Canon EOS R10 and R7 What is their place in the catalogue ? 5 June 2022

 

Canon Powershot G1X.3   A compact alternative to a crop sensor ILC

The R7 and R10 are the first APS-C crop sensor models  using the Canon EOS RF mount.

They have generated considerable discussion on user forums about their intended place in Canon’s interchangeable lens camera hierarchy.

I have no idea what goes on in the minds of Canon’s product development people but I can use  information in the public domain to develop ideas about their likely intentions.

Let us put down some things we do know.

* Canon has never strongly supported the EOS-M system and has delivered no new EOS-M body since 2019 and no new EF-M lens since 2018.

* The last full frame EOS DSLR to be released was the 1DX.3 in 2020. Canon has announced that there will be no further high spec DSLR and that the next top tier models will be RF mount mirrorless.

The last APS-C crop sensor model to be released was the Rebel T8i (a.k.a. 850D, Kiss X10i) in 2020.

* There has been no new EF lens since 2018 and no new EF-S lens since 2017.

* The number of EF mount bodies and lenses available for sale has been steadily declining over the last four years.

* Since 2018 Canon has released 8 EOS R bodies  and 25 RF lenses.

For sale from one Australian camera seller at the time of writing, we have

EF DSLR full frame bodies  3

EF DSLR APS-C bodies 3

EF-M bodies 2

EF full frame lenses  18

EF-S APS-C lenses  4

EF-M lenses 5

RF full frame bodies  6

RF-S crop sensor bodies  2

RF full frame lenses  26

RF-S crop lenses  2

Powershot G1X.3

It is clear enough from all this that

a) Canon would have ceased R&D on all EF, EF-S and M system bodies and lenses several years ago in order to ramp up design and production of RF bodies and lenses.

b) It is most unlikely there will be any new DSLR bodies or EF or EF-S lenses or M system gear of any description.

Canon representatives have  said that they will continue to sell EOS-M bodies and EF-M lenses after release of the R10, R7 and two RF-S lenses.

Of course they will. Until they have built up a catalogue of RF-S lenses sufficient to allow them to quietly phase out the M system without alienating too many actual and potential M system buyers.

The R7 is smaller, lighter and has better image quality than the 7D.2. 

So back to my questions in the title of this post

* Where do the EOS R7 and R10 fit into Canon’s mirrorless interchangeable lens camera catalogue (MILC) ?

I think that is reasonably clear now. The R7 can replace the EOS 7D.2, 90D and M6.2 and offer significant upgrades to specifications, capability and performance over each of those models. 

The R10 can replace the M system, budget Rebel/Kiss DSLRs and many mid range DSLRs.

Canon has given both the R7 and R10 the DIGIC X processor, a proper thumb stick (a.k.a. joystick, multicontroller), fully articulating touch screen, triple control dials (the third one is on every RF lens), a proper handle and a full set of controls for enthusiast use.

Canon’s next task is to deliver a decent set of RF-S lenses to entice buyers into the RF-S tent.

I would like to see the EF-M 11-22mm and the EF-M 22mm f2 re-released in RF mount   pretty darn quick. Those are both well regarded lenses with a good record of service.

If they just release those two lenses I think that will keep  Canon crop sensor users in the tent and prevent too many defectors going over to Fujifilm or Sony.

It appears the goal is to phase out all DSLRs, all EF and EF-S and all EOS-M gear and consolidate the interchangeable lens camera catalogue onto the RF mount. That will benefit maker and buyers alike.

 

The M5 was arguably the most enthusiast friendly M series model but it was burdened with several performance weaknesses. Canon never followed up the M5 with an improved version, a sign that the M series would be unlikely to survive.

The R10 is only slightly larger from the front although it is deeper. Specifications, capability, performance and ergonomics make the R10 a much more desirable thing than the M5 could  have been, even if upgraded.