Canon Cameras
Canon EOS R1 Review
Canon EOS R1 is Canon’s new flagship camera and a significant upgrade over the EOS R3, which served as the company’s flagship model for the past three years. Both cameras feature a similar 24 MP fully stacked sensor with extremely fast readout speeds, but the new R1 introduces several notable improvements, including 40 fps continuous shooting with half a second of pre-capture, high-quality C-Log 2 video recording and a new autofocus system that may very well be the best in the industry.
It is one of the most capable cameras currently on the market, designed for professionals who require speed, reliability and cutting-edge autofocus performance.
Canon EOS R System
The release of the Canon EOS R in 2018 introduced the Canon RF-mount. With a larger mount diameter, shorter flange distance and a 12‑pin electronic interface, it allowed Canon to design faster, sharper lenses with better low-light performance. Compared to older DSLRs the system is smaller and lighter while also improving autofocus speed and overall image quality. After nearly a decade, the EOS R System now provides a wide selection of lenses. Canon EF-mount lenses (older DSLR lenses) remain fully compatible with Canon R System cameras via the EF-EOS R adapter.
Canon EOS R1 Price
Canon EOS R1 Specifications
General
Canon EOS R1 features a 24.2 MP stacked CMOS sensor paired with Canon’s DIGIC X processor and DIGIC Accelerator for enhanced processing power when it comes to AI-driven tasks.
In-body 5-axis image stabilization (IBIS) provides up to approximately 8.5 stops of shake reduction. This is one of the best IBIS systems in Canon’s lineup.
The R1 automatically closes the shutter when you turn the camera off, protecting the sensor from dust and debris. It also includes Canon’s integrated sensor cleaning system.
The R1 is Canon’s first mirrorless camera to feature dual CFexpress Type B card slots. In comparison, the R3 used a mixed dual-card setup with one CFexpress slot and one SD card slot. While functional, this configuration limited buffer performance when saving files to both cards, as the slower SD card became the limiting factor – particularly in high-speed continuous shooting modes such as 30 fps.
Just like the R3, the R1 also features a built-in GPS.
Both the R1 and R3 are compatible with large LP-E19 batteries. These batteries offer better battery life than other Canon cameras.
Body and Ergonomics
The design of the EOS R1 seems to be very similar to the R3, but the body is definitely larger. It’s is robust, durable and extremely well weather-sealed. It has a built-in vertical grip to enable easy switching between vertical and horizontal shooting.
Button layout is also extremely similar to the R3. Buttons and dials offer extensive customization options to tailor the camera to your workflow. Some buttons are also backlit to help when shooting in low-light conditions.
A top LCD screen displays the current settings. There is no dedicated mode dial with labeled shooting modes; instead, mode selection is controlled via the customizable dial on the top right, with the selected mode visible on the top screen.
The R1 includes the same multi-function digital hot shoe already present on the R3 and R5 Mark II. There is an Ethernet port and the classic 3.5 mm microphone and headphone jacks. The R5 features a full-size HDMI port, meaning Canon is finally moving away from the outdated micro HDMI that was still used on the R3.
The camera has a fully articulating LCD screen. The EVF is large and bright and allows you to choose between 60 fps and 120 fps, with the latter negatively affecting battery life.
Autofocus
Canon’s autofocus is widely regarded as one of the strongest systems in the industry. The R1 uses Canon’s ‘Dual Pixel Intelligent AF’ system, the most recent and most advanced AF system with an improved AI-based deep-learning engine for enhanced subject tracking.
The camera can recognize a wide range of subjects, including humans (eyes, face, head, upper half of body, full body), animals (dogs, cats, birds, horses), vehicles (racing cars, motor bikes, airplanes, trains) and more.
You can enable an optional “Action Priority” mode and select one of three sports: soccer, basketball or volleyball. The camera can recognize footballs, basketballs and volleyballs and this mode instructs the camera to track where the action is (specifically the ball) and prioritize focusing on a subject near it.
Still, leaving the feature disabled, even when shooting one of these sports, is not necessarily a bad choice, as the standard autofocus system is already extremely capable. Users will have to test the feature in real-world situations before deciding whether it suits their shooting style.
There is a classic AF joystick, as well as a similar Smart Controller located on the AF-ON button. It allows you to move the focus point by sliding your finger across the button in the desired direction.
Canon’s Eye Control AF is also available, but just in photo mode. It requires extensive calibration for each user in various different conditions and orientations (both vertical and horizontal) and in some cases calibration may not be possible. As a result, only some users will find it useful, since its effectiveness depends heavily on individual shooting style.
Using the touchscreen you can also define a custom-sized zone where the camera should search for subjects to focus on.
In conclusion autofocus performance is extremely reliable in virtually all situations. It’s likely better than Sony’s flagship cameras and definitely better than Nikon’s flagship.
| Feature | Canon EOS R1 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 2024 |
| Megapixels | 24.2 MP |
| Image Resolution | 6000 × 4000 |
| Sensor Size | Full Frame |
| Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS |
| Image Processor | DIGIC X + DIGIC Accelerator |
| IBIS | 5-axis, 8.5 stops |
| Weather Sealing | Yes |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF |
| Body Type | Mirrorless |
| PHOTO | |
| Native ISO | 100 – 102,400 |
| Expandable ISO | 50 – 409,600 |
| Shutter Speed | 1/64,000 – 30s |
| Burst Rate (Mechanical) | 12 fps RAW |
| Burst Rate (Electronic) | 40 fps RAW |
| Buffer | 1000+ RAW |
| Shutter Types | Mechanical, Electronic, EFCS |
| Silent Shooting | Yes (Electronic Shutter) |
| Exposure Compensation | ±3 EV |
| High-Res (Sensor Shift) | No |
| Pre-Capture Mode | Yes |
| VIDEO | |
| 4K Video | 4K 60fps (oversampled from 6K) |
| Max Frame Rate | 6K 60 fps / 4K 120fps / 1080p 240fps |
| Bit Depth | 12-bit |
| Recording Limit | 6 hours |
| Timelapse Recording | Yes |
| AUTOFOCUS | |
| AF System | 'Dual Pixel Intelligent AF' |
| AF Points | 1053 |
| AF Coverage | 100% Frame Coverage |
| AF Joystick | Yes |
| DISPLAY / VIEWFINDER | |
| Articulated Screen | Fully Articulating |
| Touch Screen | Yes |
| LCD Size | 3.2" |
| LCD Resolution | 2,100,000 |
| EVF Resolution | 9,440,000 |
| EVF Refresh Rate | 120 fps |
| EVF Coverage | 100% |
| EVF Magnification | 0.9× |
| MORE INFO | |
| Card Slot 1 | CFexpress Type B |
| Card Slot 2 | CFexpress Type B |
| Sensor Protection System | Yes |
| USB | Type C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| USB Charging | Yes |
| HDMI | Type A (Full Size HDMI) |
| Microphone Port | 3.5 mm |
| Headphone Port | 3.5 mm |
| Built-in Flash | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Battery | LP-E19 |
| Battery Life | 700 ~ 1400 frames |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 158 × 150 × 87 mm |
| Weight | 1115 g |
Photography
Image quality is excellent with great dynamic range and Canon’s natural color rendering. The level of detail is very impressive considering the 24 MP sensor, but some reviewers state that images might be a bit less detailed than those taken with the R3.
Shutter options include mechanical, electronic front-curtain (EFCS) and fully electronic (silent shutter) modes.
The R3 allows continuous shooting at up to 12 fps in 14-bit RAW when using the mechanical shutter. In this mode buffer is practically unlimited (1000 RAW images according to Canon’s official EOS R1 Specifications).
Using the electronic shutter, the R3 can shoot at up to 40 fps in 14-bit RAW (compared to 30 fps wit the R3). In this mode, the buffer fills in approximately 6 seconds (around 230 frames). If you use compressed RAW then the buffer reportedly allows for more than 10 seconds of uninterrupted shooting.
Pre-Capture shooting is possible for about half of a second (20 RAW images) before the shutter is fully pressed.
Canon EOS R1 also includes an upscaling mode that produces very sharp high-resolution JPEGs with up to 96 MP.
Digital noise reduction is available in-camera also for RAW images.
When using the electronic shutter, rolling shutter distortion is almost unnoticeable, even when photographing extremely fast-moving subjects, all thanks to the stacked sensor with extremely fast readout.
Video
Canon EOS R1 can record 6K internally at up to 60 fps without a crop, but this mode is limited to ‘Canon Cinema RAW format’.
The R1 can also record oversampled 4K at up to 60 fps without a crop. 4K footage is oversampled from 6K, delivering excellent detail, strong dynamic range and natural colors. Rolling shutter distortion is rarely an issue, even when recording fast-moving subjects. You have the option to select either 4K ‘Fine’ recording or ‘Standard’, with ‘Standard’ offering less detail since the footage is not oversampled.
4K 120 fps recording is also available, but this mode is not oversampled and less sharp as a result.
Full HD (1080p) recording is available at up to 240 fps.
Internal and external recording is available in up to 12-bit.
The R1 allows the use of Canon’s C-Log 3 and even C-Log 2. C-Log 2 footage preserves even more dynamic range and is a feature that was previously reserved for Canon’s Cinema cameras (even the R3 only had the option of C-Log 3).
Simultaneous recording to both CFexpress cards is supported.
The R1 has a maximum clip length of 6 hours for most modes and 2 hours for most high-framerate modes. Battery life allows up to two hours of oversampled 4K recording.
Some users have noted overheating issues after prolonged video recording or even after shooting stills in warmer environments. There is a detailed temperature display with 10 bars that shows how close the camera is to thermal shutdown.
Canon EOS R1 Alternatives
Canon R3
Canon EOS R3 (2021) served as Canon’s flagship until the release of the R1. It uses a similar 24.1 MP fully-stacked sensor and offers most of the same features as the R1 with the exception of C-Log 2 recording. High-speed shooting is limited to 30 fps. It has an older micro HDMI port and it has mixed dual card slot setup (one CFexpress Type B and one SD UHS-II). It has a slightly older AF system than the R1, but it’s still extremely capable and still one of the best 24 MP cameras on the market.
After the release of the R1, the price of the R3 dropped significantly and it’s currently about $2000 cheaper than the R1.
Sony A9 III
Sony A9 III (2024) is Sony’s flagship sports and action-focused mirrorless camera and one of the closest rivals to the flagship Canon EOS R1. It uses a 24.6 MP stacked global shutter sensor paired with Sony’s BIONZ XR processor, delivering blackout-free shooting with virtually no rolling shutter distortion. The camera can shoot at up to 120 fps with continuous AF tracking, offers shutter speeds up to 1/80,000 sec and features Sony’s advanced AI-powered autofocus system. For video, it supports 4K recording at up to 120 fps and oversampled 4K 60 fps recording, making it an excellent hybrid option for professional sports, wildlife and event photographers. Keep in mind that global shutter sensors sacrifice some dynamic range and low-light performance compared to traditional stacked CMOS sensors, since global shutter technology is generally less efficient at gathering light.
The price of the Sony A9 III is similar to the price of the Canon R1.
Canon EOS R1 Price
Final Verdict
Canon EOS R1 is an extremely capable camera designed for professionals who require speed, reliability and flagship-level autofocus performance. It delivers true flagship performance, but that also comes with a flagship price tag. For some users, the more affordable Canon EOS R3 may already offer all the features they need, though that ultimately depends on individual priorities and budget.