It’s been several months since the Canon EOS R1 was launched and it’s always good to be able to try out the flagship camera aimed at professional photographers. Better late than never.
What the Japanese camera maker promises is a blend of cutting-edge technology with user-centric features. When you hold the new camera in your hands, it’s clear the body is robust and well put together, thanks to the magnesium alloy chassis with a polycarbonate glass fibre exterior.
As expected of professional tools, many of the camera settings can be tweaked without the need to dive into the menu system. You can change the camera’s settings by clicking the multi-function button beside the shutter release button and then using the front dial and rear wheel to effect the change.
The Canon R1 is by no means a small camera. It weighs 1.1kg and has a high-capacity 2,700mAh LP-E19 battery and two CF Express B storage cards. Part of the 157.6 x 149.5 x 87.3mm frame is a built-in vertical grip, so be prepared to use a big bag pack or, better yet, cabin luggage with wheels and a camera insert if you plan on pairing a long lens with the camera.
The Canon EOS R1 sports a 24.2-megapixel back-illuminated sensor, which is versatile for photos and videos. It may be built for sports and action shots, but its full-sized HDMI and RJ-45 ports make it handy for studio shoots as well.
You can connect it to your PC directly with a network cable or use Wi-Fi to link with Adobe Lightroom for on-site tether capture. You can also preview photos using the HDMI port to connect to a monitor or TV.
The Canon EOS R1 is not a slouch when shooting video. The new camera can record 120 minutes of up to 6K resolution RAW footage in 60p and a 2K 60p proxy file, saving more useful data for post-production work. It can also capture 119.8fps in 4K using the full width of the sensor (rather than cropped).
When capturing still images, the Canon EOS R1 is a powerhouse. With a fast autofocus system, equally speedy image processors, and a maximum shooting speed of 40 frames per second, it is great capturing actions, sports, and most fast-moving subjects. It feels more at home in the great outdoors as well.
I just put my eyes on the camera and point it at a subject, and the camera achieves focus in milliseconds and continues tracking the subject. The camera easily captures running dogs, fighter jets, and lumbering jungle fowls with accurate focus.
Additionally, the Pre-Continuous Shooting function captures up to 20 frames before the shutter is fully pressed, which is helpful during unpredictable action scenes. Useful when shooting a hip-hop dance performance or wildlife in the park.
To sum up, the Canon EOS R1 is an excellent professional camera. It helps to have all the handy controls and buttons packed in. Plus, the impressive autofocus system is a joy to use when capturing action shots. The camera allows you to get out of the way and focus on the art of capturing the moment.
That said, the camera JPEG files sometimes exhibits colours that are a bit cooler and that affects the skin tone. Shoot in RAW first to give yourself more flexibility to correct the colours later.
At S$9,599, the Canon EOS R1 reflects the pinnacle of Canon’s capability in terms of imaging technology. For professionals, it’s a reliable partner to capture anything that comes before it.
