures 15 frames before the shutter is even pressed, while advanced image upscaling can achieve up to 180 megapixels with exceptional noise reduction, preserving the finest details.
View capabilities are impressive. The EOS R5 Mark II offers 8K 60p resolution from the full width of the sensor and 12-bit RAW recording internally, along with 4K video at up to 120p with sound. We mentioned the newly introduced Cooling Fan Grip in the live blog and it’s undoubtedly (and literally) cool; designed specifically to extend shooting periods for event coverage, interviews and high-quality live streaming.
Industry-standard file naming, and structured folders enhances post-production workflows. Shooting Virtual Reality is also made simpler with enhanced preview and playback navigation.
A new higher performance LP-E6P battery and heat-dissipating and durable magnesium alloy body ensures the EOS R5 Mark II is ready for any challenge, even in unpredictable weather environments.
The EOS R5 Mark II maintains a compact and lightweight design, but with key enhancements such as a fog-resistant, two times brighter viewfinder and larger opening making it an indispensable tool for hybrid creatives seeking top-grade performance and versatility all in one package.
The EOS R5 Mk II will come out at $4299 and ship by the end of August. Follow the link for detailed specifications.
Live blog
11.30 BST
And we're done. Hang on, where are the lenses. I'm sure he said lenses. Anybody?
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PRICE AND AVAILABILITY INFO. EOS R1 $6299 and coming in November. EOS R5 Mk II $4299 and with us by the end of August. w00t!
11.22 BST
This is your 'but wait, there's more,' moment. RF lenses promised, but first an extended look at the EOS C400.
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A cooling grip. Oooh, like that. Shoot 8K 30p video for up to four times longer, thanks to the cooling function build in to the optional Cooling Fan CF-R20EP grip, says the PR. Two hours of recording is sweet.
11.17 BST
45MP resolution back illuminated stacked sensor. Speed of reading improved. Less rolling shutter and 30fps burst. 8K 60p RAW video. Pre shooting (3-5 seconds for video). Lots of film-making capabilities. We'll get into the full specs in a bit when we've digested it all.
11.14 BST
Moving on already. Yup, it's the EOS R5 Mk II confirmed. This is speedy, especially compared to the bum-numbing presentations from recent Big Tech companies (looking at you Samsung).
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No global shutter because Canon says that the camera is fast enough that it doesn't need one.
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24.2-megapixel stacked sensor. A back-illuminated CMOS sensor superb performance in low-light and ultrafast read-out speeds. Canon says this virtually eliminates rolling-shutter distortion.
Cross-type AF is a biggie. Cross-type AF is sensitive to both horizontal and vertical lines, giving users more precision and sensitivity, particularly in low light and low contrast.
RF lens.
11.05 BST
EOS R1 confirmed...
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"Some big reveals coming, make sure you stuck around till the end," we're told. Okay then...
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And we're off. On time too, which is a good start.
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EOS R1 -10 minutes. Probably...
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We're even doing a RedShark reacts live YouTube as well for the first time too. Find Chris opining below once things start kicking off:
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In fact there are leaks aplenty all over the interwebs. But where's the fun in that? What we do know so far is that we likely have an EOS R1 with a 24MP sensor that will run out at about $6499. Added to that will be an R5 Mk II which will hit the $3999 mark. And there might be other stuff too that has so far been kept in a locked box and not dribbled out online anywhere.
10:12 BST
Sorry. Not just tea but coffee required this morning too. Back again. There's also talk of an R5 Mk II. You can currently pick up the original at $1000 off as part of Amazon's Prime Day Deals. That is an enormous saving so definitely inclines us to think there may be something in this...
09.10 BST
Talking of the Olympics, here's what we wrote back in May when the company teased the first news of forthcoming new EOS R1. "Canon says it is currently working on field tests for this camera and will support capturing definitive and impactful moments at international sporting events to be held in the future. That is usually code for the Olympics..." With Paris 2024 due to start at the end of next week, the timing would certainly be right for more details to be released.
Here's a pic of the camera as it was then:
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The YouTube placeholder image has also previously said 'Something Big is Coming'. So we can confidently predict it's going to be something worth pressing refresh here for, rather than, say, a new series of Olympic-themed lens covers.
July 17: 09.00 BST
Andy here. So, Canon has a live event taking place online this morning. As the placeholder image shows, it's definitely an EOS R announcement, but what exactly?
Tags: Production Canon
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