Canon Officially Launches The First Flagship EOS R System Camera - EOS R1 - Canon HongKong

HONGKONG, 19 November 2024 – Canon today officially launches EOS R1, the first flagship model of the EOS R System featuring the newly developed “Accelerated Capture” image processing system. The EOS R1 inherits the strong reliability and durability of the EOS-1D X Mark III while also boasting advanced shooting capabilities. Through the “Accelerated Capture” system, which combines the DIGIC X image processor with the newly developed DIGIC Accelerator processor and a full-frame, back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor, as well as the use of deep learning technology, it achieves the level of still image and video performance sought in a flagship model and satisfies the strong demands of professional users such as sports photographers and photojournalists.

Top Notch Speed: Accelerated Capture Image Processing

The EOS R1 features a newly developed high-speed 24.2MP Back-illuminated Stacked Full Frame Canon CMOS Sensor. Its high detail 16-point separation Gaussian Distribution Low-Pass Filter suppresses moiré and false colors while improving resolution. 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

In a first for Dual Pixel CMOS AF, the EOS R1 supports cross-type AF^[1] during tracking in up to 100% of the entire area^[2], further improves AF reliability by reducing the influence of subject patterns and obstructions. The EOS R1 also features 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^[3], 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^[4]. Use of the new algorithm that employs deep learning can improve tracking performance when faces are turned diagonally even more than with the EOS R3.

Never Miss Crucial Moments

The EOS R1 can shoot high-speed bursts at up to 40FPS^[5] with the electronic shutter, which allows for silent shooting, and up to 12FPS^[6] with the mechanical and electronic first-curtain shutter. This enables users to capture the perfect moment within fast action sequences. The new CMOS sensor and high-speed signal readout of the image processor system make faster read-out for the electronic shutter compared to the EOS R3, thus reducing rolling shutter distortion. Rolling shutter distortion in still photo is significantly reduced to the same level as EOS-1D X Mark III mechanical shutter. High speed read out of CMOS sensor enables electronic shutter with 14-bit RAW and flash photography with Electronic Shutter up to approx. 30FPS^[7] with sync speed up to 1/320s. Together with the blackout-free shooting^[8] and silent shutter, the EOS R1 is the ideal tool for capturing those crucial moments in sports and wildlife photography.

The EOS R1 comes with Pre-continuous Shooting^[9] for stills, which can capture moments before pressing the shutter, making up for lost split-seconds. The Pre-continuous Shooting 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.

Seamless Operation on the Field

The EOS R1 also offers unparalleled flagship-level operability, enabling better responsiveness to dynamic situations. Eye Control AF^[10], 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 EOS R1 features a new bright and clear 0.64-inch OLED electronic viewfinder developed by Canon. It offers the highest resolution of the EOS Series EVF at approx. 9.44 million dots, the highest magnification of 0.9x, approx. 100% coverage and up to 120fps display frame rate. Part of the viewfinder optics is sealed with an airtight structure, preventing fogging even in hot and humid conditions.

EOS R1 carries on the controls of the EOS-1D X Mark III and EOS R3 with enhancements, its AF-ON button has been given 2-level functionality for the first time on an EOS camera. Different actions can be assigned to half-press and fully-press, and action can be changed while using AF. A new M-Fn3 button and a vertically positioned INFO button have also been added. The M-Fn3 button can be assigned to start movie recording or start/stop Whole area tracking Servo AF when the camera is mounted in a fixed position or on a rig where the grip or top buttons are difficult to reach. The vertically positioned INFO. Button enables switching of screen information and playback information even when camera is held vertically.

In terms of reliability, the EOS R1 uses lightweight magnesium alloy for the body and chassis, the camera body weights 920g only (1,115g with battery and memory card). The Magnesium Alloy body provides exceptional strength and aids in heat dissipation. This construction ensures the camera's robustness and reliability, making it suitable for demanding shooting conditions.

Nevertheless, EOS R1 provides the same degree of dust-and-water resistance^[11] as in EOS-1D X Mark III. Sealing materials have been incorporated into the connecting parts of the EOS R1’s exterior. Also, silicon rubber boots have been placed around many of the control buttons to keep water droplets and sand or dust from entering. Dials, levers, and other moving parts are covered with O-rings and other materials for careful sealing. This prevents intrusion of rain and other water droplets as well as falling sand or dust inside the camera.

Other features include:

Ultra High Speed, High Sensitivity and High Image Quality

• New DIGIC Accelerator and DIGIC X Image Processor.
• Standard ISO range 100-102400 and expandable to ISO 409600.
• More precise metering with 6144 metering zones and a new algorithm that expands the range of deep learning applications to improve auto exposure and auto white balance precision in all kinds of scenes.
• Features improved 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilization which provides up to 8.5-stop shake compensation at center and 7.5-stop shake compensation at peripheral^[12] with new algorithm provides better control of Yaw/Pitch/Roll direction. Peripherical coordinated control is also supported with compatible lenses.
• In-camera upscaling using deep learning increases the number of pixels to 96MP from JPEG/HEIF images^[13] after shooting while maintaining apparent resolution.
• New In-camera Neural network Noise Reduction applies deep learning to generate images with reduced noise when processing RAW images.

Innovative Eye Control AF and high accuracy AF with cross-type AF

• AF tracking and calculation at 60 fps when an electronic shutter is used. The high-precision AF continues capturing the subject even during continuous shooting at speeds of up to approx. 40fps.
• Minimum AF brightness of EV -7.5^[14].
• Features “EOS iTR[2] AF X” with AF algorithm developed using Deep Learning technology for high performance Subject Recognition and AF tracking of People, Animals (Dogs, cats, birds and horses)^[16] and Vehicles (motorsports (automobiles and motorcycles), trains and airplanes)^[17] .
  
• Focus Preset function previously only available on super-telephoto lenses can now be assigned to camera buttons or Lens Function (L.Fn) button^[18].
  
• New Blur/Out-of-Focus image detection that automatically scores images for levels of blur and out-of-focus based on face positions of the subject and adds results to images.^[19]
  

New EOS Movie features to enhance efficiency

• Incorporates Custom Picture (CP) color preset of Cinema EOS with 6 CP Presets (Canon 709 / BT.709 Standard / Canon Log 2 / Canon Log 3 / PQ / HLG) and 14 User setting.
• Canon Log 2 with 16+ stop dynamic range^[20] is included.
• Adopts XF-HEVC S and XF-AVC S professional file system from Cinema EOS system.
• Newly supports LPCM 24-bit / 4-channel audio recording for audio with ambience.
• News Metadata compliant with the NewsML-G2 standard is supported.
• Supports internal recording of non-cropped 6K DCI 60p 12-bit RAW Movie.
• Supports high quality non-cropped oversampling 4K DCI /4K UHD Fine 60p MP4; 2K DCI / FHD Fine 60p MP4Supports non-cropped 4K DCI/UHD up to 120p^[21] MP4 (with audio); 2K DCI / FHD up to 240p21 MP4 (with audio).
  
• The new sensor and image processing system brings dramatic reductions in rolling shutter distortion to less than 50% of the EOS R3.^[22]
• Continuous recording of non-cropped 6K 60p RAW and 4K 60p Fine MP4 movie up to 120mins or longer is possible.
• Features HDMI Type A output terminal which supports up to 6K 60p PRORES RAW with compatible ATOMOS recorder.
• Dual Shooting (still & movie) allows recording a 17.8MP JPEG still photo file^[23] while recording Full HD 60p video.
• Supports Focus Breathing correction^[24] to correct change in field of view due to change of focus distance.
  
• Newly features Tally Lamp and Recording Emphasis to show recording status.

Unparalleled Operability and Reliability

• High definition 3.2-inch 2.10M-dot side-opening Vari-angle Clear View II LCD Touch Monitor.
• Smart Controllers and Multi-Controllers are available for AF point selection.
• 8 Rear-side key buttons are back-lit to enable operation in dark conditions.
• Dual card slots supporting CFexpress 2.0 Type B card (VPG400).
• High precision shutter unit with 500,000-cycle durability^[25].
• Powered by high-capacity Battery Pack LP-E19^[26], battery Life up to 1330 shots with improved power consumption design.
• Recharging battery and supplying power via USB-C terminal are supported.
• Newly developed Eyecup and Shoe Cover ER-SC3 with lock to prevent loss during operation.
• Contactless detection is implemented in all control dials to improve reliability.

Network and Connectivity to meet the need for Professional Workflow

• Built-in GPS Receiver for geotagging images. GPS logger is also available.
• Supports high speed Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE802.11ax 2x2 MIMO; 5GHz/2.4GHz) for high speed and stable wireless network transfer (e.g. Camera Connect App, EOS Utility, FTP transfer).
• Built-in Bluetooth^® low energy technology for easy Smartphone connection.
• Built-in 2.5GBASE-T Ethernet supports IEEE 802.1X authentication standard and FTP/FTPS/SFTP transfer.
• Built-in USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2) digital terminal for 10Gbps high-speed transmission.
• Wired connection to Camera Connect App with full function is support for iPhone^[27] and Android^TM smartphone.
• High-speed transfer of movie and still photo files via a 5G smartphone using Content Transfer Professional^[28].

Suggested Retail Price

The New EOS R1 Body is now available for sale and its suggested retail price is HKD$48,780.

The accessories for EOS R1 and their suggested retail prices are as follows:

[1] Still images only. High or Low-speed mode only during continuous shooting with electronic 1st curtain/mechanical shutter. Excluding pre-AF and focus guide. Not available when image flickers under fluorescent lighting, LED lighting or other flickering light source and when operating the SA control ring of RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM.
[2] Only when a lens compatible with the focusing area of 90% x 100% (horizontal x vertical) is attached to the camera while the Whole Area AF is active or the subject is detected by the setting other than Whole Area AF. Depending on the conditions of the scene or the subject, this setting may not respond as intended. For details on compatible lenses, please refer to Canon Website.
[3] Only available with still photos and electronic shutter. If the person's size on the screen is small, or if part of the subject is hidden or multiple subjects are crowded together, identification accuracy may decrease.
[4] Due to factors such as face brightness, size, facial expression, movement, and blockage of part of the face, the detection accuracy may decrease.
[5] Continuous shooting speed may be slower depending on subject/shooting conditions or the camera setup or the lens used, etc. Refer to Advanced User Guide for details. Continuous shooting speed is slower when flicker is detected, even if anti-flicker shooting is off. For information on lenses that support the maximum continuous shooting speed, please refer to Canon Website.
[6] Continuous shooting speed may be slower depending on subject/shooting conditions or the camera setup or the lens used, etc. Refer to Advanced User Guide for details. For information on lenses that support the maximum continuous shooting speed with servo AF, please refer to Canon Website.
[7] Available when EL-1/EL-5/EL-10 is attached. With using other external EL/EX flash unit release in or after 2007, the maximum is approx. 20 shots/sec.Flash metering locked at 1st image.
[8] Available with electronic shutter only. The screen may flicker depending on the aperture settings. When set to always blackout-free, release time lag may vary.
[9] Electronic shutter only. Not available when the shutter speed is slower than 0.5 sec. Other restrictions apply.
[10] Calibration is recommended in advance. Note that the Eye Control AF may not function properly if the user wears sunglasses, mirror-type sunglasses, hard contact lenses, or bifocal eyeglasses, or due to the user’s eye conditions (narrow eyes, long eyelashes, thick eyelids) or use conditions. If the eyes are squinting or too close together, the camera may not detect the user’s eye gaze, or the detection accuracy may decrease. It is necessary to press a button to lock the focus.
[11] In order to maximize dust- and water-resistant performance, make sure that all camera openings (including battery compartment, card slot cover, and terminal cover) are tightly closed and Multi-Function Shoe cover is attached. Although it is designed to be dust- and water-resistant, Canon cannot guarantee that dust and water will not penetrate the camera.
[12] Based on the CIPA 2024 standard. Yaw/pitch/roll image stabilization performance with RF24-105mm F2.8L IS USM (focal length: 105mm).
[13] Upscaling is only available for images captured as JPEGs or HEIFs with an image size of L. Still photos captured during movie recording cannot be upscaled in-camera. Some time may be required for image processing.
[14] When using f/1.2 lens under the following conditions: center focus point, vertical line detection, room temperature, One-shot AF, ISO 100. Except RF lenses with DS (Defocus Smoothing) coating.
[15] Intelligent Tracking and Recognition.
[16] Effectiveness varies depending on the subject. In some cases, dogs, cats, horses or birds may not be detected, while some animals other than dogs, cats, horses or birds may be detected.
[17] The vehicle detection may not function for some subjects. Or, subjects, which are not automobile, motorcycle, train, airplane or helicopter, may be detected as vehicles. Spot detection may not work properly depending on the subject. The camera may also operate spot-detecting areas that are neither a driver nor rider helmet, as well as neither a train driver cab nor an aircraft cockpit.
[18] Compatible with RF lenses supporting AF.
[19] Blur/out-of-focus detection may not be performed for some scenes or subjects, or results may be inaccurate. Only JPEG or HEIF images are evaluated, and only when the camera is set to use the electronic shutter and detect people or eyes.
[20] When using 4K DCI/UHD Fine 29.97p/25.00p. ISO 800.
[21] When [High Frame Rate: Disable] is set, audio is recorded and movie is played back at actual speed.
[22] 6K 60p RAW, 4K 60p and Full HD 240p.
[23] 2 memory cards must be installed. 16:9 JPEG recorded at 5616 x 3168 pixel (17.8MP).
[24] For compatible lenses, please refer to Canon website.
[25] Based on Canon testing standards. Shutter durability may vary depending on usage and environmental conditions.
[26] Battery Pack LP-E4N / LP-E4 cannot be used.
[27] Requires a third-party MFi-compatible cable for wired connection to iPhone.
[28] Paid subscription service.