The Canon EOS R3 is now accessible to general professionals after being introduced to professionals during the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020 (2021). The Canon EOS R3 is the company’s latest mirrorless camera, and it has the potential to be the most capable all-around tool for working professionals.
Although it is not a replacement for, or even an equivalent to, the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III(opens in new tab), it nevertheless technologically leapfrogs the 1D X III in virtually every department – and stakes a bold claim as the best professional camera(opens in new tab) thanks to its 6K RAW video, blistering (and blackout-free) 30fps shooting. It’s a peerless AF system that now enables you to track moving subjects up.
Canon EOS R3 Features
The standout characteristics of the Canon EOS R3 will blow your mind. Its stacked, backside illuminated 24.1MP sensor has super-fast readout speeds that allow it to snap images at up to 30 frames per second (buffering 540 JPEGs or 150 RAWs) while shooting with the electronic shutter, or at 12 frames per second when shooting with the mechanical shutter (for over 1,000 JPEGs or 1,000 RAWs). Additionally, because of the speed of the sensor, the rolling shutter is almost completely eradicated.
The shutter mechanism may be slowed down independently of the rest of the camera because the camera operates at such a high speed. The shutter lag of the R3 is under 20 milliseconds, which is so rapid that your muscle memory from using previous cameras can mean that you depress the shutter too quickly. The shutter lag can be adjusted to be as high as 45 milliseconds to compensate for this.
Canon EOS R3 Build Quality
In terms of its operability, the Canon EOS R3 is comparable to a hybrid between the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III in terms of its chassis and basic setup and the Canon EOS R5 in terms of its “grammar.” That means we could combine the form factor, dimensions, and layout of the 1D X III with aspects of the R5, such as the mode dial and the black LED top panel. And users of both will find that it has a comfortable familiarity.
This is a professional DSLR body with an inbuilt vertical grip, just like the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III. It uses the same high-capacity battery and features mirrored controls that remain in the exact location regardless of whether the camera is in portrait or landscape configuration.
The R3 has a touchscreen that can be rotated in any direction, just like the other members of the EOS R line. Despite this, it has the same weather sealing as Canon’s flagship 1D X Mark III camera.
Canon EOS R3 Performance
When it comes to the Canon EOS R3, there is just one thing that can be said about it: it delivers. When switching from the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, the increased resolution is immediately noticeable when shooting detail-rich photography such as portraiture while maintaining the speed and manageable file sizes required for professional shooting (taking 30 frames per second of 50.1-megapixel images with the Sony A1 is all well and good, but it is not so helpful when you are uploading hundreds of photos to your picture desk or agency).
The 30fps shooting is incredible, and because the rock-solid Dual Pixel AF II powers it, it doesn’t matter whether you’re tracking a human subject like a basketball player performing a smooth movement or an erratically moving issue like a dog fetching a ball; you get an almost flawless hit rate in either case. However, we haven’t yet had the opportunity to test it with cars or bikes, so we can’t comment on how well it performs with those moving subjects.
Canon EOS R3 Image Quality
Throughout our testing, the Canon EOS R3 generated still photographs of exceptionally high quality.
JPEG photographs taken with this camera are entirely free of noise from ISO 50 up to ISO 6400; the first sign of noise appears at an ISO setting of 12800. Even if the quicker settings of 51200 and 102400 exhibit significant noise, it is OK to utilize these settings when producing smaller prints and photos for the web. In a pinch, you may use the ISO 204800 setting, the camera’s fastest extended option.
With a maximum shutter speed of 30 seconds and the Bulb mode, the EOS R3 proved very capable in low-light conditions. These features allowed you to capture sufficient light in all scenarios, and the camera’s excellent -7.5EV rating allowed it to autofocus even in states that were almost entirely dark successfully.
Canon EOS R3 Specs
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 27 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (36 x 24 mm) |
| Sensor type | Stacked CMOS |
| Processor | Digic X |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-102400 (expands to 50-204800) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 50 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 204800 |
| White balance presets | 6 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| CIPA image stabilization rating | 8 stop(s) |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Super fine, fine, normal |
| File format | JPEGHEIFRaw (Canon CR3, 14-bit)C-Raw (Canon original) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 1053 |
| Lens mount | Canon RF |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 4,150,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.76× |
| Viewfinder resolution | 5,760,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30/11 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/64000 sec |
| Exposure modes | Scene Intelligent AutoFlexible priorityProgramShutter priorityAperture priorityManualBulb |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe or flash sync port) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/250 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleHigh-speed continuous+High-speed continuousLow-speed continuousSelf-timer/remote control (10 or 2 sec) |
| Continuous drive | 30.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpotPartial |
| Exposure compensation | ±3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 |
| Modes | 4096 x 2160 @ 120p / 1,880 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 100p / 1,880 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 1,000 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 50p / 1,000 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 470 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 25p / 470 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 470 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 470 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 1,880 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 1,880 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 1,000 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 1,000 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 470 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 470 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 470 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 470 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 470 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 470 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 230 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 230 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 135 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 135 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 135 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 135 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + CFexpress Type B |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) |
| USB charging | Yes |
| HDMI | Yes (Type D micro) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11ac + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Built-in |
| Battery description | LP-E19 lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 760 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 1015 g (2.24 lb / 35.80 oz) |
| Dimensions | 150 x 143 x 87 mm (5.91 x 5.63 x 3.43″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | Built-in |
Canon EOS R3 Verdict
Working professionals often choose to use the Canon EOS R3 as their primary instrument of choice. Regardless of whether you shoot sports, weddings, portraiture, pets, or news, the blackout-free 30fps stills and 6K RAW video mean that you never miss a moment of action or detail – and the improved AF performance, combined with the ghostly good Eye Control AF, ensures that every shot is focused precisely where you want it to be.
Its lower pixel count enables it to create substantially less noise than its competitors from Sony and Nikon, both of which offer higher resolution options. Additionally, it establishes a new standard for dynamic range in professional-grade cameras. This is the professional camera of the future, and it is now available to consumers.
