After endless teasers and rumors, Canon has officially announced the “company’s most technologically advanced full-frame mirrorless camera, the professional-grade EOS R3”. That’s how Canon defines this camera. Well, this is a very impressive marketing definition, however, the EOS can’t be defined as flagship par excellence, although it’s a truly mind-blowing piece of imaging device from many perspectives. BUT, it aims more at photographers rather than professional videographers, even though it’s armed with a brand new full-frame sensor that is capable of shoot 6K RAW. All details are below.

Canon EOS R3: A flagship or not a flagship?

The Canon EOS R3 is probably one of the most teased cameras Canon has ever launched. In Y.M.Cinema Magazine we wrote about 15 articles and analyses about this camera alone which BTW, most of them hit the nail on the head. Endless teasers, rumors, assumptions, videos, and articles were discussing the possibilities of the EOS R3 specs. The expectations were very high, as many still and video shooters were hoping to get this new ‘flagship’. However, the bubble was exploded when Canon’s ambassador has released (by accident or not by accident) the metadata of a picture taken by the EOS R3 at the Tokyo Olympics. This picture showed that the ‘brand new revolutionary EOS R3 sensor’ has ‘only’ 24MP, and that spec fact located the Canon away from the ‘flagship’ title. This 24MP metadata discovery was foggy, till today when the confirmed specs were released. And indeed, the EOS R3 owns a 24MP sensor. 

This 24MP metadata discovery was foggy, till today when the confirmed specs were released. And indeed, the EOS R3 owns a 24MP sensor.

Hybridization between 1D X Mark III and R5

As stated by Canon’s press release: “Building on the success of the EOS R camera series, Canon today announced the next leap forward in full-frame mirrorless cameras – the professional-grade Canon EOS R3. The new camera leverages the advancements in technology that Canon has developed since the original EOS R launch in 2018 and bridges the gap between the immensely popular EOS R5 and the world-renowned Canon flagship EOS-1D X line. The EOS R3 is the first “3” series camera from Canon since the widely used EOS-3 film camera launched in 1998”. Indeed, that is the best definition of the EOS R3, by being a hybridization between of the best Canon cameras ever made, the 1D X Mark III and the excellent EOS R5. Actually, in our previous article, we wrote that Canon’s representative confirmed that the R3 will not be a flagship camera, but a mirrorless solution for the legendary EOS-1D X Mark III.

The Canon EOS R3 bridges the gap between the immensely popular EOS R5 and the world-renowned Canon flagship EOS-1D X line.

The need for speed

As expected, the EOS R3 is armed with many technological elements that were designed to allow fast shooting. Nevertheless, it focuses on the desire of photographers than on videographers.  “The EOS R3 camera’s features greatly emphasize superb AF performance and speed with fast-moving subjects. It was designed to meet the reliability and durability demands of professionals, even when working in some extremely challenging conditions” says Canon. “The launch of the EOS R3 sets a new benchmark for the Canon EOS R camera system. Canon listened carefully to the voices of professionals when developing a camera to meet their standards,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of Canon U.S.A.’s Imaging Technologies & Communications Group. “The EOS R3 is a monumental evolution in digital imaging technology. I look forward to seeing the camera in action on the sidelines of sporting events and in the hands of nature and wildlife photographers across the globe.”

The launch of the EOS R3 sets a new benchmark for the Canon EOS R camera system. Canon listened carefully to the voices of professionals when developing a camera to meet their standards.

Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of Canon U.S.A

24MP FF sensor: “first of its kind” – Reduction of rolling shutter distortions

The core of the EOS R3 features a Canon designed and manufactured 24.1-megapixel back-illuminated stacked full-frame CMOS sensor. The sensor is the first of its kind from Canon, and when combined with the DIGIC X processor, delivers a high-speed readout allowing for continuous blackout-free shooting at up to 30 fps in electronic (silent) shutter mode and up to 12 fps in a mechanical shutter, with minimum rolling electronic shutter distortion. The combination also increases the high sensitivity, light-capturing efficiency of a native ISO range of 100-102400, expandable up to 204,800 for still images. Like the EOS R5 and R6, the camera features the improved Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 1,053 AF Points and evolved EOS iTR tracking down to EV -7.5 for subjects such as eye, face, head, animals, and select cars and motorcycles. In addition, the camera features up to 8 stops3 of in-body image stabilized (IBIS) shake correction.

The sensor is the first of its kind from Canon, and when combined with the DIGIC X processor, delivers a high-speed readout allowing for continuous blackout-free shooting at up to 30 fps in electronic (silent) shutter mode and up to 12 fps in a mechanical shutter, with minimum rolling electronic shutter distortion.

Deep-Learning technology for action shooting

Leveraging technology and performance feedback from the popular EOS R5 and EOS R6 cameras, the EOS R3 uses Deep-Learning technology to further enhance eye and body detection for even better performance during portrait and action-type shooting. Featuring a new 5.76-million-dot and 120fps blackout-free Electronic Viewfinder, the EOS R3 camera will provide photographers with the ability to select the initial area for AF tracking by simply looking directly at the viewfinder location where they want to begin AF. With Eye input AF and Servo AF activated, the camera will focus on and track moving subjects at that location in the frame. When Face Detect + Tracking is active, the camera will continue to follow moving subjects around the entire active AF area.

Featuring a new 5.76-million-dot and 120fps blackout-free Electronic Viewfinder, the EOS R3 camera will provide photographers with the ability to select the initial area for AF tracking by simply looking directly at the viewfinder location where they want to begin AF.

Video capabilities: 6K RAW 60FPS

Now for the most important part. What’re the video capabilities of the camera? The EOS R3 is capable of shooting 6K 60p RAW (and RAW Light) and 4K 120p 10-bit uncropped video with Canon Log 3 support, in addition to the possibility for oversampled 4K and RAW movie internal recording. Canon Log 3, helps to reduce the possibility of highlight blowouts. Furthermore, the features such as industry-standard BT.709, BT.2020 color gamuts, and cinema gamut help to maintain color and tonal consistency. Coordinated 5-axis IBIS helps to correct operator motion or shaking providing dependent video capturing even when using a lens without built-in Optical IS. From here, we can conclude that although these are some impressive specs regarding video, there’s not much as a statement for professional videographers nor cinematographers.

The EOS R3 is capable of shooting 6K 60p RAW (and RAW Light) and 4K 120p 10-bit uncropped video with Canon Log 3 support, in addition to the possibility for oversampled 4K and RAW movie internal recording.

Additional features

Additional features of the EOS R3 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera include:

• Canon’s next-generation Multi-Function Shoe is compatible with a variety of accessories including the Speedlite EL-1, and new accessories such as the ST-E10 Speedlite Transmitter, External Mic, and Smartphone Link Adapter.
• One-piece magnesium alloy design, integrating the body with a vertical grip section.
• Weather and dust resistance equivalent to EOS-1D camera models.
• Mobile File Transmitter application for iOS and Android devices allows photographers to transfer their images quickly and easily without the need for wired LAN equipment.
• Built-in Wired LAN, 5GHz Wi-Fi, USB, and Bluetooth technology.
• Dual-card slots, supporting one CF express and one UHS-II SD.

Canon EOS R3: Full specs

Explore the PDF below for the full specifications list of the Canon EOS R3:

[pdf-embedder url=”https://ymcinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/EOS-R3-Specs-Sheet.pdf” title=”Canon EOS R3: Full specification sheet”]

Price and availability

The Canon EOS R3 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera is scheduled to be available in November 2021 for a suggested retail price of $5,999. The camera can be preordered on the B&H and Adorama websites (buy-links in the Product List below).

Final thoughts

As mentioned, time after time, the EOS R3 is probably the best Canon for photographers. Can it be compared to the mighty 1D X Mark III? Yes. However, the 1D X Mark III is DSLR as opposed to the EOS R3 that is mirrorless, which makes the EOS R3 more light and compact, and that’s a major factor for professional photographers. Also, the EOS R3 owns an extremely advanced viewfinder that incorporates sophisticated deep learning technologies. But again, it was made for photographers. Unfortunately (or not), for cinematographers there’re better and more precise options in the market. The EOS R3 is maybe the best hybrid camera for still shooters that want a polished video tool in their hand. Moreover, Canon’s RAW is not something that is desired by NLE. Try to edit those 6K RAW footage in Final Cut or Premiere and you will notice that it can be a bit problematic. And one more thing: We expect the price of the 1D X Mark III to drop very soon, as there’s no real reason to prefer it over the R3. We’ll keep an eye on that price and let you know. Also, stay tuned as we’ll publish some EOS R3 sample footage regarding its video capabilities. 

Product List

Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers. 

• Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR Camera
  • BUY on B&H
  • BUY on ADORAMA
• Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless Digital Camera
  • BUY on B&H
  • BUY on ADORAMA