Canon Announces the EOS R Mirrorless Camera System

Canon Announces EOS R Mirrorless Camera System

Mirrorless cameras are on the rise. Nikon, Fujifilm, and now Canon have all announced a new or improved mirrorless camera system.

For Canon, that is the EOS R System featuring a new RF mount and system that supports all current EF, EF-S, TS-E and MP-E lenses.

The EOS R will be available for pre-order on Sept. 12, with the camera and lenses/adapters scheduled to be available in October 2018.

  • Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera body for $2299, and body-and-lens kit with the new 24-105mm lens for $3399.

  • Scheduled to be available in October 2018, pre-order starts on September 12

  • Features a 30.3 megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 imaging processing enabling shooting at up to 8 frames per second

  • RF Mount Compatible with RF Lenses and EF/EF-S Lenses (through mount adapters)

  • Single UHS-II SD card slot with CR3(RAW/C-RAW) and Dual Pixel RAW Support

canon eos r system

Photo: Canon U.S.A.

The new Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera

The new EOS R ‘inherits a lot from Canon’s legacy in both EOS and Cinema EOS’, says Canon. The camera features a powerful 30.3 megapixel CMOS sensor with the DIGIC 8 image processor, enabling shooting at up to 8.0 frames per second (depending on your settings and battery life).

For video storytellers, this mirrorless camera can capture 4K UHD video up to 30fps and record in 10-bit 4:2:2 (with an external recorder).

Canon also added the ability to shoot in Canon Log with the EOS R which provides 12 stops of dynamic range. This coupled with a minimal loss of detail in shadows and highlighted areas increases the range of choices when color grading.

If you already have Canon EF and EF-S lenses, they are fully compatible with the EOS R. Canon states,”In order to do so, photographers and videographers can choose between using one of three new mount adapters, each uniquely designed to meet the individual needs of the user.”

Canon EOS R Mount Adapters

  • Mount Adapter EF-EOS R – connects EF and EF-S lenses to the EOS R camera

  • Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R – adds a control ring like those found on RF lenses, providing the same level of control to your EF and EF-S lenses

  • Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R – enables compatibility with EF and EF-S lenses and includes drop-in filter capability for use with circular polarizing filters or variable ND filters

canon eos r mount adapters

Canon EOS R Mount Adapters from the EOS R System product showcase, Canon U.S.A.

“The EOS R system is not just a new camera or a new lens mount, it is a new design that will allow us to produce visual tools that were previously impossible, and allow our customers to tell their stories with greater depth, richness of color, and creative flexibility, in optically stunning ways.” – Kazuto Ogawa

EOS R Autofocus and Focusing

The EOS R camera has an impressive AF system for accurate and crisp shots with an incredible 5,655 manually selectable AF points. Boasting a focus area that covers approximately 88% horizontal and 100% vertical when using RF lenses and select EF lenses, this AF system helps ensure swift and accurate focus no matter where your subject is located in the frame.

Even in low light, the autofocus can still perform in light as dim as EV -6.

canon eos r af system

Photo: Canon U.S.A.

The EOS R camera’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF system delivers the world’s fastest AF focusing speed of 0.05 seconds.

You can use a variety of AF modes that adapt to specific situations and shooting scenarios. Some of these modes include:

  • Expanded area AF

  • Zone AF

  • Face+Tracking priority AF

  • Eye Detection AF

canon eos r af modes

Photo: Canon U.S.A.

EOS R Video Capabilities

The Canon EOS R mirrorless camera offers advanced recording features such as 4K at 29.97 fps, Full HD at 59.94 fps and HD at 119.9 fps. Additionally, video can be recorded during still photo shooting by simply pressing the Movie Shooting button.

The EOS R camera can record 4K video using IPB or ALL-I compression and save them as MP4 files. This helps provide further flexibility with both file size, image quality and integration with video clips recorded with other cameras.

Finally, the EOS R features a 3.15 inch touchscreen LCD for viewing and composing a shot. The touchscreen allows you to enable and change settings with just a tap of your finger.

canon eos r touchscreen lcd

Photo: Canon U.S.A.

Canon’s New Mobile RAW Workflow Apps

canon eos r mobile raw workflow network

Photo: Canon U.S.A.

Canon developed a new mobile RAW workflow/network for the EOS R. Using the apps Digital Photo Professional Express and Canon’s Camera Connect you can quickly process JPEGs and CR3 RAW files on a compatible handheld device.

Canon’s Camera Connect app uses the EOS R camera’s built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility to connect a mobile device. This allows a number of functions from easy image transfer to remote shooting, to adding GPS information to your photos and videos and more.

Canon’s DPP Express app lets you adjust settings right on your mobile device, saving files to the cloud, a PC or your camera.

To enable faster processing, the EOS R camera can capture photos as Compact Raw or C-RAW (.CR3) files. This saves both time and storage space, allowing you to work more efficiently.

Because C-RAW files are smaller than RAW files, they can be processed in camera.

Canon EOS R Sample Photos

Select official sample photos captured using the EOS R camera from Canon’s gallery.

canon eos r sample photo

Photo: Katya Mukhina

canon eos r mirrorless sample photos

Photo: Lindsay Adler

canon eos r sample photo by jimmy chin

Photo: Jimmy Chin

Photographer Jimmy Chin says, “Having a new lens system that’s extremely sharp. Having the adaptability to use existing EF lenses. This is the kind of system I’ve been waiting for.”

canon eos r sample photo by brent stirton

Photo: Brent Stirton

canon eos r sample photo by brent stirton

Photo: Brent Stirton

canon eos r sample photo by daniel etter

Photo: Daniel Etter

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera will be available in October 2018 for an estimated retail price of $2299 for the body only. It will also be sold as a body-and-lens kit with the new RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens for $3399. According to Canon, pre-orders start on Sept. 12. Learn more about the EOS R System here.

View the full EOS R System White Paper here to learn more about Canon’s vision for the camera system.

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