Canon EOS R10: an attractive APS-C hybrid that looks like a small SLR

To celebrate the arrival of the smallest APS-C sensors (1.6x conversion ratio compared to full frame) on its RF mount for mirrorless cameras, Canon is therefore launching two boxes. The first, the EOS R7, is aimed at an audience of enlightened amateurs looking for a fast camera for wildlife or sports photos. The second, aka the EOS R10, is more modest and accessible. Moreover, while hybrids usually contrast more radically with their SLR counterparts, which are often much lighter and smaller, this one retains a lot of the aesthetics of the Tokyo firm’s entry/mid-range SLRs.

A mini reflex?

Thus, the EOS R10 looks a lot like the EOS 250D from the front, with which it shares the same weight (approximately 430-450 g) and a comparable size. The EOS R10 is however much shallower and denotes with its large RF mount which, like the Z mount on the Nikon Z50 or Z fc, impresses on such small devices. Under the frame, in the hollow of the handle, a switch for focusing has also been integrated. It is surmounted by a button which allows you to alternate between the functions of the configurable ring of RF lenses.

The EOS R10 also benefits from a joystick and a touch screen on a ball joint, which is always practical. The connection is fairly standard with a micro-HDMI socket, a jack port for the microphone (but no headphone output) or even a USB-C port for charging. The definition of the viewfinder is a little behind at 2.36 Mpts, which is a fair bit in 2022. The photographer can also only count on a single UHS-II SD card port. The device finally has a small retractable flash.

Almost a new sensor

Under the hood houses a 24.2MP sensor which, while not completely new, has been “newly” developed. In all likelihood, it would be close to that of the EOS 850D reflex. Its sensitivity ranges from 100 to 32,000 ISO and it is possible to extend it up to 51,200 ISO. However, it does not have mechanical stabilization, unlike the EOS R7. It will therefore be necessary to rely on a large aperture with fixed focal lengths or on stabilized zooms to limit camera shake.

Sacred performance in bursts

The EOS R10 remains quite fast, more than most of its peers, with a burst reaching 15 fps in mechanical shutter and 23 fps in electronic shutter (buffer at around 120 shots), all with human tracking, animals (bodies, faces and eyes) and vehicles. It does not look like much, but can be interesting for anyone who wants to try their hand at sports or wildlife photography. As on the EOS R7, it is even possible to exceed this limit of 23 fps with the “raw burst” mode which allows image capture (with tracking) for half a second before the trigger. We can then climb to 30 fps, only in raw and with a planing of 25% in the image.

4K 60p with cropped

For video, this Canon can capture footage up to 4K UHD and 30 fps (oversampled from 6K) and without cropping. You can also get 4K at 60 fps, but with a 1.56x crop in the image. For slow motion at 120 fps, it will be necessary to switch to 1080p. The recording time limit of 30 min no longer being valid, the R10 can hold up to 2 consecutive hours.

The Canon EOS R10 also offers a panorama mode which consists of a continuous recording of 5 fps with editing carried out directly by the body, a bit like what smartphones offer.

Price and availability

The small Canon EOS R10 will be marketed from the end of July 2022. Naked, it will cost you 979 €. It will also be available in two kits: the first with the RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM zoom for €1099; the second with the RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM for €1379. In any case, for a limited period and stocks, and like the EOS R7, all R10s will come with an adapter ring for EF SLR lenses.

At €1,000 naked, the EOS R10 comes into direct confrontation with sometimes less ambitious products, such as the Nikon Z50 and Z fc, or the Sony Alpha 6400 (A6400), or even offering similar characteristics such as the Fujifilm X-S10, – which is however distinguished by its stabilized sensor.