Canon announced the EOS R1, a full-frame mirrorless camera and its first flagship EOS R system camera. With its powerful new image processing and autofocus systems, the new camera is setting new standards and redefining speed in the digital era.
“Canon’s top-of-the-line “1 series” professional cameras have supported professional users for over 50 years, evolving to stay at the forefront of users’ needs and technological advancements. The EOS R1 carries this legacy into a new era, empowering users to take the mastery of visual expression to a whole new level.” said Ichinomiya Takashi, Director of Regional ICB Sales & Marketing Division, Canon Singapore.
Top Notch Speed: Accelerated Capture Image Processing
The EOS R1 harnesses the power of a 24-megapixel back-illuminated (BSI) stacked CMOS sensor to elevate images to an impressive 96-megapixels with its unique In-Camera Upscaling technology. The sensor’s improved light efficiency and faster readout lay the foundation for the revolutionary capabilities of the EOS R1.
With the new Accelerated Capture image processing system, featuring the innovative DIGIC Accelerator alongside DIGIC X, processing speed and power are significantly amplified. Unprecedented levels of AF and subject tracking performance can be achieved through deep learning algorithms, where detailed scene analysis is enabled. With features such as In-Camera Upscaling and Neural Network Noise Reduction now executable in-camera, the EOS R1 supports fast-paced, time-sensitive workflows, ensuring the swift delivery of high-quality, publication-ready images to editors or press offices.
Capture Decisive Moments: Smarter Subject Detection and Tracking
The EOS R1 is Canon’s first camera to feature the next-generation Dual Pixel Intelligent AF system. This system leverages the Accelerated Capture image processing system’s powerful processing speed and power to achieve AF and subject detection performance that significantly surpasses that of the EOS R3.
One revolutionary new AF feature is the Action Priority AF mode, which detects crucial actions such as shooting, passing, and heading, specific to soccer, basketball, or volleyball. Using deep learning, details such as ball position, players’ joints, and the presence of multiple people will be analysed. Once such actions are detected, the AF frame automatically switches to the subjects performing these actions, capturing those split-second decisive moments that might be missed, especially during dynamic, fast-paced games.
Be it shooting event photos or videos, the Register People Priority feature will come in handy; the camera will prioritise up to 10 specific preregistered individuals and constantly focus on them, even when the subjects’ faces are side facing.
Users can also look forward to improved AF and subject tracking in the existing People, Animal, and Vehicle-priority modes, as the Dual Pixel Intelligent AF is aided by Cross-type AF, which improves the camera’s ability to detect small subjects and subjects affected by patterns and/or horizontal lines—such as players wearing horizontal stripes or when shooting from behind net or fence.
In-camera Upscaling: Instant High-resolution Extreme Crops
The new In-Camera Upscaling function uses deep learning algorithms to quadruple the number of pixels in an image while preserving details and image quality, achieving image files that resemble those shot on a 96-megapixel camera. This will be useful for achieving high-quality extreme crops on the spot, which can be sent directly from the camera to a press office.
Image noise can become more apparent when images are magnified, but this will be addressed by the new in-camera Neural Network Noise Reduction function to improve image quality further. The function uses deep learning-based algorithms to reduce high-fidelity noise on RAW images, achieving amazingly clean high ISO JPEG images straight out of the camera.
The EOS R1 features a 5-axis In-Body IS (Image Stabiliser), with a newly designed mechanism and improved algorithms that increase its effectiveness compared to the EOS R3. When shooting with a compatible RF lens with in-lens stabiliser, users can expect up to 8.5 stops’ equivalent image stabilisation so handheld shot images where tripods are not available will remain sharp.
Never Miss Crucial Moments
The EOS R1 can shoot high-speed bursts at up to 40 fps with the electronic shutter, which allows for silent shooting, and up to 12 fps with the mechanical and electronic first-curtain shutter. This enables users to capture the perfect moment within fast action sequences. The faster sensor readout speed reduces rolling shutter distortion to practically negligible levels. This is equivalent to the EOS-1D X Mark III mechanical shutter, which will encourage users who previously refrained from using the electronic shutter due to potential subject distortion when capturing high-speed action. Reduced rolling shutter distortion will also benefit video, allowing for seamless action footage and fast camera movement without wobbly artifacts.
The EOS R1 comes with pre-continuous shooting for stills and pre-recording for videos. These functions capture moments before pressing the shutter or starting to record, making up for lost split-seconds. The pre-recording function captures up to 20 frames before the shutter button is fully pressed and can be combined with Action Priority AF or Register People Priority. It also captures a scene up to 5 seconds before recording video and stops recording when there is a change of scene, reducing unnecessary footage and streamlining post-production work.
Seamless Operation on the Field
The EOS R1 is also designed for seamless control and operation, enabling better responsiveness to dynamic situations. Eye Control AF, which allows users to control the AF frame with their eyes has been improved with new line-of-sight optics and detection algorithm, allowing for a faster, more reliable line of sight detection. The 9.44 million-dot, 0.9x magnification blackout-free EVF, which offers the highest definition and magnification in the EOS series, ensures that users get a large, bright, clear, and uninterrupted view of their subject and should satisfy even the DSLR users. An anti-fog structure in the EVF prevents fogging even under hot and humid conditions.
