Canon EOS R7: a supercharged APS-C hybrid for wildlife photographers

Canon’s RF mount is now well established in mirrorless cameras and offers a fleet of 24×36 sensor cameras and optics that are already substantial and relevant. But something was missing for APS-C sensor enthusiasts. Admittedly, there is the EF-M mount, but the cameras are not very ambitious and the number of lenses is meager. Thus, Canon was expected to develop APS-C sensor cameras (1.6x conversion ratio compared to full frame) using the RF mount. After a few years of design, the Japanese firm presents the EOS R7 and the smaller EOS R10. The latter is intended for a public wishing to improve their photography practice by taking up an amateur SLR format such as the EOS 250D or 850D.

An APS-C case for the animalist

The EOS R7 is aimed at a more expert audience, in particular wildlife photographers, by positioning itself as the successor to the much appreciated but aging EOS 7D Mark II, a very fast reflex in its time. While taking up the codes of the EOS R5 and R6, the EOS R7 nevertheless stands out with two clearly visible additions: a focus switch directly installed on the front face, like what Fujifilm does for example , and a fairly original joystick. Canon has established itself as the specialist in atypical AF controls. Between touchpad and adjustment by eye, the company is always looking for a bit. This time, she moved the joystick directly to the right of the viewfinder and added a selection wheel around it.

An atypical joystick

However, the R7 retains a control cloverleaf next to the screen on a ball joint, which makes it a small box with a maximum of control options. Regarding the owner’s exterior tower, note that we can also count on a double slot for UHS-II SD cards, the same multifunction shoe as the EOS R3, which therefore allows the use of digital microphones, or even the classic set of sockets: micro-HDMI, microphone, headphones and USB-C for charging. The electronic viewfinder, meanwhile, is content with a definition of 2.36 Mpts, a little below the current standard unfortunately. The device is also equipped with numerous seals and a magnesium frame, which ensures good resistance to shocks and bad weather.

The case comes out at 612 g, which is rather light, and displays a contained size of 13 x 9 x 9.2 cm. Obviously, the most interesting thing is to look inside the beast. Indeed, this R7 has a 32.5 megapixel APS-C sensor (ISO 100 to 51,200), the same definition as the EOS 90D or the M6 ​​Mark II, but Canon claims that the sensitive cell has been completely redeveloped. In addition, for the first time on a Canon APS-C camera, this one is equipped with five-axis mechanical stabilization. A function that is always interesting when using, in particular, fixed focal lengths without stabilization. The mechanical stabilizer can also correct the horizon if necessary to maintain straight images.

A burst up to 30 fps

The preferred target of the EOS R7 is therefore wildlife photographers and, to a second extent, sports photographers, as was already the case with the 7D II. To satisfy them, the R7 is capable of reaching high burst speeds. With the mechanical shutter, the R7 can capture up to 15 fps and even climbs to 30 fps with the electronic shutter. All still with autofocus tracking. Performance similar to the EOS R3 sports monobloc. We also keep the face, body and eye tracking of humans and animals, as well as the tracking of vehicles. However, the buffer caps out at about 70 frames.

A capture before the trigger

A new mode called “raw burst” has also been implemented. The latter is very similar to the ProCapture mode that is already found on several Olympus / OM System devices. It allows you to capture a number of photos even before pressing the shutter button. In fact, once this mode is chosen, when you trigger, the camera will have captured shots for about 0.5 seconds before pressing the shutter button. This sometimes makes it possible to recover the beginning of an action or a movement that the photographer would have missed. AF tracking is still available in this mode as well.

4K UHD 60p without cropped

The video has not been forgotten on the R7. It is possible to shoot in 4K (UHD) and 30p upsampled from 7K, all without cropping. In 4K, more “modest”, we can reach 60 fps and even 120 fps in Full HD, still without cropped. The recording time is no longer limited to 30 consecutive minutes and Canon even announces the possibility of 6 hours of recording in a row. For calibration enthusiasts, we even have C-Log 3.

For connectivity, in addition to the classic wifi and Bluetooth, the box can be controlled via USB-C cable by connecting it to a smartphone and using the Camera Connect application. Labeled “made for iPhone”, it extends USB compatibility to Apple smartphones.

Price and availability

The Canon EOS R7 will be marketed from the end of June 2022 for a naked price of 1499 €. As a kit with the new RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM zoom, it will cost you 1899 €. Note that initially, all copies (bare or in kit) will be delivered with an adapter ring for EF reflex lens on RF mount. A good way to switch to hybrid without getting rid of your old lenses. With a fairly aggressive price (cheaper than the 7D Mark II in its time), it is placed in the same category as a device like the Fujifilm X-T4, also equipped with an APS-C sensor, or even than the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, equipped with a 4/3″ sensor.