Guide to Canon Full-frame Mirrorless Cameras

Canon full-frame mirrorless cameras offer a great balance between performance and portability, making them a popular choice for photographers. With 4K video support and intuitive controls, they cater to both professionals and enthusiasts looking for a versatile tool for photography and filmmaking. Each R-series camera offers different advantages and disadvantages. If you want to know what options are out there, this guide gives an impartial overview of each Canon full-frame mirrorless camera — so you can decide which one is right for you.

With the Canon EOS R in 2018, Canon announced the native RF lens mount. Canon RF lenses offer exceptional focus speed and accuracy, but you can still mount EF-mount DSLR lenses to R-series full-frame mirrorless cameras via the Canon EF-EOS R adapter. So, what are the current options in the full-frame Canon R mirrorless range? In reverse chronological order of release, this article covers Canon's entire range of R-series full-frame cameras, including:

• Canon EOS R1 (2024)

• Canon EOS R5 Mark II (2024)

• Canon EOS R8 (2023)

• Canon EOS R6 Mark II (2022)

• Canon EOS R3 (2021)

• Canon EOS R5 (2020)

• Canon EOS R6 (2020)

• Canon EOS Ra (2019)

• Canon EOS RP (2019)

• Canon EOS R (2018)

Canon EOS R1 (2024)

The flagship behemoth Canon EOS R1 is one of the best cameras Canon has ever released. Similar to the Canon EOS R3, the R1 takes everything even further with big upgrades to speed, autofocus and battery life. It's bigger, better and more expensive. Professional sports photographers, in particular, will absolutely love this camera. Other additions include dual processors and a 16-point low-pass filter. Its focus on speed does come with a reduced megapixel count, so if you want higher-resolution images, go with the outstanding R5 Mark II.

• 24.2-megapixel full-frame stacked BSI sensor

• Dual processors: Digic X and Digic accelerator

• Native ISO up to 102,400

• Bursts up to 12fps (mechanical) or 40fps (electronic)

• 1/8000 (mechanical) or 1/64,000 (electronic) shutter speed

• IBIS, up to 8.5 stops

• Dual CFexpress card slots

• Approx 860 shots per charge (CIPA)

Canon EOS R5 Mark II (2024)

The second iteration of the excellent EOS R5, the Canon EOS R5 Mark II, offers a number of upgrades. These include a back-side illumated (BSI) stacked sensor, 8k video up to 60fps and even better in-body image stabilisation (IBIS). The camera's megapixel count remains changed from the Mark I, but 45 megapixels is still more than enough for the vast majority of photographers.

• 45-megapixel full-frame stacked BSI sensor

• Dual processors: Digic X and Digic accelerator

• Native ISO up to 51,200

• Bursts of 12 fps (mechanical) or 30 fps (electronic)

• IBIS, up to 8.5 stops

• 8k RAW video up to 60fps

• 4k up to 120fps for slow-motion video

• Dual CFexpress and SD card slots

Read our full Canon EOS R5 Mark II review.

Canon EOS R8 (2023)

Released in 2023 as a mid-range, lower-priced option, the Canon EOS R8 is a great lightweight camera — in both size and features — opening up possibilities for a range of photographers. While it lacks IBIS and has only a single SD card slot, it's a fantastic camera if you want to shoot full-frame without breaking the bank. The R8 lacks a full mechanical shutter, using only its electronic shutter (or electronic 'first-curtain' shutter).

• 24.2-megapixel full-frame sensor

• Digic X processor

• Native ISO up to 102,400

• Burst 6fps (first-curtain) or 40fps (electronic)

Canon EOS R6 Mark II (2022)

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is a fantastic option for wildlife photography, with great autofocus, IBIS and low-light performance.

• 24-2-megapixel full-frame sensor

• Digic X Processor

• Native ISO up to 102,400

• Burst 12fps (mechanical) or 40fps (electronic)

• IBIS

• Dual media slots

• 1/8000 (mechanical) or 1/16,000 (electronic) shutter speed

Canon EOS R3 (2021)

The heavyweight Canon EOS R3, with features perfect for the top shooters in sports and wildlife photography, came packed with tech. With a built-in battery grip, it’s bigger and better in terms of battery life and ergonomics. The Canon EOS R3 is a great choice for sports photography and any genre that requires speed over resolution. The R3 can also handle video well, with 6k at 30p and slow-motion 4k footage at 120p.

• 24.1-megapixel full-frame stacked sensor

• Digic X Processor

• ISO up to 102,400

• 12 fps (mechanical) or 30 fps (electronic)

• 1/8000 (mechanical) or 1/64,000 electronic shutter speed

• Blackout-free electronic viewfinder

• Eye-control autofocus

• Dual CFExpress and SD card slots

You can read more in our Canon EOS R3 review.

Canon EOS R5 (2020)

The Canon EOS R5 was released as the top-of-the-line full-frame mirrorless camera. This versatile camera is a powerhouse in performance, aimed at attracting professionals in particular. With 8k RAW video, the R5 is a great option for hybrid photographer-videographers too.

• 45-megapixel full-frame sensor

• 8k RAW video recording

• ISO up to 51,200

• Bursts 12 fps (mechanical) or 20 fps (electronic)

• In-body image stabilisation

• Dual CFExpress and SD card slots

You can find out more in our short Canon EOS R5 review.

Canon EOS R6 (2020)

The Canon EOS R6 was released alongside the Canon EOS R5 as a more affordable version of Canon's then-flagship camera. Offering half the megapixels and lower video specs, the Canon EOS R6 is still a solid performer with IBIS and good low-light performance.

• 20.1-megapixel full-frame sensor

• DIGIC X Processor

• ISO up to 102,400

• In-body image stabilisation

• Burst at 12 fps (mechanical) or 20 fps (electronic)

• 4k RAW video

• Dual SD card slots

Read the Canon EOS R6 review for music photography, or see how the Canon EOS R6 performs in low light.

Canon EOS Ra (2019)

A good option for astrophotography, the Canon EOS Ra was the brand’s first dedicated camera body for capturing the depths and details of deep and starry night skies. The Ra features all of its advanced features and more, focusing on what captures the complicated colour profiles of our night sky and far-away astronomical sights.

• 30.3-megapixel full-frame sensor 

• DGIC 8 image processor

• Native ISO up to 40,000

• 8 fps bursts

• 4K30 video

• Dual Pixel 5,655-point autofocus system

• Single SD card slot

Canon EOS RP (2019)

The most affordable on the list, the Canon EOS RP is the R’s counterpart in functionality, with a few features stripped down to achieve a budget-friendly price point. But most that have owned the RP believe that the quality trumps any trimmed features, often performing wonderfully when it comes to employing the classic Canon colour science.

• 26.2-megapixel full-frame sensor

• DIGIC 8 image processor

• Native ISO up to 40,000

• 5 fps bursts

• 4K30p video recording

• Dual Pixel 4779-point autofocus system 

• Single SD card slot

Released in February 2019, it is the only model in the R family that does not have a sensor curtain for protection in between changing lenses, but it does come with an updated, quieter shutter sound. Like the Canon EOS R, the EOS RP doesn't have IBIS.

Read our list of Canon EOS RP alternatives.

Canon EOS R (2018)

The original Canon EOS R was groundbreaking when announced in 2018, signalling the start of the full-frame frontier for Canon mirrorless cameras, and a slew of new RF lenses. This first iteration of the R series is incredibly versatile yet affordable, lightweight and packed with powerful capabilities for low light photography.

• 30.3-megapixel full-frame sensor 

• DGIC 8 image processor

• Native ISO up to 40,000

• 8 fps bursts

• 4K30p video recording

• Dual Pixel 5655-point autofocus system

• Single SD card slot

For many active photography enthusiasts, the R is a perfect digital camera for high-quality shots and reliable responsiveness. The system also includes 4k video functionality with Canon’s C-Log colour profile. However, the Canon EOS R does not offer IBIS. Read more in our short Canon EOS R review.

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