Conclusion
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| What we like |
What we don't |
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Overall conclusion
The EOS R is Canon's first full-frame mirrorless camera, and with a proven sensor and great color output, it's capable of producing really great photographs. But then again, there are many full-frame cameras on the market today that are capable of producing really great photographs, so it's the process of getting to those photographs that is becoming increasingly important to consider. In that sense, the EOS R comes up short.
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| Oh, those colors. Out-of-camera JPEG. ISO 100 | 1/160 sec | F6.3 | Canon RF 24-105mm at 47mm Photo by Richard Butler |
Surprisingly for a Canon camera, we're unimpressed by the EOS R's ergonomics. The M.Fn Bar is, in its current state, superfluous. The rear dial is too recessed, the buttons are mushy, don't offer good feedback, and are questionably arranged on the body of the camera. Available customization options are puzzling, with great freedom in some areas and frustrating limitations in others.
There are some software and interface issues as well. When using 'evaluative metering,' you may find your exposure varying wildly from shot to shot, even with very similar lighting and composition. In playback, you can't instantly zoom to the AF point used, even if you've enabled that option in the menus (though a double-tap on the touchscreen will zoom in to wherever you tap). A firmware update could fix many of our usability concerns with the EOS R (and existing updates have vastly improved autofocus performance), but right now, the user is left with an experience that feels distinctly unpolished.
A firmware update could fix many of our usability concerns with the EOS R
From a feature set and performance standpoint, the EOS R also struggles to stand out from the crowd. Burst rates are unimpressive, and rolling shutter artifacts limit the usefulness of the silent electronic shutter option. While the on-sensor Dual Pixel Autofocus system is capable of incredible accuracy in Single AF and down to very low light levels, performance in Servo (continuous) AF can be disappointing, with random hunting ruining some of our shots. And in terms of video, its high-bitrate 4K footage with beautiful color rendition is hampered by a substantial crop factor and somewhat low-detail capture.
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| Processed using Adobe Camera Raw 11. ISO 100 | 1/1000 sec | F1.2 | Canon RF 50mm F1.2L Photo by Barney Britton |
In the end, it's perhaps best to look at the EOS R as a case study for the future benefits of the RF system; all native lenses released so far are of very high quality, plus Canon offers a total of three EF lens adapters depending on your needs. But unfortunately, we find it difficult to recommend the EOS R to the broader public besides perhaps existing Canon users looking for a second, lightweight full-frame body. Because ultimately, while the EOS R is unequivocally capable of taking beautiful photos, it too often distracted us and pulled us out of the picture-taking process instead of becoming an invisible part of the process itself, as the best cameras do.
What we think
Richard Butler
Editor
| The EOS R feels like a series of good ideas undermined by their implementation. The interface tries to balance innovation and familiarity but instead delivers that most un-Canon-like experience: inconsistency. Used a certain way the sensor and autofocus can both be extremely good but other situations will confound the autofocus or highlight the dynamic range and video shortcomings. It does enough to earn faint praise, but also deserves the rebuke this implies. |
Barney Britton
Editor
| The Canon EOS R is a camera I really want to like, but despite its attractive form-factor, good sensor and solid stills photography feature set, I just don't enjoy shooting with it. I appreciate Canon trying something different with the ergonomics, but the end result is a camera that - very unusually for Canon - feels like it's never entirely in my control. That said, I will happily put up with almost anything to use some of Canon's excellent new RF-series lenses. |
Compared to its peers
To get a sense of how Canon sees the EOS R fitting into the marketplace, it's useful to compare it against Canon's own mid-range full-frame DSLR, the 6D Mark II. The 6D is somewhat cheaper, but both have broadly similar burst speeds and build quality, both have fully articulating touchscreens and they both come with a single SD memory card slot. Where the EOS R really has a leg up on the 6D Mark II is image quality. Its more modern sensor, similar to that of the pricier 5D Mark IV, gives better dynamic range and more resolution. The 6D Mark II's ergonomics will likely be friendlier to many shooters, but overall, the EOS R is the better option as a tool for taking photographs.
Sony's a7 III sets a high bar at a similar price point to the EOS R. Compared to the Canon, the Sony has faster burst rates, dual memory card slots, better battery life, full-width (and very detailed) 4K video, and it all comes in an appreciably smaller package. There are those who may prefer the EOS R's larger grip, articulating screen and user interface over the Sony's, but in most regards we think that the a7 III is a better camera for most users.
This brings us to the Nikon Z6. It's safe to say that it seems like the 24MP Nikon has the upper hand. It strikes a better balance between its stills and video performance, and its ergonomics are more fully thought-out. Of course, just like the EOS R, we have some gripes, but on the whole it feels like a much more 'finished' product than the Canon.
Scoring
Scoring is relative only to the other cameras in the same category. Click here to learn about the changes to our scoring system and what these numbers mean.
Canon EOS R Category: Mid Range Full Frame Camera |
Build quality Ergonomics & handling Features Metering & focus accuracy Image quality (raw) Image quality (jpeg) Low light / high ISO performance Viewfinder / screen rating Performance Movie / video mode Connectivity Value | PoorExcellent | ||||
Conclusion With a 30MP sensor, fantastic color reproduction and on-sensor autofocus, the EOS R can produce some beautiful photographs with pinpoint-accurate focus. But it's Canon's first mirrorless full-frame camera, and in many ways, it shows. The ergonomics feel unfinished, and for the same or less money, you can find better video, more dynamic range and faster burst speeds elsewhere. But we have to admit that Canon's new RF lenses are simply spectacular, and at this time, the EOS R is the only way to get to use them. | |||||
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