For over a decade, a joke on Canon was going on: “Every 18 months Canon comes out with a new obsolete camera!” It seems that this odd ‘strategy’ has come to an end…
On July 9th, Canon announced two new professional R models. Why are those professional? Because they both have two card slots and savage price tag. And finally the ‘R’ in the name comes to its perceived symbolism – it seems that we can find a reason to say that ‘R’ stands for Revolution. But not for the reasons you would think…
Overal design is almost decent, aside the fact that Canon still didn’t learn how to properly position on/off switch. Hint: Canon, look over to Fuji, Sony, Nikon, Pentax, Leica… The back is much more alike well known and loved DSLR models, with three wheels and joystick instead of that ridiculous M-Fn Bar. Irene Rudnyk got the pair of cameras to test with RF 50mm 1,2 L USM and that spectacular RF 85mm 1.2 L USM lens… of which you only can dream:
That does not mean there is no more ridiculous design elements. Canon took some effort to bring you absolutely essential ‘Rate’ button in the place of once known and equally ridiculous… essential ‘Print’ button in the upper left corner on the back of the camera… Way to go, Canon! Now nobody can say they were throwing money for this $4000 R5 machine.
Carefully searching through the long list of specs, we have found one-and-a-half innovations against its rivals: 8K and class leading IBIS. In conjuction with stabilized lenses it has no less than 8 (yes, eight) stops of stabilization, and you can forget gimbals while vlogging with these new Canon machines. On the other hand, RP on gimbal is still almost half the price of R5…
And Sony a7R IV still has the class leading AF, better sensor, multi-shot mode and fantastic battery life.
But let’s not spoil Canon’s party. We said those were (R)evolutionary models. Why? Because at last, Canon decided to ditch DSLR business in favor of mirrorless technology. Those are first models that clearly cut inside the Canon’s DSLR cake and designate the future research&development priority. This is a true revolution. Too bad it came at the very end of the World.
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