The EOS R - The Game Changer
Intro
Right off the bat this is not a sponsored review. I write product-reviews about products that I buy. This is the first time that I am posting a product-review on my blog. It starts for me with the Canon EOS R. It is also my first full frame camera. I got a really good deal from someone who was selling her EOS R with extended warranty for a really good price. It was a deal that I could not refuse. I bought the camera in December of 2020, in pristine conditions with 1500 photos on the shutter.
All my cameras have been Canon’s; 350D —> 700D —> 760D —> 80D —> The R
The first night I had the camera I spend customizing it. I watched a lot of YouTube clips focused on general setup and also clips that target specific setups that I had on my Canon 80D. The morning after I started to take pictures. Coming from a Canon 80D - the quality that the EOS R produces in combination with the RF - EF adapter and Canon L lenses is uncanny. I do not own any RF lenses yet.
“Little something for the critics” - Before you start criticizing a camera, spend time setting it up the way you like and use it extensively, and forget for a second what YouTubers / Reviewers say about what specs the camera does and does not have. All reviews are subjective - opinions differ across the board.
Quick features and specs
8 Frames Per Second
Film: 4K 10-bits
Connectivity; Wifi & Bluetooth
Port: USB 3.1
Processor; Digic 8
Sensor: 30.3 MP Dual Pixel CMOS AF-sensor
ISO: 100 - 40.000
Shutter: silent
Low light capabilities: -6 EV
Build quality and Ergonomics
The build quality is solid. Coming from a DSLR the R seemed small at first, but funny is how fast I got accustomed to the camera. The R is weather sealed and this helps me to keep on shooting when I am out and about shooting and it starts raining. It’s the Netherlands so…
The R feels really good in my hands. I do have medium size hands - (glove size 7). All of my fingers fit on the grip of the camera and it is not cumbersome at all to hold. The R is not heavy and depending on the lens camera might get front-heavy.
I like the way the camera feels in my hand.
Focus Accuracy and Speed
Here is where this review might seem exaggerated - but remember I upgraded from a Canon 80D. The focus accuracy is of the charts - it nails focus every time. If you miss focus it is because you are at fault. Sounds kind of harsh right, but it is the truth. Do not forget I upgraded from a 80D where I had to go out of my way to ensure that it is tack-sharp. Now I look twice at the my monitor when I import the pictures in Lr and give most of my pictures a 4 or 5 star only on sharpness.
Image quality
This is one of the first pictures that I took with the R and the Lens / camera combo blew me away. Ok yes it is edited in Lr and Ps, but my way of editing is; straight the picture, apply one of my presets, play with exposure and contrast —> Ps; sharpen the picture and make it PoP.
Picture taken with The R + adapter + Canon 24mm 1.4 mkii - Edited with my preset
The image quality of my pictures never were this good. It looks like that the pictures have a natural glow over them out of the camera. (I only shoot RAW)
Value
Ok maybe this is not fair since I got my R for a very good price with 4 years extended warranty. But, Canon has announced a several new mirrorless full frame and APS-C cameras to be released in 2021. The price of the R will keep dropping and it will be very affordable in the near future. Also, do not forget - it is a Full Frame Mirrorless camera with the Canon 5D Mkiv 30,3 MP sensor and a Digic 8 processor.
Overall experience and my setup and configurations
Now that I mentioned (almost) everything (almost) everybody does mention in a review I want to share my experience with the R. The camera is a game changer. Before everyone started criticising it, they forgot that the newer versions of the R, like the R6 and R5, are thank you to this camera. The R feels good in my hands and I like the fact that all the buttons on this camera are customizable. That is just what I did so that the camera would suit me, not another photographer / youtuber, me!
Some of my customization for stills:
M-Fn button; I change between One-Shot and Servo
Touch bar; I programmed it for the ISO. Left side; ISO 100 - Right side; Auto ISO
EA Lock Button: I programmed it to change between 3 AF methods: face / eye + tracking, 1-point AF, and Expand AF area: around
And that’s it. No, really that is it - I shot a POV video where I mention of these customization. To see that video click HERE
Video customization
I set the C3 to go to video. I don’t shoot video, but I saw this practical setup on YouTube.
I have yet to find something I do not like about the EOS R. There is none so far - again, remember that I come from a Canon 80D to a EOS R.
Who is it for? I find this such a weird question, but I will do my best to answer it. The EOS R is for everybody who wants to have a camera with very good image quality and who is able to afford it.
Wrap-up and Conclusion
I am very happy that I made the change to mirror-less. The Bulkiness of cameras is gone and this makes my gear easier to carry. I am in the process to convert my Canon EF lenses into RF lenses. This will be a lengthy process as the RF L glass is not cheap. I might keep 2 EF L lenses, the Canon EF 24mm L mkii & the EF 70-200 F4 II, and use them with the adapter. I discovered the crop mode of the EOS R. I use this mode with the 70-200, I might try it with the 24mm. This is a shot I took with the 70-200 in crop mode:
Little Falcon - EOS R + adapter + EF 70-200 F4 II in crop mode
I am considering getting a second EOS R as my backup camera at the end of 2021. I am very happy with the way the EOS R performs and I do not regret buying it. Again, do not forget that it all started with the EOS R. So., thank you Canon!
Canon - Reimagine (R) - for me personally the EOS R is a Game Changer!!!
