The R1 and R3 models are designed specifically for sports and news/journalistic photography. Canon went out of their way to canvass those professionals and ask them what they wanted in a camera. The answers were consistent:
- They didn't need a high-MP sensor because they wanted speed of capture. In these days of on-line news and views, fast saving and transmission to agencies in close to real-time, so high-speed connectivity is a must. Those agencies would be fast-processing the images to go on social media and prints for magazines and tabloids - so not often extremely large, detailed prints.
- They did want outstanding sensor performance in all conditions, shooting in sometimes very dim, available light, so again that demanded relatively few, large photosites (20-24MP) of a FF sensor. The higher the photosite density, the less efficient sensor, thus a modest MP value offers enhanced ISO performance and dynamic range.
- While a BSI/stacked sensor can offer enhanced focus and frame rate, it is likely that dynamic range will suffer, so again the lower MP count allows the system to compensate for that.
- An extremely fast focusing system with enhanced features, such as eye subject selection, face and eye detection and tracking.
- They needed large, high capacity batteries to handle the fast drives for sequencing action, and to run fast autofocus lenses, along with the processors needed for that fast data bus and BSI/Stacked sensor.
- The camera bodies themselves had to be built to take the rigors of a professional photographer in a dynamic and (in case of news and journalism) dangerous environments, and in all weathers.
So, these cameras are thoroughbreds and top of their game in those respects. When you look at a row of sports photographers, the line-up will be dominated by Canon bodies and glass.
As my respected colleague Rick says, the gear will take you only so far. Remember, sports photographers have been taking fantastic images for almost two centuries with relatively primative gear - so, the gear will help, but in the end it's about the person behind the lens - how much they know about the events they will capture, knowledge of the technical and artistic aspects of photography, and total mastery of their gear.
cheers, TREVOR
The mark of good photographer is less what they hold in their hand, it's more what they hold in their head;
"All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow", Leo Tolstoy;
"Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase" Percy W. Harris
