Canon has expanded its EOS R mirrorless system with the EOS R7 and R10, the company’s first APS-C cameras in the range.
Until this announcement, the EOS R range, which uses the RF range of lenses, was exclusively cameras with full-frame sensors. As such, the R7 and R10 are rather unique additions as they fulfil multiple purposes. One, the crop factor makes them suitable for sports and wildlife – birding enthusiasts take note – and two, the budget-friendly R10 functions as an entry point into the RF system.
Canon developed RF-S lenses specifically for the APS-C cameras in the EOS R range, but the R7 and R10 can use the regular RF lenses (1.6x crop) without a need for an adaptor, and the EF and EF-S lenses with the use of an EF-EOR R adapter.
New shared features
Both cameras feature DIGIC X image processing and the Autofocus tech found on the EOS R3 – the EOS iTR AF X system, which tracks subjects more aggressively across the entire image area.
They are also capable of up to 15 fps high-speed continuous shooting in mechanical and electronic first-curtain shutter modes with AF/AE tracking, which on paper places it close to the EOS-1D X Mk III, and puts it ahead of the other EOS R cameras and cameras with APS-C sensors.
They also feature a RAW burst mode for full-resolution RAW images at up to 30 fps. The cameras also start recording the scene up to 0.5 seconds before the shutter is released to give you a better chance of nailing the perfect shot.
The processors also use deep learning and a new auto white balance algorithm to improve auto white balance accuracy. In addition, a new in-camera Depth Compositing mode automatically merges focus bracketed images into an image that is clearly in focus from front to back.
Both the EOS R7 and EOS R10 feature Movie Digital IS, which conducts 5-axis image stabilisation for steadier videos even with a lens that has no Optical Image Stabilizer (Optical IS).
And to improve the functionality of the hot shoe, the new cameras have a new Multi-Function Shoe that supports high-speed communications and audio input.
In terms of shooting modes, Canon has introduced a new Panorama Shot Scene mode and an improved Panning Scene mode with better image stabilisation to improve the quality of the panned shots.
The cameras also feature thumb-operated control sticks, which makes it easier to change settings on the fly. The R7 integrates a dial around the control stick as well.
Where they differ primarily
As the more sophisticated model, the R7 will have an improved feature set. The R7 uses a 32.5-megapixel sensor as opposed to the 24.2-megapixel sensor on the R10. Canon says that the visual resolution of the R10 is equivalent to the EOS 90D and the EOS M6 Mark II, while the R7 surpasses them.
In electronic shutter mode, the EOS R7 is capable of shooting 32.5-megapixel images at up to approximately 30 fps continuous shooting, whereas the EOS R10 shoots 24.2-megapixel images at up to approximately 23 fps.
The R7 also gets a sensor-shift, 5-axis In-Body Image Stabiliser (IS) that achieves up to eight stops’ equivalent image stabilisation (video and stills). It also has a new auto-level function where the image sensor rotates automatically to correct tilted images.
Also, the R7 gets weather-sealing and dual SD card slots while the R10, which caters to beginners, gets a smaller form factor and a pop-up flash.
Differences in video features
Both cameras are capable of 4K HDR PQ (Perceptual Quantise) video recording, and the R10 can record 4K 30p video through 6K oversampling. The R7 does a little better, with 4K 30p in UHD Fine mode or 4K 60p in UHD Standard mode, with 7K oversampling. Canon adds that this is their first APS-C EOS camera to support Canon Log 3 gamma for colour grading.
By default, video is recorded using the full resolution of the image sensor with a 1.6x crop, but the 4K UHD crop mode on the R7 can extend the telephoto effect to around 1.8x.
Lenses
The new RF-S18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM (29-72mm equivalent) and RF-S18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM (29-240mm equivalent) are compact kit lenses designed primarily for new users of system cameras.
Pricing and Availability
All camera bodies and lenses will be available starting in late June at Canon authorised dealers. The prices and release dates are as follows:
- EOS R7 (body only), $2,049, late June
- EOS R10 (body only), $1,309, late July
- RF-S18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, $779, late June
- RF-S18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM, $479, late June
- EOS R7 + RF-S18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, $2,649, late June
- EOS R10 + RF-S18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, $1,909, late July
- EOS R10 + RF-S18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM, $1,469, late July
