Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Digital Camera Review

 

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Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Digital Camera Review

The Canon EOS R marks a great change in the high-end Canon cameras. This is a full-frame mirrorless camera designed to sit next to the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. We concluded when we made our Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Digital Camera Review that this is one of the most recognized DLRs for professionals and amateurs with money to spend.

Unlike the EOS M5, a more affordable model without a mirror, it looks and feels like a traditional Canon DSLR camera. And thanks to the quality of today’s best electronic viewfinders, there is no problem in the quality of the shooting experience.

It is an obvious choice for Canon fans who already have a stack of lenses that they can use, with the help of the adapter that is often included.

Specifications Of The Canon EOS R Mirrorless

  • Effective pixels and total pixels: Approx. 30.3 Megapixels and approx. 31.7 Megapixels respectively
  • Aspect Ratio: 3:2 H/V
  • Recording Format: EXIF 2.3 (DCF2.0)
  • AF Points (When selected with cross keys): Max. 5,655
  • Metering Range: EV -3 – 20 (at 73°F/23°C, ISO 100)
  • Viewfinder magnification : Approx. 0.76 (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1 m-1)

 

EOS R Mirrorless Features

  • UHS-I and II supported.
  • Canon RF lens group compatible
  • CMOS sensor

Pros
The Canon EOS R is a smaller and lighter camera than Canon’s most powerful SLRs, which the addition to the adapters allows you to take full advantage of the wide range of Canon optics and, we do not forget, it is a very attractive novelty within the products that this manufacturer usually offers.
The EOS R is a very appropriate camera for travel photography, for those who like to capture both, landscapes and architecture, who want a light but very complete camera, with the security that it is sealed and safe, good video options, connectivity, and good for taking portraits because the great performance of the AF and its Dual Pixel system.

Cons
It is somewhat weaker in wild nature photography, action or sports due to lack of speed.

Verdict

The Canon EOS R has convinced us. We cannot deny it even if all is not virtues. The price you have to pay to enjoy it forces you to weigh each aspect thoroughly. Even more  if you have to add the lenses.
The first question that we had was about the size. Although the mirrorless cameras provide more and more advantages, the initial one referred to the reduction in size and weight something that in the case at hand is not so striking.
It is true that if we compare this EOS R with a last generation 5D our backpack is reduced, but not in excess. On the other hand, the laws of optics rule; We know that a quality lens is large and heavy, but to travel light with the EOS R we would appreciate something small in size.
Although these inconveniences can be minimized from the moment we decide to opt for a camera with a “full format” sensor, especially if we prioritize quality over other factors. Much more have bothered us the absence of the joystick and the double card slot. Perhaps also minor inconveniences, especially for customers who come from other models that already lack these features.

Video-Unboxing The Canon EOS R Full Frame Camera

What Is In The Box

  • EOS R Camera Body
  • Battery Charger LC-E6
  • Battery Pack LP-E6N
  • Cable Protector
  • Wide Strap
  • Camera Cover R-F-5
  • Interface Cable IFC-100U

Design Of The Camera

Some time ago, the majority of the mirrorless cameras were distinguished from DSLRs.  Sony A series clan, Canon M models, or FujiFilm X series models had thinner bodies and grips than traditional DSLRs.
It makes sense since mirrorless cameras are designed to be smaller and more portable. They are the type of camera that can be taken on vacation or for a walk with the family, where riding a shot on a tripod for half an hour would not suit your fellow travelers.
However, it is immediately clear that making the EOS R as small as possible was not a priority in the list of design priorities. This is also backed by their initial lenses.
The Canon EOS R looks a lot like a DSLR. It is smaller than the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, more similar to the Canon APS-C sensor models.
The portability of the lenses may not be very good, but this is because Canon clearly wants the EOS R to be attractive to its long-time fans and semi-professional users and some of its mirrorless APS-C models to date have not done it so far.
The ‘classic’ sensitivity of the Canon EOS R comes with a print of pure quality. You may have ende up with some muscle pain in your forearms after a while, but this camera is a pleasure to use.
The thick configuration dials that rest on the thumb and forefinger offer more intuitive manual control than most mirrorless cameras. And although the grip is not as ergonomic as my favorites, it offers a very safe and controlled feeling.
A captive slider is located next to the EVF, on the back. This is a programmable control that you need to assign manually. It is useful for access while using the viewfinder, but I admit that I have not found an unmissable use for it in my own shooting.

EOS R Mirrorless Digital Camera Foldable Screen

Video Tutorial: How To Use The Canon EOS R Frame Digital Camera

Image Quality

The Canon EOS R incorporates a “full format” CMOS sensor (24 × 36 mm) that offers a resolution of 30.3 megapixels with a built-in low pass filter.
It is important to note, however, that the possibility of correcting diffraction and digitally optimizing the objective is added to the usual corrections in other Canon models. Probably lovers of pure optics see it as a step back in the search for this integrity but, like it or not, trends are on this path and, ultimately, the resulting  will benefit the users.
This task and the rest of the image processing is carried out by the DIGIC 8, that was released by the EOS M 50 at the beginning of this 2018. Thanks to it, it is possible, among other functions, to achieve a maximum native sensitivity of ISO 40,000 with very good results favorable signal to noise ratio, at least in favorable light conditions. The ISO value range can be extended from IE 50 to IE 102,400. As you can guess, this level can only be used if necessary, but there is the possibility.

Canon EOS R Full Frame Camera AF

The autofocus system is one of the strengths in this model. In their presentation they boasted the fact of having up to 5,655  autofocus points, a huge figure, but we found it more interesting to have the improved Dual Pixel AF system, which we have seen so well in previous models.

In the EOS R it is improved and is the great architect of the good performance offered by the automatic autofocus system. Remember that this system covers almost 90 percent of the horizontal area of ​​the sensor and 100 percent of the vertical area, although it depends on the lens that we are using. However, with the new lenses  through the adapter, coverage will remain excellent in a camera with a full frame sensor.

In practice, we have found a good performance in different types of scenes, even in action with the follow-up approach. It does not seem the fastest, but it is not far behind. Where it is appreciated that it is on a very high step is when we have low light in the scene. That’s where other systems begin to lower their performance and speed, but this Canon EOS R excels. It is really effective, both indoors and outdoors when there is very little light, with a very high success rate and being highly effective.

Bluetooth And connectivity

Canon has also included the full range of wireless features such as WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth to send images directly to the computer using the latest version of EOS Utility or to the phone with the Camera Connect application. They also allow you to remotely control the shutter using your phone or tablet and also send images directly to some wireless printers.
The first connection is quite cumbersome but once it is achieved, the following connections are made quickly and without problems, especially with the phone. The same connection allows you to upload images directly to the cloud.

Video Performance

The Canon EOS R should be a great compact system camera for video and it also has most of the required features.

You can connect an external microphone to capture better sound than the built-in one. The capture reaches a resolution of up to 4K, 30 frames per second or 1080p, 60 frames. There is also a slow motion of 100 fps, although it is only available with a resolution of 720p.

The EOS R can emit uncompressed 4: 2: 2 material via HDMI, and the Canon Log mode offers a flat color profile to maintain maximum dynamic range for a more effective classification.

It has all the good parts, except two important elements. The lack of stabilization inside the body is again important in this case, as in the case of frames. There are other similar cameras that can shoot at 4K, and its body is stabilized.

The EOS R is also cut in the frame during 4K capture. When still photos are taken, you have the option of a fairly wide angle view with the 24-105mm lens. Change to 4K and, zap, it’s gone.

Both are reminders that the EOS R is largely a first-generation Canon full-frame CSC.

Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Firmware Update

Q&A

Question 1: How does this camera compare with the 80D?

Answer: Much better than the 80D. Images are lively. The dynamic range is great, also has digital IS in video Plus 3 custom shooting modes, one more than the 80 D. The sensor is very similar to the one of the 5D, but comes with an updated DIGIC8 processor. The body is smaller but sturdy and sealed against the weather inclemency. The size is about the same of the Rebels. Auto focus accuracy is the highlight of this item. For most users, is fast enough (5 fps with continuous tracking) but if you are spending a lot of time shooting sports or birds is not the fastest.

Question 2: How fast is that camera?

Answer: This camera is not intended to be used in shootings of sport or wildlife. The firmware update and the  1.4 on 09/26/19, make that the performance further improve. The camera can shot 5 fps.

Question 3: Does the battery work with the DSLR charger?

Answer: The charger that the battery utilizes is the Canon LC-E6, which is exactly the same model that is used by the Canon 7D, 5D, 80D, and so on.

The battery model is the LP-E6N, which is only different from the LP-E6 (supplied with the above mentioned Canon bodies) in that the LP-E6N can be charged in camera with a proper adapter.

Your charger will be compatible if it shows the aforementioned model numbers. The exceptions are the Rebels which use smaller battery and charger.

Question 4: Will the lens of the canon Rebel 3Ti fit?

Answer: Every EF and EF-S mounts lenses that you use with the Rebel T3i will fit on the EOS R, but you should use a lens mount adapter. Also note that if your lenses are EF-S (crop sensor) then the EOS R will automatically detect this, and crop the sensor image accordingly. Otherwise you would get dark corners, due to the full frame sensor being intended for a larger image than the EF-S lens are designed for.

Final Thoughts of The  Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Digital Camera Review

As a companion to a DSLR without a full-frame mirror, the EOS R is a great success. It has enough of the same spirit and character as Canon’s most popular DSLRs with at least some reduced volume.

However, the additional years Sony has had in the development of its rivals do prove it. The 4K cropped view of the EOS R is limited and the lack of stabilization inside the body will be an obstacle for those interested primarily in hand shooting. It also looks more like a miniature version of the Canon EOS 6D Mark II (which is rather a beginner’s entry in the full frame) than the more advanced EOS 5D series.

However, there are many things you might like, including good grip, a fantastic electronic viewfinder (the best of any Canon camera) and a complete autofocus system.

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