Canon Reveals Development of EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera

Photographers have asked, and asked, and asked, and Canon finally has an answer to “What’s next for its mirrorless system?” That answer is the EOS R5. This camera isn’t here quite yet, but Canon is revealing some key details and information with today’s development announcement. There’s 8K, in-body stabilization, high-speed imaging—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Many new lenses are on their way in 2020, as well, with an RF 100-500mm and teleconverters being previewed today.

Please Note: Canon has released limited information on the upcoming EOS R5 and RF lenses. All current specifications are available in this article and we will provide additional information when it becomes available.

When the EOS R system was first released, Canon hailed it as “a new chapter in the history of EOS.” With the early specs of the upcoming EOS R5 camera, I think it might be fitting to start a new book. Making full use of the mirrorless design, the EOS R5 aims to bring users “Speed, Comfort, and High Image Quality.” This means it will be fast shooting, have top-of-the-line image quality, and bring some much requested features to make the workflow even better.

The details we are getting today include the introduction of a newly developed full-frame CMOS sensor at the heart of the R5. No doubt that this is what unlocks many of the newest functions. Specifically, Canon says the camera will be able to reach 20 fps using an electronic shutter and 12 fps with a mechanical shutter. That 20 fps figure should be particularly impressive, considering Canon’s flagship EOS-1D X Mark III offers that same maximum speed. The new R5 even steps up video, offering 8K recording options. Having such a high-resolution video mode allows users to extract high-resolution stills or make the best use of the extra resolution to generate even better 4K footage.

Another major addition to the R5 is an in-body image stabilization system, a first for Canon’s interchangeable-lens cameras. It will even work in tandem with select RF lenses equipped with their own stabilizers. As for workflow benefits coming with the new camera, Canon has seen fit to place dual card slots on this model, and it will be able to transfer images automatically to the upcoming image.canon cloud platform.

Scheduled for release in April 2020, the image.canon cloud platform will help photographers improve their post workflows. Select Wi-Fi enabled cameras, such as the upcoming R5, will be able to upload images and videos automatically to the cloud, in full quality. Then, users can access the files for 30 days, transfer them to other cloud services, share to social media, or move into the service’s 10GB of long-term storage. It seems to be a nice, modern post solution for professionals and enthusiasts. It’ll be interesting to see how this works when it is finally available.

It’s not a ton of information, but enough to make many of us very excited for more details when the camera and service are officially launched. If you want a preview of the camera, Canon will be showing off an early model at CP+ in Yokohama, Japan, from February 27 through March 2, and at WPPI in Las Vegas from February 25-27.

Not only the camera is being previewed today, but seven new RF lenses and two teleconverters are on their way. The most eye-grabbing, and the only one for which we get a full name, is the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM, the first big white lens to reach into true super-telephoto territory for Canon’s full-frame mirrorless cameras. There is even going to be an Extender RF 1.4x and Extender RF 2x to give a serious boost to the reach of select RF lenses when you need it. We don’t have any specific details on the other lenses slated for 2020, but it looks like Canon is going to be busy all year.

All of these products are still in development, so let me tell you about some other Canon items that were announced today that should be available very soon. We may as well get started with the other EOS R system item: the RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM Lens. This is a compact, lightweight, and versatile zoom that can be an everyday, one-lens shooting solution. Next is a new DSLR! The EOS Rebel T8i is an ideal entry-level option for photography enthusiasts and vloggers. And, finally, we have the SELPHY QX10 Compact Photo Printer, a pocketable, connected printer that can pop out 2.7" square images wherever you want to share with friends and family. You can learn more about them in our announcement.

So? What do you think about Canon’s upcoming releases? I think they have incredible potential and, if they turn out to be as good as Canon says, they have the potential to upend the camera market. Please be sure to leave your thoughts in the Comments section, below!