The Canon EOS R3 review delves into the camera’s capabilities, examining how its innovative sensor technology and image processing contribute to its effectiveness in various shooting scenarios. We’ll assess its practicality for professionals, discussing its advantages and limitations to provide a comprehensive overview of what users can expect from this camera.
EOS R3 is a full-frame camera that falls somewhere between Canon EOS 5D and Canon EOS-1DX Mark III. It marks a significant advancement in Canon’s camera technology, offering features tailored for professional photographers and videographers. This review focuses on the key attributes of the EOS R3, such as its advanced autofocus system, high-speed shooting, and durable build. Ideal for sports, wildlife, and action photography, the EOS R3 sets new standards for image quality and performance in the EOS R series.
What You Can Expect from Canon EOS R3?
Canon EOS R3 has features like a back-illuminated stacked full-frame sensor, a DIGIC X processor, and an Eye Control function. The combination of the above gives it a continuous shooting speed of 30fps with an electronic shutter rivaling that of the Sony A1.
Interestingly, the camera offers a new Eye Control Autofocus function. It is similar to the autofocus of Canon film cameras of the 90s as well as Canon EOS 3 and Canon EOS 5. This type of AF allows you to just look into the viewfinder to choose an autofocus point. The autofocus had some problems and EOS R3 effectively resolves them.
Canon EOS R3 Release Date
The Canon EOS R3, a highly anticipated addition to Canon’s illustrious lineup of mirrorless cameras, was officially released on September 14, 2021. This launch was particularly significant as it marked a new chapter in Canon’s history, showcasing its commitment to advancing mirrorless technology. The EOS R3 was designed to bridge the gap between the EOS R5 and the flagship EOS-1D X Mark III, targeting professional photographers who demand speed, reliability, and cutting-edge features in a more compact mirrorless form factor.
Leading up to its release, the EOS R3 generated substantial buzz in the photography community, especially among professionals specializing in sports, wildlife, and action photography. Canon’s announcement of the EOS R3’s development earlier in 2021 had set high expectations, particularly regarding its back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor, eye-controlled autofocus, and high-speed continuous shooting capabilities.
The launch event in September 2021 not only confirmed these features but also showcased additional innovations like enhanced video capabilities and improved body stabilization, further solidifying the EOS R3’s position as a groundbreaking camera at its release. Canon’s emphasis on speed, autofocus performance, and robust build quality in the EOS R3 was seen as a direct response to the evolving needs of professional photographers in a rapidly advancing digital age.
Canon EOS R3 Price and Release Date
As mentioned above, Canon released the camera on September 14, 2021. The price of the camera at the time of its release was $5999. However, it is currently available for different prices at different retailers such as Amazon.
The prices of Canon EOS 1DX-Mark III and Canon EOS R5 were $6,499 and $3,899 at the time of their launch respectively. Considering EOS R3 borrows the best features from both cameras, its price is quite similar to EOS 1DX Mark III as well.
Canon EOS R3 Specs and Features
The features of the camera include Canon’s full-frame stacked back-illuminated CMOS sensor. The sensor has a 24MP resolution with 6k/60p video. The New Eye Control Function also enables you to change autofocus points with your eyes.
Let us discuss the features in more detail in this Canon EOS R3 Review.
Backside Illuminated Stacked CMOS Sensor
First of all, the Camera has backside-illuminated stacked CMOS sensors. As it has been developed by Canon, it assimilates nicely with the DIGIC X image processor. On top of that, the stacked design is very similar to that of the Sony A1. Nikon’s flagship sports camera, the Nikon Z9 also has a stacked sensor. The stacked sensors deliver faster autofocus and burst speeds thanks to their lightning-fast data reach-out speeds.
Before its release, the camera supposedly had 45 megapixels resolution. However, it launched with 24 megapixels resolution which is almost the same as Canon 1DX-Mark III with 20 megapixels sensor.
Canon introduced the R3 as a rival Sony A1 which is a 50MP camera with the capability to shoot at 30fps. But – it is nowhere close to the Sony’s camera, at least in terms of resolution.
Sports cameras by Canon such as EOS-1DX Mark III traditionally have around 20MP resolution. The low megapixel count helps photographers achieve greater burst speed. Therefore, 24MP is consistent with the resolution of other sports cameras. However, you can expect wonders with R3 given it has the tallest stacked sensor and DIGIC X processor.
Updated Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus
Perhaps, the most exciting feature of the R3 is its autofocus. The camera has the next generation Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus. It is the most sensitive and the fastest autofocus system in the world with focusing speeds of only 0.03s. Similarly, it can easily focus in light as low as -7.5EV. It can track the bodies, heads, and eyes of your subjects at a very high speed.
One of the standout features of this system is its ability to cover approximately 100% of the image area, offering photographers the flexibility to compose their shots without worrying about focus limitations.
The EOS R3’s autofocus system is also renowned for its speed and accuracy. It can perform AF calculations at up to 60 times per second, ensuring sharp focus even in high-speed action shots. This makes it particularly advantageous for sports and wildlife photography where split-second timing is crucial.
The camera’s AF system is also equipped with deep learning technology, enabling it to recognize and track subjects more accurately. It can identify not only human eyes, faces, and bodies but also those of animals and birds, a feature highly appreciated by wildlife photographers.
Additionally, the AF system performs exceptionally well in low-light conditions, with the ability to focus in situations as dim as -7.5 EV, a remarkable achievement that greatly enhances its versatility. The EOS R3’s AF system supports a wide array of Canon RF lenses, ensuring that photographers can leverage its full potential regardless of the lens they choose.
Eye Control Function
Another AF trick that even overshadows the subject-tracking function is the Eye Control. The older Canon film cameras such as Canon EOS 5 and Canon EOS 3 had this kind of autofocus back in the 90s. It allows you to change the autofocus points with your eyes by looking through the viewfinder. The latest iteration of the highly impressive technology of its time is promised to be “new and improved.”
One of the biggest advantages of Eye Control is that you can adjust your autofocus quicker than using buttons. The original technology was a bit “hit and miss” but its new version in R3 will hopefully be flawless.
Continuous Shooting Speed of 30fps
The fourth big feature of the camera is the continuous shooting speed of 30fps with the electronic shutter and 12fps with a mechanical shutter. Similarly, it allows full auto-exposure and autofocus tracking at this speed. R3 can rival Sony A1 when it comes to shooting speed.
The camera can also support files like JPEG, HEIF, Raw, and C-RAW at 30fps. or whether or not it will have an image crop. On the other hand, you cannot shoot lossless or uncompressed RAW files on Sony A1 but can shoot JPEGS and compressed RAWs.
Canon EOS R3 Design and Build
The Canon EOS R3 has excellent design and build quality. It is a durable and weather-resistant camera just like the EOS-1 series.
The camera offers a long battery life of a whopping 860 shots per charge. It also comes with an integrated grip for professional-level handling.
First of all, The EOS R3 is an indestructible camera just like DSLR cameras in the legendary EOS-1 series. It also has the same level of dust and water resistance and therefore, it will last for years.
The camera also comes with an integrated grip. The main purpose of the grip is comfortable handling of course. However, it also houses a very large battery, and thus, R3 has a longer battery life than most mirrorless cameras.
The camera. However, finds it hard to match 2850 images per charge by EOS-1DX Mark III. But – it offers much more than a meager 320 and 490 shots by EOS R5 when using the electronic viewfinder and LCD respectively.
The viewfinder is as important for sports photographers as battery life. R3 features a blackout-free electronic viewfinder with 5,760,000 dots. Best of all, the viewfinder has 100% coverage. It inherits the optical viewfinder experience from EOS-1DX Mark III. Therefore, the EVF has a very high refresh rate of 120fps as well as resolution.
Canon EOS R3 Image Quality
The Canon EOS R3 is renowned for its excellent image quality across various shooting situations, a testament to its advanced sensor and processing capabilities:
Low-Light Performance
The EOS R3 excels in low-light conditions. Its 24.1-megapixel sensor, combined with the DIGIC X processor, delivers images with minimal noise and high detail, even at higher ISO settings. Similarly, the camera has a very high ISO range of 100 to ISO 102,400 (expands to ISO 204,800). This makes it particularly adept for night photography or indoor settings with limited lighting.
Dynamic Range
The camera offers an impressive dynamic range of 13.3 stops, capturing a wide spectrum of tones from deep shadows to bright highlights. This feature is especially beneficial in high-contrast scenes, ensuring that details are retained in both the darkest and brightest parts of an image.
Color Reproduction
Canon cameras are often praised for their color science, and the EOS R3 is no exception. It produces vibrant, yet natural colors, which is crucial for genres like portrait, landscape, and wildlife photography, where accurate color rendition is essential.
Detail and Sharpness
Thanks to its high-resolution sensor and advanced image processing, the EOS R3 captures images with excellent clarity and sharpness. Even when images are cropped or zoomed in, they retain a high level of detail, which is a significant advantage for professional work.
Fast-Moving Subjects:
For sports and action photography, the EOS R3’s ability to maintain image quality at high burst rates is a standout feature. The combination of fast autofocus and minimal loss of detail at high speeds makes it an ideal choice for capturing crisp images of fast-moving subjects.
Image Stabilization
The Canon EOS R3 features a highly effective in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system, which is a significant asset for photographers and videographers alike. This system is designed to counteract camera shake, enabling clearer and sharper images in various shooting conditions. Here are some key aspects of the EOS R3’s image stabilization:
Up to 8 Stops of Stabilization
One of the standout features of the R3’s IBIS is its ability to provide up to 8 stops of stabilization. This means that photographers can use slower shutter speeds than would normally be possible without experiencing blur from camera shake. This is particularly useful in low-light conditions or when using long telephoto lenses.
5-Axis Stabilization
The IBIS system in the EOS R3 operates on five axes: pitch, yaw, roll, X, and Y. This comprehensive stabilization is beneficial not just for still photography but also for video recording, where it helps to produce smoother footage, especially when shooting handheld or while moving.
Coordinated Control with RF Lenses
When used with Canon’s RF lenses that have built-in optical image stabilization (OIS), the EOS R3’s IBIS works in conjunction with the lens’ OIS to provide even more effective stabilization. This coordinated control between the body and the lens enhances the overall stabilization effect, which is particularly noticeable with telephoto lenses.
The effectiveness of the R3’s IBIS system is advantageous across different types of photography. For instance, in wildlife and sports photography, allows for steadier shots at longer focal lengths. In landscape and portrait photography, it enables shooting in lower light without a tripod. For videographers, the enhanced stabilization is crucial for reducing shake in handheld video footage.
With the powerful IBIS, photographers have more flexibility in lens selection. They can confidently use non-stabilized lenses or older lens models, knowing that the camera body itself provides a high level of stabilization.
Video Capabilities
Next in our Canon EOS R3 Review is the video capabilities of the camera. The Canon EOS R3 is a powerhouse in the realm of video recording, offering features that cater to the high demands of professional videography. One of its standout capabilities is the ability to shoot 6K RAW video at up to 60 frames per second (fps), a feature that provides videographers with high-resolution footage and the flexibility for extensive post-production manipulation.
This high-resolution recording is complemented by the camera’s ability to capture 4K footage at up to 120 fps, enabling ultra-smooth slow-motion effects that are essential for dynamic action sequences or detailed studies of motion. The inclusion of Canon Log 3 is another key feature, offering a wide dynamic range and enhanced grading possibilities, crucial for achieving a cinematic look and feel in the final output.
In addition to its resolution and frame rate capabilities, the EOS R3 excels in low-light video recording, thanks to its advanced sensor and image processing engine. This makes it an excellent choice for filming in challenging lighting conditions without compromising on noise levels or image clarity.
The camera’s in-body image stabilization (IBIS) plays a pivotal role in video recording, especially when shooting handheld or in motion, as it significantly reduces camera shake, resulting in smoother, more professional-looking footage. Furthermore, the R3’s autofocus system, renowned for its speed and accuracy in still photography, is equally effective in tracking moving subjects and maintaining sharp focus during video recording, a feature that is invaluable in fast-paced or unpredictable shooting environments..
Canon EOS R3 Lenses
No matter how good the camera is, it is nothing without an excellent lens. That is why Canon also announced the first true RF macro lens as well as two professional telephoto lenses besides EOS R3.
We would write a separate review for all these lenses. However, the white telephoto lenses have better image stabilization and improved autofocus performance compared to Canon’s EF equivalents.
The major downside of the lenses is their high price tag. You may consider using RF 100mm f/2.8L instead if you cannot afford them. It features a spherical Aberration (SA) Control Ring for creative effects. It also helps you soften various parts of your photos. Similarly, it has a minimum focusing distance of only 8.6cm.
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Final Thoughts
Canon R3 turned out to be the updated version of the Canon EOS R6 in our opinion. It is not the flagship with high resolution and 8k video which we expected before its release. Therefore, the R3 gives tough competition to the Nikon Z9 rather than the Sony A1. However, it does compel sports photographers to make a shift from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras.
Canon EOS R3 is an exciting camera for sports photographers. It also offers a glimpse into what future sports cameras by Canon will entail. However, it is still not the answer to the Sony A1 when it comes to high-end mirrorless cameras. We will have to wait for it a bit longer.