Canon Finally Announces R1 Pro Grade Mirrorless Camera, with R5 Mark II For the Rest of Us

After several years of development and speculation, Canon has finally launched its flagship professional-grade R1 full-frame mirrorless camera, as well as a mid-level R5 Mark II camera for enthusiasts.

The Canon R1 features 20-frame pre-shooting technology and autofocus tracking of up to ten subjects within the frame, ensuring that photographers never miss a moment.

Image Credit – Canon

Canon R1:

Designed primarily for professionals, the Canon R1 continues Canon’s 1 series professional cameras’ legacy through high performance, reliable construction, and a robust design ideal for photojournalism, sports, and wildlife photography.

Image Credit – Canon

The R1 features a backside illuminated and stacked 24.2-megapixel full-frame sensor with Canon’s new DIGIC Accelerator image processing sensor, increasing the camera’s readout speeds to reduce rolling shutter and boost still image capture speeds up to 40 frames per second.

The R1 also includes a new Cross-Type AF auto-focusing system, capable of locking on and sticking to the entire body of the subject within the frame.

Additionally, photographers can utilize “register people priority,” allowing them to program the autofocus system to track and maintain focus on their chosen primary subject within the image frame.

Action Priority Autofocus includes special algorithms for select sports, providing sports photographers with optimized tools to capture the action within various sporting events.

Image Credit – Canon

The camera also boasts a blackout-free electronic viewfinder with over 9 million pixels, making it Canon’s sharpest, high-resolution viewfinder designed to date.

A higher pixel count within the electronic viewfinder, along with more focusing points, enables the camera’s eye-tracking autofocus to maintain the sharpest resolution of a subject at any given moment.

With Neural Network digital noise reduction, using AI to reduce background noise directly within the camera, users can capture high-quality, low-light, high-ISO images and process them in-camera to bring out better detail and dynamic range without post-processing.

Image Credit – Canon

The camera also supports capturing up to 6K Raw video at 60p in 12-bit color, along with simultaneous 2K proxy files for easy camera-to-cloud upload.

It also captures in Canon Log 2 for increased high dynamic range, with custom premade LUTs that can be applied and viewed in-camera.

The camera can even prerecord up to five seconds of video before hitting the record button and offers the recording of 4-channel 24-bit audio in LPCM for improved audio capture.

Image Credit – Canon

Canon R5 Mark II:

In addition to the EOS R1, Canon has also introduced the EOS R5 Mark II full-frame mirrorless camera.

Designed to elevate the 5-series, the R5 Mark II features a 45-megapixel full-frame image sensor coupled with Canon’s new DIGIC Accelerator and DIGIC X image processing system for advanced fast reading and image processing.

Image Credit – Canon

The R5 Mark II is packed with content creation tools, leading many to declare that Canon now has TWO flagship cameras, not just one.

The R5 Mark II is a go-to choice for content creators, offering up to 8K 60p video and 4K S-Raw capture at a manageable data rate.

The camera also simultaneously captures 2K proxies for easier editing. Canon has also added a custom picture color profile with Canon Log 2 and the ability to upload custom LUTs to the camera.

The R5 Mark II can capture two different media types in stills, including 33 MP JPEGs and Raw images. The camera also features the same eye control AF and subject tracking technologies found in the R1.

Pricing and Availability:

The Canon EOS R1 will be available starting in the fall of 2024 for a retail price of $6299, while the EOS R5 Mark II will be available in August for $4,299 body only.

There will also be a kit available, which includes the RF24-205mm F4 L IS USM lens for a retail price of $5,399. Optional battery grips are also available at prices ranging from $560-750.

The release of the R1 is highly anticipated, and Canon has provided it with numerous tools for professionals, ensuring it won’t disappoint.

Although users will have to wait until the Fall to get it, the camera will be featured prominently at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Expect to see numerous sample images and videos showcasing its impressive capabilities.

[source: Canon]

Order Links:

  • Canon R1 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera (B&H)
  • Canon R5 Mark II Full Frame Mirrorless Camera (B&H)
  • Canon R5 Mark II with RF24-205mm F4 L IS USM lens (B&H)

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