What’s Coming Next from Canon?

[Canon Rumors]

With the launch of the Canon EOS R6 V and RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look ahead at what Canon has planned for the rest of 2026. We’ll touch on some things that we have high confidence will happen this year. Canon EOS R8 Mark II The […]

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[jeff89]

I liked the RP, better than the R, so I was happy with the R8 release, but a R8 II, does absolutely nothing for me. But the R8 definitely was an excellent entry into FF and likely targets a healthy segment of the market. But to a person who has multiple bodies, R8 II doesn’t interest me, I’m waiting on the beloved 7 series, an APS-C flagship, and competition killer! (Are you listening Canon?). And I could be tempted to buy a R3 II with pre-capture, especially if I can set the time interval, more MPs and a global shutter if it has good dynamic range, all which I presume would be on the wishlist of most current R3 owners. I have a R1, so the likely MSRP between the R1 and R3 II means price wouldn’t be the likely driving force?. But alternate technology could, so presumably GS.

As for lenses, I think Sony released a winner this week. I would be tickled if SIGMA would release the 300-600 f4 in the RF mount. I love my EF 200-400 f4 + 1.4, but it’s too short on the long end, even with the 1.4 flipped into action at 560 f5.6 on safari. The RF 200-800, I like the reach but the build quality is just Ok. So do we get excited about a RF 100-500 II, that is slightly faster, not sure they can do much to make it sharper, maybe lighter, but weight isn’t an issue with the lens, would they dare to give it the + 1.4 to attack the Sony 100-400 f4.5? I think it would take a lot of the birder’s money, but how much does that add to the RF 100-500 cost? Do they release a prime, either RF 200 f2, or RF 400 f4 DO, or do they target the Sony release with their own 100-400 f4.5?

 

[MkSprintz]

Jeff89 you're likely not going to get an R3ii anytime soon as canon said there's nothing they can currently do with that camera without intruding on R1 territory.

As far as the R7 goes you're looking at Fall 2027 the earliest, though I'm thinking Fall 2028 is more likely. It won't be a competition killer as there's no competition in that market, in fact it's highly likely that Canon will re-use the sensor from the R7 in the R7ii which would effectively kill APS-C at least as far as Canon goes. Maybe that's the line of thinking they have, I dunno.

 

[Uneternal]

I'm hyped for the design of the R8II but I'm fairly convinced it'll only be a color option. It would be a first if Canon completely changed the design of a "Mark" model. Other than moving buttons around or adding a flippy screen, they never changed a lot regarding design. We're not in the 90s anymore and manufacturers got rather cautious about experimental designs. (Well, unless they add a V to the model line).

Regarding specs, the question is: What will be crippled so this camera doesn't get into R6III or R6II territory? And I believe we'll see the same as with the R8 Mark I: EFCS only (crippled to 6fps or 8fps), no IBIS and only one card slot. It'll still sell like hotcakes at xmas for a price under $2000. Mark my words, or not. We'll see.

 

[eero]

With the launch of the Canon EOS R6 V and RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look ahead at what Canon has planned for the rest of 2026. We’ll touch on some things that we have high confidence will happen this year. Canon EOS R8 Mark II The […]

See full article...

"That feeling is 100% justified and we don't want to continue to beat a dead horse."

The only reason I opened this website today - in good hope - was to see if the R6V hype is over and the 300-600mm horse is brought back from the morgue. And I was not disappointed! We all love and need some good supertelephoto gossip!

 

[koenkooi]

The only changes I’d want over the R8 is more modern wifi and faster sensor readout. Ideally the sensor will be fast enough to use flash with ES, but I won’t hold my breath.

 

[jeff89]

Jeff89 you're likely not going to get an R3ii anytime soon as canon said there's nothing they can currently do with that camera without intruding on R1 territory.

As far as the R7 goes you're looking at Fall 2027 the earliest, though I'm thinking Fall 2028 is more likely. It won't be a competition killer as there's no competition in that market, in fact it's highly likely that Canon will re-use the sensor from the R7 in the R7ii which would effectively kill APS-C at least as far as Canon goes. Maybe that's the line of thinking they have, I dunno.

I don’t think there is anyway they can keep the sensor, that would be suicidal. A stacked or partially stacked sensor to address rolling shutter, some boost in MPs (as the market will demand it), an increase in dynamic range because of the market segment (addressing low light performance), a better buffer and precapture. The only thing I think they could possibly get away with is no improvement in buffer capacity, but even that would be a struggle.

Anything less and it will be a PR nightmare. If people thought overheating was an issue with the R5, the howling of a R7 II without the sensor improvements is a no go, and likely explains why it isn’t coming to market in 2026. Canon is the marketshare leader, they don’t want to give that up, they know they have to nail the R7 II, or those buyers will finally abandon Canon. Cameras are “too good” these days, look at the Sony A7R VI release. With the R7 II, it’s go big or go home.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Canon Rumors]

"That feeling is 100% justified and we don't want to continue to beat a dead horse."

The only reason I opened this website today - in good hope - was to see if the R6V hype is over and the 300-600mm horse is brought back from the morgue. And I was not disappointed! We all love and need some good supertelephoto gossip!

My initial excitement for such a lens (as mentioned) died a long time ago. Something is coming... I'd like it to hurry up so we can move on.

 

[SnowMiku]

I gave up waiting for the R7 II when I heard it won't be here until 2027 or later. The other day I saw a good deal on both the R8 and R6 II so I ordered the R6 II! I was going to get the R8 but the R6II was about $700 AUD more so I got that instead. It's going to be a bit of a change from my 6D haha.

 

[Stig Nygaard]

some boost in MPs (as the market will demand it)

If they kept it at 32.5MP, but gave it a fast stacked sensor, I can hardly imagine others that most hysterical internet commenters complain.
"Real users" would appreciate it as the greatly improved tool it would be. Also I worry 39 "dual-pixels" (each being two "subpixels") would be a too crowded for an APS-C sensor, with too many compromises for image quality.

The day we see the R7 Mark II, I really hope they go a bit "upmarket" in the sense of a speedy camera (preferable stacked sensor) with no cheap compromises like the mechanical sensor found in current R7. I really hope that happens one day. Would be nice in 2026, but 2027 is also okay if it happens

 

[Eric84]

Hi Craig! Earlier this year I saw Your article about hints of the unicorn itself - the RF 35 mm f1.2L - aka the little-brother of the RF 50/85 mm f1.2L's. Has the rumours stopped and the unicorn once a again has entered the deep magical woods - or is it still some whistles that keep the dream alive?

Thanks for all You are doing digging into Canon's next steps

 

[@zajicekpavel]

I've given up waiting for the R72 and bought the R7 for a great price and it's still a great camera if you know how to use its strengths and suppress its weaknesses and we've known that over the years. If the R72 comes out next year or even in 2028 I'll consider buying it given what it has to offer.

 

[scyrene]

an increase in dynamic range because of the market segment (addressing low light performance)

??

Anything less and it will be a PR nightmare.

If online chatter is to be believed, everything Canon releases is a PR disaster.

 

[john1970]

The Canon 300-600 mm f5.6 is likely to be the last telephoto lens I buy from Canon.

The Sony 100-400 mm f4.5 lens is a brilliant lens from Sony and is reasonably light weight at 4 lbs. with a 1.4x TC you get a 140 mm to 560 mm f6.3 lens.

 

[roby17269]

Hi Craig! Earlier this year I saw Your article about hints of the unicorn itself - the RF 35 mm f1.2L - aka the little-brother of the RF 50/85 mm f1.2L's. Has the rumours stopped and the unicorn once a again has entered the deep magical woods - or is it still some whistles that keep the dream alive?

Thanks for all You are doing digging into Canon's next steps

I've kind of given up hopes about that lens. I've been disappointed so many times in the past years about it.
I've made my peace with it. I guess I will keep voting with my wallet and spending on other manufacturers

 

[Any Name]

Retro from an RF-mount point of view feels like EF-mount to me. Not FD-mount (Like the AE-1 on the picture).

How many current Canon users have used EF as their starting mount as opposed to FD?

 

[David - Sydney]

Almost half way through the 4 year product life cycle for the R5ii... I wonder what Canon has on the R&D chalk board

High mp 5 series would be interesting for some given the increasing mp sensors from Sony.

Not much GAS from my side at the moment. Waiting for a price decrease for the 20/1.4 and a cheaper manual 14mm from China with good coma for astro.

Long macro also seems to be a missing niche

 

[Acpoynts]

Thanks for the info, as always. Excited to see what comes next, and really hoping a G1X Mark III successor is part of that future.

 

[jeff89]

I could see just a minor boost to 34.6 MP, not having to be class leading at 40.2, to maintain a pixel size that allows for more light capture & better noise. But you have to market it, and a stacked sensor, even partially stacked, BSI new sensor @ 34.6 MP is a huge deal for your marketing team.

From a practical standpoint, 15/30 fps is enough, but improved buffer (> 42 RAW). A blackout free better EVF than the current 2.36, a better monitor than the current 1.62 monitor. Again these can be relatively small incremental gains, but no change and you get accused of standing still, or worse yet, the marketing department’s worst nightmare, the Canon “Cripple Hammer!”

Look at Apple, they will resort to comparing a M5 or M4 with the M1 chip to make it seem more impressive as we are talking ms’s and the M4 compared to the M3 just doesn’t sell as well from an advertising perspective, even with people that have an 8-second attention span. What I care able is how fast I can process a large file in Lightroom or how quickly I can edit and process a video in Final Cut Pro.

Again AF is a key metric to the market segment, so it being able to handle BIF in low light is what you care about and makes a person’s dream sheet.

 

[jeff89]

??

If online chatter is to be believed, everything Canon releases is a PR disaster.

Yeah it was 1 am and I couldn’t get back to sleep, so I was awake, but in a bit of mental fog and linked dynamic range and sensor noise a little more than I should have. Was also getting at AF and an improved basement, maybe an EV of -5 or -6, thing that make a legitimate difference, not just numbers. Better handling at a higher ISO is easier than rewriting the physics of optics.