Last Updated on 04/29/2019 by Mark Beckenbach
Whatever Canon decides to do with the high end EOS R, one thing for sure is that they won’t be able to please everyone.
The Canon EOS R has been relatively successful for Canon since it’s launch, but the Canon faithful want more. Instead of coming out guns blazing, Canon played a safe card with the EOS R, and then laid down another with the EOS RP. But rumors about a new, high-end EOS R continue to swirl. If recent reports are to believed, it will be a powerhouse, but just what direction will Canon choose to go with it? Will it be a Mirrorless version of the high Megapixel 5DS, or will it be a tough workhorse like the 1DX that working pros have been clamoring for?
A Recent report over at DPReview brought to light a leak that shows Canon may have their hands on a 63 Megapixel CMOS sensor. If this is the case it would seem that Canon may be leaning more toward making a Mirrorless version of the Canon EOD 5DS (a megapixel monster that was designed to be used by those who practice fashion photography, and those who need to create large prints like landscape photographers).
On the other hand though, who’s to say that Canon will go that route? Sure, they might have their hands on a 63 Megapixel sensor, but that doesn’t mean it is ready to be deployed. For all we know Canon may be leaning more towards creating a Mirrorless workhorse. Professional photographers who work out in the field day in and day out have been yelling and screaming at Canon for a camera that could replace their 1DX series DSLR. We have talked about why this may be the case before.
In all honesty, the Canon EOS R is more than enough camera for the average photographer. The 30.3 Megapixel sensor in the EOS R is already capable of producing really nice images, and not many photographers will be blowing up images to print at sizes where more than 30 Megapixels are needed. Pair the EOS R up with some of the new RF Mount glass and you have some serious kit on your hands that will serve you well for years to come.
A 63 Megapixel Full Frame Mirrorless camera sounds nice in theory, but really anyone who needs a camera with that much resolution would be better off jumping into the world of Medium Format with the likes of Fujifilm and their GFX 50R, or Pentax and their 645Z. A Full Frame Mirrorless camera with a sensor that size would be slow (a reported 5.2 frames per second), and it would probably be priced like the two Medium Format options mentioned earlier. The market for such a camera would be small compared to the one that is crying out for a pro body that’s tough as nails and has a built in grip.
Canon certainly has somewhat of a dilemma on its hands. Do they make a huge Mirrorless camera statement by being the first to market with a Full Frame Mirrorless camera that tops 50 Megapixels, or should they create a camera that thousands of working pros would love to get their hands on? What do you think Canon should do? Lets us know in the comment section below.