Canon EOS R1 & impressions by professional sports photographer Jeff Cable

[P-visie]

He writes: `”During my offsite with Canon, we were told that the new Canon R5II has 95% of the focus system as the R1. That is amazing!”.

if this is true, this is very good news.

 

[Gogo7]

It seems that the new Canon EOS R1 camera is a flop based on the number of pre-orders so far:

 

[john1970]

It seems that the new Canon EOS R1 camera is a flop based on the number of pre-orders so far:

Good then I should have no issue receiving mine

 

[neuroanatomist]

It seems that the new Canon EOS R1 camera is a flop based on the number of pre-orders so far:

It seems you left something out. That part after the colon was where you were supposed to provide some evidence to back up your claim.

 

[P-visie]

It seems you left something out. That part after the colon was where you were supposed to provide some evidence to back up your claim.

The post is on Photorumors: “I talked to a few retailers, and it seems that the new Canon EOS R1 camera did not even get close to the number of pre-orders stores have been used to receive for the latest releases from Sony, Nikon (Z8/Z9), and even Fuji (X100). Of course, pre-orders are not an indication of how good a camera is, but sales and creating buzz are still important.”

It seems that the new Canon EOS R1 camera is a flop based on the number of pre-orders so far - Photo Rumors

I talked to a few retailers, and it seems that the new Canon EOS R1 camera did not even get close to the number of pre-orders stores have been used to receive for the latest releases from Sony, Nikon (Z8/Z9), and even Fuji (X100). Of course, pre-orders are not an indication of how good a […]

photorumors.com

“A few retailers”, so it represents the complete market . And the R1 is aimed at the X100 target market .

 

[DSB]

To me it seems that the only thing that would make sense is for Canon to come out with a R1S in 2025. Obviously with a high res sensor, something in the 60+ mpix ballpark. Keep everything else the same, AF and the body etc.

There are many that would gladly accept slower fps and readout speeds for a higher res sensor, but who also need a pro level body.

It's impossible to ignore the fact that the 24 mpix sensor raised many eyebrows. Just look at the comments literally anywhere.

 

[P-visie]

It's impossible to ignore the fact that the 24 mpix sensor raised many eyebrows. Just look at the comments literally anywhere.

Yes, the YouTube reviewers all seem to agree on that. They get paid to talk about camera’s, that’s different from being a professional sports or news photographer. I doubt that a professional photographer would base his/her decision to buy the R1 on the YouTube reviewers.

The professionals are the target market for the R1, so I reserve my judgement until their reviews and comments come out.

 

[Canon Rumors]

It seems that the new Canon EOS R1 camera is a flop based on the number of pre-orders so far:

I would dispute that assessment.

 

[Canon Rumors]

Yes, the YouTube reviewers all seem to agree on that. They get paid to talk about camera’s, that’s different from being a professional sports or news photographer. I doubt that a professional photographer would base his/her decision to buy the R1 on the YouTube reviewers.

The professionals are the target market for the R1, so I reserve my judgement until their reviews and comments come out.

That is correct, the people that consume reviews done with preproduction cameras in a few days on YouTube channels done by people that don't shoot are not the people that will actually buy, use and make a living with it. That platform only exists at this point to spark controversy, it sells better.

There's also this game they play when it comes to long waits on preorders. You don't get paid from affiliate programs until the product actually ships. So they'll have a negative view of something so people will go and purchase something that already exists. I s*** you not. You'll start to see positivity some time in October....

We're going to cover the pros in Paris, I know 3 people personally that will be there and their assessments will be far more valuable... good, bad or otherwise.

 

[DSB]

Yes, the YouTube reviewers all seem to agree on that. They get paid to talk about camera’s, that’s different from being a professional sports or news photographer. I doubt that a professional photographer would base his/her decision to buy the R1 on the YouTube reviewers.

The professionals are the target market for the R1, so I reserve my judgement until their reviews and comments come out.

Yes, but I'm talking about comments from the general audience, not reviewers. Just go on Youtube or Dpreview or Petapixel and read the comments.

24 megapixels being way too little for a flagship camera in 2024 is the general attitude. And I have to say once again I agree with this.

R1 doesn't seem like such a huge leap forward when compared to R3, and many feel that these specs would be more appropriate for R3mkII.

 

[Canon Rumors]

Yes, but I'm talking about comments from the general audience, not reviewers. Just go on Youtube or Dpreview or Petapixel and read the comments.

24 megapixels being way too little for a flagship camera in 2024 is the general attitude. And I have to say once again I agree with this.

R1 doesn't seem like such a huge leap forward when compared to R3, and many feel that these specs would be more appropriate for R3mkII.

... and they're all wrong.

 

[koenkooi]

Yes, but I'm talking about comments from the general audience, not reviewers. Just go on Youtube or Dpreview or Petapixel and read the comments.

24 megapixels being way too little for a flagship camera in 2024 is the general attitude. And I have to say once again I agree with this.

R1 doesn't seem like such a huge leap forward when compared to R3, and many feel that these specs would be more appropriate for R3mkII.

How many of those commenters were in the market for a €7500 gripped body and how many would’ve bought it if it were 45/60/90/180MP instead?

 

[neuroanatomist]

How many of those commenters were in the market for a €7500 gripped body and how many would’ve bought it if it were 45/60/90/180MP instead?

Three.

 

[DSB]

How many of those commenters were in the market for a €7500 gripped body and how many would’ve bought it if it were 45/60/90/180MP instead?

You frame that question as if you know the answer. Which you don't. Not to mention it really doesn't matter, since people can give an educated opinion even if they won't be buying a body like this.

On the other hand, what I can tell you with 100% certainty is that if this was a 45, 60, 90 or 180 mpix body there's at least one person that would buy it in a heatbeat - me.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Not to mention it really doesn't matter, since people can give an educated opinion even if they won't be buying a body like this.

People can piss into the wind, too. The opinions of people who would not have and will not anyway buy the camera are irrelevant. What matters is how may of the cameras actually sell. Since the camera is not actually being sold yet, this is all a bunch of hot air anyway. It's completely reminiscent of the hot air blown around when the R3 was announced. Then, when the camera actually came out, the tone changed dramatically. I expect that will happen with the R1 as well. But either way, what matters is not what people say...but what they do with their money. If the R1 sales meet or exceed Canon's targets, it's a win in the only way that matters. If not, Canon may alter their strategy.

 

[Canon Rumors]

Three.

People can piss into the wind, too. The opinions of people who would not have and will not anyway buy the camera are irrelevant. What matters is how may of the cameras actually sell. Since the camera is not actually being sold yet, this is all a bunch of hot air anyway. It's completely reminiscent of the hot air blown around when the R3 was announced. Then, when the camera actually came out, the tone changed dramatically. I expect that will happen with the R1 as well. But either way, what matters is not what people say...but what they do with their money. If the R1 sales meet or exceed Canon's targets, it's a win in the only way that matters. If not, Canon may alter their strategy.

Will pros choose to roll with it? A lot of Sony pros gave back their A9III's and are rolling with A1's... if they prefer the R3/R52 over the R1, the same thing will happen.

 

[OldDudePhotog]

Three.

I would say it is more than that. I have ordered the R1 myself to complement my sports shooting and will use my R3 as my second camera/backup. I would have MUCH preferred the R1 to have had 36mp or so since 24MP has been around since about 2012, I think it would have been more of a hit had it had the higher resolution. While photography is not my primary income, I do make enough to justify the best equipment I can have for the job. I will use my R5 for the clients that need the higher resolution images and will probably pick up the Mk2 for next year's tax write-off.

 

[Quack]

Yes, but I'm talking about comments from the general audience, not reviewers. Just go on Youtube or Dpreview or Petapixel and read the comments.

24 megapixels being way too little for a flagship camera in 2024 is the general attitude. And I have to say once again I agree with this.

R1 doesn't seem like such a huge leap forward when compared to R3, and many feel that these specs would be more appropriate for R3mkII.

The obvious fact that relatively ignorant and stupid people dominate social media comment sections tells me that Canon has clearly made the correct decision.

If it wasn't called a "flagship," would you or others think differently? If they called the R5 II the flagship, would that make you happier? The fact that people get hung up on the label of "flagship" once again only proves how stupid people are. It means nothing, when you actually think about it. Every camera does what it does regardless of the label one puts on it.

The R3 was released 2 1/2 years ago. How huge a leap did you expect considering camera tech has reached a very high level of maturity in 2 1/2 years? And again, saying the specs are nothing more than a R3 mkII is a meaningless statement. Being a "mark II" is merely a label that does not say anything about the advancements in comparison to the mark I.

From the reviews I have seen, the R1's AF is considerably improved, with some new and unique features when it comes to subject detection. Quite frankly, I was very surprised by how much they have advanced the AF system in only 2 1/2 years since the R3's release.

 

[sanj]

I would dispute that assessment.

How/why do you agree? What do you know? Please tell. Honest question.

 

[RikC]

Interesting discussion. The R1 appears to be squarely aimed at the professional press/sports photographers directly delivering jpeg's to customers. The most expensive camera's in the major companies' line-up are often directly compared to each other. But I'd argue they are positioned quite differently in the market by now.