Thoughts on EOS R1 sensor

[Frito-1]

Hi All,

I have to admit that the 24MP sensor in the flagship camera is a bit of a disappointment.  I would like higher resolution without having to use PhotoShop to stitch pictures together.  Any one know why Canon did not go with a resolution closer to the R5?

Thanks in advance,

Fred

[KifsterMD]

Yes, no one camera can can be the master of all.  But I think Sony's and Nikon's flagship cameras are much more versatile while still being extremely good at the R1's specialty.

The Nikon Z9 offers 45mp - nearly twice the resolution of the R1.  You can definitely shoot landscape and studio photos with 45.  And I cannot imagine Canon's AF and low-light performance being that much better than the Z9's to justify half the resolution.

[Stephen]

I think you may be missing that the R1 is for a very specific audience who have told us they don't want a high-resolution camera. It slows down their workflow while at events. Think about the Games in Paris happening right now. These photographers need to get images now to their respective agencies so they can publish as quickly as possible. Can you imagine how flakey the WiFi is there? Now imagine if they had to deal with a 50mp image. Yikes!

[jrhoffman75]

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@Stephen wrote:

I think you may be missing that the R1 is for a very specific audience who have told us they don't want a high-resolution camera. It slows down their workflow while at events. Think about the Games in Paris happening right now. These photographers need to get images now to their respective agencies so they can publish as quickly as possible. Can you imagine how flakey the WiFi is there? Now imagine if they had to deal with a 50mp image. Yikes!

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Jeff Cable is a Canon photog who is posting from the Olympics. From his blog:

"Now, for those of you who are into photography and cameras, let me tell you about the Canon R1. The focus on this camera is absolutely AMAZING! In past Olympics, my take rate when photographing gymnastics was maybe 40% in perfect focus. With the Canon R1 I have a 95% take rate. This is crazy! And at 30 fps I ended up with more than 5,000 images to choose from. Trying to select my favorites was daunting!! When this camera locks in, it holds. And it locks in so fast that when I hit the focus button with the gymnast in mid air, it still locks on their face perfectly. This is a game changer. Even I am blown away. With that said, I am not using the pre-capture mode because I am already blasting off too many photos as it is. But I am excited to use that feature for birds in Africa and Costa Rica."

[John_SD]

I'm certainly not in the market for a flagship camera, but if I were and as someone who takes a fair amount of landscape photos as well as some wildlife, it wouldn't be the overpriced 24MP R1. I would be looking at the 45MP Z9, but that's just me. 

[jrhoffman75]

I think Canon would agree with your use case, except for the Z9 part 😀. 
“MELVILLE, N.Y., July 17, 2024 — Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today launched two new professional full-frame mirrorless cameras, the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II. The EOS R1 camera is designed for both professional still photographers and video creators in a wide range of fields including sports, news reporting and high-end video production. The EOS R5 Mark II camera features improved video focused features for the advanced creators and real-time multi recognition tracking system for those who focus on still photography.”

[Frito-1]

I get the issues with the large files, however, the continued advances in technology most likely will wipe out that concern. Storage is cheap and bandwidth is ever increasing.   When spending over $6k on a body, I would like it to have a larger sensor that has technology to eliminate noise.  It should also possess the technology that makes the files scalable for transfers.  I can cut the file size for a transfer.  I cannot expand the base detail that does not exist.    Thanks again

[KifsterMD]

I understand that argument.  It sounds nice and it's a very convenient argument (or dare I say "excuse") for Canon, but it doesn't seem very plausible. 

Ask yourself:

Do you think Canon knows something about sports photography and photojournalism that Nikon and Sony do not?  Do you think Canon did more 'market research' than Nikon and Sony did?  I seriously doubt it.  You think Canon has more of an interest in making equipment for these areas of photography than Nikon or Sony?  Not a chance.

A far more likely explanation is that Canon is lagging behind in terms of sensor and/or processing technology and this is why they delivered a 24mp camera, in 2024.  Sony and Nikon both offer cameras for the same 'very specific audience' that offer superb autofocus, fast frame-rates, low noise, and are well-suited to sports and photojournalism.... with twice the resolution!  Twice!!

Want lower resolution from the Nikon and Sony cameras because the wifi is "flaky"?  You can shoot in lower resolution modes.  But the versatility of higher resolution is there if/when you need it...... (like when the WiFi isn't "flaky".....).

[Stephen]

Believe what you like, it's your prerogative, but did you happen to notice we released another camera alongside the R1? The R5 Mark II, and that's the model that's intended for most photographers that need super-high resolution and very similar features. 

[kvbarkley]

If you really want Canon to hear this, send feedback. We can do less than a military chaplain, here.

Go to the main canon usa page and find the little '+' button:

[KifsterMD]

I’m an amateur photographer, but I’m a loyal Canon user and would never switch to another brand.  So yes, I saw the R5 Mark 2. 

Sony and Nikon offer the R1 and R5 Mark 2 rolled into one with their pro cameras.  Both offer the higher resolution of the R52 with the shooting performance (more or less) of the R1.  

Canon has some catching up to do.