Features I Want to See in the Canon EOS R7 Mark II

[Keithf2.8is]

I'm looking forward to the release of the R7 MII and hope it's more in line, ergonomically, with the 7D MII, R6 MII, and R5 MII. The R7 fell short in my opinion, especially with no grip option. Canon must realize now that the R7 MII must have a grip option, especially since it will be their top APS-C body. The 1.6 crop factor is one aspect I'm looking for. Another feature I'm most concerned about is a software issue, and that is the ability to register a second AF zone like in the 7D MII, R3, and R1. Both the R6 and R6 MII don't have this feature, which is why I won't use them. Speaking with reps at CPS they also don't know why this feature is left out of the software. Maybe someone here can shed some light into this. Maybe it's because the R6 MII and the R5 MII are geared for portraiture rather than sports. Registering and switching between 2 AF zones is a priority for me, which is why I use 2 R3's. It allows me to capture many more images in sports. It gives me more control over what area of the frame I want in focus at a push of a button.

 

[PinholeR5]

I'm looking forward to the release of the R7 MII and hope it's more in line, ergonomically, with the 7D MII, R6 MII, and R5 MII. The R7 fell short in my opinion, especially with no grip option. Canon must realize now that the R7 MII must have a grip option, especially since it will be their top APS-C body. The 1.6 crop factor is one aspect I'm looking for. Another feature I'm most concerned about is a software issue, and that is the ability to register a second AF zone like in the 7D MII, R3, and R1. Both the R6 and R6 MII don't have this feature, which is why I won't use them. Speaking with reps at CPS they also don't know why this feature is left out of the software. Maybe someone here can shed some light into this. Maybe it's because the R6 MII and the R5 MII are geared for portraiture rather than sports. Registering and switching between 2 AF zones is a priority for me, which is why I use 2 R3's. It allows me to capture many more images in sports. It gives me more control over what area of the frame I want in focus at a push of a button.

Hum... I have an R1 (and had an R3 before that), and the R5 II and R7. But I'm ashamed to say that I don't really understand what you mean by "registering a second AF zone". Looks like I've been missing out on the R1/R3.

 

[Keithf2.8is]

Hum... I have an R1 (and had an R3 before that), and the R5 II and R7. But I'm ashamed to say that I don't really understand what you mean by "registering a second AF zone". Looks like I've been missing out on the R1/R3.

I know others that have been using Canon for many years and they never heard of it either. I'm not sure why this feature isn't more in the spotlight because it's extremely useful if you capture sports or wildlife on the move.

In the R3 Advanced User Guide, click the AF/Drive section in the Table of Contents. Then Selecting the AF Area, then Registering AF Points (Home Position)(p459). Make sure you read the notes on page 460 because separate points can be registered for each camera orientation.

What's nice about the R3 and R1 is that practically every button is customizable. I use the M-Fn 2 button to switch between the 2 AF zones. Once you get use to using 2 AF zones you won't go back. It's kinda like when first starting to use back button focus. It doesn't feel normal at first, but after a bit you wonder how you ever photographed without it.

 

[PinholeR5]

I know others that have been using Canon for many years and they never heard of it either. I'm not sure why this feature isn't more in the spotlight because it's extremely useful if you capture sports or wildlife on the move.

In the R3 Advanced User Guide, click the AF/Drive section in the Table of Contents. Then Selecting the AF Area, then Registering AF Points (Home Position)(p459). Make sure you read the notes on page 460 because separate points can be registered for each camera orientation.

What's nice about the R3 and R1 is that practically every button is customizable. I use the M-Fn 2 button to switch between the 2 AF zones. Once you get use to using 2 AF zones you won't go back. It's kinda like when first starting to use back button focus. It doesn't feel normal at first, but after a bit you wonder how you ever photographed without it.

Thanks. I hadn't seen this! Will definitively play around with it when I have some time.

Oh, and just for completeness, I think you meant "read the notes on page 466" above.

 

[Jasonmc89]

The current R7 is no wimp! I use my cameras like tools. I’ve had my R7 out in rainforest downpours numerous times, covered in mud ever weekend, covered in sand and sea spray, snow, dropped it.. all kinds. My shutter failed at 198k actuations so you can see how well used it is.

Quick shutter replacement and it’s straight back out there. No other issues at all.

 

[ShowMeTheEagles]

I'll pay $2500 for a 30-something stacked sensor and everything else R5-ish. I'm 100% not interested in $1800 tweaked R7 that doesn't fully solve the rolling shutter or low light problems. I don't see the R6 as the same as a "pro" level APS-C so if the price is the same it's no concern to me. Different camera for a different use case. I have an R5 II. I don't need another FF, I need a quality APS-C.

 

[Keithf2.8is]

Thanks. I hadn't seen this! Will definitively play around with it when I have some time.

Oh, and just for completeness, I think you meant "read the notes on page 466" above.

No, the note on page 460 has additional info relating to AF point or zone. Page 466 talks about manual focus.

 

[bloblom]

The camera would benefit most from a new sensor. 32.5 MP is fine and it can achieve great results with a "basic" FSI-CMOS design, but getting at least a BSI sensor would be cool (ideally stacked). Better low light sensitivity and higher sensor readout speed alone would improve the AF, and it would make sense for a camera that's more wildlife/sports oriented. The mechanical shutter can go but only if they give us a better sensor, that's a no brainer.
A better EVF would be great too.

 

[jbassoc]

The R7 is a great video camera producing fantastic images even in low light. When doing video recording or using it for livestreaming I like to use an HDMI external monitor. This makes verifying focus and framing much easier especially on ing shoots. There are two modes for the R7 HDMI output. One will allow the touch screen to be on and usable but you cannot record to the sd card. The other mode allows recording to the SD card but the cameras touch screen is disabled/black and cannot be used for any info or touch focus during the recording. I'm not sure why canon has decided to program the R7 this way but it really needs to be remedied as it makes doing video work with an external monitor almost impossible.. I'd like to see this remedied via software for the existing R7 users and for any R7 mark ll being released.

 

[WoodyWindy]

Just FYI, the EOS 77D was the successor to the EOS 760D (T6s). Essentially, they tried to move it from being the cream of the "Rebel" class of DSLR cameras, to the entry point for the "Elan" class. I had the T6s, and moved to the R10.

 

[Philnick]

Anyone else notice the radio silence on the R7/II? I think Canon is at war internally between (I) those who see the R7 as an "any lens telextender" and want it to have a full-size R5 body and (II) those who have used the R7 as their main camera since it came out and just want a BSI/Stacked sensor with the controls left where they are. Two different audiences - and while group I may have more money to spend on each camera, group II represents more users - including me.

I don't want a bigger, heavier camera just so the larger full-frame lenses feel better balanced. Let the R7/II take a battery grip - that would solve that problem without making everyone carry a heavier camera all the time.

For those who want the rear dial in the traditional location next to the rear screen, put one there as well. (That would also take care of the "one control wheel too few" gripe.) But leave the existing controls alone.

Give it a BSI/Stacked sensor for low-light and fast readout.

If you're going to take out the mechanical shutter because you've sped up readout, give us a sensor shield that closes while changing lenses.

Viola! Everyone should be happy and you can stop dithering.

Photos.PhilOlenick.com - Been using Canon since 1968 (doing photography since 1958).

 

[P-visie]

Anyone else notice the radio silence on the R7/II? I think Canon is at war internally between (I) those who see the R7 as an "any lens telextender" and want it to have a full-size R5 body and (II) those who have used the R7 as their main camera since it came out and just want a BSI/Stacked sensor with the controls left where they are. Two different audiences - and while group I may have more money to spend on each camera, group II represents more users - including me.

You have a nice theory, but very unlikely that it is correct. The design of a camera is a long process, decisions about size, layout and buttons of the R7 Mk II have been taken and implemented quite some time ago. These are not discussions/ decisions that take place in the last months before the release of a new camera.

The posts on DPReview and Petapixel have details about the process of designing an new camera:
DPReview: https://www.dpreview.com/articles/5...it-wants-to-be-the-porsche-911-of-photography
Petapixel: https://petapixel.com/2025/10/16/the-people-who-make-your-photography-dreams-a-reality/