Canon introduces the top-of-the-range EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II models

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Canon has announced the launch of the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II full-frame mirrorless cameras. According to a press release from Canon, the two new flagship models are designed to take professional photography and videography to a new level.

At the heart of the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II is a new imaging platform, according to Canon. It consists of the new "DIGIC Accelerator", the "DIGIC X" image processor and a newly developed high-speed image sensor. Behind the DIGIC Accelerator is an AI accelerator that helps with autofocus or enhances images directly in the camera. For example, it can denoise images – according to Canon, this should improve the image quality by around two ISO levels – and upscale JPEG or HEIF images to four times the resolution (upscaling). All in all, the AI accelerator should lead to higher performance and new functions for autofocus, continuous shooting and image quality.

The EOS R5 Mark II is set to go on sale at the end of August 2024 for 4800 euros. The EOS R1 will follow in November for 7500 euros.

Better autofocus and new image sensors

According to Canon, the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II feature the latest version of Dual Pixel CMOS AF, Dual Pixel Intelligent AF. It is said to be able to track people even more precisely by recognizing the faces and upper bodies of players in sports photography – even if the line of sight is interrupted in the meantime. According to Canon, a new "Action Priority" mode automatically recognizes common game sequences in soccer, basketball and volleyball and tracks the main subject in fast, dynamic situations.

Canon claims to have improved Eye Control AF, which is now also built into the EOS R5 Mark II for the first time, in both cameras compared to the EOS R3. It should allow fast, natural subject selection even in complex scenes.

According to Canon, the new image sensors of the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II enable a higher shooting speed and faster sensor readout. Rolling shutter distortion has been reduced by up to 60 percent compared to previous models. A new pre-shooting function also captures up to 20 images (EOS R1) or 15 images (EOS R5 Mark II) before the shutter button is fully pressed.

In video mode, the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II offer the option of recording videos in 12-bit raw internally on the memory card with four-channel sound. Cinema EOS Movie Recording formats are supported alongside Canon Log 2 and 3 with proxy video recording.

To support professional workflows, both cameras offer multiple features for fast, stable connectivity. These include Wi-Fi 6E including radio in 6 GHz bands, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (EOS R1 and optional on EOS R5 Mark II) and Dual Thread FTP (EOS R1).

Canon EOS R1 - Professional camera for sports and news photography

With the EOS R1, Canon presents a new professional camera that has been specially developed for the requirements of sports and news photography. According to Canon, the EOS R1 follows in the footsteps of the original EOS 1 series, which was introduced 35 years ago and has been a tool for professionals ever since.

According to Canon, the main focus in the development of the EOS R1 was on powerful autofocus and a high continuous shooting speed in order to capture the perfect moment even in dynamic situations. To achieve this, a completely new AF system with cross-type sensors has been developed, which is being used for the first time in a Canon camera.

Thanks to a new arrangement of pixels on the Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor, in which individual pixels are rotated by 90 degrees, the autofocus can work both horizontally and vertically. According to Canon, this enables fast and precise focusing even under difficult conditions, such as when photographing through a tennis net.

The EOS R1 also has a powerful electronic shutter, which is said to enable continuous shooting at up to 40 frames per second in raw or in combination with JPEG/HEIF. The full resolution of 24.2 megapixels can be used and the autofocus can be tracked.

AI-based image upscaling to up to 96 megapixels is possible within the camera, which also reduces noise. The fastest shutter speed is 1/64,000 second and the flash synchronization time has been reduced to up to 1/400 second. Improved algorithms for white balance and exposure metering should ensure greater consistency and versatility.

In addition to the photo functions, the EOS R1 also offers extensive video functions. It can record 6K RAW videos at up to 60 fps, 4K videos at up to 120 fps and Full HD videos at up to 240 fps.

For use in adverse conditions, the EOS R1 has been equipped with a newly designed, weatherproof housing and an integrated portrait format grip. The electronic viewfinder is specially sealed against fogging and has a large eyepiece for comfortable shooting even over longer periods of time.

A new feature is the two-stage AF-ON button, with which two configurable functions can be activated directly in order to react quickly to changing situations.

EOS R5 Mark II - hybrid camera for photo and video

The EOS R5 Mark II builds on its predecessor, the EOS R5, and is intended to be particularly suitable for creative storytelling and hybrid tasks. Canon is aiming the camera at a wide range of applications, from wildlife and wedding photography to event reporting, reportage and video production.

At its heart is the back-illuminated full-frame sensor with a resolution of 45 megapixels. With the electronic shutter, the camera is capable of continuous shooting at up to 30 frames per second with full autofocus. The AI upscaler converts the images to 180 megapixels.

Videographers should also benefit from the EOS R5 Mark II. Canon emphasizes the "seamless hybrid multimedia functionality" and promises improved synergy with the Cinema EOS series. The camera records videos in 8K at up to 60 frames per second across the entire sensor width, internally also with 12-bit color depth in raw format. In 4K, up to 120 frames per second are possible, including sound recording. For longer recordings during event coverage, interviews or live-streaming, Canon offers the new CF-R20EP fan grip (570 euros).

Canon promises robustness and endurance thanks to the new, more powerful LP-E6P battery and a heat-dissipating magnesium alloy housing, which is also designed to withstand adverse weather conditions.

Despite the technical improvements, Canon says it has been able to retain the compact and lightweight body. Other new features include a viewfinder with twice the brightness and a larger eyepiece compared to the EOS R5.

(tho)