- Top 10 Features of the EOS R3 – Everything You Need to Know
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The Canon EOS R3 is a professional full-frame mirrorless camera built for serious speed, sensitivity and reliability. From high-pressure sporting moments and headline-making events to wildlife and concerts, the EOS R3 makes object-tracking a breeze with its ground-breaking new functions and features. Here, we deep dive into the top 10 most important and innovative new specs of the Canon EOS R3.
The EOS R3 is the first EOS series camera to feature an entirely new 24.1MP full-frame, back-illuminated, stacked CMOS sensor. Developed by Canon, it delivers even faster readouts from the sensor and works in concert with the revered DIGIC X image processor to deliver next level capability.
This powerful combination unlocks ultra-high-speed continuous shooting of up to 30 fps[1] with AF/AE tracking when using the electronic shutter. This all-new sensor also makes the EOS R3 a low-light beast, easily creating beautiful images at up to ISO 102,400 (expandable to ISO 204,800) with reduced noise in low-light environments. The perfect workhorse for professional sports and music photographers.
The EOS R3 takes high-speed object-tracking to all-new heights with Dual Pixel CMOS AF II. As well as the People and Animal AF tracking modes (which includes birds) found in the EOS R5 and EOS R6 cameras, the EOS R3 also tracks racing cars and motorbikes, making it an obvious choice for motorsports shooters.
Deep learning technology enables accurate detection of people, while the enhanced Eye Detection AF is not affected by poses, lighting, makeup, hair or face masks. The Head Detection AF has also been updated to include subjects wearing helmets or goggles, making the EOS R3 ideal for shooting motorsports, cycling and winter sports. Body Detection also ensures subjects are tracked during fast and dynamic movements, such as found in gymnastics and dancing.
With Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, EOS R3 is primed to shoot in even the toughest of lighting situations. Focus on poorly-lit subjects that are hard to see with the naked eye, and create beautiful images with luminance limits as low as EV-7.5 for AF[2].
The EOS R3 is the first EOS digital camera to provide the groundbreaking Eye Control AF function, which originally featured in the film-era Canon EOS 5. Eye Control AF allows you to control the AF point with your eye in the viewfinder[3] – simply look, react and respond. This unparalleled control allows the camera to react as quickly as you do and opens up a whole new world of opportunities – from news conferences and events to wildlife and sports.
EOS R3 features a new 5.76-million-dot (approx.) Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) with rapid response technology. Developed by Canon, this new EVF also boasts an OVF simulation View Assist function, which delivers a natural field of view similar to a traditional optical viewfinder (OVF) thanks to HDR technology and high brightness performance.
Delivering up to 30fps¹ with its electronic shutter, the EOS R3 is a camera you can rely on to capture even the fastest and most dynamic of action. Digging a bit deeper beneath this headline grabbing spec you will also find a range of advanced features, including blackout free[4] continuous shooting that allows you to capture photos whilst keeping your eye on your subject no matter how quickly it passes through the frame.
The EOS R3’s silent shutter function gives you the massive advantage of being able to shoot in volume-sensitive scenarios where mechanical shutters are impractical. Examples include press conferences, interviews and sporting events such as golf, archery and snooker. The silent shutter also makes this camera ideal for photographing nature and wildlife, or any other type of activity where discretion is paramount.
The EOS R3’s breathtakingly fast sensor also unlocks new capabilities for the electronic shutter. Flash sync is now possible with the electronic shutter when used with external Speedlites, while rolling shutter distortion when shooting fast-moving subjects has been further reduced. The electronic shutter on the EOS R3 also shoots at up to a staggering 1/64000 sec shutter speed[5], so you can freeze even the fastest of action and shoot with wide apertures even in ultra-bright environments.
The Canon EOS R3 boasts the same industry-leading 8.0-stops[7] of Image Stabilization (IS) performance as seen in the EOS R5 and EOS R6. With its 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilization, you can benefit from powerful Image Stabilization (IS) even when shooting with lenses that don’t feature IS.
Shot handheld on EOS R3 with RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens. ISO 200 - F/9 - 4 secs
When combined with selected Canon RF lenses[8] the EOS R3’s In-Body Image Stabilization works in tandem with lens-based Image Stabilization for advanced real-world performance. For example, when paired with the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, the EOS R3 benefits from an approximate 8-stop increase in shutter speed. To put this into perspective, an 8-stop increase in shutter speed is equivalent to shooting at 1 second rather than 1/250th second. This makes the EOS R3 a game-changer when it comes to shooting handheld and in low-light scenarios.
Built to withstand the rigours of day-to-day professional use, the EOS R3 has a tough magnesium-alloy body with dust and weather resistance to the same level as Canon’s legendary EOS-1D X series. Dual card slots allow image files to be written to SD as well as CFexpress memory cards. The EOS R3 also runs on high-capacity LP-E19 batteries – the same found in Canon’s EOS-1D X Mark III – allowing you to use batteries interchangeably between your cameras.
EOS R3 is built for intuitive, familiar and customisable operation so you can set up your camera exactly as you like. As well as the revolutionary new Eye Control AF, the EOS R3 also features the multi controller joystick and optical smart controller for intuitive AF control. With three customisable dials on the body, plus the Lens Control ring featured on each RF Mount lens, you can quickly adjust shutter speed, aperture, ISO and exposure compensation without having to take the camera away from your eye. There’s also a Vari-Angle screen that allows for more creative compositions and increased versatility.
The EOS R3 is a fully-fledged video camera with powerful features for shooting cinematic footage. Capture oversampled 4K footage, as well as 4K up to 120p, and 6K 60p RAW video footage internally to a CFexpress card. Canon Log 3 also brings greater dynamic range to the table, as well as more versatile colour grading possibilities in post.
We’ve also removed the 29:59 time limit on each file, making EOS R3 the first EOS camera capable of continuously recording individual movie files of 30 minutes or longer. Crucially, the same advanced object recognition features available to stills photographers are also available to videographers, so you can quickly and accurately track moving objects around the frame no matter how quickly they’re moving.
The EOS R3’s innovative new Multi-Function Shoe has been developed for added functionality beyond flash control for still photography. The Multi-Function Shoe is capable of inputting digital sound data during movie shooting, and also provides network communication when connected to a smartphone. A range of new accessories designed to pair with the Multi-Function Shoe include the Speedlite transmitter, digital microphone, smartphone link adapter and XLR adapter. The Multi-Function Shoe adapter also enables use of older accessories.
With its ground-breaking specs and capabilities, the EOS R3 is a dependable workhorse that will inspire even the most demanding of professional creators.
[1] Maximum approx. 30fps. Continuous shooting speed may decrease depending on the combination of lens and shooting conditions.
[2] When using f/1.2 lens under the following conditions: center focus point, room temperature, One-shot AF, ISO 100. This does not apply to RF lenses with DS (Defocus Smoothing) coating.
[3] This feature may not be usable depending on such factors as users wearing sunglasses, hard contact lenses or glasses for vision correction. Individual characteristics, including eye size, eyelid thickness and eyelash length, may also impact functionality.
[4] Blackout free continuous shooting is limited to electronic shutter modes. Blackouts may occur either at the start of shooting, when returning from buffer full, or when flash is out of charge.
[5] 1/64000 sec shutter speed in TV and M modes only.
[6] Applies to interchangeable-lens digital cameras commercially available as of 14 September 2021. EOS R3 achieves a maximum image stabilization effect equivalent to an 8-stop faster shutter speed (the same as the EOS R5 and EOS R6). Based on Canon’s internal survey.
[7] When the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM is attached (f = 105mm, Yaw/Pitch direction, CIPA standard compliant).
[8] As of 14 September 2021. The RF600mm F11 IS STM, RF800mm F11 IS STM, RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM and RF600mm F4L IS USM are not supported. Lenses introduced before the EOS R5 and EOS R6 cameras may require a firmware upgrade for coordinated control IS to operate properly.
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