The Canon EOS R3 is one of the most technologically advanced cameras that Canon has produced. Improvements to the autofocus alone put the Canon EOS R3 ahead of almost every camera that Canon has ever produced. Despite this, Canon maintains that the EOS R3 is not a 1 series flagship camera.
The Canon EOS R3 is the priciest RF mount camera to date. With a price point of almost $6,000, it sits uncomfortably close to the Canon 1D X Mark III, the current Canon flagship camera. The Canon EOS R3 includes a number of improved features, such as video quality, autofocus, and a significant jump in the number of frames it can capture per second, albeit with the electronic shutter. However, the Canon EOS R3 is still not considered a flagship camera by Canon.
In a recent discussion with Canon, it was confirmed that the EOS R3 camera does not replace the Canon 1D X Mark III to become the new flagship. The key reason it's not considered a flagship camera is that the 1D series cameras are designed to operate in far more challenging conditions. Although the EOS R3 does have similar weather-sealing when the hot shoe cap is attached, it may not be as capable in tougher environments.
Interestingly, this could end up being a challenge for Canon. If a $6,000 camera is not a flagship camera for Canon, what will an actual 1 series RF mount camera cost? Also, what kind of features could we see in a potential 1 series RF mount camera?
It is, however, important to mention that there are a few features the 1D X Mark III holds over the EOS R3. These include a larger buffer and the ability to shoot much faster using the mechanical shutter. The 1D X Mark III can manage 20 frames per second for up to 1,000 images, whereas the EOS R3 can only manage 12 frames per second with the mechanical shutter. It's also limited to a maximum of 150 images when shooting at 30 frames per second with the electronic shutter.
In general, photographers that shoot with 1 series cameras expect zero compromises. And based on what the EOS R3 can do, Canon may have something remarkable planned for its first-ever RF mount flagship camera.
24 Comments
Ummm, yeah. Canon has maintained from the beginning R3 is not the "Flagship". This is way old news.
Except for one thing, it demolishes the 1Dx III in every meanigfull way. Sure you can nitpick a few features. But that doesn't make it even remotely comparable, the R3 trounces the 1Dx. I simply don't buy the "Durability" aspect.
Technically you are not supposed to shoot in extreme freezing cold, as the video suggests. Or below freezing in the first place with any Canon camera. They are not rated for that. But obviously many still do anyway. But he and Canon is very vague about this. Especially since they both share the same style construction, so they are hinting that it's not nessarily the physical difference. But if they are both rated for the same thing electronically, then what is there left? With them being so vague probably not much.
So sure, Canon will make a true flagship mirrorless at some point. But at the moment, in the real world. The R3 is the flagship and can take shots the 1Dx III will miss with better IQ. It's just that simple.
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12 frames per second with a mechanical shutter and with a buffer memory of 150 frames is absolutely on a professional level. Canon may say what they want, but for any other company this camera would be a flagship.
It's even more than that, the only camera even on this level would be the A1. And that camera sometimes struggles to meet it's rated 30 FPS do to the AF tracking. But it does have 50 mp. So it makes up in other ways. And it's lacking in other ways like build. Nowhere near the R3 in build.
It's among the best, if not the best camera when sheer speed for the most critical events in the world need to be captured. That's what level this camera is at.
And it's not a flagship? Yeah, I don't know about that.
I am most interested in the Smartphone Link Adapter that is coming with the R3, I hope they expand compatibility to other bodies and that is truly provides "high-speed seamless transition from shoot to delivery using a compatible Android 5G smartphone".
From their product history, this wasn't news. Aren't we all waiting, with baited breath, for the R1 to drop? Not that most of us will be able to run right out and buy an $8000 camera. But, just out of sheer curiosity: to see what techno wizardry Canon can come up with after be such a limp noodle for years.
Robert, I agree. Most of us won't be able to afford the R1, but wow, I'm still waiting to read about the wizardry as well.
I was under the impression that by naming it the "R3" instead of the "R1," Canon had already confirmed this was not their flagship camera.
Yup, but the issue with me and pretty much everyone else is the 3R handily beats the 1Dx III. Even if some features are lacking, they are so minor in comparison to the overall package of the R3 that no one would buy the 1Dx III except maybe because they don't feel like switching to the RF mount. But even then the R3 will likely trounce the 1Dx III in the AF department regardless if it is EF or RF glass.
Don't get me wrong I owned and shot a 1Dx III, it is an INCREDIBLE camera! But the R3 does everything better.
Besides the 150 shot buffer at 30fps (Unlimited at 12fps mechanical) compared to unlimited 20 FPS mechanical. But in the real world you mostly use the viewfinder, so that would be 16fps.
You have a identical dual cards on the 1Dx III vs CFexpress and SD on the R3. But shooters like me kinda like having that flexibility of two cards. Plus it's SO nice having all your settings loaded on the SD card. So when having two different shooters using say 4 cameras. It's nice being able to drop your SD card and now that cameras is exactly how you like it. Previous 1-Series had CF and SD, so this is not exactly new to have two types of cars available.
But for some they like shooting RAW on one and Jpeg on the other. Personally I never do this. If I have two of the same cards I'd rather just double my capacity or shoot redundancy with RAW on both. Just depends what I'm doing.
All that being said, none of these things make up for the all the benefits of the R3.
Canon is in panic mode... The resolution gap of the R3 compared to Sony a1 and Nikon Z9 without any downside in speed is unheard of in camera history and puts Canon photographers significantly at risk.
Indeed, any client presented with either a 24mp file or a 50mp file will pick the higher res option. And there will be photographers shooting these higher res bodies in the same venues shooting very similar images as those from R3 shooters.
Business wise, does it make any sense to buy an expensive R3 now if you own an 1DxII or 1DxIII and know that an R1 will come in 2023? The obvious answer it that it doesn't. Especially since it's unclear if the R3 will focus as well as the 1DxIII with existing EF mount super tele lenses. As far as I am aware Canon has not proposed any updated EF mount adapter.
In general photographers that shoot with flagship cameras actually want more manageable resolutions. This is why 1D series cameras and even Nikon flagship cameras have always had much lower resolutions.
It's a very different crowd of photogrpahers and the lower resolution is intentional. The build, design, handling and durability is what many of these types of photographers pay for.
Lower res was the only solution until now because no camera could both do high fps, great AF performance and high resolution. This is now available with the a1 and the Z9 should soon follow.
There is no more need to choose between speed and resolution.
Canon is not in panic mode at all. They have a different idea for the R3 than Sony's A1.
The A1 is not doing 50mp at 30fps without caveats.
One it has dumbed down bit depth to achieve full rez at full speed.
Second, it can have a hard time maintaining 30fps with subject tracking. Even with good lenses like a 70-200mm it will drop down to 20fps easily depending how hard of a time it has tracking the subject.
The R3 doesn't have this issue and even with an RF 85mm f/1.2 it can track a subject and still maintain 30 FPS with full color bit depth. And part of this is very likely do to it having lower resolution and it can process images faster and spend more computational resources on focusing. This is a BIG deal for Canon. Because the R5 already can do 45mp at 20fps consistently. Or the realistic speed you will get from the A1.
And if you are shooting at higher ISO's all the time, like this camera will likely be. You don't see the full benefit of 50mp. It's just magnifying noise after a certain point.
The A1 is meant to be the ultimate flagship camera that is also highly capable at sports/action but also a incredible all around camera. Now if Sony can improve their color science and give us an 85mm f/1.2. That be sweet.
The R3 is not Canon's official flagship and it's focus is sports, action, photogernalism and wildlife. Things that move. It's a no compromise speed camera, it's very specific what it does. And really nothing touches this thing for speed in the real world. Not just specs on paper.
A fair comparison will be the R1 when it comes in a year or two. Then we can see what Canon can really do for an all around pro camera.
As for the comparison to the 1Dx III vs the R3. The obvious answer is the R3 hands down. It obliterates the 1Dx III in every meanigfull way. There simply is no comparison. It does everything better for $500 less. There is no reason for anyone to buy it unless you are hell bent on having 16fps mechanical vs 12fps mechanical. 20 is really just a stunt. The live view focusing is not up to par comapared to it's normal PDAF. So only good for very select situations. Plan on a practical 16fps. I should know because I owned it and still thought it was the best camera to that point. But the R3 is in my sights and the body to get for speed if you shoot Canon.
You what? The EOS R5/R6 has better autofocus than the 1DX MK3, the R3 will obviously have significantly better autofocus, aswell as better low light, dynamic range, lenses, fps, video and... Need I list more? Stop living in the past, DSLR is dead, it's over. Stop thinking your overpriced 1DX MK3 is still the #1 camera on the market, sure it did well for its time and still holds up but anyone who doesn't need the 1DX body will buy an R6 for 1/3rd the cost and get the same performance, because its the same sensor. Just accept that mirrorless is here to stay.
Have you owned and comapared the two?
No, the 1Dx smokes the R6. There are serious caveats to the R6 and it's performance. The AF is blistering fast compared to the R6.
They are not in the same league.
The R3 has already demonstrated that it smokes the 1Dx III's AF. But the R6 AF is lethargic and inaccurate in comparison to the 1Dx III especially if the lightning is even a little dim. Think weddings.
Mirrorless is the future, but the R3 is the first to beat the 1Dx III for speed and AF.
Professional photographers are often asked to send over jpegs as soon as they can. Having a camera with a bigger MP doesn't make sense as the files will be too large to send. As Usman says, professionals need cameras with practical features, not advanced features that could slow down their workflow.
Todays pro computers can smoke through 50mp files, especially with them being Jpeg. Even just a solid normal pc will handle the RAW files just fine, never mind Jpeg's.
It's the simple fact that this is not a flagship camera compared to the A1. And the fact it is a speed focused camera vs the A1 is an INSANE all around camera.
There are many reasons why the R3 is a lower resolution, but I already provided several reasons here as to why. But because pro post production computers cannot handle the Jpeg file sizes is the reason why it's lower is ridiculous.
A camera with higher res can output easily a low res jpg right?
Duh, putting 2 different card slots kinda gave this away, don't you think?
I had a Sony A9 and ended up pulling the slower SD card to get maximum speed.
R1 is coming with larger sensor, dual CF B card slots and hopefully global shutter.
Everyone cancel those R3 preorders now :)
Those that have a need for resolution are not buying the R3 in the first place.
Larger sensor? Where in the world did that come from.
And I think most people who complain seem to forget so many pro bodies had SD in conjunction with the main card. It's only a thing because some articles mention it. It's getting really old hearing these amateurs act like it's some how game changing or they shoot the Olympics and need dual cards.
Get over it. There is more to a camera than identical dual slots.
I would love nothing more than Canon to release the R1 with only one slot. Just a slap in the face to these wannabe photogs.
Canon confirm what a lot of us already know but still people, likely not professional photographers needing a flagship camera have been moaning the R3 doesn't have flagship level features 🙄. Also if the R3 isn't a flagship, it's hard to see what Canon's intentions are with it, other than the possibility that they clearly aren't ready to launch an R1 so decided to put something out rather than nothing.
It really is a flagship in the sense that as a whole package it beats the 1Dx III.
But it's not the flagship in the sense the R1 is coming out.
Canon's strategy is not that at all. They have been working bottom up this whole time. They released budget cameras first, relatively speaking. Then more prosumer stuff and now they decided to bring back the 3-series. Next quite likely will be the R1. But who knows.
Undoubtedly there are financial reasons behind the releases. But it's not like a "Better than nothing" situation. Multi billion dollar corporations don't run helter skelter like that. And Canon has historically always been conservative about releases. When they do release a product they want it to be top notch.
"Ain't no shame in that."
Ok, people. Do your research before commenting! There are so many incorrect opinions here that would be avoided if you just did a simple google search or just knew what you were talking about.
Better yet, maybe actually use some of the cameras you are bashing. Maybe actually do a photo shoot. Professional or not, and you will have a whole other perspective. One based on practical experience.
I feel like I'm replying to just about everyone because they are just so skull itchy how wrong they are.
Is this is our generation of people? A generation that cannot do research? A generation of no common sense or critical thinking? A generation that likes to pretend they know something about anything cool?
You can do better than that.