DPReview: Canon EOS R first impressions with Chris and Rishi

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The guys over at DPReview have done a first impression video about the new Canon EOS R system. The guys seem to feel the camera is a mirrorless version of the EOS 6D Mark II in some ways and the EOS 5D Mark IV in others.
They seem to be quite impressed with the first four RF lenses that Canon has announced, and there’s a lot more of them coming in 2019.
The autofocus also impressed during their short time with the camera and make note of the -6 EV capabilities of the AF system.

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Meanwhile, over at Lula, Kevin Raber & co. have written quite a positive initial article about the new EOS R system, after years of basically ignoring everything Canon. It probably helps that Canon paid for them to fly to Hawaii and have agreed to allow them to take an EOS R home for further testing ;) (I should point out that he does disclose all this in the article).
https://luminous-landscape.com/canon-eos-r-camera-launched/

This comes just a few days after Kevin Raber wrote a “rantatorial” about Nikon failing to invite him to the launch of the Z system....
https://luminous-landscape.com/rantatorial/my-thoughts-on-the-new-nikon-z6-and-z7-cameras/

[Apologies if either of these links are behind the “pay wall”]
 
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Let's not give DPR and Rishi more attention, they are a thinly veiled anti-Canon review site who overemphasize Sony strengths (his obsession with dynamic range is just one example) while glossing over their weaknesses. Funny in this video it is Chris who mentions that Canon R will focus wide open stopped down, a critical Sony weakness never mentioned in Rishi's Sony reviews. Canon makes cameras for usability first and foremost. That means emphasis on auto-focus speed and accuracy, ergonomics, UI and menus, responsive and fully articulating touchscreen, closing the sensor when changing lenses, etc. Things that are not exciting for review sites, but important for real world use.
 
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Jack Douglas

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Let's not give DPR and Rishi more attention, they are a thinly veiled anti-Canon review site who overemphasize Sony strengths (his obsession with dynamic range is just one example) while glossing over their weaknesses. Funny in this video that it is Chris that mentions that Canon R will focus wide open stopped down, a critical Sony weakness never mentioned in Rishi's Sony reviews. Canon makes cameras for usability first and foremost. That means emphasis on auto-focus speed and accuracy, ergonomics, UI and menus, responsive and usable touchscreen, closing the sensor when changing lenses, fully articulating screen, etc. Things that are not exciting for review sites, but important for real world use.

Ah Rishi, the best humour ever on CR. Rishi + PBD super. Rishi + Neuro even better! Yes, I do have a slightly convoluted sense of humour.;)

Jack
 
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Ah Rishi, the best humour ever on CR. Rishi + PBD super. Rishi + Neuro even better! Yes, I do have a slightly convoluted sense of humour.;)

Jack
Jack I'm deeply hurt, my Rishi comments are second to Neuro's? I try to bring my 'A' game to Rishi threads.

On a more serious note I really like what Canon have laid out as the core of the two mirrorless systems, the M line is primarily made with size in mind, the R/RF line is made with lens quality as the primary focus. That 28-70 f2 looks a beast and opens up a new era for event shooters.

I'm not interested in new camera but will be very interested in the upcoming 'pro' model, if it bests the 1DX MkII video specs I'm a near certain buyer.
 
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RayValdez360

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I'll be curious to see the longer term reviews.

These guys were jumping to conclusions to get content up. But, overall, still seems like a very good camera.
It's a very good design ergonomically but it has the same short comings for video as the 5div which is like a "Canon" generation old by now and maybe an old sensor . Once again, one has to ask who is this camera for. Is it for people that want a second body, or for people that want to get something a bit better than a 6d II and cant afford a 5div. If someone is new to pro cameras and has 2000 dollars, I would recommend a Sony at this point.
 
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Canon can take a deep sigh of relief now they know the geniuses at dpreview are "quite impressed". Sitting all night on the edge of their seats, no doubt.

I would have placed an order for one already but recent experience has taught me my backup camera needs to be the very same as my primary—so I'll wait and buy two of the next, higher-res, two-card-slot version. Ya know they've got one in the works.
 
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I agree with their last take: Existing Canon users and Nikon users may see little incentive whatsoever to switch to either brand, but overall Sony still by far the most appealing system to switch to or to outright get in to. They have the most native glass by far and will likely retain that advantage for years, more feature dazzle, excellent video specs, momentum and are in really good shape. If I was just getting into this stuff, I'd totally understand why people may skip all the adapter nonsense from the mirror slappers and the anemic native lens lineup that lacks so many basics. In many ways, reminds me of "dad's camera" syndrome where the young just don't give a crap who was the #1 dinosaur when "dad" used to take photos.
 
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Jack Douglas

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Jack I'm deeply hurt, my Rishi comments are second to Neuro's? I try to bring my 'A' game to Rishi threads.

On a more serious note I really like what Canon have laid out as the core of the two mirrorless systems, the M line is primarily made with size in mind, the R/RF line is made with lens quality as the primary focus. That 28-70 f2 looks a beast and opens up a new era for event shooters.

I'm not interested in new camera but will be very interested in the upcoming 'pro' model, if it bests the 1DX MkII video specs I'm a near certain buyer.

I'm probably not remembering accurately, guess it's a toss up. Watching their video I still detect slight bias that Rishi honestly can't sense but I'm OK with that.
 
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RayValdez360

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"Sony .... are in really good shape". That's good to hear because it's important for competition to stay strong. So you don't think what's coming from Canon in the days ahead will have any impact?

Jack
Too bad Canon still operates as if it doesnt have competition outside of itself. It's the end of 2018 and we still have cropped 4k, no 4k 60p, and no 1080p 120fps on a 3/4 year old sensor with an AA filter. Do we have to wait until 2022 for something better when by then I am sure technology will be miles ahead from every other brand and even in phones.
 
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Too bad Canon still operates as if it doesnt have competition outside of itself. It's the end of 2018 and we still have cropped 4k, no 4k 60p, and no 1080p 120fps on a 3/4 year old sensor with an AA filter. Do we have to wait until 2022 for something better when by then I am sure technology will be miles ahead from every other brand and even in phones.

Alternative reading: Canon has looked at the competition and does not think those functions are critical.

Let's jump forward to 2022 (your scenario): Canon has uncropped 4k, 4k at 60p, 180p 120fps.
Where will the competitoin go: 4k at 90fps? 180p at 160 fps? My guess is those 'advances' will mean something to a few specialist photographers and will mean zip to the general public and you are well into the law of diminishing returns. How is that going to hurt Canon?
 
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On a more serious note I really like what Canon have laid out as the core of the two mirrorless systems, the M line is primarily made with size in mind, the R/RF line is made with lens quality as the primary focus.

That I think is the point so many people are missing: M will live on as the compact/travel line. No matter what people hope for, you simply cannot have extreme performance in a tiny package, and trying to make both work together would require some form of compromise. There is however nothing stopping them from making an APS-C R mount system in the future with an actual focus on quality. I'm willing to bet that the new mount parameters could make for some interesting lens designs utilizing the smaller image circle.

Also for those talking about the sensor: Considering the fact that the DPAF on the 5DIV can only do 80% sensor height vs 100% on the R, i'd say its at a minimum a revised version of that sensor, so not exactly the same
 
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Too bad Canon still operates as if it doesnt have competition outside of itself. It's the end of 2018 and we still have cropped 4k, no 4k 60p, and no 1080p 120fps on a 3/4 year old sensor with an AA filter. Do we have to wait until 2022 for something better when by then I am sure technology will be miles ahead from every other brand and even in phones.
And a 28-70 f2!, and a native 50 f1.2. The R is obviously a mid range camera but the system is looking very very interesting. Native adapters with added functionality like filter use, heck it's worth getting one just to use variable ND filters with the 11-24 for video use! Or the new programable function adapter. 10 bit C-Log in a 6D MkII equal camera! A 5D MkIV sensor for over $1,000 less money. Lots to like system wise so far.

For me the Canon FF mirrorless system is offering a decent number of unique features that make it stand out.

Anybody that uses the phone argument when relating to ff sensors clearly doesn't actually shoot 4k video with larger sensors.
 
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Alternative reading: Canon has looked at the competition and does not think those functions are critical.

Let's jump forward to 2022 (your scenario): Canon has uncropped 4k, 4k at 60p, 180p 120fps.
Where will the competitoin go: 4k at 90fps? 180p at 160 fps? My guess is those 'advances' will mean something to a few specialist photographers and will mean zip to the general public and you are well into the law of diminishing returns. How is that going to hurt Canon?

Another alternative reading: Canon’s current 30MP full frame imaging chip isn’t capable of 4K full sensor readout and they thought that the kind of people who moan about this are also the same people who wouldn’t be willing to put up an extra $1000 on the price to cover the R&D for a brand new sensor design.
 
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Jack Douglas

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Too bad Canon still operates as if it doesnt have competition outside of itself. It's the end of 2018 and we still have cropped 4k, no 4k 60p, and no 1080p 120fps on a 3/4 year old sensor with an AA filter. Do we have to wait until 2022 for something better when by then I am sure technology will be miles ahead from every other brand and even in phones.

Funny, I was doing some video of classic cars and the shiny grills displayed kind of weird, which I assume would be even worse without the filter (I'm new to video). Likewise I've shot Cedar waxwings and strange patterns seem to appear in their feathers, again, I believe this would be worse with no AA filter. So, maybe it's not as one sided as it seems. I don't have any objection to the crop factor on my 1Dx2.

Jack
 
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Jack Douglas

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And a 28-70 f2!, and a native 50 f1.2. The R is obviously a mid range camera but the system is looking very very interesting. Native adapters with added functionality like filter use, heck it's worth getting one just to use variable ND filters with the 11-24 for video use! Or the new programable function adapter. 10 bit C-Log in a 6D MkII equal camera! A 5D MkIV sensor for over $1,000 less money. Lots to like system wise so far.

For me the Canon FF mirrorless system is offering a decent number of unique features that make it stand out.

Anybody that uses the phone argument when relating to ff sensors clearly doesn't actually shoot 4k video with larger sensors.

So is the next one out the gate an Rx, as in prescription?;) Funny, I'm not feeling let down by Canon, only financially challenged thinking about future GAS.

Jack
 
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