The world of APS-C is still not at its full potential yet — and even then, camera companies don’t seem to want to let it. While Fujifilm has been dominating the scene for a long time, it appears that Canon is no longer interested in playing it safe either. As camera prices rise due to tariffs, more users are turning to older or smaller-sensor cameras. Keeping this in mind, Canon is now keen to introduce the successor to the R7 II, and the specs seem to look quite fascinating.
According to Canon Rumors, the latest reports are firming up the specs sheet, and now, they point to the inclusion of a brand-new 39MP BSI APS-C sensor. In our previous report, we mentioned that Canon is keen on a 40MP camera, and so far, the reports have been bouncing between 40MP and 33MP. However, the more significant part is not the megapixels alone, but that it will have a backside-illuminated stacked sensor. The latter will mark the R7 II as the first Canon APS-C camera to do so.
There are also reports that the pre-production units are already with a handful of photographers, including some in Milan; however, they have signed an NDA. The design is said to share many similarities with the R6 series rather than the R5, and it also features the LP-E6P battery, along with CFexpress Type B and SD card slots.
At the moment, the launch date is set for May or June, but Canon Rumors reported that it will likely launch in Q2 of 2026. An FCC filing from December 2025 with a 180-day confidentiality window points straight to June 2026, a date confirmed by multiple Chinese outlets.
Currently, the two APS-C cameras with BSI sensors (unstacked) are the Fujifilm X-H2 and X-H2s. The former offers a 40MP sensor, while the latter offers a 26.1MP sensor. Either way, the Fuji devices have been known for their resolution, color, and blazing-fast speeds (sort of). There is also the Pentax K-3 III, which supports a 26MP BSI sensor, but the K-3 III is a DSLR, which also means that some may not be interested in this.
While some people are excited about this, there is also skepticism about the news. As one commentator said in the article:
I doubt Canon will put a BSI sensor into the R7 II when they didn’t do that even for the R6 III. I think this is just another case of people being too hopeful, just like when everyone was “sure” the R6 III would get not only a BSI sensor but a stacked BSI sensor. Yet here we are with the R6 III getting yet another FSI sensor.
There are also people who believe that Canon will use another low-tech FSI sensor in the R7 II and will boost the resolution as they did with the “R6 III.” People want to be wrong about this, but given the track record of recent launches, one can hope they are.
Other areas where the company can improve include fixing rolling shutter distortion, dynamic range, and battery life, especially since the original camera launched over five years ago. Reports suggest the Fujifilm X-T6 may also be introduced alongside Canon, potentially sparking a major showdown.
Overall, the consensus is to wait, especially if you were planning to purchase the R7 for yourself. Sure, the newer camera may be far more expensive, but if it comes with an even partially stacked sensor, then you may get better readout speed, amongst other features.
Either way, Canon’s APS-C camera is anticipated by many. Whether they deliver on that promise or not remains to be seen.
Could this all be true? We kind of hope so. But at this point, it doesn’t really seem exciting because it’s not doing anything unique that we know of yet. A BSI sensor can’t really change photography.