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The Canon R3 ( EOS R3 ) shoots at 30 frames per second and lets you move AF points with your eye - but there are a lot of unknowns.
Canon has unveiled the newest and most surprising member of the R system family, the Canon EOS R3 - and it's unlike anything else in the EOS R line.
The Canon EOS R3 is designed for professional sports and press photographers, and will sit between the Canon 1DX Mark III and the Canon R5. It boasts continuous shooting at 30 frames per second (which is on par with the Sony A1) thanks to an all-new backlit, superimposed CMOS image sensor that can read at lightning speed, and virtually eliminates rolling shutter distortion. And of course, the R3 has AF Eye Control, which literally lets you move focus points by moving your eyeball.
However, that's about all we know about the EOS R3. There are a lot of details that Canon hasn't disclosed yet, as it was only revealed as a development announcement - full details and specifications will be revealed later, which means there are a lot of unknowns.
So here are five key things we don't yet know about the Canon R3...
We don't know what the resolution of the Canon R3's sensor will be, and Canon's track record with professional cameras suggests that this is an area in which it could fall behind the 50.1MP Sony A1.
Historically, Canon has limited its professional bodies - like the 1DX Mark III - to 20.1MP, which is perfectly acceptable. However, with the Sony A1 boasting 50.1MP (and even the Sony A9 II boasting 24.2MP), Canon really needs to go full pixel if it wants to be competitive.
After the poisoned chalice that was the EOS R5's 8K capability, Canon seems to be playing its video cards much closer to its chest this time. It's almost a given at this point that professional sports and news cameras can shoot 4K at 120p, but the big question is whether or not the Canon R3 can record in 8K - which is possible with the Sony A1, and confirmed with the Nikon Z9.
Nevertheless, if the phrase "8K video" is indeed uttered, we will at least know that the image sensor is at least 39MP!
Canon has confirmed that the EOS R3 will feature "next-generation Dual Pixel CMOS AF" which builds on the Dual Pixel II AF seen in the Canon R6 and R5.
It also confirmed that it will "add a new subject (yet to be disclosed) to the camera's AF tracking," so the question is what that subject will be. Canon already has face, eye, head and body detection for humans and animals.
So it's safe to assume that it will use its deep learning AF system to track subjects such as automobiles, since motorsports photographers are key users of professional cameras. Will we see even more AF positions than the R5's 5,940?
Canon has been careful not to reveal anything other than the front of the EOS R3, which means we have no idea what kinds of buttons, controls, and inputs we should expect.
We can be sure that the camera will have a joystick, but will it also have the (far superior) Smart Controller of the 1DX Mark III? Like the Canon EOS R's M-Fn to? Or is Canon relying on its eye-control autofocus feature to replace these inputs altogether?
This will be a controversial issue.
Historically, Canon has always had fixed LCD screens on its professional cameras.
While even the Sony A1 and A9 II featured at least tilting screens, the 1DX Mark III has maintained the status quo with a stationary screen - apparently for durability reasons, as it is impossible for a fixed screen to come off.
While it's true that most professional photographers use the viewfinder almost exclusively, it's also true that the ability to shoot stills is expanded by the ability to tilt or fully articulate the screen - and of course the latter is basically a requirement for video.
The Canon R3 is the first EOS camera with an all-new 35mm back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor.
The manufacturer developed by Canon itself claims that this sensor "will take high-speed photography and movie making to a new level."
The stacked construction provides a fast readout that allows the R3 to shoot bursts at 30 frames per second with full AF/AE tracking and minimal image distortion when using the electronic shutter.
Professionals can push the boundaries of creativity with razor-sharp tracking and focusing on fast-moving action.
The EOS R3's next-generation Dual Pixel CMOS AF can track the eyes, head and body of fast-moving subjects - excellent for capturing the finest details in a fraction of a second.
The most colorful feature of the Canon R3 is an improved technology first seen in the Canon EOS 5, and last seen in the Canon EOS 3: This is the first EOS digital camera to offer a new generation of photographers the revolutionary Eye Control feature, which allows users to select and move the AF point simply with their eye, via the viewfinder.
This instinctive feature provides professionals with fast, natural control of autofocus. Reducing the time required to focus, which is typically done with a multi-controller/button, is again perfect for photographers looking to quickly capture the most important subject to their frame.
As you would expect from a professional camera, the Canon R3 takes its cues from the EOS-1D series in terms of build quality and form factor.
Professionals can expect the same durability and resistance to dust and water as Canon's legendary EOS-1 series bodies. The camera also features the built-in grip that EOS 1D series users have come to appreciate and trust.
The EOS R3 will be fully compatible with Canon's Mobile File Transfer smartphone application.
This provides a new way to transfer images and speed up workflow while on the go, using mobile network services and without the need for wired LAN equipment.
Canon will release version 1.2 of its Mobile File Transfer app for iOS via the Apple App Store in June, which is compatible with Canon's EOS 1DX Mark III, EOS R5 and EOS R6. Android support will be added in the future.