My wish list for the Canon EOS R7 Mark 2 coming in 2026

 

The R7 can manage most photographic assignments including those which present extreme lighting conditions as seen here at Sydney Vivid 2025.   

Photo taken from a moving ferry at ISO 5000

The Canon EOS R7 was released in 2022 along with the EOS R10. These were the first two APSC crop sensor models using the RF mount which was introduced in 2018.

It is clear that Canon prioritised full frame over APSC in the early years of the RF mount with 5 full frame bodies and 25 full frame lenses coming before any APSC gear.

Canon’s strategy with the RF mount has been to re-use existing sensors for initial model releases. So the EOS R uses the 5D sensor and the RP uses the 6D sensor.

Similarly the R10 uses the sensor from the M5 and 80D and the R7 uses the sensor from the M6.2 and the 90D.

Given that the R7 re-uses several pre-existing components it has turned out to be a pretty good general purpose model, able to deliver high quality images in most photographic scenarios. I have to give credit to  Adobe Denoise AI without which I would probably still be using full frame cameras.    The R7 is currently my only camera which has proven robust and reliable in use. 

But there are several ways in which it could be improved.

As I write this in November 2025 there are many rumors of an EOS R7.2 coming some time in 2026, with conflicting indications of this model’s likely specifications.

However they all suggest a move upmarket and up-capability to create a flagship level APSC model which can handle pretty much any task including high speed sport-action and birds in flight.

Just for fun, here is my own wish list of upgrades I would like to see in the forthcoming EOS R7.2.

Body and controls

I think the best approach is to simply use the R6.3 full frame body and controls without any external difference apart from the label. The R6 series models are only 6mm wider and 8mm higher than the R7. The R5/R6 cameras achieved the highest ergonomic score of all the cameras I have evaluated.

Of the two I slightly prefer the R6 style with a marked mode dial but some users have indicated they prefer the R5 style with a top plate LCD panel. I find the R6 style less complex, more straightforward in use and I think the LCD panel on the R5 is redundant.

The R7 rear control dial is co-located with the joystick, an ergonomically suboptimal arrangement found nowhere else in the camera world.

Many Canon users would be very happy to see a standard layout across all the enthusiast level models. This would allow them all to use the same battery, memory cards and battery grip. It would mean that we could switch seamlessly from one to the other without having to re-learn what the various controls do.

Autofocus

The R7 manages static and slowly moving subjects just fine, but fares less well on rapidly moving subjects such as birds in flight. It is much less capable than the R5 on moving subjects especially when they change speed and direction or have a busy background.

From a user’s perspective, I rate improving autofocus on moving subjects the number one priority for the R7 Mark 2.

Sensor

It’s time for a new Canon APSC sensor. The main thing this needs to offer is a faster read-out speed. If this can be achieved while retaining the current 32 Megapixel architecture and the same dynamic range and high ISO noise levels then I will be happy and I think so will most users.

Sensor readout time of the R7 is 30ms. The R6.2 is 15ms and the R3 is 5ms.

At 15ms we still need a mechanical focal plane shutter. This needs to be an electromagnetically controlled type as found in the R5 to minimise the shutter shock problem which can appear with the undamped shutter used on the R7.

At 5ms we can probably dispense with the mechanical focal plane shutter. R3 users report using the e-shutter exclusively. The Nikon Z8/9 with a readout speed of 4ms have no mechanical focal plane shutter at all.

Improved pre-capture recording implementation should come with a sensor upgrade.

Monitor screen

There is nothing wrong with the one on the R7 but if the Mark 2 has a double articulated type like that seen on high end Sony and Nikon models I will be very happy. This type of screen allows the user to flip up-down and/or swing out in both landscape and portrait orientation.

EVF

The 2.36 million dot unit in the R7 is serviceable but the 3.7 million dot unit in the R6 would be better.

Menus

This applies to the entire catalogue of models and not just Canon, but all camera makers with the possible exception of Hasselblad. Most camera menus are a dogs breakfast of items scattered about in submenus which make little sense photographically. A complete re-write from a clean sheet is required.

Others

I would like to see internal memory storage of at least 64 GB,  more stable and user friendly Bluetooth operation, and the option for face detect to activate camera operation, just like my iPhone 15.

Full Raw pre-capture and a larger buffer would be welcome.

As to the On/Off switch I prefer to separate photo from video. The R7 has a three position O/I switch for Off, Photo,Video. Some users like this but after using the camera for three years I still find myself sometimes engaging Video when I just want Photo On.

Lenses

In 2006 Canon released the EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM constant f2.8 lens for its EF-S crop sensor catalogue. That is the first and thus far only constant f2.8 crop sensor lens which Canon has offered. I used it for several years on the EOS 20D and 40D cameras. It is optically good but big and heavy with a 77mm filter thread.

Recently Sigma came to the party with the much smaller 18-50mm f2.8 and the wider aperture 16-45mm f1.8 lenses for several crop sensor systems including Canon. These are excellent but unstabilised.

I think it is way beyond time that Canon offered something like a 15-45mm f2.8 IS USM or a 15-60mm f2.8-4 IS USM for enthusiast and professional users.