No the R3 uses a stacked sensor with fast readout, so you can use electronic shutter for fast moving subjects. So does the Z9 and A1. The only APS-C camera with a stacked sensor is the Fuji X-H2S. But although there are claims that Fuji has nearly caught up in AF performance, I'm dubious about that.What is the point of creating a camera with 15fps Mechanical if when you come to use it, you in effect become blind? When shooting fast-moving sports, you cannot use the Electronic shutter because of the rolling shutter effect. Sure the AF must be incredible, but it has a high cost. Sure if you shoot photos one at a time, it is more than fine, but as a sports camera, it becomes more of a hindrance. Or if you have to slow it down, then it sort of defeats the purpose of having 15fps.When I compare the R7 with electronic first shutter in H (8fps) with my D500 in H (10 fps), the viewfinder in the R7 is definitely jerkier when I'm panning. It's not a total slide show like on the H+ speed but the real framerate in the viewfinder is low. The D500 has blackouts when the mirror is up obviously but the viewfinder refresh is immediate when the mirror is down, and it's easier to follow movement. Since the 7Dii is in the same league as the D500, I think you might be disappointed with the R7 in comparison. On the other hand, the AF on the F7 does things my D500 can't do.How bad is the blackout? I have an R7 on order. I shoot motocross and BMX races and I often shoot sequence shots. From the beginning of a jump, in the air, and then the landing. Am I going to regret my purchase if I cannot keep the bikes in the frame due to the fact that I cannot see them?Another thing to note is that the 15fps mechanical shutter (H+ drive mode) comes with a big limitation - the viewfinder does not refresh smoothly but turns into a "slide-show", only showing the last image recorded. This makes it hard to track a moving object, although it is fine for a stationary one. The regular H drive mode is 6.5 fps mechanical and 8 fps electronic first-curtain shutter. In this drive mode the viewfinder refreshes in between shots, although the viewfinder blackout during each shot is pronounced.
How is the battery life? On my 7Dii, i can get about 3000-3500 shots on a single battery if I don't play with the screen too much.
Really what you and I want is a performance APS-C camera with a stacked sensor and blackout free viewfinder. That's what I was hoping for, but that's not what Canon wanted to make.
I can't give you a shots per battery life, because I haven't been keeping track. I don't think it's as good as my D500. Those EVFs use a lot of juice.
I know the AF on the 7Dii has some issues locking on to subjects moving all over the place. I can never use full frame focusing as it likes to track the ground and I get too many misses. So I have to use the middle set of focus points, so the number plate is in focus, but not the head. If I use the top focus points, I get the impression they are not as accurate as the center ones and I get a lot of misses. Shooting in portrait mode. So I am hoping the R7 will be better. However, if I cannot see the subject I am tracking, I am no better off.
I am almost considering canceling the order and waiting until the store gets a demonstrator model that I can test out before spending $2k (CAD)
While the R3 is well out of my budget, does it have the same blackout issues as the R7?
As for the R7, the 15fps mechanical shutter is OK for some situation where you can point the camera at one place and wait for the action, like a baseball batter, or bird taking off. Not so much when you have to track a fast moving object. The R7 is kind of half baked: a fast processor with great AF, and a slow recycled sensor. It's fine for the price point. It's not the performance APS-C body that 7Dii and D500 owners are waiting for.
The build quality isn't great either. There are no rubber grommets on the battery and memory card doors. Do you shoot in the rain?


