Canon R1 : Development Announcement

If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).

A subset of Computer Vision, Human Action Recognition (HAR) of athletes is an active research arena in computer science, for the broadcasting and media industry as well as for coaching sports. In the wider sphere, it has applications in the military and security etc.

An overview of Human Action Recognition in sports based on Computer Vision

It will be interesting how Canon's have implemented this feature as they tease it in the marketing speak....

R&D labs in the leading camera companies have probably invested in priority research in this arena over the past few + years....this includes rich image libraries for training refined Deep learning algorithms on dedicated hardware etc
this is another good takeaway from the announcement. they seem to be declaring specific emphasis on team human sports which is certainly an advantage for a certain customer segment
 
The R5ii is promising to be great, and if they don't cripple its video specs and overheating is not an issue, I'd look. The R1 can be a homerun for me, who only shoots with a grip, needs the durability and battery. But they should really stop reserving the best codecs for their cinema line.
 
Canon Rumors posted this overlay with the R3 that's helpful. It's a nice looking camera if it has the goods.

ezgif-2-ee06dac1b4-1.png
 
Wonder if this was announced early with skimpy details to assure the "pros' their flagship is coming, because maybe the R5 MKII (and maybe R7 MKII) will be announced soon.
I think the reason is that they will have the camera in the hands of some Olympic photographers so wanted it to be a known entity so they aren't having to hide it and leak out. Whether they will have a more detailed announcement by July remains to be seen. But it sounds like a full consumer release where you and I could order it at B&H is a ways out and uncertain timing. The camera in the hands of Olympic photographers will likely be preproduction more so than usual.
 
Why would they do that when the R3 is already their action camera?
Exactly. What would separate the R1 from the R3 in this case? I suppose the argument would be that the R1 is the new and improved R3 and that they'll drop that line? This would further imply the R3 was really the R1 mark I, and it would leave Canon without a higher-MP, high-speed flagship to compete.
 
Why would they do that when the R3 is already their action camera?

Same reason people on this site shoot Sony A1s and Nikon Z9s in parallel, or double Z9s, or a Z9 and a Z8. Not that I would ever be willong to spend as much, but people do.

I vividly remember when serious photography was a two brand thing, Canon and Nikon. It is good to see that being a three+ game now between Nikon, Sony, Canon, Fujifilm and OM.
 
Same reason people on this site shoot Sony A1s and Nikon Z9s in parallel, or double Z9s, or a Z9 and a Z8. Not that I would ever be willong to spend as much, but people do.

I vividly remember when serious photography was a two brand thing, Canon and Nikon. It is good to see that being a three+ game now between Nikon, Sony, Canon, Fujifilm and OM.


This isn't a two-brand thing, it's one brand with overlapping models. Wouldn't make any sense.
 
I'd argue there's a lack of brand fanatics here on this site, which is pleasant and unlike other forums. If you want to toe the company line there are plenty of places to do that on the internet. Too many, perhaps.
There are a few here that can't resist finding every opportunity. Their wrath is that of a lover scorned.

"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor Hell a fury like a woman scorned"
 
That would surprise me. Their "1" line has always been lower megapixel, appealing to journalists, sports, events pros that don't need the big files.
i think the argument is that they already have the r3 and i think sony kind of redefined the space where a do-it-all camera sits at the top (witness the same was true with nikon until the z9).

but i guess time will tell. but i do think the reception will be pretty cool if their answer to the z9 and a1 is a low mp camera, regardless of how fast/fancy it is
 
Canon Rumors posted this overlay with the R3 that's helpful. It's a nice looking camera if it has the goods.

View attachment 89096
This prototype is packing an impressive volume into its frame, compared against the R3... Particularly comparing the extended area around the paired Fn buttons.

Sufficient heat sink is likely, besides housing the extra CPU. This suggests high rates of data processing of large images = impressive RAW fps(?)

In addition, there's probably an integral GPS inside the "prism" under the flash-foot.
 
I expect to see 8k video, so a 40+ megapixel sensor is a given. A lower resolution sensor would limit it to 4k.

There have been some overheating problems, and the large body and second processor can spread that load. It also could allow support for much faster frame rates.

The emphasis on subject priority for the subject with the ball is interesting. I can see that as being very popular - and possibly the next battle over AF performance. Being able to assist on subject selection based on content is a major step forward - currently only found in broadcast cameras as far as I know.

At this stage the "announcement" is a placeholder and lacks specifics. That's not surprising. It protects against further departures to both Sony and Nikon, and sets the table for a more detailed announcement in a couple of months or so.

I would expect to see photographers with the R1 pre-production camera and R3 cameras at the Olympics and other summer and fall events. The Olympics is a good option for experimentation as there are a lot of games or matches with lesser teams in preliminary rounds. Those matches provide an opportunity to try out new capabilities and features.
 
I expect to see 8k video, so a 40+ megapixel sensor is a given. A lower resolution sensor would limit it to 4k.

There have been some overheating problems, and the large body and second processor can spread that load. It also could allow support for much faster frame rates.

The emphasis on subject priority for the subject with the ball is interesting. I can see that as being very popular - and possibly the next battle over AF performance. Being able to assist on subject selection based on content is a major step forward - currently only found in broadcast cameras as far as I know.

At this stage the "announcement" is a placeholder and lacks specifics. That's not surprising. It protects against further departures to both Sony and Nikon, and sets the table for a more detailed announcement in a couple of months or so.

I would expect to see photographers with the R1 pre-production camera and R3 cameras at the Olympics and other summer and fall events. The Olympics is a good option for experimentation as there are a lot of games or matches with lesser teams in preliminary rounds. Those matches provide an opportunity to try out new capabilities and features.

8k in open gate, which is now becoming a thing (Lumix and Fuji), is 33mp.
 
When I'm on the sidelines or shooting pro surfing like WSL, Canon R3 and its white lenses are still the majority, followed by Sony A9ii. Just a smattering of Nikon (like mine). I'm certain the agencies and priveteers will jump on an R1 if they simply upped the FPS and enhanced AF which is already excellent.
 
Exactly. What would separate the R1 from the R3 in this case? I suppose the argument would be that the R1 is the new and improved R3 and that they'll drop that line? This would further imply the R3 was really the R1 mark I, and it would leave Canon without a higher-MP, high-speed flagship to compete.
I agree as it's been out there that the R3 was originally supposed to be the R1 but got renamed the R3 just before announcement. Mainly speculated as it was only 24MP.

30MP is certainly not enough of a difference from 24MP. I too would find it very odd if it wasn't 45 or 50MP
 
Let's face it. Sony mirrorless caught Canon with its pants down, just like they did Nikon.

The two reacted differently.

Nikon entered the MILC arena with some intermediate (some might say mediocre) cameras while it developed the technology for the Z9 and a new generation of offerings.

Canon came out with some solid, competitive cameras like the R5 and the R3 and telegraphed their killer haymaker--the R1--for at least the past four years.

Canon is a major player with deep pockets and a record for innovation. As the last mover, they have the benefit of seeing the weaknesses in others' product lines and can take advantage of new developments, such as those based on AI and microelectronics.

I think the R1 will be very advanced and highly impressive. It will generate a whole new trend of "gee, I'm thinking about switching to Canon" threads. Can't wait.
 
Let's face it. Sony mirrorless caught Canon with its pants down, just like they did Nikon.

The two reacted differently.

Nikon entered the MILC arena with some intermediate (some might say mediocre) cameras while it developed the technology for the Z9 and a new generation of offerings.

Canon came out with some solid, competitive cameras like the R5 and the R3 and telegraphed their killer haymaker--the R1--for at least the past four years.
and... PUSHED DOWN. ie, the r6, r6ii, r7, r8, r10. i think it made sense for them and i don't think others were really focused on the low end like they were and that builds a customer pipeline to their higher end products.
 
Back
Top