Canon Announces Flagship 24.2MP EOS R1 and Enthusiast 45MP EOS R5 Mark II Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Just in time for the Paris Summer Olympics 2024, Canon has announced its new flagship EOS R1 professional full-frame mirrorless camera. Canon seems to want to manage (even dial down) expectations around the EOS R1. First, its “Something Big” teaser of a few days ago was pretty low-key. Then, instead of the EOS R1 having its own press release, it announces the EOS R5 Mark II together with the EOS R1 in a rather terse and short press release. Finally, there’s uncharacteristically not much fanfare to celebrate a flagship that took years in coming and that was expected with lots of interest since it is set to compete with two excellent flagships, the Nikon Z9 and the Sony A1/A9 III. It could be the smartest strategy yet from Canon, leaving the praise and adulation in the hands of those whose hearts the EOS R1 really needs to win: the professional photographers and reviewers. And early reviews coming in all point to Canon having two winners in the EOS R1 and EOS R5 II that should be wildly successful.

The Canon EOS R1 is a hybrid full-frame mirrorless camera targeted to professional photographers. It features a back-illuminated stacked 24.2MP full-frame sensor; new processing system for extremely fast reading; more advanced and powerful AF system including Eye Control AF and new subject tracking technologies (Humans, Animals, Vehicles, Register People Priority, Action Priority – Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball); low-light AF sensitive down to -7.5EV; Cinema EOS video features; 6K RAW/60P and 4K/120P video; up to 40fps continuous shooting with no blackout; up to 8.5 Stops IBIS; brightest and largest 9.44M-dot EVF with 0.9x magnification; 3.2-in. 2.1M-dot Vari-angle Touch LCD; weather-resistant body. Based on its specs, the EOS R1 is primarily targeted to photojournalists, news reporters and sports professional photographers and videographers.

The Canon EOS R1 will be available in the Fall of 2024, for an estimated retail price of US $6,299.00 (MSRP CAD $8,599.99), body only.

The Canon EOS R5 II is a hybrid full-frame mirrorless camera that borrows many of the key technologies in the EOS R1, and is targeted to enthusiast photographers. It features a back-illuminated stacked 45MP full-frame CMOS sensor; new processing system for extremely fast reading; more advanced and powerful AF system including Eye Control AF and new subject tracking technologies (Humans, Animals, Vehicles, Register People Priority, Action Priority – Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball); low-light AF sensitive down to -6.5EV; Cinema EOS video features; 8K/60P video; up to 30fps continuous shooting with no blackout; up to 8.5 Stops IBIS; 5.76M-dot EVF with 0.76x magnification; 3.2-in. 2.1M-dot Vari-angle Touch LCD; weather-resistant body. While the EOS R1 is targeted to a specialized group of sports photographers, the EOS R5 should have a broader appeal. Based on its specs, the EOS R5 II is an all-round camera that can be used by sports, wedding, landscape and wildlife photographers, journalists, news reporters and visual creators.

The Canon EOS R5 II will be available in August 2024, for an estimated retail price of US $4,299.00 (MSRP CAD $5,899.99), body only. A camera kit includes the RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens and will have an estimated retail price of US $5,399.00. Canon Canada is running a promotion until Aug 20, 2024 (and while supplies last) where if you pre-order the EOS R5 II now, you’ll get a CAD $500 cashback and a Special Edition EOS R System Jacket.

PRESS RELEASE

Canon Officially Launches the New EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 17, 2024 — Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today launched two new professional full-frame mirrorless cameras, the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II. The EOS R1 camera is designed for both professional still photographers and video creators in a wide range of fields including sports, news reporting and high-end video production. The EOS R5 Mark II camera features improved video focused features for the advanced creators and real-time multi recognition tracking system for those who focus on still photography.

Canon EOS R1 Camera is “Ahead of the Game”
Canon’s EOS 1-series legacy continues with the unveiling of the flagship EOS R1 camera. This high-performance, reliable, and weather-resistance camera is designed for professionals in the photojournalism, sports and wildlife fields. Key features of the EOS R1 camera include:

Back-illuminated stacked 24.2 megapixel full-frame sensor and new processing system for extremely fast reading
Increased read-out speed, reducing “rolling shutter” distortions
Still-image shooting speeds up to 40fps
“Cross-type AF” imaging sensor for more positive focus on subjects with linear detail
Strong video capabilities, up to 4K (also 6K RAW video options)

Canon EOS R5 Mark II Camera helps users “Master the Moment”
For the professional who demands high-quality still and video output, the EOS R5 Mark II camera is ready to deliver. Designed with performance and image quality at its core, the EOS R5 Mark II camera offers the fundamental elements in one package for sports/wildlife photographers, journalists/producers, video producers and visual creators. Key features of the EOS R5 Mark II camera include:

Back-illuminated stacked 45 megapixel full-frame sensor and new processing system for extremely fast reading
When compared to previous EOS R camera models, more advanced and powerful AF system including Eye Control AF and new subject tracking technologies
Cinema EOS video features such as:
- Custom Picture color profile including Canon Log 2
- False Color Wave Form Monitor
- 4CH Audio with 24bit LPCM
- Pre-recording up to 5 seconds

Accessories for the EOS R5 Mark II camera were designed thoughtfully with the end-user in mind. There is a new, more powerful battery. The LP-E6P battery, when compared to previous battery versions, features higher continuous power and two-times the amperage. Optional battery grips were also thoughtfully designed, and there are three options:

BG-R20– For vertical operability
BG-R20EP with Ethernet – Port enables high-speed wired communication
CF-R20EP with Cooling Fan and Ethernet – Cooling fan helps maximize movie performance

Both cameras feature the new DIGIC Accelerator, which is an addition to the DIGIC X processor. The DIGIC Accelerator assists with deep learning processing which helps to quickly analyze large volumes of data and supports the next-gen AF system, Dual Pixel Intelligent AF. Dual Pixel Intelligent AF is based on Accelerated Capture and deep learning, allowing end-users to experience tracking advancements, such as body, joint and head area estimation and focus on people other than the main subject.

Canon EOS R1 vs. EOS R5 II Size Comparison

Price and Availability
The Canon EOS R1 camera is expected to be available in the Fall of 2024, for an estimated retail price of US $6,299.00^*. The Canon EOS R5 Mark II camera is expected to be available in August 2024, for an estimated retail price of US $4,299.00^* for the camera body only. The EOS R5 Mark II camera kit, which will include the RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens, will have an estimated retail price of US $5,399.00^*. The estimated retail prices for the optional battery grips are:

BG-R20– US $560.00^*
BG-R20EP – US $750.00^*
CF-R20EP – US $600.00^*

For more information, please visit www.usa.canon.com.

† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.
* Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.

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