Canon launches flagship EOS R1 and advanced EOS R5 Mark II mirrorless cameras setting new standards for performance and creativity
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 17 July 2024 – Canon Europe announces the launch of its highly anticipated flag bearers for the EOS R System – the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II, designed to take professional photography and videography to new levels. With unparalleled high performance, both products offer the most streamlined workflow processes and intuitive user experience, with assistive technologies powered by a new Accelerated Capture imaging platform and Deep Learning.
The EOS R1 boasts advanced features that enable news and sports professionals to capture the headline shot every time, whilst the EOS R5 Mark II is built for a wide range of hybrid professionals to tackle any creative project.
EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II – the most anticipated editions of the EOS R mirrorless range
The release of the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II full-frame mirrorless cameras marks a monumental moment in Canon’s history – the EOS R1 being the first camera in the EOS R range within the EOS-1 series – known for its legacy of high performance and reliability. The EOS R5 Mark II succeeds the highly acclaimed EOS R5, which combines high resolution, speed, and 8K movie performance.
For the first time, both cameras are introduced with the new ‘Accelerated Capture’ imaging platform comprised of a new processor – the DIGIC Accelerator – along with the well-known high-performance DIGIC X image processor and newly developed high-speed image sensors featured on both new camera models.
The DIGIC Accelerator is newly added to support the processing of large volumes of data alongside Deep Learning technologies. This combination unlocks higher performance and new features in several areas, including autofocus, continuous shooting, and image quality.
Thanks to this new imaging platform, the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II feature the latest version of Dual Pixel CMOS—Dual Pixel Intelligent AF. This includes multiple enhancements, including the ability to track subjects more accurately by identifying the faces and upper bodies of players and avoiding obstacles or other players. This is further enhanced by the ability for users to register specific faces and track and prioritize them consistently over other players.
The newly added ‘Action Priority’ mode automatically identifies common action poses in basketball, soccer, and volleyball. It identifies and tracks the main subject in fast and dynamic situations and captures the headline-grabbing moment of action.
Eye-control AF is offered for the first time in the EOS R5 Mark II and is improved to twice the level of the EOS R3 in both models. This includes a higher pixel count sensor, enhanced LEDs, a larger eye detection area, and an updated detection algorithm, allowing a unique and instinctive way to select a subject to track in a complex scene.
The EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II offer new high-speed image sensors, resulting in faster shooting speeds and faster sensor readout with a 40% reduction of rolling shutter in the EOS R1 compared to the EOS R3 – putting it on the same level as the mechanical shutter in the EOS-1D X Mark III. With a similar 60% reduction in the EOS R5 Mark II both models are highly capable in capturing action without any reduction in image quality or dynamic range. The cameras newly feature a pre-continuous shooting function offering up to 20 frames (for EOS R1) and 15 frames (for EOS R5 Mark II) to be captured in HEIF/JPEG or RAW format at any frame rate before the shutter is pressed, allowing the critical moment to be captured even if it was missed. Both feature large, high brightness and resolution blackout-free viewfinders, with the EOS R1 featuring the highest resolution at 9.44M dots and the EOS R5 Mark II offering twice the brightness of the EOS R5.
Thanks to the new imaging platform, the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II benefit from enhanced image quality with Deep Learning in-camera image upscaling and noise reduction. This provides an additional four times resolution or reduced noise in-camera when using JPEG or HEIF formats. Users can also crop and upscale in-camera, making it that much easier to send out photos without editing via separate applications.
Both cameras feature up to 8.5 stops of image stabilization [i] and have effective shooting capabilities, particularly in low light or other difficult conditions.
For videographers, the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II offer video in 12-bit RAW recording internally to the memory card as well as using Cinema EOS Movie Recording formats alongside Canon Log 2 and 3 with proxy video recording that is now fully supported between two cards, and four-channel audio. This takes professional video production to new heights, delivering outstanding quality and creative flexibility no matter the scenario. The cameras can also record high-resolution stills and Full HD video simultaneously, with the option to record externally via the HDMI type A ports in both cameras.
To support the workflow of professionals, several features ensure fast and stable connectivity and failsafe options, with multiple routes to image/video destinations for filing news with support for the C2PA content authenticity format[ii] or reviewing the first rushes of a film. Industry-standard file naming, separate photo/video folders, and advanced tagging in News ML-G2 standard are also supported. Both cameras support Wi-Fi6E/11ax 6GHz in-body, making them the first EOS series cameras to offer new levels of transfer speed, with the EOS R1 additionally supporting 2.5Gbps Ethernet connectivity and dual-threaded FTP in the body and the EOS R5 Mark II providing 2.5Gbps Ethernet via an optional grip.
Introducing the EOS R1 – Canon’s new flagship camera
With 35 years since the introduction of the original EOS-1, the EOS R1 takes on a legacy of cameras that represent the ideal option for professionals worldwide, thanks to its groundbreaking autofocus, speed, reliability, and durability.
Engineered for elite sports photographers, the EOS R1 is designed to ensure that the moment is never missed in the fast-paced world of sports and news photography. Autofocus alongside speed is the key to obtaining previously unobtainable results. The EOS R1 is uniquely equipped with a groundbreaking, new Cross-Type AF system, meaning it excels in challenging conditions such as when shooting through a tennis net, picking out more minor subjects, and locking on to vertical detail in situations where horizontal detail is missing from the subject under the AF area. This latest technology is a first for Canon. It requires an entirely new Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor arrangement in which individual Gb pupil divisions of pixels are rotated by 90 degrees to offer autofocus tracking sensitivity along the vertical and horizontal axis of the sensor, offering users fast and accurate results and the ability to capture an image that could have previously been missed.
The camera offers an astounding 40fps silent electronic shutter with AF tracking and 20 frames of pre-continuous shooting, meaning that users can follow a scene without sacrificing image quality. Its 24.2 megapixel resolution delivers exceptional high-speed performance while also achieving up to 96 megapixels in-camera with Deep Learning, image upscaling, and noise reduction. Enhanced flash sync speeds up to 1/400th of a second and improved white balance and image exposure evaluation mean more consistency and versatility for a variety of genres.
The EOS R1 also champions hybrid multimedia functionality with 6K resolution at 60fps or 4K at 120fps, and Full HD at 240fps.
Designed to withstand the harshest conditions, the EOS R1 features a newly designed weather-resistant body with renewed outer texture and integrated vertical grip. A high-resolution EVF with an anti-fog design and a wide viewfinder eyepiece makes it a comfortable camera for shooting sports over long durations. Newly added is the two-stage AF-ON button, which allows the instant activation of two programmable functions within one button, allowing photographers to respond quickly to changing actions in front of them.
Presenting the EOS R5 Mark II, the pinnacle of all-round versatility and hybrid creativity
Building on the legacy of the EOS R5 and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for emerging genres, the EOS R5 Mark II is aimed at creative storytellers and hybrid users ready to elevate their craft. It is the ultimate tool for a wide range of applications, from wildlife to weddings, event coverage, filmmaking, and news reporting.
Designed to capture fast-moving subjects without compromising on high-quality detail, the EOS R5 Mark II features a revolutionary new back-illuminated, stacked sensor design with a stunning 45-megapixel resolution. Autofocus tracking and an electronic shutter capable of 30fps with a low rolling shutter allow users to excel in fast-paced action situations. The pre-continuous shooting mode captures 15 frames before the shutter is even pressed, while advanced image upscaling can achieve up to 180 megapixels with exceptional noise reduction, preserving the finest details.
Seamless hybrid multi-media functionality is at the heart of the EOS R5 Mark II, and there is a greater synergy with the Canon Cinema EOS line with shared features and formats. It was improved from the EOS R5. The EOS R5 Mark II offers 8K 60p resolution from the full width of the sensor and 12-bit RAW recording internally, along with 4K video at up to 120p with sound. The newly introduced Cooling Fan Grip is designed to extend shooting periods for event coverage, interviews, and high-quality live streaming.
The possibility of recording video proxies, using industry-standard file names, and structuring folders enhances post-production workflows. Shooting Virtual Reality is also made more straightforward with enhanced preview and playback navigation.
A new, higher-performance LP-E6P battery and heat-dissipating, durable magnesium alloy body ensure that the EOS R5 Mark II is ready for any challenge, even in unpredictable weather environments.
The EOS R5 Mark II maintains a compact and lightweight design but with key enhancements such as a fog-resistant, two-times brighter viewfinder, and larger opening. These make it an indispensable tool for hybrid creatives seeking top-grade performance and versatility in one package.
Ushering in a new generation of EOS R System products
The EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II together represent a complete professional pairing with the ultimate in reliability and speed matched with versatility and practicality. These new bodies join a roster of recently announced EOS R System cameras and RF lenses, cementing Canon’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology for creative storytellers across all genres of photography and videography.
[i] Based on the CIPA 2024 standard. In yaw, pitch, and roll image stabilization performance when using RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z (f=105mm).
[ii] A camera firmware will be released in 2025 for the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II that will add support for the C2PA format.
