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A few days with the CANON R3

First thoughts on CANON's current flagship camera!

A frustrating review because It will only be about the photography performances of the camera. A delay in the shipping forced me to cancel a short film I wanted to make with the camera. Fortunately, it arrived just in time for an event that would require the full potential of an action camera.


My original idea was to use it for stills and for video for a series of portraits I wanted to make with 2 female boxers.


I did photograph both of them, but couldn’t do the film part. I did film one of the 2 later but with another camera. And I will meet the other athlete later down the road but the R3 will probably not be my first choice.


I brought the camera with me at the WGTF?! international Hip Hop event that made its comeback this year after a forced 2 years break. And when I think about it I tested the 1DXIII and the 1DXII a while back the same way.


Check out the full report here almost entirely made with the CANON R3: The WGTF?! 2022


Alongside the R3 I had the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM, RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM in my bag.



The Canon R3, is a camera (like a lot of new cameras these days) that was not easy to get. I considered renting it but nobody had it in stock. So I have to thank Canon France for this loan... I heard a few fellow photographers are still waiting for their order. It was already a struggle for the R5 and its accessories and apparently the struggle continues.


Spec Wise there are a lot of interesting things about this camera. Here are the main specs or at least the ones I am interested in:


The CANON R3 at a glance:

  • 24 megapixel resolution

  • Stacked, back-illuminated sensor

  • Up to 8-stop Image Stabilization

  • Burst up to 30fps, or 12 fps (mechanical shutter)

  • Sensitivity from ISO 100 to ISO 102,400 (expands to ISO 204,800)

  • Eye control AF

  • Subject tracking

  • Fully articulated, touch screen

  • Blackout-free electronic viewfinder (120fps refresh rate and 100 per cent coverage)


It’s a big chunky camera, and I love the form factor. I have large hands so I love it when I have a bit of grip. I love the fact that as a Canon user you feel right away at home. Everything feels right and falls under your fingers.



I really enjoyed the 1DXIII and I fully embraced the mirrorless switch a few years ago so the chances for me to enjoy this camera were great. It is solid, built like a tak like you would expect from a camera this expansive, and it has a tilting screen that finally behaves like it should, unlike the R5.


Speaking of the R5, they both use SD cards but the CF express will be mandatory for video, especially if you shoot raw.


The main reason I would look and consider such a camera is because of the speed, responsiveness and reliability of the Autofocus. To me, the CANON R3 was designed for sports photographers or photographers that photograph motion, or any fast moving subjects.


This is why it was perfect for that Hip Hop festival.


Since I had glasses on I didn’t use the eye tracking feature. A tool that needs a bit of time to adjust to your eye, and I didn’t have the camera long enough for that.