Looking at Canon EOS R kits

I am writing to give you my opinion. You know your budget and needs better than anyone.

I have been a long term Canon shooter - bought my first Canon SLR in 1981, my first EOS in the early 90's and the Canon 10D in March or 2003. I have owned five Canon DSLRs, plenty of Canon lenses and now the R5. Before the R5/R6s were released I was headed to Sony. For the ten years before the R5/R6s were released I felt Canon was phoning in their sensor development and Sony was flying circles around Canon in DR and High ISO. Plus Sony seemed to be innovating in many areas where Canon just seemed to be resting.

The new Canons - R6, R5 and R3 are the only Canons I would consider in 2022 for purchase for my needs. The new sensors are beyond fantastic. Yes, I shot lots of sports and dance and other activities over the last almost 20 years with my older DSLRs. Even with the noise I was happy to be able to shoot at high enough shutter speeds with decent ISO for indoor sports. I am glad I have the images. But the R5 is beyond next generation. I am shooting indoor sports at ISOs that I would never consider before and the images are beautiful. The R6 would be just as great. People have already told you about the AF, and they are correct. In the old days, I shot a lot of images just to make sure I had images over everyone on the team (Tae Kwon Do, Gymnastics, Dance) the keeper rate for tricky indoor lighting sports events was just ok (that is after culling just the other non keeps - ref gets in the way or someone moves, etc... Now my keeper rate is amazing. The eye focus and the tracking is amazing for sports.

I use a combination of EF and RF lenses. My main sports lens right now is a EF 70-200 f2.8 MK II. The lens works great on the R5. I bought the lens last Spring after I bought my R5. I also have several RF lenses you mentioned the Rf 100-400 is great to shoot, the lens and the camera together are very light  and takes great pictures. I also have the Rf 800 f11, a fun lens, but I consider it a specialty lens (meaning I would only get it after I bought my everyday lenses. I have also bought several other EF lenses over the last year and they all adapt great.

I have seen nice images from the RP and the R. They helped Canon move into the mirrorless world, but I never considered them because they used older Canon sensors. I can't tell you what is best for you. If I was buying on a limited budget today and could not afford the R6 and did not need a camera right now I would wait and see what Canon announces in the next few months. Active rumors are of an updated RP and at least one other camera. But if you have the budget I would get an R6, this is a camera that you can use for years. I think we maybe spoiled on MP, I shot with a 22 MP camera for the last 10 years and printed a lot of great large images.  I know some R and RP users may take offence at my opinion, but what I have posted is my opinion based on my years of photography. Others have also posted their opinions.