Is the Canon EOS RP a Worthwhile Budget Full Frame Mirrorless Camera?

Though the Canon EOS RP is certainly limited in some respects, it remains a highly affordable full frame mirrorless camera and thus, an intriguing option of any photographer who is looking for a full frame camera at a budget-friendly price. Is it right for you? This excellent and balanced review takes a look at the camera.

Coming to you from Dustin Abbott, this helpful review takes a look at the Canon EOS RP camera. The EOS RP is an intriguing option for photographers, as it offers the chance to jump into the full frame mirrorless world at a highly affordable price. Of course, to get to that price point, compromises were made, including some limited video features, a slower burst speed, and rolling shutter, but the camera also offers some impressive upsides, particularly for the price. Depending on the sort of work you do, it could be a great option, particularly if you don't need video features or sports shooting speeds. Right now, you can also get the EF-EOS R adapter for free as well with the purchase of the camera, making it easy to use your old EF lenses instead of having to invest in the new RF mount immediately. Check out the video above for Abbott's thoughts. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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14 Comments

I have not yet seen this review, but I see a lot of reviews of all cameras and for some reason, nobody focuses solely on stills. Everyone talks about the video, video this video that. I get it that there are a bunch of people who do video, but reviewers in general seem to forget that there is a great amount of people who only do photography, and of those, only a few need really high bursts or extreme light sensitivity. I will watch this now.

The "problem" is that if you're going to buy something, and all the entry level cameras offer similar "still" results... then video is the major differentiating factor were Canon is lacking.

In fact, it could be said, other camera brands are offering video as a free ":add-on", Why would you not take it? Canon puts a massive crop on video so they can they offer video while It's heavily hindered.

There's very few things that general consumers can see when it comes it photography brand differences. They do not care about banding, or dynamic range, or the flash pin being removed... They want the best auto modes, end of line.

The RP is not for pros or prosumers. The R is nice but still proof that Canon has not changed their thinking and that they do not see Sony as a threat yet.

I'm a Canon shooter but Sony is offering a lot at great price points. Even dynamic range is better at all other brands over Canon. I stick with Canon for the color science and the lenses. However, it is getting harder and harder to stay with Canon.

Canon doesn't want to get rid of their video crop because that would kill C100s. However, that's bad thinking imho.

To say: "In fact, it could be said, other camera brands are offering video as a free ":add-on", Why would you not take it?” implies that these cameras are identical in all other areas. They’re not. Purchasing is all about compromise. I don’t use video, so it’s a compromise that I’m prepared to make to get the other things that I am less keen to compromise on.

Tony Northrup has done an interesting test about Canon's famous colour science. It seems that most participans, when they had to choose blind, didn't choose Canon.
https://youtu.be/EMfCDujQywY

Thank you. For some of us the video features are the afterthought. Ergonomics, ease of use, ecosystem, support, lens options, third party support are all more important to me then video at the moment. And canon is still best in most of those areas so I’ll consider those as my free “add-ons “

Yep! Four Canon cameras and I've shot about 5 minutes worth of video and that was just fooling around. Canon could remove it and I wouldn't notice.

I am an amateur landscape photographer and I’ve been shooting with Canon’s APS-C for years and had more recently started to invest in L glass. I finally made the jump to full frame with the EOS RP and I am very pleased. Sure it doesn’t have the best dynamic range but it does have focus bracketing which is fantastic for landscapes and macro work. The EF adapter works great on all of the lenses I’ve tested so far. Plus depending on where you buy it and when you might be able to get the grip extension and an adapter for free which makes it quite a deal for those of us struggling to get into full frame.

I think one of the major reasons youtuber reviewers of cameras focus so much on video capabilities is because... well, because they obviously shoot video. It's youtube, that's their gig.

Myself, I don't hardly bother with video, and won't likely ever bother with video, unless I suffer a traumatic head injury and decide to start a youtube channel or something.

Even the new Sony a6400 outclasses IQ wise this camera and so do most newer aps-c cameras.
They all outperform this camera videowise. Even in low-light most newer aps-c cameras outperform this ff camera.
So, who is this camera really for?

So, this is for most people a pointless camera, unless you have a ton of full frame Canon lenses. Or you have a severe case of Canon fanboyism.

I think you answered your own question. This camera is for the lower end canon user who has invested moderately in the canon system. They have a couple lenses and are an amateur. they could easily switch to another brand as you pointed out. this camera gives them full frame and works with what they already have and know.......... that's the point of this camera, to retain the lower end canon user.

In this comparison of the RP vs. A7III, the author says the RP is great if you're shooting JPG but it all falls apart once you start comparing RAW files, indicating a sensor that has comparitively low performance. Lack of IBIS in the RP is a distinct compromise made to get a $1300 full frame mirrorless. However the RP's user interface gets very high marks. Size and weight are a wash when compared to the A7III. There's a lot to like and a lot not to like with the RP. Personally, even though I don't care at all about video, I'd still pass on the EOS RP.
https://gizmodo.com/i-pitted-canons-affordable-eos-rp-against-my-beloved...

Not sure why we need to take issue with reviews including video. If video wasn't used by those who buy cameras then camera companies wouldn't bother including it. But they do, hence why reviews also include video specs.

I am also in the camp that don't care about video. I have an A73 and haven't used video one and wouldn't mind if it didn't even have any video features.

I think it would be good if reviews focused on stills and did separate reviews for the video aspect of cameras. As someone who switched from Canon to Sony, it was all about impatience and nothing to do with quality of the Canon system. I wanted a FF Mirrorless and didn't have the patience to wait so I switched.

I'm honestly tempted to switch back to Canon as I still believe they make the best lenses out of the Sony, Nikon and Canon. Sony does have great lenses too and the A7III is a great body so I ignore the GAS and stick with what I have.