Canon Creates New Mirrorless System

2018.09.05

Today Canon unveiled an entirely new mirrorless system based around an all-electronic mount with a 20mm flange distance while keeping the same large throat diameter of their EF-mount used on all current Canon DSLRs. This larger lens mount allows for full-frame coverage unlike the EF-M one used in their current APS-C mirrorless system. So one can go from their SLR system to a Canon mirrorless one, people cannot go from one mirrorless system to the other without losing investment in lenses.

The new platform starts with the Canon EOS R which is a ful-frame mirrorless digital camera using the new Canon RF-mount and a 30 megapixels Dual-Pixel CMOS sensor which can perform Phase-Detect Autofocus at every pixel, exactly like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, although the sensor on the EOS R has been revised to achieve ISO 40,000 in its standard sensitivity range. Its new sensor is paired with an EXPEED 8 processor that can sustain 7 FPS for 100 JPEG images or 46 RAW files and capture 4K Ultra-HD video at 30 FPS. Full 1080p HD video is possible at 60 FPS and standard HD at 120 FPS too.

In introducing a new mirrorless body, Canon has greatly improved on the ergonomics of its DSLRs. The body itself features dual control-dials, with both of them finally within easy reach of the thumb and fore-finger. All Canon RF-mount lenses announced today also add a third control-ring, making this effectively a triple control-dial camera. An additional sensor bar gives customizable control over an additional parameter. It is unspecified how this new control works and whether it will work while wearing gloves. There is a nearly ubiquitous 4-way controller but a number of additional buttons on the top and back of the camera. The EOS R though forgoes the traditional Mode-Dial for a button and dial combination to select among exposure modes, including a new F Mode which allows auto exposure and shift along any exposure parameter.

Framing with this new mirrorless is possible using a large 0.5" EVF with 3.7 megapixels, 0.76X magnification, 100% coverage and an Eye-Start Sensor. This is among the largest and most detailed EVF available and comparable with units built into other Full-Frame and Professional APS-C mirrorless digital cameras. There is also an exceptionally large 3.15" LCD with 2.1 megapixels, mounted on a rotating mechanism. Although this is usually a weak point among digital cameras, it remains to be seen if Canon has produced a more robust design for the EOS R. Still, they managed to make the whole camera weatherproof and most initially-launched lenses also are.

With the EOS R, Canon introduced the most refined and sensitive AF-system on the market. There are an incredible 5655 AF-points to choose from and they are sensitive to a class-leading -6 EV, allowing the R to focus in darkness. The new RF mount is designed for rapid communication between the camera and lens, allowing for extremely fast AF performance.

Along with this new camera, Canon is introducing 4 RF-mount lenses:

The Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L USM is the first F/2 Full-Frame zoom and makes a strong point in demonstrating the new capabilities of the RF lens-mount. This wide-angle to normal lens offers a constant maximum aperture along the zoom range. It is fully weatherproof and offers a customizable control-ring. At 1.4kg, this is a hefty lens yet it manages to capture twice as much light as a traditional fast F/2.8 zoom.

At half-the-weight of the 24-70mm F/2L, the new Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM trades in brightness for a longer reach and more much manageable weight. This versatile lens covers an ultra-wide to short telephoto reach which arguably makes it more versatile. At the same time, this lens reveals what Canon omitted in the EOS R body, namely image-stabilization, making this the only Full-Frame Mirrorless System currently without built-in stabilization. The new Nikon Z system has it and so does the latest range of Sony ones, so Canon is putting themselves at a disadvantage in this launch. Given the size of the mount, they could potentially add it in future RF cameras.

The brightest lens in the RF lineup is the Canon 50mm F/1.2L USM. This ultra-bright prime matches the maximum brightness currently available for Canon EF mount. Its normal focal-length delivers a natural perspective. It is weatherproof and weighs in at just under 1kg.

Lastly, there is the Canon RF 35mm F/1.8 Macro IS USM. This is a relatively bright prime lens with a high magnification, yet not quite at Macro levels. Despite what the name suggests, this one achieves 0.5X magnification, although the a unusually bright maximum aperture. While this new lens is stabilized, it is the only one not weatherproof in the lineup.

Expected shipping and price:

Canon EOS R is expected to ship next month for $2300 USD.

Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM also ships next month. Its suggested price if $1100 USD.

Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L USM is coming in December for $3000 USD.

Canon RF 50mm F/1.2L USM arrives in October for $2300 USD.

Canon RF 35mm F/1.8L Macro IS is scheduled for December at $500 USD.

• Digital Camera