DPReview TV: Canon EOS RP review

A friend has just bought an RP and I've had the opportunity to handle it and take a few photos. For what it's worth, my impressions were that it's very solidly made and fits the hands extremely well despite its small size. It felt well balanced with a 24-105mm zoom or with a 100mm macro, but despite having an excellent grip it didn't provide enough leverage when used with my 100-400mm.

Metering was extremely accurate. Autofocus (with adapted EF lenses) was quite fast and precise, especially when used in wide-area mode. When the AF point was set to the smallest size focus became less reliable, with some hesitation. Image quality (occ JPEG) was extremely good, almost on par with a 5DMkiv in terms of sharpness and freedom from high ISO noise.

Not a camera for "serious" photogarphers, but absolutely perfect for novices stepping up from a compact or an APS camera. I'd be very happy using one as a travel camera, or as a backup to a hi-end body.

Hope that helps anyone hovering!

Despite the critical wrap-up in this video, I seriously consider to add an "RP" to my existing EF system, because it is such a small and light FF camera. With some compact EF lenses like the 50mm f/1.4 (or even the still quite compact EF f/1.2) attached it should look less intrusive for street shooting. Btw it is nice to see that Canon moves with the RP into a gap that Sony opened up by making their FF ML cameras beefier with every new generation.

From a Canon user's perspective, Canon's first in-camera focus bracketing is also a nice feature for macro photography. So I can imagine that some will take the plunge. I am also pretty optimistic that Canon will offer less fast, more compact lenses for the RF mount in future. Currently they have to show off, to signal that they are really committed to the new RF mount.

Why so many complaints about inexpensive glass. All manufacturers nowadays make expensive and fast glass because the low end market is hardly declining because of smartphones. So they try to make as much money with pro’s and geeks ego but expensive glass. And it works!

I still don't get that Dpreview is always downplaying or almost ignoring the fact the camera comes with an EF adapter in most cases. And then keeps on talking about "these expensive RF lenses" and "not many budget options" blah blah blah.
While almost all adapted EF lens behave like native on an EOS R, some even perform better than on EF cameras. Plus adapted lenses might even be shorter than the mirrorless option, see EF 50mm 1.2 vs RF 50mm 1.2
https://bit.ly/2H1qsHI

I'll agree with other comments that Canon should have released at least 2 more inexpensive lenses with a camera like this. A small/light 24-70 or 24-105 variable aperture type kit lens and a 70-300. Typical Costco bundle twin lens setup. As things stand now, I think the 35mm 1.8 is the only sub $900 lens in the lineup until at least 2020. Not a fan of the adapter + 24-105STM bundle. I think it would have been nicer if they offered it bundled with the adapter + RF 35mm 1.8 for maybe $1600. Kind of how they originally bundled the 22mm with the original EOS M.

I don't understand why so many people are frustrated by camera brands. It seems to me that this is a war of specifications fueled by ridiculous people. But photography is above all ART !

I think there's a typo; isn't it the Canon RIP? Looks like it gets blown away by the D750, which is....wait for it...over 4 years older.

You would think when I click the "wrap up" hyperlink, it'd take me to a section of text, but instead it just skips to the end of the video. I know this is DPR "TV", but would it be asking too much to have a summary written up? I prefer reading over watching a YT video.

Another fantastic review by Chris and Jordan! Wow that extra noise on the low ISO is looking pretty bad... the old a7ii handled it way better.

Guess if Canon had at least one or two “low cost” lenses this camera would make sense. As it is it’s I guess it’s a good entry point into MILC for people that already own a bunch of Canon glass and will just adapt it?

Apparently the RP has a silent shutter but only as a scene mode! Wow Canon, way to purposely cripple a camera. Hopefully Nikon does it right with their own low cost Z.

Perfect FF camera for the masses.
The jpegs from this camera will look better than from most cameras from other manufacturers. That is all most people want.

I'd much rather have a good APS-C camera with a good selection of glass than a so-so full frame with the need for expensive glass.

Kind of beats the purpose of an entry level offering like this if you have to spend thousands on quality glass to make the camera make use of the full frame sensor. If you don't have good glass you're much better off with a smaller sensor, better camera and a cheaper price.

Mingleby saying a camera is boring is a totally valid remark for a comment box. People buy the XT3 because it's not boring, pity its disappointed me in every other way. I think M Canon cameras are very boring although that hadn't stopped me picking up three of them. I sold all my canon full frame for GFX because I was bored of it all. So yes, if a cameras boring I want to know about it.

“It’s FF! It’s “cheap!” And you can use old lenses with it!”

These are selling points of the RP and sadly that’s all many people care about.

Pretty boring camera from where I sit

Full Frame Full Frame Full Frame Full Frame !

The consumer cry shows that the manufacturers are probably going to be able to keep their declining businesses going for a little longer, selling gear to people who will upgrade when they probably do not need to.

There are plenty of people with gear insecurity who think that spending a few thousand more on an upgrade will somehow improve their work.

Sometimes it does. Usually it does not.

And then so many people end up viewing on an iPad - a device which renders having full frame cameras relatively worthless.

People will agonise over upgrading the Eos 80D to a EOS RP for the family holiday in Disney. Shooting in good light and blue skies, they'll view on an iPad and tell themselves it was worth the upgrade, even when in reality it will make NO difference.

People are free to spend their money however they want. But the Full Frame siren cry is a waste of time and effort for many of the people who will buy these cameras.

5 stop push is not enough anymore! I want more! 8 stops or nothing.

I don't get the morbid fascination with the "every camera has to do everything and do it super well" paradigm. In this case, an entry-level camera is criticized for not having high end features... Who was your logic teacher, people at DPR, Donald Trump..?

"... there's a lot to like about this pint-sized full-framer."
That sugarcoating is unnecessary. At the end of the day Canon addicts will buy anything, which has the favorite logo on it; the rest will never touch it even with a 10 foot monopod.
Don't bother.

A very sober review, and the wrap up really sums it up very well.

Sensor wise.

I think it's more than enough if your shooting correctly exposed images. My old camera with its apsc sensor shoots beautiful images and even handels pushing or pulling pretty well.

Correctly used this camera will give its owner very high quality images. Nothing to worry about here.

Having it's specs in mind.
I don't see it as a bad option, specially in a year or so, when the price drops. I've read in a bunch of places it has the same weather sealing as a 6d or 80d. I don't really know if it's true. 4fps with tracking as canon said isn't bad at all, I don't know anyone that shoots bursts all day as an amateur.
Battery life wise, it's very very low, but on my Rebel I usually shoot with the screen turned off and no image review. Doing the same on this camera would probably make that battery life a lot better, but nowhere near 1000images.
If the a7.3 or z6 had the same price point I wouldn't even look at it.
Lens wise I would look only at the actual 24-105l f4 and the 35 1.8 is stm macro. And would only use my 50 1.8 with the ef adapter.
An RF 28 2.8 is coming and could probably be a nice lens for this camera. Maybe it's a pancake lens.
I would probably avoid using the adapter.

So older sensor in a new body with no real updates or lack of...sounds like a used car salesperson’s trick...

At out recent photoclub meet (40+ photographers - most Canon) the RP was all the buzz. Most see it as a cheap way to get into mirrorless and/or replace a 6d or 5dii backup camera; at the same time getting some nifty features like focus stacking and eye focus AND have access to those amazing new RF lenses at some stage.

So I think I got the marketing strategy now: Design some WOW lenses that make photographers take note, then provide an entry which is not top of the performance pile, but is no slouch either and in the right hands will make those new RF lenses shine... and it is VERY low cost.

I must say, I always love locations in DPTV's videos. Great review as well, keep it up!

Canon needs some good affordable primes for this system *fast*.

Probably a Nikon Z5 and a cheap Sony coming sometime this year, both of which will have sensors that deliver the full benefits of full frame (unless Sony supplies the A7II sensor). Both, like the RP, will be able to use your EF lenses with AF (performance unknown). The Sony also offers a fairly decent selection of native lenses. The above will pull down the price of the RP and the R. Waiting a few months might be a good idea.

2.5 FPS with continuous AF, and even at that frame rate EVF shows slideshow effect which is very disappointing. I know it is a cheap FF, but I would expect at least 3 FPS with continuous AF and lag free EVF at that frame rate. Otherwise it looks like a good camera to me.

I wonder how close the 6D II sensor bin got to the landfill site when someone came up with the RP.

This is a smart, if not desperate move by Canon. The RP caters to the remaining entrenched fans. Yes, it may turn some back to canon from other brands, but basically, the goal is to keep the loyal in. With a shrinking market, and inability to match up to other brands due to lack of innovation, competing on price is one of the few options left.

I think 80-90% of those who got an M camera don't really have plans to move up. It's not the sensor size. It's the cost. Even at U$1.3k, that is still steep, + w/out cheap lenses, the move is ill adviced. One can't even use M lenses on the RP. And those 80% really just want a small easy to use camera.

The trouble with the RP is, it does not prevent others from doing the same. Sony could just create an A6 line at U$1,500 with std kit lens. It would be an a6400 shooting at 8fps with AF-C & no video caveats. If any, this move probably helps pave the way for that. I don't think Sony will do that, but if they do, it's good for all.

If it only had the LP-E6 battery and manual controls for the electronic shutter, this could be the perfect camera for me. Actually I could stand not having the manual conrtrol in silent mode but not having the LP-E6 is hard for me.

The absolute worst thing about this camera is that the gold edition isn't a standard option. Surely Canon hates everyone outside Japan.

Chris suggests that this camera is for "The amateur, the beginner, somebody that wants the Full Frame look but still wants a camera that's very simple."

I'm sorry but I don't believe that person exists. There is no constituency of Rebel wannabe Full Frame shooters. People looking to move to mirrorless from the Rebel are much better served by the M50 or M5, which is half the price with a standard zoom.

The only way to understand what this camera is and who it's intended for is to think back to the FF mirrorless market when it likely hit the drawing board.

DPR has said it takes approximately 18 months to design a camera, so that would put the inception of this camera well before the launch of the A7III - which was almost exactly a year ago. It may have even been conceived before the A7rIII around six months earlier.

At around half the cost of the A7RIII it makes sense. At 75% of the cost of the A7III it makes no sense at all.

There aren’t many “affordable choices” of available lenses? There are well over 100,000,000 EF lenses out in the world that work with the included adapter, many thousands of them available daily on eBay. To me, that is a compelling argument for starting photographers to buy this body.

In conclusion, if you want to shoot video an iPhone is better. If you want full frame for it's latitude in post stick to a high end APSC and save money. If you plan on shooting action or sports just don't. However if you are planning to shoot in JPEG this is the camera for you. Does this sum it up guys?

Guys! Would you be able to publish a written summary of these video reviews. There is really no time to watch them. Trust me I am not alone in this boat. Many of my buddies - photographers also day there is no time to watch them;although, it may be interesting and useful.

Another good review from DPR. What I like about DPR reviews and this 'new' review format is that the guys always try to give as balanced a review as possible. They always talk about the perceived strengths and weaknesses in as equal a measure as possible to give a rounded and balanced review. Good job boys, keep it up. A previous commentator stated that you should not get in to a routine. On the contrary, if the routine is producing 'good' results, then stick with it - it's winning formula. By the way, people often get things a little wrong and many an argument is started over the perceived strengths and weaknesses. There are no strengths and weaknesses, only characteristics. Whether you view those characteristics as a positive (strength) or a negative (weakness) is totally subjective and based on any given individual's experiences, needs and expectations. The result is that some people will be pleased with what you say in your review and some won't. That's life.

Great a vid as always guys.
Question: There were parts of the video that looked a little soft and other parts that were startlingly sharp. Was this due to the different settings you were using, miss-focus on the camera's part (or your own part), or was it the conditions that the video was shot in (brighter versus darker environment)?

According to DxOMark, the sensor in this camera offers 0.7eV less DR than the 1" sensor in the RX10 III. I knew it was a bit behind the curve, but I found that pretty surprising. My RX10 IV (same sensor) definitely struggles on bright days, when the light can be a bit harsh. It would be weird to go up to a much larger sensor but lose some DR in the process.

https://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Canon-EOS-6D-Mark-II-versus-Sony-Cybershot-DSC-RX10-III___1170_1084

DRP, is this how you are going to do reviews now? Is there going to be your usual format in addition?

Canon EOS RiP 😁

Great, review, guys. Short, informative and spot on. Just it feels a little bit rushed, and it looks like you starting to get into routine. Don't get into it! Thanks and good luck.