The Canon RP has recently become the cheapest new full frame body available at B&H. Priced at $899, it offers 26 megapixels and 4K video. This camera might seem appealing due to its price, but it's important to take a close look at its performance and see if it remains a worthy purchase in 2024.
Coming to you from Dan Watson, this insightful video examines the Canon EOS RP in detail. Released over five years ago, it was part of a period when Canon often restricted features on their cameras. For example, the RP didn't initially support 24 frames per second in 1080P, a limitation eventually corrected by firmware updates. Despite its age, the RP remains relevant due to its compact and lightweight design and low price, though it lacks some features found in more professional models. The video mode lacks a dedicated switch, and battery life is limited due to its small size. However, the camera includes a 3-inch flip screen, a small yet usable viewfinder, and essential ports like HDMI, mic, and headphone jacks.
The EOS RP initially faced criticism for its price when bundled with lenses, but this has changed. Now, you can get it with a 24-105mm lens for just $1,199. Canon's lens lineup has expanded, offering affordable options that pair well with the RP. The 35mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8 lenses are examples of quality, stabilized lenses that enhance the RP's performance. One drawback is the RP's continuous shooting speed, which drops to three frames per second with full autofocus. This makes it less suitable for fast-moving subjects like sports or wildlife.
When it comes to image quality, the RP's 26-megapixel full frame sensor offers excellent results, especially considering its current price. While its dynamic range and low-light performance were not top tier at launch, the RP still delivers solid image quality, particularly when compared to APS-C cameras. Canon's color performance remains strong, a consistent highlight in their cameras. The autofocus system, while not as advanced as today's standards, still performs reliably for most uses.
For video, the Canon RP shows more limitations. Although it can record in 4K, it applies a significant 1.7x crop, leading to a reduced field of view along with a noticeable rolling shutter effect. The lack of autofocus in 4K mode and the absence of high frame rate options like 120 fps in 1080p further restrict its video capabilities. However, it does support up to 60 fps in 1080p, providing some flexibility for slow-motion footage.
Overall, the EOS RP is now the most affordable full frame camera on the market. While it may not be the best choice for everyone, it offers a solid entry point into full frame photography. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Watson.
We still use 3 RP's in our podcast studio. They're only HD, but that's FINE; nobody really cares about 4k in my experimenting. Canon has great full-frame lenses and the RP's video autofocus is literally perfect; we just sit down and it's sharp on our eyes, even at 50mm f/1.2.
Absolutely. I use my RP for grab-and-go when I don't feel like carrying my R5 or a DSLR. It's also very well suited for use on my microscope, as seen in this photo of a monarch butterfly wing.
Good morning from Germany. As is often the case, this review mainly focuses on the specs and especially the video capability. A fact that I notice more and more often in reviews. But this camera is actually designed as a still camera. The video function seems to me to be a necessary evil (for the market) today. Well, it's a trend I guess. What I miss in the video, however, is the reference to the possibility of using an adapter to access Canon's huge range of EF lenses. Without any functional restrictions. In my eyes, this makes the Canon RP the ideal option for full-frame photography. And as an ambitious amateur photographer, I do the same with it as I do with my Sony a7. So yes the Canon RP is still worth it in 2024.
Current pricing has the RP at $899 while the R8 is at $1199. The R8 is a SIGNIFICANT upgrade for $300. I own it and I use it alongside my R3 as a 2nd body or compact for walking around. The R8 has the same sensor as the R6ii while the RP has a 6Dii sensor. There is a big difference between these 2 as far as dynamic range, low light, and read out speed. Even at a lower resolution of 24 megapixels the R8 sensor captures more detail than the RP. The RP raw files are not very good.
The R8 focus is miles ahead and it shoots 40fps electronic with precapture. Although I don't shoot video, the R8 shoots 4K 60 full frame with over sampling. The RP can only shoot 4K 30 with a crop. Take a R8 all day everyday over the RP. If you cannot afford the $300 difference I suggest saving up until you can. You will not regret it.
“The RP raw files are not very good.”
Where did you get that erroneous notion? RP ownership?
Well, that's where opinions differ... Both cameras deliver CR3 raw files, so both are equally good or bad. The reason the R8 delivers more details than the RP is because it offers dual pixel processing in the camera. However, this only comes into play with slightly blurred images. Without going into the technical details (phase shift), in fact the R8 only delivers normal CR3 raws in standard situations. 🙂
Oh yeah, and 300 bucks more just for pixel peeping is pointless in my opinion.
I don't own an RP & will probably save for an R8, as it seems the RPs AF is a bit slow, but I do really like the images I've seen the RP produce.
"I don't own an RP & will probably save for an R8, as it seems the RPs AF is a bit slow..."
I don't for a moment question your choice of camera, or anyone else's for that matter. But I have to wonder how you know the RP's AF is slow if you don't own one. Canon does not advertise this as a sports camera or a scientific camera for high-speed phenomena. It's just a very good general purpose full-frame camera for portraiture, landscape, macro, etc., at an excellent price point. And it can use RF and EF lenses.
Hi David,
About half way through the video he discusses the AF, and concludes it's OK but not great, plus the 4 FPS is a pretty low to work with, and this conclusion tallies up with all the other reviews I've read/watched of the RPs AF.
I'm a long time Canon DSLR & Compact user, have a 5D classic & a 700D, plus for years I've owned various Fuji & Sony APSC systems, so lots of different AF experiences!
I'd like one compact FF camera which is a mix of all the above, and I'd love an RP or R8; the AF must be excellent (hyperactive kid, bonkers dog, sports, outdoors action, wildlife) so I can keep the camera for many years to come & not feel that need to change. Sony has the fast AF but most other things I prefer the way Canon does them.
This is all anecdotal as I've only read/watched reviews & tapped into forum knowledge, which is all very helpful, and I guess why we're all here; but yes I agree with you, I've only held the RP in a store but not used one in any real life situations, so I guess I need to get off line, hire one for a weekend, get outdoors & give it a real thorough going over in real life & make my own mind up... Tbh it would probably be just fine!!!
... especially now all the small, affordable RF primes are available...
When the RP was launched I got it with the 24-105 F/4 as a bundle. The lens is great with the camera. I now have a R7 with a 100-400 lens, and carrying around the two covers everything I need for casual photography.
It did make sense when it was released. It was much cheaper RF mount camera ... even more Mirrorless. Until public tried them on and found out they are small slow and fairly under-powered in almost all regards. Which is ok if this camera was amazing travel camera, small compact with small compact lenses which were promised at the time. Truth is that even now, lenses are not small or cheap. So in that regard no ... its not worth it in 2024 or any year before it.
I just bought a Canon RP. I feel like still photographers are being left behind when it comes to the mirrorless market, especially in the Canon lineup. I have a Fuji XT-4 and love it, and I get the video features I need from that. My beef with Canon was the insane amount of features I didn’t need, but if I wanted to move to mirrorless and have something equivalent to the Canon 5D bodies, I was looking at $3k plus. I have an entire line of EF lenses, and truly felt like I’d been forgotten by Canon.
I love the Canon RP. It does exactly what I need, it’s small and lightweight, which as I age, really does matter to me, and it’s a great way to keep using the lenses I’ve come to love so much. I think we should talk less about the insane specs, and more about being the best with what you have, no matter if it’s film, DSLR, mirrorless, or cinema/video. (And yes, I have the first three in my arsenal.)
I have to admit i am guilty of being mad everytime when photo centric camera is released and people on Youtube deem it S**t, because it does not take great video. I kinda wish we could go back to how it was before. Video separated from Photo. Nowdays when you want to watch a review of a camera first 10 reviews are about video features.