topic Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion" in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

Hrant — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:43:29 GMT

I've heard there is an expectation that an R7 II might be in development now, though it's not confirmed. Anyway would like to hear opinions regarding my set of ideas for the R7 II which hopefully could bring improvement there. Some say there is no development in stills cameras anymore, the only direction is video. Instead, I believe, lots of things can be done and believe Canon could lead change especially given increasing experimental approach seen lately with R50v, powershot, etc. I would also like to hear from others how do they think these might improve their workflow.

1. The biggest change I believe can be the size of the sensor. Which is now 22.3*14.8mm (vs 23.5*15.6 on some other aps-c) and gives crop factor of 1.614. At the same time, Canon S35 sensor is 24.6*13.8. What if the new R7 sensor would fit completely the super 35 sensor inside and still have 3:2 ratio. Then it would be 24.6*16.4 with crop factor of 1.46. The area size of sensor would be 22% larger than R7, so will improve the dynamic range and also Canon crop series would get back the wide angle, which is, frankly speaking, one of the big troubles. I've been dealing with lots of lenses on the speedboosters and have seen that all of canon aps-c and 3rd party lenses cover in reality significantly larger image circle than 1.6x crop, usually 1.5, 1.4 or bigger. When losing some of it, sharpness is getting lost too. So I think increasing size of sensor will bring back wide angle, increase sharpness and increase dynamic range. This small change in size will lead to big change in result, I believe.

2. Regarding the density of the sensor, I think of retaining the pixel pitch of R10, which would give 29.6 megapixels or 39.7 with density of R7 (first case preferable to limit the diffraction).

3. Another boosting thing would be the adoption of the Astro regime. It could either use sensor shift, or software-based stack pics to make astro photos when on the tripod (with some shift on the image). At least that would work with Milky way astrophotography, but further development might bring it to life even with the Deep space.

4. Another regime that I would love to see - is pixel shift on the R7 II. It could involve 2 regimes - when on tripod and when handheld. Tripod could quadruple resolution, handheld - double.

The following are less important updates though still valuable to bring camera from good to perfect:

5.1. A more quiet shutter, elimination of the shutter shock

5.2. Closing shutter for protection when imaging in ES mode too

5.3. Improve HDR exposure measurement (currently it makes picture overexposed by ~1 stop)

5.4. Optional battery grip

5.5. Except to fast series make full picture quality readout on ES mode

5.6. Screen bigger (3.5'')

5.7. Make IBIS working with the EF lenses, improve with manual lenses.

5.8. Introduce luts, which can not only contain slight coorrection on curve, but also deeper working with shadows and highlights for fast or immediate editing after picturing.

5.9. Introduce 3:2 open gate for video

5.10. Readout speed not higher than 10 ms.

5.11. Pair with a standard bright zoom lens like 16-65 or re-introduce EF-M lenses like 22mm F2, 32mm F1.4, 15-45mm, 11-22mm and the system is perfect for the coming decade.

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

LeeP — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:00:13 GMT

When I was looking to add my second RF body, I considered the R7 because of its features, but the APS-C sensor was the deal breaker. It simply cost too much for me--even with its features--to put up with it not being full-frame.

If I were Canon, I'd do an R8 II with more features and a slight price increase to keep the "value" orientation and then do a R7 II with the same or fewer features and drop the price down significantly.

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

Hrant — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 19:40:26 GMT

if Canon R7 had these updates, would you reconsider?

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

LeeP — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 19:56:50 GMT

Probably not.

I love my R8 and I never really got the "trade up" gene.

I find it odd that Canon did the R7 and R8 the way they did.

When I was looking to do my first step into Canon mirrorless my plan was to add on to my DSLR Canons with a "back-up" body. I considered the R10 and the R100 and chose the R100 because I just couldn't see the wisdom of the R10 because it wasn't enough better--to me--than the R100 to justify the price difference. When I got the R100, I was smitten with mirrorless, so I dedicated myself to replacing my DSLRs. I liked the R7's features but couldn't understand why Canon hobbled it with an APS-C sensor. That made getting the R8 obvious, again to me.

Camera decisions are very individual and I know that the camera-as-jewelry crowd turns their nose up at the R100, but I look at it via a car analogy. In 1971 you could have an "OMG it's a" Mustang V8, but for a LOT less you could have the same engine in the Maverick that people turned their noses up at. I'm the guy that would have taken the Maverick.

If the "RE-1" (supposed AE-1 homage) is real, I will be first in line and it will be 100% an impulse buy.

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

zakslm — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 23:01:36 GMT

I don't own an R7 but it was "kinda/sorta" on my wishlist before I upgraded to a 90D late last year. The benefit for me was that I have a few EF-S lenses that would work nicely with the R7's crop sensor ( with an adapter) and I could use them until got RF or RF-S replacements. I don't regret getting the 90D and really enjoy the camera but it's undeniable that mirrorless is the present and future. I did handle a R7, R8 and R6II at Best Buy last weekend and the R7 seemed most at familar in my hands with the R8 feeling kind of "small" and R6II seemed really appealing. But that's an off topic discussion for another day.

Having said that, it seems to me that Hrant put a lot of thought, effort and research into what he or she would like to see in an R7II. Some of it was Greek to me and other items had me nodding my head. However given that hints of an R7II or similar upgrade/replacement are already swirling around at Canon Rumors and other places, I think the die has been cast and whatever that update or replacement is and/or what features and upgrades it contains was decided months or years ago. It's probably way to late to influence Canon or their designers and engineers to modify what already might be in production or planned for production. Maybe if thoughtful ideas and suggestions like Hrant's could be accomplished via firmware or firmware updates if it's not too late. Otherwise, we can hope that someone at Canon in Japan is reading this forum and suggestions from Hrant and others and is taking notes for future updates and upgrades .

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

March411 — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 23:09:02 GMT

The Maverick was a great little car, i owned one and thought the body style was cool. Less weight, same engine as the Mustang but quicker off the line, that was important back in the day.

The R7II hopefully will resolve the rolling shutter that was the most predominant in this body. I would swap my R50 for an improved R7 II because there are some advantages to owning APS-C.

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

LeeP — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 23:17:10 GMT

"...there are some advantages to owning APS-C..."

Such as?

Given the hullabaloo in another thread, I'm not asking that with a wiseacre tone, but an honest, genuine tone of inquiry.

For me, the biggest issue is the 1.6 multiplying factor when using a full-frame lens.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the advantages.

It may give me a reason to love my R100 go-everywhere camera more.

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

March411 — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 23:41:24 GMT

Hey Lee, I read your posts and know that your intentions are always in the right place and enjoy a good conversation.

First and foremost is budget, the larger share of APS-C cameras and lenses are affordable, smaller and lighter. Due to recent events (Sigma) there are some additional lenses on the market that where Canon has a gap and most of them are fairly fast.
The overall footprint (size & weight) make them perfect for travel and hiking.
You can use APS-C or full frame lenses.
Increased focal length reach (1.5/1.6x) which would be great for let's say the RF 100-400mm.
On the down side, the smaller sensors does not perform as well at high ISO. I am interested in what Canon uses in the R7 II. Generally more noise but applications like DXO can smooth those rough edges.

I enjoy all my full frame bodies but sometimes I grab the R50 simply to travel light and get some extended range out of my current lenses. I may just be partial to APS-C, I loved my 60D and 90D.

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

zakslm — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 02:47:01 GMT

Marc,

"The Maverick was a great little car, i owned one..."

Back in the day when I lived in Michigan the Ford Maverick was dis-affectionately referred to a "Rustang". They were popular for all of the reasons you mentioned but let's just say that winter snow and ice and the road salt used to melt that snow and ice "wasn't kind" to the Maverick's thin body panels!

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

zakslm — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 03:25:12 GMT

Full disclosure - I have not owned or used a camera with a full frame sensor. I own 90D and Rebel T7 and both are crop sensor bodies.

I thought the 24mp sensor in the T7 was underrated. It produces really nice images with lots of detail and contrast that I didn't think were particularly noisy and with all of the advantages that Marc mentioned that come with a crop sensor body. High ISO performance of the T7 is not so great, but below 3200 and maybe pressing it a bit - below 6400 can produce usable images. The colors produced by that sensor (processed from RAW files) are really nice! I don't know if the sensors in 24mp mirrorless crop sensor bodies have similar attributes but with improved high ISO performance but if they do, I understand why those people love those cameras.

The 90D and it's 32.5mp sensor is a beast and I think the R7 has the same or a very similar sensor. I didn't think there would be much of a difference from a 24mp image vs. a 32.5mp image but there is. The increase in sharpness and detail vs. the 24mp sensor is quite noticeable. Plus the ability to crop in tightly without losing detail (if needed) is an added plus. Raw files sometimes take a bit more tweaking to bring out the colors for 90D files than it takes for T7 files but they are still very nice. The only thing that I would love to change is the noise level in the shadow areas that is often mentioned as a characteristic of crop sensor, high megapixel sensors.

If the R7II or whatever the update will be called can improve on image noise and some of the other deficiencies mentioned and do it with a 32.5mp sensor, I think it will be a very popular camera particularly for wildlife photographers and others that want to take advantage of 1.6X focal length reach.

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

Hrant — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 12:54:24 GMT

There are in reality many advantages to aps-c.

1. As everyone already said, you get multiplied your focal length and it can be useful in many cases (though in others might be a trouble)

2. For macro or subject photography increased depth of field is advantage.

3. With proper lenses you get significant size advantage. If you compare 18-150 to 24-240 it's much lighter and not worse in picture quality and also twice cheaper. It lacks some wide angle but in reality 24-240 cuts of significant portion of it due to distortion correction.

4. Usually zoom lenses are easier to design.

5. Price

6. Technically lots of stuff can be done easier including IBIS, sensor overheating, battery spending.

In most cases aps-c is good enough though with canon lineup it lacks lenses and advanced technics of ibis usage like those I mentioned in main post. For instance, DR on the R7 is higher than Canon R and RP. Still good enough. Also has advanced features that r8 does not have. So there are some advantages though r5 is of course superior to the r7 in almost every direction

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

LeeP — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 13:53:29 GMT

I have an R100 precisely for its wonderful portability. I enjoy doing street photography and it plus the 28mm "pancake" lens makes a compact setup with a "50mm" lens...or at least "close enough for government work" to use an old cliche.

When I was looking at the R7 and R8 I felt the megapixels of the R7 should be on the R8 and vice versa and that their price points should be switched, but ultimately I went full-frame and am very happy. Not saying that I would not have been thrilled with an R7, but full frame is wonderful.

I'd love for Canon to pull a "Pentax ME" moment i.e. put a full frame sensor in a tiny body. I still shoot a lot of film in addition to a lot of digital and when I saw the R100 I instantly thought "Pentax ME" and for me that is a very high compliment because I still use that Pentax regularly and love its astoundingly good metering accuracy...kinda like the R100.

I don't hate APS-C, but as soon as the features stack up I want full frame. It will be interesting to see what the "RE-1" does for a sensor.

Thank you for the conversation.

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

LeeP — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:02:52 GMT

I grew up in and around Bakersfield California where we get some rain though a laughable amount compared to any place that really gets rain. Snow? Maaaaybe once every 25 years; we're at 26 years and counting at the moment.

Thus, there should have been no rust buckets back in the day where I live, but I can assure you that rust happened on old Detroit cars here too. Obviously not to the degree you experienced, but back then you were supposed to trade up every year to a new car or heaven forbid every other year. Thus, cars didn't "need" rust proofing then, but with people now financing for 72, 84, and even 96 month loans... I wish I could say that my grandparents (who raised me) splurged on a new car that often; they didn't. As for Mavericks, they were a budget muscle car and probably quite fun.

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

zakslm — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:29:04 GMT

LeeP,

All good points and no doubt the Maverick was a fun car in it's day. I did not own one because we were a "GM Family" and back in the day, things were quite territorial with regard to automobiles and the Big 3 (maybe the same now with camera brands like Canon vs. Nikon vs. Sony, etc.?) The reference to a "Rustang" came from a particular young lady I knew who owned one at the time and whenever the Ford Maverick or it's Mercury clone is mentioned, it brings back that memory.

A standard practice up in the Rust Belt was to Ziebart or undercoat cars so they didn't rust as fast and lasted long enough to "pay off the note". When automakers started using galvanized steel and other types of corosion inhibitors the practice of undercoating cars faded away.

Sorry for meandering off topic, but I did try to throw in a camera reference!

All the best,

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

March411 — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:36:44 GMT

When I was looking at an APS-C the R7 was my focus but the rolling shutter and price point (with the known challenges) gave me pause. I picked up the R50 at almost half the price. It was a compromise because the R7 had more features but my thought was to wait and see what Canon did with APS-C moving forward. If the rolling shutter is resolved and they improve the sensor I would most likely add one to my stable of bodies.

Personally I guess I look at the bodies as tools, rigght tool for the right job. The R7 II, if the sensor is improved and the rolling shutter was resolved (or significantly reduced as all the R bodies have some challenges) it would be a nice replacement for the R50. The considerable addition to the features and the ability to customize my setup and save them would be outstanding...... which the the balance of the APS-C lack.

All that being said, I love my full frame bodies but I have carried Canon for over 40 years so I may be bias.

Re: EOS R7 Mark II "ideas discussion"

kvbarkley — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 04:01:06 GMT

This is a good list, but I would not want the new R7 II to sacrifice the rotating sensor for automagic leveling.