Canon EOS R1
Announced July 17, 2024
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Canon EOS R1 is a robust, high-speed flagship designed for professional sports and journalism that excels with its reliable autofocus and rapid burst shooting. While it delivers top-tier performance for fast-moving subjects, the 24-megapixel sensor and high price point may leave some users wanting more versatility.
Weighted from 32 reviewer scores
Pros
- Large, bright, and detailed electronic viewfinder
- Rugged, durable build quality with comfortable ergonomics
- Excellent in-body image stabilization and battery life
- Extremely fast burst shooting and sensor readout speeds
- Highly responsive and accurate autofocus system with advanced subject tracking
Cons
- Expensive pricing relative to competing models
- Limited 24-megapixel resolution restricts cropping and studio versatility
- Bulky, heavy body design
- Complex setup with button customization limitations
- Inconsistent or difficult Eye Control AF calibration
- Launch price $6,299 (USD)
- Sensor 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS
- Video 6K 59.94p UHD 120p
- Stabilization In-body IS, 8.5 stops (CIPA)
- Burst 40 fps electronic 12 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 32 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 8/10
The R1 is ideal as a sports and journalism camera and could find some use as a wildlife camera, too.
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Initially I was disappointed there was no killer headline feature on the Canon EOS R1, but in my time with it so far I still found it an extremely capable camera nonetheless.
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It’s super-fast and built like a tank. But its price means there are better options for most people.
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The Canon EOS R1 is the pinnacle of camera performance, featuring impressive speed, fast and precise autofocusing, ultimate control, dependable reliability, and outstanding communication capabilities.
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I would have called it an R3 Mark II and be perfectly happy with this upgrade.
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Long-awaited, robustly constructed everything-but-the-kitchen-sink EOS R series flagship packed with the latest cutting-edge tech, albeit for a pro-level price that slashes a Godzilla-sized hole in our wallet.
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For all the bleeding-edge bells, for all the high-tech whistles, for all the amazing algorithms and clever computations, you don't actually need to know about or understand any of it: this camera just plain works.
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The Canon EOS R1 is a fantastic camera made for a clear audience: Creative professionals who point their lens at fast-moving subjects and are expected to deliver a clear, sharp image for publication.
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Putting its price aside, which by the way is unlikely to come down any time soon, the EOS R1 is a five star camera.
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The downside, though, is the fact that it offers half the resolution of its rivals.
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It sincerely is a letdown that makes me think Canon has lost their edge in a pretty big way [...]
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I would jump on that R3 deal actually, but again the Canon EOS R1, it's an amazing camera. It's hard to fault the camera except from a marketing standpoint.
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I think the Canon EOS R1 is a professional camera, absolutely. I would use it as a professional.
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[T]he Canon EOS R1 is probably the best camera that I've ever used, and I've used them all pretty much.
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The Canon EOS R1 impresses with its accurate subject tracking AF, great build, superb handling, excellent stills and videos, and large buffer for continuous shooting. Taken as a whole, it is easily the best full-frame mirrorless camera for any kind of fast-moving photography.
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The Canon EOS R1 can do almost everything a little better than the R3, but by today's standards and how camera tech overall has hit a plateau, like I can't sit here and say that it feels like this is a huge leap in performance.
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Fantastic camera with excellent capabilities that truly have the ability to be a game changer in the sports and wildlife genres for professionals, however, if you don’t need the blistering speed required by pros, the cheaper EOS R5 Mk II may be a better option.
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If you shoot professional sports, wildlife, or photojournalism and already live in the RF ecosystem, the R1 is the best tool Canon has ever built for your work.
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Personally, I think it's one of my favorite systems to use. Canon are calling this their flagship, and I can 100% see why.
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So far the experience has been nothing but great using both of the new releases, and I'm very excited to see what I'm able to create with these in the future.
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The Canon EOS R1 is the type of camera you already know if you need. If you need to capture action at the speed of light in absolutely any environment and turn those images around just as quickly for a news outlet or another client, the R1 makes for a terrific solution.
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The real reason to get the R1 over others is the R1's HUGE finder, physical durability and monster grip — and magic thumb controllers.
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After eight months of intense field use, I can say with complete confidence that the Canon EOS R1 is the most capable and reliable camera I’ve ever used. It is also the most complicated in terms of customing the set up.
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[F]or the heavyweights, like sports photographers and serious enthusiasts, the R1 is likely the best tool currently available.
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Not only is this the fastest camera, but also the most accomplished ever made by Canon.
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I would have wished for some more impressive specs in some ways, so either a bit more megapixel, let's say 30 to 35.
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The Canon EOS R1 is designed to be the ultimate tool for professional photojournalists and news-gathering photographers.
- Sam Hurd Photography 7.9/10
It’s a very capable camera, but I really do recommend just going with the Canon R3 instead.
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The downside though is this camera is expensive, coming in at almost £7,000, but I must say the specs are really impressive, so this camera might be worth investing in in 2025.
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I really have enjoyed using this camera system. I just wish it was more megapixels.
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[T]he R1 is definitely my new favorite camera.
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It is a very, very good camera and there are some dislikes that I have about it [...]
