I haven’t got my hands on the newly announced Canon EOS R7 yet, but I’m already convinced I need it in my life.
I’ve been a Canon girl pretty much from the beginning of my photography journey, from the Canon EOS 600D to learn some basics, then the EOS 7D Mark II, followed by the EOS 6D Mark II, which is my current target. to understand.
The temptation to upgrade to the RF mount has been chasing me since the first EOS R launched in 2018, but there just wasn’t enough innovation incentive to take the plunge back then.
And then came the Canon EOS R5 and R6: the former was too expensive (and a bit over the top) for me, while the latter didn’t have enough sensor resolution to lure me away from my EOS 6D Mark II. A 32MP mirrorless full-framer with the speed and autofocus performance of the newer R-series models is what I was looking forward to.
Instead, Canon gave us a 32MP APS-C format camera, one that combines the speed, precision and stability of its professional cameras with a very reasonable price tag. And I’m thrilled to drop a sensor size for the benefits it brings to those of us who love wildlife photography.
Small size, small price
My decision to buy a full-frame DSLR was based on the idea that I would like to try more nighttime photography. Turns out I wasn’t quite into it, so going back to an APS-C sensor size makes absolutely no difference to me.
I’m partial to wildlife photography – landscapes, wildlife, macros – and the smaller sensor is perfect for that. I can’t fault the images I shot with my 7D II, and sensor technology has come a long way since then, so size really doesn’t matter to me.
I also like walking (what we Aussies call “bushwalks”) and wearing bulky gear is tedious to say the least. The size and weight advantage that the EOS R7 will give me… I think my body would thank me for that! Here’s a quick comparison: the body of the 7D Mark II weighs 910 grams with a battery, while the 6D Mark II weighs 765 grams and Canon lists the R7 as only 612 grams with a battery and memory cards.
The EF lenses I use aren’t lightweight either, but I’m willing to stick with one or two (specifically the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L III) to use with the R7 via an adapter, and maybe include an RF lens to my kit…until Canon adds more native RF-S lenses to its catalog. Even if I opt for the R7 kit with new RF-S 18-150mm lens, the package is a lot cheaper than the body-only price of the R6.
I also considered switching to another brand – I was quite impressed with the Fujifilm X-S10 – but the switch to an entirely new lens ecosystem put an end to the idea.
Affordable Professional Level Skills
The way Canon introduced the R7 at the Australian media briefing was – and I am paraphrasing here – “the R5 without the 8K video”. That said it all.
Now I don’t consider myself a professional photographer – I love taking pictures, but I don’t make any money doing it. So while I don’t need a professional camera, I won’t say no to those high-end specs if I can get them for a lower price.
As someone who enjoys wildlife photography (and has also recently developed a penchant for sports photography), the R7’s maximum 30fps continuous shooting speed — with face, eye and body tracking — is a big tick. How the buffer will hold up at such high speeds is yet to be determined, but I hope it’s just enough for my needs.
It’s not just the speed that tempts me, it’s the precision it inherits from the more expensive Canon R-series cameras thanks to the Dual Pixel CMOS II autofocus system. There are fewer AF zones here compared to the R5 and R6, but 651 is still quite impressive for an enthusiast-level camera.
I’ve tested all of Canon’s R-series cameras (except the R3) and I know how impressive the R5 and R6 are, but they weren’t quite right for me. However, with the R7, I feel like I can finally put away my old DSLRs and make the mirrorless switch, because there’s finally a camera that’s (almost) perfect for me.
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