A photographer holding a Canon camera with an L-series lens, seen from below

Canon EOS R: Canon's first full-frame mirrorless camera

· Photo gear · 2 min read

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In 2018 Canon introduced the EOS R: its first full-frame mirrorless camera, and with it the new RF mount. For many photographers, me included, it was the first step from the world of DSLRs into mirrorless. How do I see the EOS R today?

Key specs

  • 30.3 MP full-frame sensor, DIGIC 8.
  • Dual Pixel AF with 5,655 focus positions, eye detection.
  • 3.69-million-dot electronic viewfinder.
  • Fully articulating touchscreen.
  • 8 fps bursts (5 fps with tracking).
  • One SD UHS-II slot.
  • 4K 30p with a 1.74× crop.
  • No in-body stabilisation (IBIS).

Moving from a DSLR

Coming from the Canon 6D Mark II, the move was natural. The ergonomics are similar, the menus the same, and through the EF-EOS R adapter every EF lens works with no loss of quality. The biggest change: the electronic viewfinder. You see the exposure before you press the shutter, at night and in sunshine. After a few days I didn't want to go back to an optical viewfinder.

What I enjoyed

  • Image quality. 30 MP is a good compromise between detail and file size.
  • Dual Pixel AF focuses accurately across the whole frame.
  • The vari-angle screen for low compositions and video.
  • The shutter closes when you change lenses, so dust stays off the sensor.

What I missed

  • Sensor stabilisation. With unstabilised lenses you need a tripod or a faster shutter speed.
  • One slot. A risk of losing data in professional work.
  • The M-Fn bar. The touch bar next to the viewfinder was an idea that didn't catch on: I kept pressing it by accident.
  • 4K video with a big crop and no Dual Pixel AF in 4K.
  • Battery life: about 370 shots (CIPA).

Who the EOS R suits today

Second-hand, the EOS R is a very affordable full frame. For beginning landscape and portrait photographers, and for those moving from a DSLR with EF lenses, it's a great choice. If you shoot action or video, go for the Canon R6 or R5.

Verdict

Pros: image quality, Dual Pixel AF, vari-angle screen, second-hand price, EF compatibility. Cons: no IBIS, one slot, slow bursts, crop in 4K.

Faq

Does the Canon EOS R have image stabilisation?

No, the EOS R has no sensor stabilisation. The lens has to stabilise.

Do EF lenses work on the Canon EOS R?

Yes, through the EF-EOS R adapter with no loss of quality and full autofocus.

Is a second-hand Canon EOS R worth it?

Yes, for landscapes and portraits it's a cheap way into full-frame mirrorless.

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