According to recent reports, Canon may be planning to replace the original EOS R full frame mirrorless camera with a new variant. The word is, however, that the camera will not be a true Mk. II design, but would likely carry an independent model number befitting its feature set.
Why? Well, with supply chain issues brought on by the worldwide chip shortage and Covid Pandemic, the speculation is that an Mk. II EOS R design may have simply been killed in favor of a completely new configuration that better fits the timeline of Canon’s mirrorless roadmap.
Image Credit – Canon
Positioned as an entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera that is placed below the EOS R6, the new model may also have a larger sensor than the EOS 7 or EOS 10 APS-C cameras.
Being below the R6 should put this new camera model at a sub-$2,500 price point, and depending on exactly what the specs are, the state of the camera market could also determine its availability.
But considering that the EOS R3-R6 all carry mid-level price tags above $2500, the need for a lower-priced entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera that users can upgrade out of APS-C lines has never been more important.
Image Credit – Canon
Looking at the original R full-frame mirrorless camera, which had a 30.3MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor and DIGIC 8 Image Processor, a next-generation model replacing it would need a DIGIC X image processor and likely a similar size CMOS sensor.
One could also make the case for an oversized sensor that then would downscale to a pure 4K image. Only time will tell, as even Canon Rumors states that the specs they have heard are based on rumors and speculation that have yet to be confirmed.
One thing is certain – if the rumor is true and Canon is moving on from an affordable option based on the original R platform due to supply chain issues, there will certainly be a vacuum left open for just that kind of camera.
According to Canon Rumors, the company is planning to announce the next R series model in late 2022, or in early 2023, with a launch date coming in Q1 of 2023.
Stay tuned as more details continue to leak out as the time for the expected announcement draws near.
[source: Canon Rumors]
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