The Canon EOS R6 V and RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ are Coming May 13

[padam]

My only R6 V wish is a mechanical shutter. Not sure if "photo capabilites nearly ideantical to R6 III" means that.
It feels as if Canon wants an R5 C to be relevant forever.

 

[JensR]

Size and weight.
I have an R5m2. I'm definitely not considering another fullsize body.
Plus, think about it. If you have fullsize and a compact, you have 3 options when needing to decide what to take. 1) full 2) compact 3) full+compact. It's great to have the option to just take the compact for a family happening, street photo, hiking, whatever.

I might be over-explaining - you buy compact camera because it is compact and a fullsize body is not an alternative.

Ok, that is understandable.

I may be wrong but the size and weight difference i expect to see would be quite small to an R6, because of same battery, IBIS, cooling vents....
Ok, you'd lose the EVF bulge...
But for Photo i really want a VF, optical or otherwise, i tried multiple cameras without it, i prefer a Viewfinder.

Perhaps an R10 or R7 (1000 € on sale if you are patient) could also be a nice small camera with the plus of giving all your lenses a different field of view.
And the R7 even has the same battery as your R5II, so no problem there.

I have the origial R and an R6II for FF use, and R7 and R10 for APSc.

So i always have to choose what to bring (decisions, decisions... ;-)

But if your heart longs for this R6V i wish you get what you are looking for!

 

[fox40phil]

It better have a modern display like Nikon and Sony have! Otherwise a big disappointment… Canon finally needs to carry up with the Display functionality !

 

[koenkooi]

There are probably some situations that it could be useful with tethered control.

On the (now-sold) R50V I used it for family portraits and being able to zoom using your phone is pretty neat. My kids (both below 10 years old) massively preferred using the zoom rocker next to the shutter button to touching the lens.
I still want a smaller-than-R8 EVF-less camera, but with R8 features, like a useable fully electronic shutter. The R50V was already quite thick, which made it awkward to hold with the relatively small grip, I hope future R*V bodies have more finger depth on the front.

I do plan on getting the 20-50 lens an use it on the R8, maybe zooming through Camera Connect will work...

 

[@zajicekpavel]

May/June is based on the assumption that the DS126933 FCC filing refers to the R7 Mark II. It's safe to assume now that it does not. All the "leaks" (glorified rumors) from the past few months are crumbling in front of your eyes.
It's completely possible that Canon announces it a month after the R6V, after all they target two very different markets so they wouldn't interfere with one another, and the R7II could be shipped out by mid-summer for birders, but there's nothing to back that release window.

I wouldn't get my hopes too high up for the R7 Mark II. Back in May 2025 the R6 Mark III was rumored to have a 24 MP stacked BSI-CMOS sensor with a DIGIC Accelerator and a faster readout than the R5 Mark II. We got none of that. It's safer to assume we'll get a refreshed sensor (possibly BSI) with faster readout without hurting dynamic range. Just enough to address, at least partly, the biggest issues with the R7 like the rolling shutter and AF performance.

This is not the case, R7M2 = FCC DS126933, R6V = FCC DS126947. see my AI analysis on the forum (previous post in another thread). You are spreading alarmist news sir. The rest of us are waiting for R7M2. Everything is going according to plan.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

What is the difference between vented and active cooling? In the same way, the R5m2 is vented and needs a fan grip to keep it actively cooled?

It would be great if the cooling grip worked with it.

 

[MkSprintz]

This is not the case, R7M2 = FCC DS126933, R6V = FCC DS126947. see my AI analysis on the forum (previous post in another thread). You are spreading alarmist news sir. The rest of us are waiting for R7M2. Everything is going according to plan.

Pretty sure
R6v is likely FCC DS126933
&
Retro style R8ii FCC DS126947

Hearing 2027 is more and more likely for the R7ii.

 

[bloblom]

This is not the case, R7M2 = FCC DS126933, R6V = FCC DS126947. see my AI analysis on the forum (previous post in another thread). You are spreading alarmist news sir. The rest of us are waiting for R7M2. Everything is going according to plan.

DS126947 is limited to 64-QAM, that's entry level, even by previous 2022 standards. It doesn't make sense for an R6V

 

[bloblom]

Pretty sure
R6v is likely FCC DS126933
&
Retro style R8ii FCC DS126947

Hearing 2027 is more and more likely for the R7ii.

Isn't there also a DS126936 from last year not yet associated with any release?

 

[mb66energy]

→ IBIS: Great if it is mechanical ISO and greater if it has mechanical auto level!
→ If it has free fps to choose from and wide ranges of available shutter speeds (up to 1/fps): Great
→ Missing EVF: A 200 bucks external EVF would be helpful, 800x600 would be enough for me.
... good times for interesting options ...

 

[Uneternal]

Why should it (edit: the R8m2) get IBIS and the same 32.5 mp sensor?
Of course I would welcome that. But why should people buy an R6m3 then?

Exactly, I doubt it will have IBIS.
Firstly, it would add cost. Secondly, Canon likes to segment, even regarding older models.
They will also make sure the R6II stays relevant, and the R8II will not slot in above it.
So my guess is: 32MP yes, but no IBIS, and mechanical framerate will be crippled to 6 fps, EFCS only. That way, they can slot it in between the R8 ($1549) and the R6 Mark II ($2099), ensuring professionals will rather choose the lower resolution sensor in favor of IBIS and 12fps mech shutter.
My guess is, it'll cost $1799.

 

[Michael Clark]

There are probably some situations that it could be useful with tethered control.

Especially remotely controlled tethering.

 

[Michael Clark]

The third time I'm happy for basically the same post.
Having IBIS might be a sign of Canon making this one more photo-focused and less vlogger crap. This will make many middle aged oldschool boomers like me happy.
And it will make it a reasonable secondary/backup camera for those who haven't seriously considered purchasing one. Until now.

I hate to break the news to you, but none of the boomers are middle aged any longer. Those born in 1964 are turning 62 years old this year. All of the boomers will officially be "seniors" by the end of this year. In most places, they've been considered "seniors" since they turned 60 in 2024.

 

[Michael Clark]

Have a look at the only other PZ lens, the RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ. PZ means the zoom motor is inside the lens, not in a separate accessory. The zoom ring has no manual function. Turning it one way or the other just activates the built-in zoom motor (in a force-sensitive way so the zoom can be driven at different speeds). Personally, I would not want a zoom lens with only a motorized zoom function for photography. YMMV.

In other words, it's a focus-by-wire lens.

 

[scyrene]

I hate to break the news to you, but none of the boomers are middle aged any longer. Those born in 1964 are turning 62 years old this year. All of the boomers will officially be "seniors" by the end of this year. In most places, they've been considered "seniors" since they turned 60 in 2024.

I nearly said something similar but they may well mean it colloquially (as in "old and out of touch").

 

[Michael Clark]

I think that depends a lot on how the PZ functionality is implemented. I'm not familiar with Canon's RF PZ systems to date, but I would hope a Canon L lens with PZ would work similarly to Sony's 16-35/4G PZ.

Sony put six of their fastest XD Linear motors into the 16-35G. Four for focusing (2 motors x 2 groups), and 2 for zooming. The result is that the zoom ring has the same feeling and performance as the focus-by-wire system. You can twist the zoom ring really quickly and get really fast zooming, or you can twist it slowly and get slow zooming. The ring is also not a rocker, you turn it the same as you would a mechanically coupled zoom ring, though there are no hard stops AFAIK. Basically, the zoom ring works like the focus by wire MF ring does.

You can also use the zoom rocker on the lens or camera to get smooth constant zooming for video. You can actually set up the lens' zoom responsiveness from within your camera's menu, too. Zooming and AF are both silent, as usual from an XD Linear system.

Another benefit is that the zoom and AF work in concert to maintain perfect focus when zooming, with no delay. It makes the lens appear to be completely parfocal.

As far as zoom lag goes, it's also about the same as what you would experience with a very high end focus by wire system. I suppose if you want to rack the zoom SUPER fast it woujld probably be faster to crank a a mechanically coupled zoom really hard, but the PZ is not slow or laggy.

If Canon implements something similar to this, I think most photographers who are likely to buy an f4L lens would find it very useable. Certainly anyone who wants it for hybrid use will appreciate it.

There are more than a few Canon users who have been around long enough to remember what happened to their focus-by-wire EF 200mm f/1.8 L USM lenses when Canon started running out of repair parts for the USM motor shortly after discontinuing the lens. They became impossible to focus and nothing more than paperweights if the AF motor ever broke. The EF 300mm f/2.8 L, EF 50mm f/1.0, and EF 85mm f/1.2 also used focus-by-wire manual focus, but there wasn't the same kind of parts shortage until years after they were discontinued.

 

[mimbu]

There are more than a few Canon users who have been around long enough to remember what happened to their focus-by-wire EF 200mm f/1.8 L USM lenses when Canon started running out of repair parts for the USM motor shortly after discontinuing the lens. They became impossible to focus and nothing more than paperweights if the AF motor ever broke. The EF 300mm f/2.8 L, EF 50mm f/1.0, and EF 85mm f/1.2 also used focus-by-wire manual focus, but there wasn't the same kind of parts shortage until years after they were discontinued.

Sure, I'm one of those people. The 50/1L, 85/1.2L (and the second version of that lens), 200/1.8L, 300/2.8L, 400/2.8L, 500/4.5L, and 600/4L all used focus by wire. And they all had the same problems when they went out of service and eventually the AF motor supply dried up some years later. There were a few third party services that converted them to MF or rebuilt the AF motors, I'm not sure if anyone is still doing it now.

But, fun fact: Every native mirrorless AF lens has become focus by wire, including all Canon RF lenses. Yes even the RF 100-300/2.8L. It is likely that all the upcoming big white RF super teles will be too, just like the Sony 400/2.8 & 600/4 and all the Nikon super teles. And the Sigma 300-600/4, 500/5.6, and all their other mirrorless native lenses. Tamron too, and Viltrox. Everyone.

So yes, some years from now we are going to face the same problem as what came up with the original Canon focus-by-wire lenses. Modern magnetic drive systems should be more resilient than Canon's first-gen USM motors were, but they will eventually fail. Personally I am more concerned about lenses with STM AF as that is a much more mechanical system driven by gears, and IMO more likely to fail than a system driven by magnets.

 

[neuroanatomist]

In other words, it's a focus-by-wire lens.

Mmmmkay. Every RF lens is focus-by-wire, so I'm not sure there's a point being made. But...thanks??

 

[GMCPhotographics]

I´m struggling with that assumption. As posted in a different thread:
Canon could easily reuse the 24mp sensor for the r8ii and use it for further market segmentation with a 24 - 33 - 45 mp line up. I´d actually expect them to do just that.

Yes, I agree. I actually prefer the file I get out of my R6ii to those I get from my R5. The resolution choice of 24mp was to buff 4K video (yawn) and the bump to 33mp in the mkiii was to assist 8K video (double yawn). So none of these choices were made for photographers needs in mind. It was all about the hybrid / video sales. If the R8II is truly an enthusiasts photographer’s camera, then let’s hope Canon truly hit that specific target.
That said the R8 is still a remarkably capable camera.

 

[justaCanonuser]

I already gave up my hope that I could upgrade my R7 before I leave for a birding trip in June. Well I'll survive with the R7 and R5II. My R7 is really a strange package: shooting birds in flight against blue and or overcast skies is quite a challenge - the camera's object recognition quite frequently fails in a mind-boggling way. On the other hand, with a vivid background when the old 7D II would have struggled, the R7 can really shine. Here are two fighting skylarks, they were quite far away, this image is heavily cropped. So they were mere quite small spots on the sensor. I just lifted my lens and took a series of shots w/o hope to get any in-focus hit. But then I found a whole series in focus, this is one of the best. Shot with the EF 600mm f/4.0 III, f = 6.3 and 1/1250 s shutter speed. So, the original R7 is always good for a surprise, either a bad or a really great one.