NOTE: This is an opinion-based article that is critical of Canon’s new mirrorless camera based on no personal hand’s on experience. Do not consider this a review, this is simply a break down of the specs listed for the camera as compared to other cameras within the same category and my thoughts on those specs. Also, this overview is from the perspective of a video shooter primarily, not a still shooter.
I just saw the specs for the new Canon EOS R and I was really hoping that Canon could do what the others couldn’t or wouldn’t do, but it seems like Canon has mostly taken the road tread by Nikon, and released a competent full-frame mirrorless camera that offers decent competition against the main juggernaut in the field, Sony. What we have here is a camera that succeeds in some important areas, but falls short in others and which primarily serves to stop the tide of departing Canon owners to another platform in their transition to mirroless.
VIDEO
Last time I criticized the video capabilities of a camera (the Nikon N6 and N7) I got lambasted by those who said I was too hard on the manufacturer of primarily photo cameras. I’ll say now what I said to those commentors, if a camera company isn’t devoting an equivalent amount of effort and energy to video as they are photo capability, then they are leaving a huge segment of their potential customers out in the cold. A full-frame mirrorless must be as capable a video camera as it is a stills camera.
So where did Canon fail as a video camera? First off, I don’t fault them for not achieving 4K/60p. Why not though? I certainly held Nikon to account for not achieving the goal with their new mirrorless. Here’s why, since writing my Nikon overview I have been properly schooled in the limitations inherent in capturing 4K/60p on a full-frame sensor. Basically, unless someone is interested in shelling out about $50K for a pro rig, like the Sony Venice, or other such system, there is no way anyone is getting to that holy grail of video recording capability with the current crop of mirrorless cameras. Perhaps we’ll hit that milestone in the next few years, or perhaps Panasonic or Fuji will figure it out when they release/upgrade their full-frame mirrorless, but as of now, that figure is impossible.
That being said, I will not hold Canon’s inability to achieve this miraculous frame rate against them, and I hereby retract the criticism I lobbied against Nikon for not being able to hit this milestone either. What I will hold Canon to task for is not being able go toe to toe with Nikon on other specs. I’m really disappointed Canon has to crop their sensor to achieve 4K/30p. This just seems like a step back compared to Nikon and Sony. Also, why couldn’t Canon at least reach the 1080p/120 that Nikon was able to achieve with Nikon Z6/7. The fact that I would have to slum it down in 720p to reach this slow-motion target really hits hard. While I appreciate being able to at least shoot 4K/30p, the crop will kill this camera for vloggers, and it also negates any depth of field advantages of having a full-frame sensor.
MONITOR
It’s not all bad news, though, Canon did get the monitor correct by building in a flipping screen. Despite the limited video capabilities, if you’re a vlogger, a one-person content creation team or just like to be able to show the talent your recording a idea of the scene your setting, without needing to buy an external monitor, having a flippy screen is vital. In fact, the screen alone might be the selling point that a potential buyer considers when deciding whether to choose this over Sony and Nikon’s offerings. Sony continues to refuse to put a flippy screen on their mirrorless cameras, but if Canon’s sales cut into their bottom line perhaps they’ll reconsider.
MEMORY
Much like with Nikon’s new mirrorless camera, Canon opt’d for one card slot, for some reason. And just as with Nikon’s offerings, this doesn’t really bother me. As I stated in my last camera write up, I’m not the kind person to utilize two card slots. I’m fairly confident in the SD card format, and it’s reliability, and just haven’t had the need to shoot to two cards simultaneously. That being said, going the single card slot route will be seen as a mistake by many, mostly those pros who felt going single slot was a mistake on the Nikon cameras.
What I will commend Canon for is sticking to the SD card format. This fits well in my workflow and I’m happy that I won’t have to buy new memory cards or dig out a card reader when I want to offload my card. I also like the fact that they are supporting the UHS-II format. I currently own UHS-II cards for my Panasonic GH5, and know how important their increased data transfer rate is, especially for 4K video recording, so it would have been odd to not see this support in Canon’s new mirrorless. Perhaps those of us who care can hope for two card slots in a future model.
LENSES
Canon, much like Nikon, have introduced a new mount for their new Canon EOS R, the RF mount, which means there will be a who new family of lenses. Much like with Nikon, I’m disappointed that they didn’t try to at least open with a variety of new focal lengths for their lenses, if for no other reason then to help justify the new mount and show what it can do.
I understand their strategy here, just like I understand Nikon’s, release versions of the most popular lenses first, then trickle release all the remaining lenses and give uses a competent converter they can use in the meantime. While it doesn’t make me happy, I understand the need for the decision and can live with. This doesn’t outright negate the criticism of the lack of lens variety, but it does frame the augment in the right way for both Nikon and Canon. The one point I’ll give to Canon is that they at least have multiple zoom lenses. I like the more versatile 24-105mm f/4 kit lens and I’m rather impressed and anxious to try the 24-70mm f/2 lens. Prices are a little heavy, but the glass looks good and the low ISOs are a blessing.
CONCLUSION
As I said in my NIkon N6/7 overview, and now with my Canon overview, these are the areas that most concern me as a visual journalist. Canon might kill it in other areas and be worse in others but these are the categories I care about. The camera might feel wonderful in the hand and auto focus like a dream, but as I have never picked up the camera I’m not qualified to tell you either way. What I think Canon has done with their mirrorless camera is the same thing Nikon has done, create a high quality camera on par with what Sony currently offers as a way to stem the tide of those leaving Canon for another mirrorless company.
If I was still a Canon shooter, and had never entered the world of micro 4/3rds, I would probably trade in my Canon 5D Mark II for this camera. Being able to use my whole lens kit for this camera and being able to upgrade to 4K/30p video would be a compelling enough reasons to provoke me to switch. This is probably the same mentality of a Nikon owner who is considering mirroless. Unfortunately, I’m not a Canon user anymore, and in order for me to switch from micro 4/3rds I would need a very compelling and capable camera, and right now Canon isn’t offering it.
Perhaps, though, I’m looking at this from the wrong perspective, perhaps I shouldn’t be looking at this as a all or nothing scenario. Perhaps there is a world where I have my full-frame mirroless for what it can do, and I use my micro 4/3rds camera for what it can do, then I just use the right tool for the job. In that case, I’m starting at zero and have three compelling camera bodies to consider. If that’s the scenario, then I have to give the edge to Nikon. Their camera is one par with Sony’s offering and they are outpacing Canon in the video department. Finally their use of XQD as a format is forward thinking, and while annoying from a workflow perspective, when they do eventually get to the 4K60p promised land, they will have the storage media to handle it.
I honestly didn’t think I’d be praising Nikon as much as I am, but while I appreciate Canon’s decision to go with a flippy screen and their choice of the SD card format, the lack full-frame 4K and 1080p/120p really disappoint me as a creator. I expected more from Canon. Here’s hoping Panasonic can pull off something remarkable as they enter the full-frame market, because if they don’t, if they fall in line with Nikon and Canon and just create a Sony equivalent, their going to find themselves at a distinct disadvantage compared to the competition.
