Introduction
Canon has officially announced the EOS R1, a flagship mirrorless camera designed for professional sports and photojournalism. This announcement comes two months after the company initially revealed that the camera was in development. The EOS R1 is built around a 24MP Stacked CMOS sensor, promising significant advancements in speed, autofocus, and video capabilities.
Key specifications
- 24.2MP stacked CMOS sensor
- 100% AF coverage with cross-type sensors
- In-body stabilization rated at up to 8.5EV
- Up to 40fps blackout-free shooting (JPEG+Raw)
- Pre-capture for photo and video (1/2 sec. for photos, 3 or 5 sec for video)
- Eye-controlled AF with improved eye detection
- Activity AF mode trained on specific sports
- Pre-registered person AF priority
- Blur/out-of-focus image detection
- In-camera processing with neural network noise reduction
- In-camera processing with AI upscaling
- 6K/60p internal Raw video capture
- DCI-4K capture up to 120fps
- Canon S-Log2 gamma profile
Key Features
24MP Stacked CMOS Sensor
The EOS R1 features a 24MP Stacked CMOS sensor that reads out nearly twice as fast as its predecessor, the EOS R3. This sensor allows for still image shooting speeds of up to 40fps and supports 6K/60 Raw video capture internally. The sensor’s back-illuminated design improves light capture, reduces noise, and enhances dynamic range, offering up to 16 stops of dynamic range.
Advanced Autofocus
The Dual Pixel sensor in the EOS R1 has its two sub-pixels rotated in alternate lines, providing cross-type autofocus across the entire sensor region. This design enhances autofocus performance, making it easier to focus on subjects with linear detail. The camera also benefits from a “Digic Accelerator” co-processor, which aids in processing complex algorithms developed through machine learning for various “AI” functions.
High-Resolution Electronic Viewfinder
Canon’s EOS R1 boasts the largest, highest resolution, and brightest electronic viewfinder yet offered in an EOS camera, featuring 9.44 million dots and 0.9x magnification.
Video Capabilities
In addition to its still image prowess, the EOS R1 excels in video recording. It can capture 6K Raw video and offers options for 4K DCI or UHD video, which are oversampled from a 6K Bayer image. The camera uses the DIGIC X processor, also found in the 1DX Mark III, along with an additional DIGIC Accelerator to enhance processing power.
Applications
Canon positions the EOS R1 as a versatile tool ideal for:
- Sports photography
- Photojournalism
- News gathering
- Government and industry applications
Technological Innovations
Improved Readout Speed
The EOS R1’s sensor features circuitry on its rear, allowing for faster readout speeds and reduced rolling shutter distortions. This improvement is crucial for capturing high-speed action and maintaining autofocus performance.
Accelerated Capture & Deep Learning
Canon’s DIGIC Accelerator supports Accelerated Capture, enabling faster continuous shooting, read-out speeds, and the ability to simultaneously capture video and stills. Deep Learning enhances image quality and autofocus accuracy in challenging conditions. Together, these technologies provide high-speed AF analysis, improved tracking accuracy, and advanced features like Action Priority and Register People Priority.
Wide ISO Range
The camera offers a wide ISO range for both video and stills, enhancing its performance in low-light conditions. For video, the ISO range is 100-32,000 (expandable to 204,800), and for stills, it is 100-51200 (expandable from 50-409,600).
Market Position and Pricing
The EOS R1 is targeted at professional sports and news photographers seeking a robust and reliable camera. While it is a capable mirrorless hybrid, its primary strength lies in high-end still photography with added video versatility.
Price & Availability
The EOS R1 is priced at $6,299 USD (body only) and is scheduled to start shipping in November. For comparison, the Sony a1 retails for $6,498 USD, and the Nikon Z9 costs $5,496.95 USD.
Conclusion
Canon’s EOS R1 sets a new standard for professional sports and photojournalism cameras. With its advanced sensor, improved autofocus, high-resolution viewfinder, and robust video capabilities, the EOS R1 is poised to be a game-changer in the industry. As Canon continues to innovate, the EOS R1 represents the pinnacle of their camera technology, offering unparalleled performance for professional photographers.
