I ordered the RP yesterday. I wouldn't get high hopes as a sports camera. I was a WPPI this week and listened to various speakers on the R and RP. They all said they would still use their 1Dxii for their sports shoots.
No doubt that anyone with a 1DXII would use that. I think the OP's question is more about is it minimally useable for sports or action. Nobody expects it to be a pro sports camera.
Yes, that's pretty much it. I thought of the 6D and 6DII as usable or adequate (along with most of the Canon crop cameras I've had), the 7DII is the only true sports camera that I have owned.
I am hoping for some specific feedback like: "It can track my dog running at an angle but fails (or succeeds?) when he runs directly at me." or "my girlfriend walking towards me is fine but a bike coming at me is too fast for the tracking to keep up."
I like my EOS M5 but it struggles with anything faster than a casual walking pace, it will fire the shutter, think for a few moments, fire again, think again, etc... Even then, many of the shots are out of focus. I still have a 77D because I like having a crop body that can do some action if I need it.
In the Fro Knows video it looks like the R performs quite well, I'd like to see if the RP could follow a player on a fast break heading right towards the camera. I expect we will see new owners finding the limits as cameras keep getting delivered.
Thanks to everyone offering input.
Peter,
The M5's Achilles heal is the DIGIC7. It can't do "depth tracking" even though it does have AI-Servo. During my time with the M5, when I used AI-Servo, it was single point or zone, L+Tracking + AI Servo = no go to your point.
The M50, R and RP all have the DIGIC8, which supports depth tracking. I've owned the M50, and I own the R, both are on the same level for tracking, which is to say dang right it can.
Per Canon, the R and RP will share the same AF performance, I believe it. Same DIGIC8 and both sensors have about the same readout I gather.
Your enemy isn't it's ability to track, it's the FPS. The R is do-able, but it's not an M50 or pro-DSLR. The RP is on the shy side on AI-Servo FPS. But for the shots it gets, it'll get in my experience.
Newer lenses like the 70-300 IS II are recommended for best results as it has Nano-USM, which DPAF likes STM and Nano-USM equipped lenses as they are linear / digital in terms of performance, for lack of better words.
To answer your question on the head, I will refer back to the M50 and R.
AI-Servo (tracking), is VASTLY superior on the M50 and R vs the M5 (I've owned all three). The RP should mirror the M50 and R's performance which is to say frankly, it's got better accuracy, and can track in the dark. It exceeds a DSLR in most respects. I do find, AF selection is a bit tricky without a joystick like my former 5DIII. Thankfully L+Tracking is so good on the M50/R, I just select a target and it'll hold it (what a thought), like the dog above. I was really shocked as that dog was booking, and there was WEEDS in the way. No problem for the R.
Here's a shot from an older 70-300 DO I tried. Objects coming at you are no problem either.
The 70-300 DO is a low-contrast lens in certain conditions, like above, and hence why I tried it. And returned it. However, AF-performance wise on the R. No gripes. Frankly it was a beast.
The only gotcha with the R's tracking is on third party lenses. Those aren't necessarily that good on a DSLR for that matter. I tried a Tamron 100-400. VERY accurate, but a bit slow to initially grab AF lock. Canon's own glass by comparison like the 70-300 DO and 70-300 IS II were both fast to lock and held tight vs the Tamron was slow to lock, but had no problem holding the lock once it got it.
As I've said on the M forum (where I'll be going next), that M50 is so much more advanced in terms of AF alone the M5 should be selling for less than it. Embarrassing. Canon needs an M5 II or just fess up and lower the price on the M5 if you ask me.
To quote Canon, the R and RP should have the same AF performance. Thus what you have to watch for is FPS. That, well, the RP is a bit lacking. So was the original 6D though and many people made do. You do get what you pay for.
Edit: Crazee seems to concur with my assessment on FPS, the RP is very much in line with the original 6D.
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62375922
The 6D wasn't anything to write home about in terms of FPS. Not a sports camera, but, it could do, just not as well as say a 5DIII. Ditto with the RP. If I had to guess, it'll probably do in the same way a 6D (original) would, but sure, an R or 6DII, 5DIII/IV will do better. It is what it is at $1299.
