Whether it’s enthusiasts looking to get their first full-frame or mirrorless camera, or seasoned professionals who need a backup body, the Canon EOS RP is a solid choice. This short video from photographer Brendan van Son explains all of the reasons that make it ideal.
The EOS RP was something of a surprise when it was launched a little over a year ago, especially at its price point which has continued to drop. You can now pick one up brand new for under a thousand dollars making it amazing value.
After running through a list of its valued features, as well as pointing out a few weaknesses, van Son makes an interesting point: when the EOS R5 is finally launched next month, will Canon continue making the EOS R? The RP has its place as a budget option, but the R, something I’ve described several times as the Lorem Ipsum of mirrorless cameras, won't fit that well into Canon’s line-up, especially when the mooted R6 appears, it is thought, in July.
Clearly it’s the most affordable full-frame camera, but arguing for it being the best value option might become trickier if and when the price of the Sony a7 III falls on the back of Sony’s potential announcement of the a7 IV which may come in the next month or so.
Do you value your RP as a backup camera? Will you be hanging onto it for the foreseeable future? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Given how minor the differences between cameras are these days, it would be difficult to argue that the cheapest option isn't the best value in its class.
I love the RP! It's just a great all-around shooter... The only problem is Canon RF doesn't have any cheap primes. Where's the nifty fifty and 85 F1.8?
Hey Tony....from what I've read, the R cameras do very well with adapted EF lenses. Did I read that wrong?
The only adapted lens we use regularly is the 24 F1.4, and that's just for video. It doesn't seem to focus as well as the RF lenses but it's good enough for us. Otherwise we haven't done EF testing since the latest FW updates.
I primarily use the Sigma Art 24 1.4, the Tamron 35 1.4 and the Canon 85 1.8 and all perform flawlessly adapted. I don't think I'll invest in RF glass unless they get realistic about the pricing strategy. Even then, with what I am getting out of Tamron and Sigma, I'll be content when they start making RF lenses.
I agree. I really hope a nifty 50 is on the way.
You have to wonder: will Samyang/Rokinon port their 45mm f/1.8 (currently for E-mount) before Canon releases its own nifty?
What is the price point of those lenses again?
It's like printers, which are cheap, but then you pay a fortune in ink (yes, I comprehend lenses are not a consumable).
APS lenses are legacy and now FF chipped AF lenses are consumables held together with hotglue and tape. No buy.
The RF 35mm is $449 at Amazon.
If you want to shoot with a 35mm lens, sure it’s a good value, but that’s the only Canon RF lens that’s not expensive, aside from the upcoming slow zoom (which kills the 24x36 frame’s advantages). If you don’t want to pay a lot, a lightly used 24x36 DSLR or APSC mirrorless would be better options.
I love my EOS RP :) it’s my only camera! Had a nice little M6 (mark I) before it.
But what i’d really like for my RP is a budget portrait lens!
I found a nice EF 85mm 1.8 at 250€ (around last Christmas) and didn’t buy it, I was waiting for an 85mm RF lens :) maybe with the R5 reveal they’ll show us some cheaper lenses?
So far with the R cameras and RF lenses...”cheap” camera bodies, expensive lenses...maybe in July expensive camera body, cheap lenses? Am I hoping too much?
I don't know if the RP is the best value FF milc camera. When it was released it was burned to the ground. Probably you need a higher budget to enter milc FF with a good value camera. But as always it's all about the lenses. And that's where milc ff in general an Canon R mount in particular aren't good value for your money. Sure it's nice to brag about your ff gear on the internet but in real life no one cares and almost no one will see the difference. If you want value for your money and take into account that you need a camera and a few lenses: buy APS-C or MFT.
No it's not. The A7II is cheaper and just as capable, if not better.
And 4 years older. I don’t use my A7ii anymore but would definitely recommend it before the Canon RP any day.
Not as capable. Been there. Done that.
Sold the 5D MKii and 24-105 for $800. Picked up The RP, RF 35mm and RF 24-105 for $1800 "Refurbished" with warranty...easy upgrade and super stoked.
A very odd post. This cameras sensor is bottom barrel as far as FF bodies go, and was received extremely poorly, basically DOA on launch. The combination of a poor sensor and very limited feature set means that while it's a good budget camera for someone who is lacking other hardware, it's generally still not a good buy and will never be compared to the competition.
As with any body purchase, you have to (well, budgets permitting) think about the future, and this camera has no future whatsoever.
The m62 kills this camera on features alone. Put a full frame sensor in the m6 2 body and you basically have a competition destroyer.
The sensor is fine unless you do extreme shadow lifting. If you don't do extreme shadow lifting, the sensor will serve just fine.
Yeah, well the M6 doesn't have an FF sensor so that's a bit of a moot point and even if it did, it would push the camera to be far more expensive than it is currently. Yes, the RP doesn't have a great sensor, but this is an article about value. As far as an overall package goes, there's no better value in full frame MILC at the moment that I can think of. Yeah, you might be able to get a stop or two of DR with another sensor, but that probably means shelling out a couple of hundred dollars extra, which is not likely worth it for the average shooter. You could also get better AF performance in another body, but again, probably not worth a couple of hundred extra dollars for the average shooter. Outside of certain niches such as sports photography, the RP will do just about anything you need it to respectably enough for most people. It's obviously not the best camera out there, but nobody is arguing that it is.
I had and loved the RP especially with the 35mm f/1.8. Great camera. But I ultimately traded it when the A7II went on sale to gain IBIS for adapting older glass.
I think it's apples to oranges. The best value lies in whichever system you've already invested in glass-wise, and I think either the RP or the a7ii is that person's best bargain. Obviously if you're starting new you can argue the minor differences but both are solid budget cameras that won't do what a $4k camera will, but you know that buying it.
Personally I love the RP because I could use my EP lenses out of the gate, the RF lenses are AMAZING so far, I don't push the sensor enough for it to be troublesome, and the features on it are even more useful than I expected (I'm looking at you, iso ring). It's small, light, and does everything I need it to do, honestly my only complaint is I find it's max shutter speed a little lacking when I shoot wildlife. But that's probably my ONLY complaint. It's one of those weird, on paper it doesn't look like much, but in your hand, it just works kind of things.