There may be as many as three RF mount APS-C cameras on the horizon [CR1]

[neuroanatomist]

Emphatically agree, for your reasons as well as the fact that sometimes we here in the States (where it's Rebel Tn+possible suffix) sometimes see documentation that proudly proclaims the three digit model number and have no idea that's for our camera. Or that it's NOT for our camera, since they sometimes put pages that say things like "EOS-760D only" in our manuals. It turns out the 760D is the Rebel T6s (higher end rebel with a top LCD of all things), and 750D is the Rebel T6i (midgrade but vastly superior to (and higher resolution than) the T6), but you have to go to the internet to find that out. At least the 1200 (T6--I think that's the right number) didn't end up in that manual as well.

The 4000 you mention appears to be distinct from the low end Rebels' equivalent numbering scheme, which is four digits but two significant figures.

Recalling the international audience here I try to remember to put 750D in parentheses when I mention my T6i.

Me, too. For example, my first DSLR was a T1i/500D (and the latter is the name of a close-up lens). I recall that the Rebel XS / 1000D was a contemporary of the XSi / 450D, and those came after the XT / 350D. XT before the XS? Illogical, IMO.

At the time, I suspect most people were buying at a camera shop (where they’d likely find the XSi) or Costco/Target (where they’d likely find the XS), so the confusion is probably less than it appears through the lens of history.

 

[unfocused]

Might be easier if they just said: $450 model, $500 model, $550 model, $600 model etc., as that is how most people decide to buy them anyway.

 

[SteveC]

I must say that even without the complications of the EF-M mount list, it looks incredibly over-complicated...

Well the M series is totally and completely separate (and also confusing just on its own terms). The M numbering might as well be a different brand for all the relationship it has to the EF (not M) series.

 

[SwissFrank]

> What about EF-M lenses you ask? They may not natively work on the RF mount, but there are always solutions to these sorts of problems. We have seen patents in the past that show Canon moving the image sensor inside the camera body.

I agree that M users will take it very hard if they can't use their EF-Ms going forward. What I heard in 1987 from the few pros using Canon: "as long as I have to switch outfits, I might as well switch to Nikon." (That was before USM brought a tsunami of Nikon users to Canon: the pro market share went from like 25/75 to 90/10 in the following decade.)

And I never thought of simply moving the sensor. Especially if there is no shutter it should be quite easy. You might not even need a motor. Instead you could have an EF-M mount adaptor that pushes a cam that pulls the sensor forward a bit. Let the user's twisting action mounting the adaptor move the sensor...

 

[neonlight]

I would not be surprised if the R7 came with a crop mode to bring the aspect ratio in line with 4/3 cameras.

I would. I'm pretty sure they'd keep the 1.5:1 aspect ratio. Why would an APS-C shooter want 4/3 aspect ratio?

 

[neonlight]

I hope the R7 will be the R version of the non-existent 7DIII.
While I have no idea how Canon choose their designations I'd have expected the 90D to become an R10 and the XXX range an R100 so that gives a similar upgrade path to the EF ranges.
However, wanting to move to FF (I was all ready to get a 5DIV) the R6/R5 route seems possible.
But with an R6 I would need a new UWA lens as the crop mode is lo res , and probably the longer lenses too as the pixels are larger. Maybe stretch to a 100-500.
With an R5 I might just be able to keep the 10-22 in crop mode and save a bit initially. But still need the 100-500.
So an R7 would be ideal starter for me if it had, say, 24MP BIS for low noise. Oh, and eye focus selection as a BIF unit.

 

[steen-ag]

Good point - serious question: does the R5 offer a crop mode? Didn't know that. My 5D4 doesn't have this option, only the aspect ration can be changed, 1:1 is the smallest image you can pre-select. Anyway, I guess an R7 as a real 7D successor should be a fast camera settled below half the prize of an R5 and - hopefully - offer everything I need for birding. For FF, I still am happy with my 5D4.

The R5 with an EFs lens you have 18Mp and 20 pic/sec