Canon Interview: EOS R1 is the true flagship

[Richard CR]

Phototrends in France sat down with Canon to discuss the new EOS R1 and the EOS R5 Mark II. It was a pretty wide-ranging interview, so you should check it out here. But I wanted to comment on a few things because I always have an opinion on these sorts of things.

Canon Interview: EOS R1 is the true flagship

Phototrends in France sat down with Canon to discuss the new EOS R1 and the EOS R5 Mark II. It was a pretty wide-ranging interview, so you should check it out here. But I wanted to comment on a few…

www.canonrumors.com

 

[woodman411]

I feel there is no need to defend the R1, the ones criticizing it would never buy it anyway, they are not the target audience. I base this on the fact that they obviously do not care for its robust build quality, nor the game-changing AF system for sports or event photography, 40 fps 14-bit raw, etc. These are the things pros care about, and I trust Canon knows their needs better than Youtube influencers.

That being said, it does beg the question of what's next for the regular consumer. Most AF's have reached the "good enough" point, as has the MP count, dynamic range, fps, readout speeds, etc. Sure stacked-sensors could go down in price (maybe one day we'll see it breach the $2k price point). But besides that, what's next, especially for photographers?

 

[Richard CR]

I feel there is no need to defend the R1, the ones criticizing it would never buy it anyway, they are the prosumers and not the target audience. I base this on the fact that they obviously do not care for its robust build quality, nor the game-changing AF system for sports or event photography, 40 fps 14-bit raw, etc. These are the things professionals care about, and the R1 is for them. And no, I don't consider most Youtubers professionals, even though they think they are, sorry, most of their pictures look amateur-enthusiast to me. They include but certainly not limited to the Northrup's, Kai, Jared Polin, Chris Niccolls, etc. Youtubers who look truly pro to me are Vanessa Joy, Katelyn James, Irene Rudnyk, and others at that level.

+1

That being said, it does beg the question of what's next for the prosumer. Most AF's have reached the "good enough" point, as has the MP count, dynamic range, fps, readout speeds, etc. Sure stacked-sensors could go down in price (maybe one day we'll see it breach the $2k price point). But besides that, what's next, especially for photographers?

it's honestly a tough question.

I have my thoughts on the APS-C line which I wish to clean up and post soon that touches a bit on this. Stacked APS-C sensors should be significantly cheaper to fabricate than full frame.

Sensors outside of read speed are well into diminishing returns. Cross type based sensors as well, as technology for major defocus would be the big - they aren't done. Combine Panny's DFD with DPAF. Further predictive deep learning with AF and start to bring that down to the masses - ie: the R7 next.

I personally think what Canon did with the grips needs to be expanded on - and include things like AI accelerators, LTE/5/6G interconnectivity and EASY bridging into social media, etc.

But, I agree, we are well into "good enough" for the vast majority of users - for most, their current smartphone camera is already in the "good enough" which is why even phone sales are slowing down.

 

[AlanF]

“ What we want is for each model to compete with the others and always try to surpass the superior model. So we hope that the EOS R6 Mark III will one day surpass the EOS R5 Mark II – and then the EOS R5 Mark III will restore the balance! We don't think it's fair to limit the capability of a model just because it's a 6-series model and not a 5-series model. ”

So, should we R5 owners give the R5ii a miss and wait for the R5iii? After all, the R5 is well into the more than good enough for some if not most prosumers and it will be annoying to see a cheaper R6iii overtake the R5ii.

 

[mxwphoto]

Given the advancements of AI in both AF and processing, I predict the next big advancement will be PTZ cameras that can track and shoot photos on their own. The "photographer" just has to set the whole things up, tell the camera what to focus on to shoot, and let it fire away. I understand that Canon already has PTZ from consumer (Poweshot Pick) to Pro (CR-N700) but so far nothing with the quality of full frame and motors fast enough to track say wildlife or field/motor sports. Also if you want to move with the camera, Canon should use their experience in IS and make it rock steady.

It may sound rather dystopian for those of us who like to look through the viewfinder and press the shutter button to take an image, but that would be the likely future of cameras.

 

[koenkooi]

+1


it's honestly a tough question.

I have my thoughts on the APS-C line which I wish to clean up and post soon that touches a bit on this. Stacked APS-C sensors should be significantly cheaper to fabricate than full frame.

Sensors outside of read speed are well into diminishing returns. Cross type based sensors as well, as technology for major defocus would be the big - they aren't done. Combine Panny's DFD with DPAF. Further predictive deep learning with AF and start to bring that down to the masses - ie: the R7 next.

I personally think what Canon did with the grips needs to be expanded on - and include things like AI accelerators, LTE/5/6G interconnectivity and EASY bridging into social media, etc.

But, I agree, we are well into "good enough" for the vast majority of users - for most, their current smartphone camera is already in the "good enough" which is why even phone sales are slowing down.

The original M50 had a ‘wifi’ button, press it and it would connect to an existing wifi network, ready for Camera Connect or EOS utility to pull of images. After the R5/R6 Canon made it a lot harder to connect to an existing wifi network, it will pretty much always try to act as access point using its weak internal antennas.

Unless you specifically configure your phone for non-internet connected wifi, you can’t download images and post them to instagram, you have to disconnect from the camera to make internet work again.

The special ‘iphone’ mode for USB in the R8 is great, it can do everything wifi can, remote EVF, downloading, time sync, but faster, more reliable and with a much lower latency. But it requires a cable between your iphone and the camera

I really hope Canon comes up with something that combines the one-press nature of that wifi button with the speed of the cable. My 8yo always asks me to send a picture when I’m out shooting, I’d like to be able to do that without lifting the camera from my eye for the transfer. Have the camera and phone work something out over bluetooth, then send the picture over wifi.
For the actual message I do want to take the phone out of my pocket.

Move some of that network config tool stuff for the R1/ethernet grips into the consumer apps. I don’t need FTP, but ‘connect wifi automatically, find phone/laptop running app, transfer’ would be nice to have.

 

[Zadak]

R7 MII let's goo

 

[Emyr Evans]

I just want an R1 with a 45MP sensor.

I don't think I'm alone here.

 

[R5boy]

What\'s next for photographer, in fact it should already be there, it\'s a builtin appstore !

 

[koenkooi]

“ What we want is for each model to compete with the others and always try to surpass the superior model. So we hope that the EOS R6 Mark III will one day surpass the EOS R5 Mark II – and then the EOS R5 Mark III will restore the balance! We don't think it's fair to limit the capability of a model just because it's a 6-series model and not a 5-series model. ”

So, should we R5 owners give the R5ii a miss and wait for the R5iii? After all, the R5 is well into the more than good enough for some if not most prosumers and it will be annoying to see a cheaper R6iii overtake the R5ii.

Ignoring the amount of megapixels, the R6II already outshines the R5 in a lot of ways. Much improved AF, 10% less rolling shutter, 40fps, better anti-flicker and oversampled 4k60 video and no half hour video limits.

So the R6III being ‘better’ than the R5II isn’t
such a stretch. The big question I have, what will the R8II be like? The R6 line doesn’t interest me, it’s too big to act as a travel body next to R5 series body, the R8 is a near perfect blend of size, capability and price. At least for me

I must admit that I’m not planning to replace the R8 with an R8II, apart from ES+flash, I’m hard pressed to think of something that the R8 lacks that would make me upgrade to the II instead of the III or IV.

Flash+ES turned out to be something I really wanted, otherwise I would’ve skipped the R5II as well.

 

[frankchn]

I understand that Canon already has PTZ from consumer (Poweshot Pick) to Pro (CR-N700) but so far nothing with the quality of full frame and motors fast enough to track say wildlife or field/motor sports.

They already have a product here (https://www.dpreview.com/news/8482927209/canon-announces-its-new-cr-s700r-robotic-camera-system) though I don’t know if it is fast enough to track motorsports.

 

[renderscout]

I don´t get some of the statements from Canon tbh.

So they decided to use 24MP because of easier editing? I've never run into any issues on my "still" M1 MBP when editing images even from Sony R Body with 60MP. And a Sony A1 or A9 III is not even considered a competitor? Why? Because there is no vertical grip in a big body?

I don´t know what Canon is thinking in 2024 but I'm a bit disappointed by both new Cameras and will stick with my R5 until I probably move brands.

 

[Richard CR]

I don´t get some of the statements from Canon tbh.

So they decided to use 24MP because of easier editing? I've never run into any issues on my "still" M1 MBP when editing images even from Sony R Body with 60MP. And a Sony A1 or A9 III is not even considered a competitor? Why? Because there is no vertical grip in a big body?

I don´t know what Canon is thinking in 2024 but I'm a bit disappointed by both new Cameras and will stick with my R5 until I probably move brands.

That's me, not Canon. There are quote thingies around what Canon has stated.

 

[renderscout]

That's me, not Canon. There are quote thingies around what Canon has stated.

Sorry, my bad

 

[Canon Rumors Guy]

“ What we want is for each model to compete with the others and always try to surpass the superior model. So we hope that the EOS R6 Mark III will one day surpass the EOS R5 Mark II – and then the EOS R5 Mark III will restore the balance! We don't think it's fair to limit the capability of a model just because it's a 6-series model and not a 5-series model. ”

So, should we R5 owners give the R5ii a miss and wait for the R5iii? After all, the R5 is well into the more than good enough for some if not most prosumers and it will be annoying to see a cheaper R6iii overtake the R5ii.

Well, if you consider the R62 vs the R5, the R62 brought things like pre-burst, unlimited record limit, the dedicated video switch, lens breathing correction... so I think we'll see more things like that, just new little features implemented at the "lower end" before it moves to the longer product cycle "professional" cameras. It's a good way to do testing and refinement of features.

I hope that these new cameras will be easier to implement features via firmware as I was told they would be. Canon probably already has a list of things that are coming over the next year or two. Where's my external 6K RAW for the R3 that I don't need!?

 

[AlanF]

Ignoring the amount of megapixels, the R6II already outshines the R5 in a lot of ways. Much improved AF, 10% less rolling shutter, 40fps, better anti-flicker and oversampled 4k60 video and no half hour video limits.

So the R6III being ‘better’ than the R5II isn’t
such a stretch. The big question I have, what will the R8II be like? The R6 line doesn’t interest me, it’s too big to act as a travel body next to R5 series body, the R8 is a near perfect blend of size, capability and price. At least for me

I must admit that I’m not planning to replace the R8 with an R8II, apart from ES+flash, I’m hard pressed to think of something that the R8 lacks that would make me upgrade to the II instead of the III or IV.

Flash+ES turned out to be something I really wanted, otherwise I would’ve skipped the R5II as well.

Thanks for raising those points which are very useful for me to consider in my purchases. Regarding the R6ii vs R5: the AF is not much improved, it is marginally improved in modes I don't use; 10% less rolling shutter is not something you would notice - a 9deg lean instead of 10deg is irrelevant - and rolling shutter affects me rarely at present; 40fps is beyond what I would find useful; the antiflicker, oversampled 4k60, video limits and flash+ES aren't used by me. So, my requirements are at the minimal end for what I do and logically I should leave the new models to those who do need these. (I am an amsumer not a prosumer).

 

[Richard CR]

Thanks for raising those points which are very useful for me to consider in my purchases. Regarding the R6ii vs R5: the AF is not much improved, it is marginally improved in modes I don't use; 10% less rolling shutter is not something you would notice - a 9deg lean instead of 10deg is irrelevant - and rolling shutter affects me rarely at present; 40fps is beyond what I would find useful; the antiflicker, oversampled 4k60, video limits and flash+ES aren't used by me. So, my requirements are at the minimal end for what I do and logically I should leave the new models to those who do need these. (I am an amsumer not a prosumer).

we are to the point where it's the niggling details and money that determine what camera(s) we use.

I'm probably going to settle on the R8's simply because of size and weight constraints, but my heart wants a R5 Mark II.

 

[Richard CR]

The original M50 had a ‘wifi’ button, press it and it would connect to an existing wifi network, ready for Camera Connect or EOS utility to pull of images. After the R5/R6 Canon made it a lot harder to connect to an existing wifi network, it will pretty much always try to act as access point using its weak internal antennas.

Unless you specifically configure your phone for non-internet connect wifi, you can’t download images and post them to instagram, you have to disconnect from the camera to make internet work again.

The special ‘iphone’ mode for USB in the R8 is great, it can do everything wifi can, remote EVF, downloading, time sync, but faster, more reliable and with a much lower latency. But it requires a cable between your iphone and the camera

I really hope Canon comes up with something that combines the one-press nature of that wifi button with the speed of the cable. My 8yo always asks me to send a picture when I’m out shooting, I’d like to be able to do that without lifting the camera from my eye for the transfer. Have the camera and phone work something out over bluetooth, then send the picture over wifi.
For the actual message I do want to take the phone out of my pocket.

Move some of that network config tool stuff for the R1/ethernet grips into the consumer apps. I don’t need FTP, but ‘connect wifi automatically, find phone/laptop running app, transfer’ would be nice to have.

I have no idea why Canon made it more difficult to transfer to your mobile. I used to have my M6 Mark II continually sending the JPG's to my phone. it was great. The only drag was that it was easy to lose the connection.

The existing Wifi - I always had issues with. But this isn't all "new tech" you'd think canon could do this - it's not as if they lack the R&D.

 

[koenkooi]

I have no idea why Canon made it more difficult to transfer to your mobile. I used to have my M6 Mark II continually sending the JPG's to my phone. it was great. The only drag was that it was easy to lose the connection.

The existing Wifi - I always had issues with. But this isn't all "new tech" you'd think canon could do this - it's not as if they lack the R&D.

It baffles me that Canon waited almost a decade with adding 5GHz support, but jumped on 6GHz after a year. It's a good thing, but if it can't connect to an existing network without massive effort, you'll need a phone with 6GHz. My 3 year old 'pro' phone doesn't have that!

 

[koenkooi]

we are to the point where it's the niggling details and money that determine what camera(s) we use.

I'm probably going to settle on the R8's simply because of size and weight constraints, but my heart wants a R5 Mark II.

I get great enjoyment out of bringing the R8+28mm with me for family outings. It's not an EOS-M+22mm, but still small enough for me. For the next 1.5 weeks it also has the best Canon AF you can buy