The Canon EOS RP was officially announced yesterday (or today for some folks) and has received a pretty positive reception. Canonites are a passionate bunch and I've been very impressed with the reception that EOS RP has received.
Imaging Resource had a chance to sit down with Canon execs to talk all things Canon EOS RP.
Some questions we think a lot of you want answers to?
The 26.2mp sensor is the exact same sensors that appeared in the EOS 6D Mark II. Some adjustments to the microlenses were needed for light angles and things like that, but everything else is identical. The DIGIC 8 processor in the EOS RP is the exact same as any other DIGIC 8 processor as well.
Canon also paid particular attention to the build quality of this little camera. The magnesium alloy and plastic construction was a big part of the development. They wanted it to feel great in your hands.
The weather sealing is also identical in design to the EOS 6D Mark II. There aren't a lot of gaskets in the camera design, but the way the pieces fit together provides the necessary sealing.
Speaking specifically about the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS (Defocus Smoothing) and what that exactly is surprised us a bit. Canon is apparently using a coating technology to mimic apodization filters. This advancement may get around the challenges of apodization filters such as light loss. Canon also mentions that it will be easy to add this technology to other lenses if they wanted to.
As for a future “Pro” EOS R body? Canon wouldn't comment directly on the subject. However, they did say some things that I've been saying to folks that contact us about when such a camera is coming.
We know there's a lot of customers and there's strong demand for a pro body. We're aware of that. But at the same time, the expectations in terms of performance are really high as well, so we need time to make sure that we get everything right in the body.
Releasing a “professional” body is easy, releasing the right one is not. For example, Canon states that the development of something like “pro” autofocus sensors that such a camera would require takes a long time to develop.
Pricing for the Canon EOS RP was a big part of the development as well. Both technical and marketing considerations came into play. They absolutely nailed it at $1299, but we have to wonder how tight the margins are on this camera.
The free EG-E1 extension grip and canon mount adapter special that launched with the EOS RP are good until March 30, so now's the time to get your order in.
You can read the full interview over at Imaging Resource
My biggest problem with the R is the EVF. In many situations the EVF is very nice, such as in low light and “normal” light, but I don’t like it in strong and contrasting light - and I don’t think any EVF made to date would satisfy me in such conditions. I used the R in snow and sunlight last weekend, and the viewfinder was too dark and unable to show the scene in a compelling way. I hated using it, and I will stick to my DSLRs for use in daylight for the foreseeable future. Personally I have hard to see when an EVF will become so good that it would be preferred over an OVF for shooting an event such as alpine skiing, and ultimately if a camera is bad to use in such conditions I believe many pros would steer away from it.
I have the same problem with the Fujis... But actually I believe that the problem is the eyecup and not the viewfinder itself. But maybe an EVF with more power would help in the future.. The worst thing about EVF is, when you get used to it - you really miss it when going back to dslr's. At least I do.
The thing is, we aren't really in store for a 5D4 refresh or a 1DX2 refresh. It's not been enough time. So it's hard to interpret Canon sitting around not giving us a new pro DSLR, as that's sort of expected anyhow.
I think that the thing to watch is the high-resolution camera. You *could* come out with a 5DSr refresh in RF or in EF. That'll be the telling move. They could come out in RF because it doesn't need to be high frame rate, and that's really where they're most unprepared for the general pro versions. If it were 2 fps at 60mp, added all the new tech whizbangs that have accrued since and improve sensor performance with on-chip ADC, it would be an OK refresh for Canon. Then again, they could do that as a DSLR no sweat. This is the test as to their intent. If they go RF with it, I don't see them worrying much about the other DSLRs in the future. If they use EF, I suspect we'll see a 5 and 1 series refresh in a couple years as mirror slappers.
Panasonic S1 has industry highest EVF 5.8 million dot EVF.
I am fine with Canon EOS R EVF 3.69 but it is missing too many pro features
Well, only Canon engineers could confirm that. But 30fps means 25% higher throughput than 24fps, which is a very nontrivial increase. If other design decisions constrain your thermal budget, well, there you have it. Canon certainly does not want random shutdowns caused by overheating à la Sony.
Lenses make the system, not the camera. Canon wants a good library of glass ready for professionals to jump in when they have a good pro body. If I needed to buy a new body today, I would probably buy an R. I loaned one from CPS and while it’s not perfect, it’s a pretty good camera. I’ll probably pick up an RP as a backup/walk around camera (and sell my M50) and use my 1DX2 for the heavy lifting.
I truly found nothing redeeming in the R. It lacks every feature I want in a good mirrorless camera, from IBIS to useful 4K video features and a joystick for my focus points. How about the simple ability to turn off the back screen when I don't need it. I could perhaps forgive the lack of 2 card slots, if, like Nikon, they put a next generation card in the camera. They did none of this. It's low light performance was terrible compared not only to the great low light performance of the Sony 7 RIII, but even my 5D Mark IV.
I scratch my head that as a 1DX2 user, you would truly choose the R if you needed to buy a replacement body today.
That's what bothers me so much. Why would they make these pro lenses if there's no decent body to put them on? I've been waiting for an updated 50mm 1.2 (one that autofocuses faster, with less chromatic aberrations and a smoother focus ring...) and now they finally make one but it's for a prosumer body?!?
RF 1.2 50 is not made for prosumer bodies but for the RF bayonet.
I praise Canon for their comittment just to use my old non-USM non-IS 2.8 24 which will work flawlessly (while noisy) on an EOS R(P). While they cripple some camera features for thermal and or marketing reasons, you can stay mostly in the system with ~ 25 year old equipment.
I am buying $2000 dollar glass on the EOS R!! Especially the RF50L and R is an absolutely fantastic combo, especially for shooting portraits, and for shooting moving subjects in low light! My hit rate of pictures of my daughter running around inside, using large aperture lenses, is so much better with the EOS R than my former 1DXII, that I had a hard time getting over it.
The R does a lot of things very, very well, but it isn’t the perfect camera for every situation.