Canon EOS R1 Review
Canon’s flagship mirrorless camera, the Canon EOS R1, marks a significant milestone in the evolution of professional photography. This new addition to Canon’s lineup not only reintroduces the revered 1-series designation but also sets a new standard for mirrorless cameras. The EOS R1 brings together cutting-edge technology and exceptional performance, continuing Canon’s tradition of delivering high-end, feature-packed cameras designed to meet the rigorous demands of sports photographers, photojournalists, and other professionals.
Canon’s marketing tagline, “Ahead of the game,” highlights the R1’s position as a groundbreaking and revolutionary camera in Canon’s mirrorless lineup. It is designed to offer unmatched performance, speed, and versatility for the most demanding photographic applications.
Canon EOS R1 Store Links at B&H, Adorama.
Specifications:
- 24.2 MP full-frame back-illuminated stacked sensor
- Pre-continuous shooting up to 20 frames
- 40 fps continuous shooting rate
- Customizable continuous shooting speed
- Blackout-free EVF, 9.44 million dots
- DIGIC Accelerator & Accelerated Capture
- In-camera upscaling and Neural Network Noise Reduction
- Integrated vertical grip
- Dual Pixel Intelligent AF
- Registered People Priority
- Action Priority
- Enhanced eye-control AF performance
- Focus down to -7.5 EV
- Cross-type AF
- 2-Stage AF-ON button
- Up to 8.5 stops of Image Stabilization
- 6K 60p RAW, 4K video at up to 120p and 60p oversampled from 6K
- Custom Picture support
- XF-HEVC S/XF-AVC S
- Canon Log 2/Log 3
- LPCM/24-bit/4CH audio
- Dual shooting (still & movie)
- Proxy movie support
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 2.5 Gbps Ethernet in-camera
- Dual threaded FTP transfer
New Features:
- Advanced 24.2 MP Stacked CMOS sensor with 2.8ms full sensor readout
- Enhanced DIGIC X processor with new DIGIC Accelerator co-processor
- Upgraded eye-controlled AF with improved optics and detection algorithm
- Action Priority AF mode with machine learning for sports
- Pre-registered person priority for focused tracking
- AI-trained in-camera image processing for noise reduction and upscaling
- Blur/out-of-focus image detection for efficient culling
- 6K RAW recording at 60p and advanced video features
- Dual Shooting mode for simultaneous JPEG and video capture
- Robust temperature control for extended shooting sessions
- High-quality build with dust and weather resistance
Design and Build
The Canon EOS R1 is built with a robust magnesium alloy body, reinforcing its durability and weather resistance. It features an integrated vertical grip that mirrors the layout of Canon’s previous flagship DSLR, the EOS-1D X Mark III. This design choice not only enhances the camera’s handling but also makes it particularly suited for extended shooting sessions. Despite its solid construction, the R1 is notably lighter than the EOS-1D X Mark III by over 300 grams (10.6 ounces), reflecting Canon’s advancements in material technology and ergonomic design. This reduction in weight makes the R1 more manageable while maintaining its ruggedness.
The camera’s ergonomic design includes a well-placed grip and intuitive button layout, ensuring ease of use even in high-pressure situations. The controls are designed to be accessible and responsive, providing photographers with a seamless shooting experience.
Sensor and Processing Power
At the heart of the EOS R1 is a newly engineered 24.2-megapixel full-frame back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor. This advanced sensor, an upgrade from the 20-megapixel sensor in the EOS-1D X Mark III, is paired with Canon’s latest DIGIC X processor and a DIGIC Accelerator dual image processing system. This combination ensures rapid processing speeds and superior image quality across a wide range of shooting conditions.
The EOS R1 boasts an extended native ISO range of 100-102,400, expandable to ISO 50-204,800. This broad range allows photographers to capture high-quality images in various lighting conditions, from bright daylight to low-light environments. The camera’s electronic shutter offers a top speed of 1/64,000 sec, making it possible to freeze even the fastest movements. Additionally, the R1 features in-camera upscaling, which allows for image enlargement up to 4x without significant loss of quality. The deep learning noise reduction technology further enhances image clarity by effectively reducing noise by up to 2 stops.
The EOS R1’s burst shooting capabilities are exceptional, with continuous shooting speeds of up to 40 fps using the electronic shutter or 12 fps with the mechanical shutter. The camera’s pre-continuous shooting function captures up to 20 frames (Raw or JPEG/HEIF) before the shutter is fully pressed, ensuring that no critical moment is missed.
Viewfinder and Autofocus
The EOS R1 is equipped with a cutting-edge electronic viewfinder (EVF) featuring a resolution of 9.44 million dots and a magnification of 0.9x. This high-resolution EVF provides a clear and detailed view of the scene, enhancing the photographer’s ability to make precise adjustments in real-time. The R1’s upgraded eye-control AF feature is a significant improvement over the previous system in the R3. This advanced system allows users to select focus points or subjects simply by looking at them through the viewfinder, thanks to a higher pixel count sensor, improved LEDs, a larger eye detection area, an enhanced detection algorithm, and doubled eye movement detection speed.
The Dual Pixel Intelligent AF system in the R1 features advanced tracking algorithms that can detect and follow subject movement with impressive accuracy. This system includes the ability to track upper body movements even when partially obscured by other objects. The Action Priority subject tracking mode utilizes deep learning technology to focus on key action points in sports, such as football, basketball, and volleyball, achieving rapid and precise tracking at speeds of up to 60 fps.
Enhanced Tracking Features
One of the R1’s standout features is its advanced subject recognition capabilities. The camera can detect and prioritize a wide range of subjects, including horses, airplanes, and trains, in addition to people, animals, and motorsport vehicles. The Registered People Priority mode allows for the detection and prioritization of up to ten faces, even when they are in profile, and these settings can be saved on a memory card. This feature is particularly beneficial for high-paced environments like sports events, news coverage, and weddings.
The R1 introduces cross-type AF for the first time in an R-series camera, with both vertical and horizontal line detection for improved accuracy. The camera can focus down to -7.5 EV, and it includes a specialized 2-stage AF-On button for enhanced control. The R1 also offers up to 8.5 stops of image stabilization through a combination of in-body and lens-based stabilization systems, reducing camera shake and enhancing image stability.
Video Capabilities
The Canon EOS R1 excels in video performance, offering an impressive range of recording options. It supports 6K RAW recording at 60p, 4K recording at up to 120p, and 4K at 60p oversampled from 6K. Additionally, the camera supports 2K or Full HD recording at 240p in XF-HEVC S / XF-AVC S formats. The R1 delivers an outstanding 16+ stops of dynamic range, minimal rolling shutter, and includes Canon Log-2, Log-3, and HLG profiles for enhanced post-production flexibility.
The camera’s video capabilities include simultaneous recording of stills and video, which is ideal for multimedia projects. The R1 features a full-sized HDMI port, dual CFexpress Type B card slots, a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for fast and reliable data transfer. The Multi-Function Shoe on the R1 supports data communication and power for various accessories, such as the ST-E10 Speedlite Transmitter, DM-E1D Stereo Microphone, and AD-P1 Smartphone Link Adapter. It also accommodates traditional Speedlites and triggers via the AD-E1 Multi-Function Shoe Adapter.
Build Quality and Connectivity
The Canon EOS R1 is engineered for professional durability, with a magnesium alloy body that is both dust- and weather-resistant. Canon’s claim that the R1 outperforms the EOS R3 in every aspect, while being lighter, highlights the camera’s advancements in technology and ergonomics. The R1’s build quality ensures reliable performance in challenging environments, making it a dependable tool for professionals.
The camera features dual CFexpress Type B card slots, supporting up to 2TB of storage, and a 2.5 GBASE-T Ethernet port alongside 802.11ax Wi-Fi support for fast and reliable connectivity. Additional connectivity options include a USB-C port (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10Gbps), a full-sized HDMI port, 3.5mm microphone and headphone jacks, and a PC Sync terminal.
Battery Life
The EOS R1 utilizes the LP-E19 battery, providing a CIPA-rated 700 shots per charge, an improvement over the 440 shots offered by the R3. This enhancement reflects Canon’s commitment to extending battery life for longer shooting sessions. The camera also supports USB charging with Canon’s PD-E1 or PD-E2 power adapters or other USB PD-compatible power packs, offering additional convenience for photographers on the go.
Early Verdict
The Canon EOS R1 represents a pivotal advancement in Canon’s mirrorless camera technology, transitioning the 1-series from DSLRs to mirrorless systems. While the EOS R3 laid the groundwork, the R1 establishes itself as Canon’s flagship mirrorless camera, designed to meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. With its advanced features, including superior autofocus, impressive burst shooting capabilities, and exceptional video performance, the R1 is an ideal choice for sports and wildlife photographers who demand the best.
The Canon EOS R1 is a testament to Canon’s dedication to innovation and excellence, providing top-tier equipment that meets the rigorous demands of professional photography. Its blend of speed, performance, and durability makes it a powerful tool for capturing dynamic action and intricate details across a variety of shooting scenarios.
