topic Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

edwardfranklin — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 18:21:39 GMT

I bought an EOS R7 with kit lens RF-S18-150mm 3.5-6.3 IS STM and a separate RF 100-400 5.6-8 IS USM lens in December 2025. After seeing that my RAW files with both lenses were not tack sharp and talking with Customer Service, my equipment was sent in to the Factory Service Center for evaluation. All products "performed according to specifications" and sent back to me.

In their notes they suggested some recommendations to see if those ideas helped my images and my focus concerns, but they did not.

I would expect to see tack sharp images in Photoshop and Lightroom with my RAW files, but I still do not. Maybe my visual expectations are too high (I don't expect it to be top of the line camera), but I expect my images to be sharp. Maybe this camera just doesn't perform well even though "it meets specifications". Canon says I can't return it at this point. I'm not satisfied. I'd like to return it and get maybe a better camera. What can I do?

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

kvbarkley — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 18:47:10 GMT

How are you viewing the image? Even a maximally sharp image looks blurred at a high enough magnification while viewing

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

Stephen — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:03:07 GMT

Hello.

For context, we'll need to know quite a bit more information.

What kinds of images are you creating that aren't "tack sharp?"
What AF mode(s) have you tried?
What was your previous camera?
Have you used a Canon EOS R camera before?

The EOS R7 was designed specifically to be used in high-speed shooting situations that require fast autofocus. If you haven't used one of our cameras that relies on the DPAF system, it will be different, and may require some practice.

If you need help or advice, don't hesitate to contact support during the week from 9am to 6pm (ET) at 1-800-OK-CANON (800-652-2666)

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

stevet1 — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:14:39 GMT

edwardfranklin,

Are you using a tripod or some other means to keep your camera steady, or are you taking pictures handheld?

Are you trying to take pictures of still subjects, or are they in motion?

Can you post a picture you are not happy with, and include the EXIF data so that we can see what settings you used?

Steve Thomas

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

LeeP — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:24:33 GMT

Why is tack sharp so important? i.e. what is the subject matter?

For example, if you're doing street photography, sports photography, action photography I'd argue that tack sharp isn't "all that".

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

Enthusiast — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:45:00 GMT

edwardfranklin,

You mention RAW files only. Have you tried JPEG file format? If so, how do those images compare to the RAW files that appear soft?

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:05:15 GMT

@edwardfranklin wrote:

I bought an EOS R7 with kit lens RF-S18-150mm 3.5-6.3 IS STM and a separate RF 100-400 5.6-8 IS USM lens in December 2025. After seeing that my RAW files with both lenses were not tack sharp and talking with Customer Service, my equipment was sent in to the Factory Service Center for evaluation. All products "performed according to specifications" and sent back to me.

In their notes they suggested some recommendations to see if those ideas helped my images and my focus concerns, but they did not.

I would expect to see tack sharp images in Photoshop and Lightroom with my RAW files, but I still do not. Maybe my visual expectations are too high (I don't expect it to be top of the line camera), but I expect my images to be sharp. Maybe this camera just doesn't perform well even though "it meets specifications". Canon says I can't return it at this point. I'm not satisfied. I'd like to return it and get maybe a better camera. What can I do?

Can you p[ost some example images to One Drive or Dropbox?

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

shadowsports — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:42:11 GMT

@edwardfranklin

To add further to everyone's comments. The R7 is by no means inferior or lesser from a quality standpoint. It's every bit as capable of taking sharp, clear, beautiful photos like any of Canon's mirrorless bodies, even those costing thousands more. I suspect your issue(s) might be related to technique. There are millions of examples posted online from R7 owners which clearly demonstrate the camera's attributes and wonderful capabilities.

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

edwardfranklin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:07:26 GMT

I am viewing the images in Photoshop at 200% and they are blurry.

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

edwardfranklin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:11:07 GMT

Stephen,
I am shooting still life scenes primarily. I just shot a picture of a walkway, a side of a house with horizontal siding, a fire hydrant and a lamp post and they all are fuzzy at 200% viewing. I had a Canon Rebel T3i previously DSLR. Yes, I rented a EOS R6 to try previously. I can send you photos to see my results if you'd like

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

edwardfranklin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:32:42 GMT

I have attached 3 images and corresponding info. unfortunately it didn't take my .CR3 file and had to make a reduced .JPGs, but I hope you can see my issues. please let me know.

image 1 EXIF dataimage 1 of houseimage 2 of fire hydrantimage 2 dataimage 3 of walkway and post dataimage 3 of walkway and post

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

edwardfranklin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:35:28 GMT

LeeP,
For me, tack sharp when entering images in competitions is vitally important. Also, when doing landscape or other "still" objects, you want to get the detail. I have added some images to one of the replies in this thread to evaluate. Yes, send me your Knowledge Base tips.

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

Stephen — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:35:54 GMT

That is great context! The T3i has a vastly different autofocusing system. It relies on a dedicated focusing mechanism inside the camera and isn't as advanced as the current generation of focusing systems. When we learned to shoot on cameras with systems like the T3i, many of us favored manually selecting the center focus point because it was the most accurate. This way of thinking isn't the case anymore. Now, the whole sensor is your focusing grid, and since the sensor is taking the photo it is *much* more sensitive and far less forgiving than the T3i. That means if you tell it only to focus on a single point or spot, it will do just that, and the results are often not what you expect - because the focus will be tack sharp - on that one single area, such as *only* the tip of the nose and *nothing else* or *only* the catchlight in the *left* eye and *nothing else.*

If your focusing mode isn't set appropriately, your photos will not look how you want them, and yes, the Community does want to see example images, with EXIF information so we can see the settings that were used, and where the autofocus points are. You can share the files using your favorite online file sharing service like Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud so we can understand the whole story.

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

edwardfranklin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:36:56 GMT

Enthusiast,
Question: why would I choose a JPEG format when I want to use editing features that a RAW file provides? And also, why JPEG when I want the highest quality file. I don't understand.

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

Stephen — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:41:46 GMT

None of these images seems out of focus to me. Maybe it's because there is no subject in any of these images.

Do you have any "real" photos to share with defined subjects?

I see noise - because they're shot in RAW and not processed. Is that what you're referring to?

Also, why are you shooting in ISO 100 on a dark day? You don't have to do that anymore. Let your camera do what we engineered it to do!

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

Stephen — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:47:15 GMT

To see if it's the photos or the editor.

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

edwardfranklin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:55:04 GMT

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/t4l36cr74ycrk5j3o7ld0/AFmDFeHRuH4cW0IfwypkNU8?rlkey=15gwtq8372gvku6vcr77nh2s8&st=31zffvyw&dl=0

this folder has my images for review. thx

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

edwardfranklin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:56:48 GMT

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/t4l36cr74ycrk5j3o7ld0/AFmDFeHRuH4cW0IfwypkNU8?rlkey=15gwtq8372gvku6vcr77nh2s8&st=31zffvyw&dl=0

here's my drop box folder with 4 images for your review

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:08:50 GMT

I looked at the images in Canon DPP4 and they look fine to me.

In Lightroom 100%, 200% and 400%

100%200%400%

Sharpness degrades a little when you zoom in because you are "manufacturing" pixels, but 100% image is fine in my opinion.

Re: EOS R7 Focus Issues continue even after Factory Service

stevet1 — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:44:24 GMT

Edward,

Thanks for sharing the pictures. I did notice that you had your lens extended to the full 150mm.

I had read that lenses introduce a certain softness when fully extended to its maximum.. I haven't scientifically tested that, but you might try backing off a little to 135 or 140 and see if it makes a difference.

You might also try putting your camera on a tripod, or other stable surface and add a touch of sharpening in your editing process.

Steve Thomas