On 14th April 2021, Canon announced development of EOS R3 Full-frame Mirrorless Camera. This news would definitely interest not just Canon photographers, they would also interest the photography community too. Canon is currently developing the new EOS R3 full-frame mirrorless camera, this camera will feature a newly developed 35mm full-frame, backlit, stacked CMOS sensor and a DIGIC X image processor. This new Canon EOS R3 is designed to provide the high-level basic functionality required to meet the needs of professional and enthusiast photographers.

EOS R3 w RF24-70mm f2.8L IS USM

The Canon EOS R3 that is currently in development, is based on the concept of high speed, high sensitivity and high reliability. The EOS R3 will be introduced into Canon’s lineup of professional and enthusiast cameras that includes the EOS-1D X Mark III flagship DSLR camera (released in February 2020) and the EOS 5 series, including the EOS R5 full-frame mirrorless camera (released in July 2020). The EOS R3 aims to provide professional-level quality for both stills and video capture, even for moving subjects.

The EOS R3 is the first EOS series camera to be equipped with Canon’s newly developed 35mm full-frame backlit stacked CMOS sensor that makes possible high-speed readout. The camera also features a DIGIC X image processor for high-speed image processing that realises high-speed continuous shooting of up to 30 frames-per-second (1) (FPS) with AF/AE tracking when using the electronic shutter. In addition, the camera significantly reduces image warping, a common challenge with electronic shutters, and is also capable of capturing moving subjects with reduced noise in such low-light environments as indoor areas or nighttime scenes. 

Alongside Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology—by which each pixel on the image sensor possesses both image capture and phase-detect AF functionality, thus enabling high-speed, high-accuracy and wide-range AF—the EOS R3 uses an algorithm that employs deep learning technology that enables improved head and eye detection for human subjects as well as a new capability to detect subject torsos. Thanks to this enhanced performance, the camera’s autofocus system provides high-performance subject tracking, even during portrait photography and in scenarios with frequent subject movement such as sports. Development is also underway to enable detection of additional subject types. 

In addition, the EOS R3 is Canon’s first digital camera to feature Eye Control AF (2) functionality. When shooting still images and looking through the viewfinder, this new feature enables the AF frame to adjust according to detected movement of the user’s eye, making possible smoother shooting with quick focus when transitioning between subjects. 

The EOS R3 answers the sophisticated needs of professionals by providing dust and water resistance developed with each iteration of the EOS-1 series, body design with integrated vertical hand-grip, reliability and ease of use, as well as compatibility with Canon’s Mobile File Transfer (3), announced alongside the EOS R3, which supports high-speed workflows. 

Personal thoughts and views

As a current EOS-1D X Mark II user myself and a big fan of the Canon EOS 1D series cameras, the EOS R3 development news is very exciting for me! While I am eagerly awaiting the official announcement and technical specifications of the EOS R3. I am making a guess here that EOS R3 would be officially announced in Q3 2021, based on my experiences and coverage on the previous three Canon cameras, EOS-1D X Mark III and EOS R5 and R6 cameras.

The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III announced its development in October 2019, it was then subsequently officially announced in January 2020.

As for Canon EOS R5, their development was announced in February 2020, in July 2020, Canon officially announced Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6.

Would the EOS R3 mark the start of my migration to a full Canon RF system setup? I do not have an answer at this point in time. The EOS R system and RF lenses have improved tremendously and expanded their lenses lineup from the time Canon announced  their first full-frame mirrorless camera EOS R, followed by the EOS RP to EOS R5 and EOS R6 of today. More RF lenses are coming, making the Canon EOS R and RF lenses eco-system an even more holistic and complete camera and lenses eco-system for both professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Since the EOS R3 is currently in development, the technical specifications are kept under wraps until it is officially announced. Just for the fun of it, I am making a guess on some of EOS R3 specifications:

EOS R3: 40MP, 8K video

With reference to selected Canon cameras, EOS-1D X Mark III: 20.1MP, 4K video | EOS R5: 45MP, 8K video | EOS R6: 20.1MP, 4K video | EOS 5D Mark IV: 30.1MP, 4K video

Stay tuned as we await the official announcement of the upcoming Canon EOS R3 full-frame mirrorless camera that is going to be a high speed, high sensitivity and high reliability camera.

Notes:

(1) Continuous shooting frame rate may decrease depending on the attached lens and/or shooting environment  

(2) This feature may not be useable depending on such factors as users’ wearing of sunglasses, hard contact lenses or glasses for vision correction, as well as individual characteristics including eye size, eyelid thickness and eyelash length  

(3) Compatible with iOS only. EOS R3-compatible version requires paid purchase. Both wired and wireless connections are supported, but wired connection requires compatible USB cable (purchased separately by user). 

* IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.  

** Information and picture courtesy of Canon Singapore and GLOO PR **

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