Is a New Flagship Level Camera Coming from Canon?

Is the OM1 a "real professional camera"? It only costs $2000-2400 and is about the same size as the R7, with a slightly smaller sensor.
No. Olympus bodies are made by sadists for exclusive use by masochists and the masochist curious. The price, in this case, is so one will enjoy the pain more. I have an Olympus, but I get to watch if you wish to use it.
 
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I've given up the hopes of a high res Canon camera and took the plunge into GFX system. And I have to say - zero regrets. The GFX 100II with those 16 bit raw files is delicious! I kept my whole Canon set and I still do use it for anything action-wise (sports, events, animals) but I have to say, even if Canon came out with a 65 mpix camera now, I don't think I'd be interested. The 100 mpix files from Fuji are incredible and a joy to work with.
 
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I've given up the hopes of a high res Canon camera and took the plunge into GFX system. And I have to say - zero regrets. The GFX 100II with those 16 bit raw files is delicious! I kept my whole Canon set and I still do use it for anything action-wise (sports, events, animals) but I have to say, even if Canon came out with a 65 mpix camera now, I don't think I'd be interested. The 100 mpix files from Fuji are incredible and a joy to work with.
I know what you mean! I use a 80mp MF digital back and I have my eyes on the X2D II 100c... so I'll be ok if Canon does not release anything that would tickle my fancy for a while ;)

But it is a bit unfair to compare FF cameras to a MF camera. Very different beasts
 
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I know what you mean! I use a 80mp MF digital back and I have my eyes on the X2D II 100c... so I'll be ok if Canon does not release anything that would tickle my fancy for a while ;)

But it is a bit unfair to compare FF cameras to a MF camera. Very different beasts
In principle, yes, they are different beasts - but Fuji has come very close to FF cameras performance with their latest GFX offerings. I mean, you have a very decent AF with subject recognition, you can shoot 8 fps at 100 mpix resolution, the EVF is probably best on the whole market, the body size, weight and layout are very similar to FF cameras and the lens lineup goes up to 500mm.

500! On a medium format! And you can throw on an extender as well!

Then there's the video segment with very competitive specs, including internal 8K, ProResHQ, various codecs and log profiles and uncompressed 12 bit external, along with some very unique features such as supporting use of anamorphic lenses with live-preview desqueeze. All of that on a large medium format sensor!

Obviously, it's not going to compete in speed with the current likes of Canon, Sony or Nikon, but performance wise it's better than Canon 5DmkIV. Let's not forget that that camera had 7 fps and was and still is a workhorse of many, many pro photographers.

So, while comparing FF with let's say PhaseOne is really pointless, comparing GFX with FF is actually pretty appropriate.
 
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Is the OM1 a "real professional camera"? It only costs $2000-2400 and is about the same size as the R7, with a slightly smaller sensor.
If you ask 10 people what makes a camera "a professional one," I am sure you will get 10 different answers. I have been using Olympus, now OM System cameras alongside Canon cameras since 2014, and the OM-1 since it's release. I have always hoped that Canon would come out with a comparable camera in a similar price range, but the Olympus (now OM System) cameras have always been better, in my opinion and experience. In terms of build quality and weather sealing, I believe the OM-1 is top rated. It has most, if not all, of the 'bells and whistles" of the top of the line cameras, like in-camera focus stacking, pre-capture (with more customizable variables than canon, and they have had it since 2016), and excellent IBIS. Over the years I have bought (or tried) the Canon R5, Canon R6, Canon R6 II, Canon R7, and sold or returned them all. The Om-1 has always been my camera of choice compared to all of them. I have mostly shot birds and wildlife and landscapes. Obviously, just one person's opinion.
 
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Does it though? Apart from being a gripped body at lower price than the R1, what value is offered by the R3 at its current price point?
Honest question.
Perfect ergonomics, ruggedness, reliability, excellent weather sealing. For large hands and heavy lenses, an ideal and "inexpensive" camera if you don't need high MPs.
Grey market price is around Euro3400. For those who don't really need the R1's additional features, a very good value!
 
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I think that's the value – very similar specs and features, much lower price tag. Almost the definition of a good value.
The standout features are it's build, ruggedness, integrated grip / sports orientated ergonomics and buffer size. As you said it's increadible value vs the current R1. There was a time when I seriously considered an R3 to sit alongside my R6ii. I chose an R5 instead because of my my current shooting needs, I'd rather add a high megapixel option to my arsenal than a stacked sensor.
I agree with others (it's wishful thinking) that when the R3 has stopped selling well and Canon don't want to discount it any further, moving the R3 into R5 resolution territory makes sense from a line up point of view. The question is how much? It would cost a LOT more than the current R5ii, for what is essentially a R5ii in a Rx Series body shape. Would there be many photographers who would pay a 30% premium over the current R5ii? Probably not.
I suspect that if Canon is developing a R3ii, then the current R6iii would indicate sensor resolution. 33mp seems to be the new 24mp.
 
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No. Olympus bodies are made by sadists for exclusive use by masochists and the masochist curious. The price, in this case, is so one will enjoy the pain more. I have an Olympus, but I get to watch if you wish to use it.
No, no, no!
This is untrue! You slander the Olympus.
You just need a small child, or a very small size adult, to operate the Olympus and its tiny controls.
My wife could, but prefers using her Iphone, and the Olympus collects thick dust.
 
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I think that's the value – very similar specs and features, much lower price tag. Almost the definition of a good value.

Perfect ergonomics, ruggedness, reliability, excellent weather sealing. For large hands and heavy lenses, an ideal and "inexpensive" camera if you don't need high MPs.
Grey market price is around Euro3400. For those who don't really need the R1's additional features, a very good value!
Not sure I am convinced: lower-tier cameras have caught up with the R3 on some aspects (like AF, and the eye-AF is available in the R5 II as well)
In relative terms, for a very specific set of requirements. maybe it's value for a niche of a niche of a niche.
In general terms, I can't see how such money would be well spent on an R3.
 
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Not sure I am convinced: lower-tier cameras have caught up with the R3 on some aspects (like AF, and the eye-AF is available in the R5 II as well)
In relative terms, for a very specific set of requirements. maybe it's value for a niche of a niche of a niche.
In general terms, I can't see how such money would be well spent on an R3.
I think the point is that it's a value compared to the R1. For those looking for a top-shelf, rugged, integrated grip body and wanting to save 1/3 the cost. You're saying the Mercedes has features not too different from the Porsche, I'm talking about getting last year's Porsche for a Mercedes price.
 
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No, no, no!
This is untrue! You slander the Olympus.
You just need a small child, or a very small size adult, to operate the Olympus and its tiny controls.
My wife could, but prefers using her Iphone, and the Olympus collects thick dust.
My wife is 4'11" and 95 lbs. She's a tiny, delicate woman. The Olympus works for her. 😉
 
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Wasn't the EOS 3 line previously used to test new technology before it was incorporated into the EOS 1?
I do believe that an R3ii is possible. Perhaps Canon is testing a global shutter here? Or are they putting a sensor with more than 24MP into the camera for the first time? I really like the R3 and currently can't think of any reason why I should switch to the R1. I use the R3 for sports photography and the R5ii when I need more resolution for cropping. If an R3ii were to come out with a resolution higher than 24MP, I would prefer it to an R1 any day. The size of the R3 body is perfect for my hands. The R1 is a little too big for me.
 
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I have no idea what Canon is working on in terms of camera or lenses, but since I own a R5 Mk2 and R1 I am really not interested in any cameras until the refresh in 2028. A couple of lenses do have my interests: 1) Rumored 300-600 mm L lens and 2) 2nd generation RF 400 mm f2.8.
 
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Firstly - would love some clarity. The WiFI functionality of the R5 II and R1 is tri-band WiFi 6E, so 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz. If it is, then it's likely a significant overhaul of an existing product, so could be an R7 II given the speculation of the market positioning for a budget professional sports camera use-case. The R7 II at a high frame rate would make a very useful camera for additional remotes, as a fleet of R1 bodies would be costly, but would definitely be a viable use case and would demand good network connectivity, eg, 6GHz to overcome loaded 2.4 and 5GHz bands in stadiums or performance venues. If so, it's likely this was identified during advisory/meetings/early product development stages and would have likely been decided independent of the R6 III as the typical users of that body likely don't have a high performance file transfer use case. The R7 II's closest competition in my mind would actually be the OM-SYSTEM bodies, and would be a really good place to drop in a global shutter which could see serious interest in the camera.

What would an R3 II have that the R1 doesn't? Other than a global shutter, it seems like an odd product. Any other features, and Canon would be looking a bit silly with the R1. Perhaps there is a high resolution alternative to the R1, or a higher quality sensor with a slower readout speed but with an increase in DR and/or better high ISO performance? I find the R3 gave me better low light results (and had more latitude for shadows to be pushed) than any of my low light images from the R1. So maybe an R1s? I'd swap my R1 over for that in a heartbeat.

The Canon 1D Mark IV only got to see the winter games in 2010, as it was superseded by the 1DX in time for London 2012 so short lifecycles for pro series cameras aren't unheard of; it's possible a large agency has put the screws on Canon to make with the global shutter to prevent a switch to Sony, to get the results and workflow they want for the games. The R3 looking like a sore thumb in the lineup is also ripe for replacement.

Some have suggested the EOS RC, or a compact EOS R. I would have expected Canon build this product around the R6 III given what other camera manufacturers have gone eg Sony with the A7C II based on the A7 IV. But what if Canon want to put the guts of an R5 II in there instead, to target a more premium market segment eg potential Leica shooters and pair with a revised 50 1.2L and a 35L without the VCM's shortcomings? I'd expect a dual-band WiFi chip rather than tri-band to keep size and power consumption reduced, but it could be a tri-band chipset with the 6GHz band disabled. That's my other theory, given that Canon would likely want to keep the firmware stack consistent.

The R1 was announced nearly 18 months ago, so the bigger question is why the R6 III still running at the older 802.11ac standard? Did they strike a good deal on the older outdated 802.11ac silicon to keep the prices down? The A7V has WiFI 6. I would be wary of anyone releasing new products in the here and now with outdated WiFi chipsets.

My money is the R7 II first, potentially a revised R1 with a different sensor second, a compact R5 II as a third and a distant fourth will be the phoenixification of the R3 product line (and I don't see another R3 until the R1 gets some sensor tech that makes it look less like a sports camera and more like the no-holds-barred days of the 1Ds series).
 
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Now this may simply be wishful thinking from my side, but I am expecting the R7 Mark II to receive dual-band Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.

My justification for this is that, assuming the R7 Mark II is equipped with a stacked or partially stacked new sensor that is able to shoot 40 pictures per second (fully electronically, as was rumored) at an unimpeded bit depth of 14 bits and with 33MP, it would be very similar to the 30 pictures per second at 14 bit depth and at 45MP of the R5 Mark II. If the similarity is not immediately apparent: Multiplying those numbers gives intriguingly similar data rates between these two cameras for RAW images. From a pure amount-of-data perspective, equipping it with dual-band Wi-Fi 6 would therefore make sense.

And as the article states:
The faster wireless file transfer is a needed feature to move data in real-time quickly at a sporting event or in journalism.
Since the new R7 Mark II is expected to move up-market a little with its larger body size and much faster sensor, Canon may expect it to be used by more sports event shooters and journalists in the future for its longer reach, which would fit into this concept perfectly.

The moment always comes when pro‑level features trickle into consumer gear. Is dual‑band Wi‑Fi 6 about to make that leap, or is it still too early?
I agree that dual-band Wi-Fi 6 also won't necessarily remain a "flagship"-exclusive feature, and Canon might decide to use it also in future mid-range bodies where high data rates require it. The R7 Mark II might simply be the first "non-flagship" camera body where this is implemented.
 
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