Canon EOS RP Review

Words and photos by James Leynse

The right-priced Canon
The introduction of a new Canon camera is often received with a burst of excitement, rapidly followed by a Bronx cheer of deflation as the camera is picked apart by Internet reviewers. If you follow camera news on the Web, and I admit to this guilty pleasure, it’s easy to be left with the impression that, once again, Canon has abandoned the needs of photographers to the demands of market segmentation and the goal of generating maximum profit.

Despite the disappointment expressed so loudly by the cognoscenti, the product in mention usually goes on to enjoy strong sales and Canon retains its top position among camera brands.

It's no accident that most of the photographers I know still shoot with Canon. Some have switched to Sony. Some still use their Canon lenses on a Sony body. Most just carry on with Canon. It takes a lot to get a photographer to change systems, and Canon is well aware of this. In my case, I shoot primarily commercial architecture and corporate portraits. I already have all of the lenses I need. There would have to be a compelling reason (and by that I mean both visually and financially) for me to switch brands. I have been tempted by the smaller, EVF-sporting cameras offered by Sony and Fuji. I even spent a few years playing with the A6000 and then the A6300 cropped-sensor cameras. In the end, I decided to wait and see what Canon would introduce when it entered the mirrorless market. I was intrigued by the EOS R but it seemed like a lateral move for me. The R has essentially the same sensor as the 5D Mark IV; I couldn’t justify the expense of switching just to get the EVF. However, the RP is a different story. At its current price of $1,299 with the EF-to-R adapter, the EOS RP is a tempting, somewhat easy-on-the-wallet addition to my arsenal. I decided to give it a try and have been actively using it for the last month.

In an effort to dispel some misconceptions, I am going to ennumerate and try to answer the three most common criticisms of the RP and the EOS R system in general, then talk about some of the RP's other features.

Where are the RP's Lenses? This complaint is partly true. If you are new to Canon or interchangeable lens cameras in general, then the EOS R system seems to lack some basic lenses, especially the more basic ones that would be a better fit for the RP. There is a very exotic (and expensive) RF 28–70 ƒ/2 zoom and some equally pricey ƒ/1.2 primes including the RF 50mm ƒ/1.2. The RF "kit" zooms include a slow, amateur variable-aperture RF 24–240mm 10X zoom and the all-purpose, stabilized RF 24–105mm ƒ/4 L IS USM, which is probably the first lens most buyers would get with the RP. Most of the better RF lenses retail for over $2,000. They look like amazing lenses but are probably not what most people buying the RP are looking to acquire. The closest thing to a reasonably priced standard lens that would "match" the RP is the stabilized $499 RF 35mm ƒ/1.8 Macro IS STM lens. While it’s an excellent performer, it’s not a zoom and probably wouldn’t satisfy if it were your only lens. A sharp, small pancake lens for the RP would be a great addition to the RF lineup.

Things are different if you have already bought into the EOS system and have some older lenses. The RP, which usually comes bundled with an adapter, can use just about any Canon EF or EF-S lens (full framed or crop-sensor) even if they are decades old. The only exception I know of are EOS M lenses.

I have used the RP with an array of autofocusing zooms and manually focusing tilt and shift lenses and have found both the AF and MF to be superior to what I am used to working with on my 5D Mark IV. The eye-AF/face tracking on the RP is pretty amazing. Whether using it to track my high school cross country runner or to keep focus locked on the eye of a portrait subject, the system works very well. It also works well while shooting video but, unfortunately, not in 4K mode. Proof of market segmentation? With my manual focusing lenses, having an EVF means being able to punch in 10X magnification while holding the camera to my eye. This has vastly increased my rate of well-focused pictures.

No IBIS! I know this is a contentious issue at TOP. At the risk of making myself a target, I think its absence from Canons has been overblown. Most of the Canon lenses that could benefit from image stabilization have IS built into the lens and clean, high ISOs mean that it’s easier than ever to use a reasonably fast shutter speed without undue grain. Would I like IBIS? Yes, but I don’t really need it. It’s rumored to be coming to future Canons but, for me, it's not a deciding factor.

Cropped/Crippled 4K video. After having launched the DSLR video revolution with the 5D Mark II, Canon has continually disappointed its fans by limiting the video performance of their still cameras. What do we have to do to get good 4K, full-frame video?  Canon’s answer: buy a Cinema camera. The RP does not deviate in this regard. It is primarily a still camera.

It’s definitely annoying that the RP doesn’t have better 4K and especially annoying that they eliminated the 24p (23.98 frames per/second) frame rate when shooting in full HD mode. The RP can operate in full HD mode at either 60p (59.94 frames per second) or 30p (29.97 FPS). For some reason 24p (23.98 FPS) is not available in HD (this is the frame rate that is most commonly used in North America for movies and gives that "cinematic" effect of blurred motion).

4K on the RP is cropped and suffers from bad rolling shutter which makes it almost unusable unless the camera is kept stationary. 4K mode also loses dual pixel AF relying on the older and slower contrast only AF. In the NTSC region of North America, The RP only shoots 4k at 24p (23.98 frames per/second).

Other features:

Dynamic Range: This has become another version of the megapixel race. For the most part, I find this to be more of an issue on paper than pixels. It is true that the RP (and Canon sensors in general) capture less dynamic range than their Nikon or Sony competitors. More is usually better but sometimes enough is enough. Most photographers (Canon shooters included) throw away most of their sensor’s dynamic range by either saving their files as JPEGs or just boosting contrast. There are situations which require a wide range of captured exposure: the classic example being an interior where one needs to see both the inside space and the bright view out the window. The solution is either to light the interior to balance with the light from the window or use a tripod and combine a series of bracketed exposures that capture the full range of interior and exterior light. Both are better solutions than to rely on a single frame, even if that frame comes from a sensor with 14+ stops of dynamic range.

For me, what’s more important than dynamic range is the sensor’s overall rendering of the image. The RP produces a similar looking file to most current Canons. To my eye, that’s a good thing and makes it easy to pair with my other cameras.

Battery Life: The battery on the RP is only rated for 250 shots. I always carry a spare which, conveniently, was included with the kit.

Silent mode/electronic shutter: One of the great benefits of mirrorless cameras is their ability to operate completely silently by bypassing the mechanical shutter. While there can be issues with banding and rolling shutter, there are also many times where having a completely silent camera lets you take pictures that wouldn’t otherwise be allowed. The RP does have this feature but, unfortunately, its is crippled by being accessible only as a fully auto "scene" mode. No manual exposure with silent shutter. For that (market segmentation again?) one needs to splurge for the more expensive EOS R.

Ergonomics: This is where RP really shines. The camera is quite small and light yet it manages to have a comfortable grip and a mostly logical and customizable layout of buttons. From the way it wakes up to the placement of the AF and shutter buttons, it’s a pleasure to use. It is also one of the rare cameras whose buttons tend not to get accidentally knocked when being transported. It even has a customizable switch allowing the photographer to lock all controls except the shutter. The record button can also be set to work only in video mode. No more interminable movies of the interior of my camera bag.

Flippy touch screen: not sure why every camera doesn’t have one of these. It makes shooting either horizontals or verticals from overhead or from the ground much easier. It makes shooting video much easier. Touch the screen and it focuses where you placed your finger. Look through the finder and you can control the focus point by moving your finger on the screen. Don’t want to be distracted by the screen? Just flip it around and fold it against the camera. Some people hate them (not sure why) but I think flippy screens add a lot of functionality.

Right Price: this brings us to the final reason (maybe should have been the first reason) to get an RP. While by no means cheap, a full frame camera that retails for just under $1,300 and comes with a spare battery and EF adapter is a pretty good deal—and a very good deal if you are already invested in the Canon system.

Overall, I have been more than satisfied with the RP. I am enjoying the advantages of a small, lightweight mirrorless camera and getting it in a package that smoothly integrates into my existing Canon DSLR system. If you can live with its limited video capabilities, the full frame EOS RP is worth strong consideration.

James

James Leynse is a photographer specializing in commercial architectural and corporate photography. His work can be found at www.leynse.com and on Instagram @leynsephoto.

Original contents copyright 2019 by James Leynse. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to TOP's affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

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(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Hugh: "I love my RP. It's hard to explain quite what a perfect combination it makes with the 35mm ƒ/1.8 RF lens—rather like the M2 and 35mm Summicron was—more than the sum of its parts. Add the EF 85mm ƒ/1.8 with the adapter, and you've got a nice light two-lens travel kit. The 50mm ƒ/1.8 STM works like it was designed for the camera as well. Works beautifully with the heavy stuff like the Canon 35mm ƒ/1.4L, 85mm ƒ/1.2L and the 24mm TS-E lenses as well. Best of all, it's just another Canon—no need to read the instruction book, and you can swap seamlessly to and from a 5D body without thinking."

Mark Kinsman: "As an ex Canon shooter, I still follow the news regarding Canon and keep up on all the new gear from all brands. But for me, Canon’s offerings are just too late. I had the full compliment of L glass lenses, including the Tilt Shift lenses, 5D Mark XX bodies, etc. I moved back to APS-C and Micro 4/3 when the Fujifilm X-T1 and Olympus OM-D E-M1 were released. Most photographers I know that were using Canon switched to Sony or Fujifilm. While I’m glad to see Canon join the mirrorless world, their offerings leave me cold. Nikon and Sony offer FF solutions that I think outpace Canon in full frame. However, the need for FF no longer offers any appeal to me, regardless of the brand. I don't need more megapixels past 24–30, it's more than enough for 24x36" prints I have hanging on walls...and for social media, please, we have way more than necessary. Canon still seems to be practicing feature crippling as incentive to buy more expensive models, while their competitors do not. I do hope they change that practice."

Trecento: "I have a problem with Canon's strategic feature-crippling. The most egregious example isn't directly with this camera: it's that they have two incompatible mirrorless mounts! This is very confusing! The 'consumer mount,' their 'M' mount, is more of a problem for the unwary, because you can't buy into one system and port your lenses to the other. Unless, of course, you just want to stick with adapted EF mount lenses. Lots of choices, but only ones that are good for Canon.

"Additional confusion follows from their 'R' mount nomenclature. I attempted to make a list of what's going on:

'R System with an RF mount' (Full frame only.)
EOS R
EOS RP

'M System with an M mount' (APS-C only.)
M5
M50
M6 MkII
M200

"So, things to keep track of: R (camera), R (system), RF (mount), RP (camera), M (system), M (mount), M (cameras, numbered), EF (mount), EF-S (mount), EF-to-R adapter, and an EF-to-M adapter. [R, R, RF, RP, M, M, M5, M50, M6MkII, M200, EF, EF-S, EF-R, EF-M.]

"There's a lot to be said about this, but the one that jumps out at me is that marketing and product selection is no longer being done via knowledgeable camera sales guys at retail counters. There's no coherent, compact story to tell a customer. This strategy is perfect for the Internet-based research-before-buying crowd, and the do-no-research-but-buy-what's-on-sale-at-Best-Buy-in-December crowd."

Kenneth Tanaka: "Thank you for your practical comments on the RP, James. Until several years ago I, too, was principally a Canon shooter and literally have drawers of fine Canon lenses to prove it. So I appreciate your comment regarding the force required to force someone to switch. It took some very persuasive evidence for me to switch away from Canon.

"Although I’ve largely switched to Sony for most of my 'serious'” work I’ve not given up the Canon ghost quite yet. Sony has soundly and indisputably kicked Canon’s butt technically. And honestly I have little desire to return to using my 5D Mark IV's dark, uninformative optical viewfinder. But I do still prefer the warmish look of Canon’s images. And I also still trust the durability of Canon’s bodies and lenses more than those of anyone else. Canon’s proven durability and its historically excellent professional support system are the factors that keep the 1D and 5D bodies in such wide pro news use today.

"However a tool has to feel comfortable if it’s to be used to greatest advantage each day. That the economical RP feels good to your hands and eyes is the only endorsement needed. I really do hope Canon is able to extend this line to remain competitive. I look forward to again using at least some of those Canon lenses more regularly."

Nic M: "Canon will be adding 24p/23.98 FPS to the EOS 90D and EOS RP at the end of October, and for the following models later: 'The PowerShot G7X Mark III and G5X Mark II will follow at the end of 2019 and the EOS M6 Mark II during the first half of 2020,' reads Canon's email to DPReview. Once the firmware is released for the cameras, each supported model will be able to shoot 24p (23.98 fps) in 4K and Full HD."

James Leynse replies to everyone who commented: Thanks to all who read and have commented so far. I will try to answer some of your points. Mark and Thomas, you are right that cameras have reached a point of sufficiency. APS-C or Micro 4/3 cameras are both excellent choices and offer many benefits. From my perspective (no pun intended), the main advantage of full frame is that it allows the full field of view when using lenses like Canon's TS-E optics. Trecento, couldn't agree more about Canon's naming system. What's worse is that the R stands for 'revolution'! What ever happened to descriptive and iterative names like Leica M2, M3, M4.... Benjamin, I wouldn't worry too much that cameras will disappear. Even as smart phones have proliferated, we seem to be in a golden age of cameras. As photographers, we have never had it so good. Now if only that were true for the business of photography ;-) Nic, thank you for the information. I am glad to hear that 24p HD will be coming back to the RP. Couldn't understand why it wasn't there.

toto: "The thing I hate most about the Canon RP is its name. In all seriousness, every time I see it, I see 'Canon RIP' instead."

c.d.embrey: "Canon has a 24 FPS (29.93) 4K update on the way. By the way, what percentage of interchangeable-lens camera users actually shoot video at 24 FPS? A Canon RP weighs less than a full-frame rangefinder Leica. An RF Leica doesn't have IBIS, either. Unfortunately Canon only has one small/light prime.

"Something not mentioned is that the RP can focus-stack. In many ways focus stacking is better than tilt and shift for increased depth-of-field.

"If you shoot a lot at ground level, like I do, a flippy-screen is a plus."

Comments

[Gordon Lewis]

>>Some people hate them (not sure why)

One reason people like myself don't care for them is that, as clearly shown in your example photo, flip-out screens hang from the left side of the camera, away from the vertical axis of the lens. This makes aiming the camera less quick and intuitive for street or action shooting. A flip-out screen also makes the camera wider than it would otherwise be and affects handling. I could still happily shoot with the EOS RP if I had to, of course; I just wouldn't be a fan of the screen.

[Eric Brody]

I am not a brand fanboy; many of my friends use many different brands to make superb images. They use everything from film, to all the major digital brands and formats. I use what works for me. But this article has so many caveats, it is almost an apologia for Canon. The author seems to want desperately to justify his choice.

[Benjamin Marks]

James: I am not a Canon guy, so I don't have a dog in the fight as to whether a particular Canon model succeeds or fails. That said, I read through your article with a sense that your review winds up damning this model by faint praise, although that clearly was not your intent. Why make such a comment (I mean, why bother to weigh in) if that's my impression?

I think that camera manufacturers -- and Canon is particularly guilty of this -- have boxed themselves into a bad corner. They have turned their business into one that is more like fashion (see the new models! whoo!) rather than one centered around durability and occasional innovation. The result has been market saturation with incrementally similar, functionally identical, models even as their overall market has been shrinking.

The best thing about this camera is, apparently, that it handles nicely. But surely that is true for all cameras that photographers live with for enough time. I fear that the sort of design incrementalism that this camera highlights will hasten the collapse of the "camera" as a dedicated picture taking instrument.

Apologies for the negative response. Feeelin' grumpy today.

[Michael Perini]

Nice post, beautiful picture.
I 2007 I was at PhotoPlus in NY and I had one of the early 1Ds mkIII’s on my shoulder. A gentleman in a suit and Canon badge approached and asked how I liked the camera. I was over the moon with the camera then, and still love it, even though I have a newer 5D4. I started to ask a technical question about the sensor just as some other Canon folk came to get him, he put them off and said here is my card , I’ll answer any questions you have , but I have to go with these folks .he said we are very proud of the pictures these cameras make, my advice is worry less about numbers and go take pictures of real stuff. If you ever feel the sensor comes up short, call me.
It was Chuck Westfall , I never felt the need to call.

[Oskar Ojala]

I have the impression that the impression of the EOS RP is mostly positive due to its ergonomics and being a fairly capable camera for the price. That said, this review reads very much like a review for people who use Canon and intend to continue using Canon; competition is very tough right now and it makes sense to look at what the two competitors in this space are doing. Because of that, I really don't see this as a camera to recommend to someone not already invested in Canon: only three very basic affordable lenses available, no IBIS, video limitations and really nothing standing out compared to the competition.

I'm also going to be cynical and say that after Canon gets IBIS and users have had a chance to familiarize themselves with it, they're going to consider it an essential feature. I've been using IBIS for years, do a lot of hand held shooting and it's simply a key feature for me these days.

[hugh crawford]

I love the flippy touch screen, not enough to switch back from Sony but hope Sony comes to their senses and offers it soon. A leaf shutter lens would expeditiously suck the money from my wallet too if anyone reading this in a position to make that happen.

[Thomas]

Talking about the "Right Price" in the article, a Sony A7r II with the Sigma MC-11 adapter would be a better and economic choice switching from a Canon DSLR to a mirrorless body. Or APS-C with Fujifilm as Mark Kinsman stated above if 26 megapixel are enough.

[Gaspar Heurtley]

Unless you have some VERY specific needs (someone who shoots F1 races and actually uses 60 fps and autofocus), I’d say that the most important feature of a camera is good ergonomics.

All cameras and lenses from the major players are good enough for most uses, but a camera that’s comfortable enough so you can hold it and shoot with it for a whole day without even notice it happens once in a lifetime.

[Ilkka]

I am an engineer and I have always hated it that Canon intentionally cripples it’s low-mid level cameras in some respects so that they don’t eat into their top models. Other companies seem to make as good as they can at a given price point.

[hishimaru]

Call me superficial, but the industrial design of a product can greatly influence whether I am drawn to it or not. Which in this case..is flat out disastrous looking.

[Scott]

Given the camera's small size, and the fact that formerly astronomical ISOs are now normal, a small, very sharp 50mm f2 seems like a no brainer.
But they probably won't make it, because not enuff bokeh for the commenters on Dpreview.

[MarkC]

I feel like this review needs a part 2. I was hoping to read about what it was like for James to be doing his usual portrait & architecture work while looking through a completely different viewfinder. Is the EVF a help or a hindrance? Did it take long to get used to? The improvements in focusing was interesting to read about. Overall was the new mirrorless sysatem good enough for him to consider switching over from SLR? I'm interested because I'm pretty much in that position - a long term Canon SLR person who is now intrigued by this affordably priced RP. But I could also spend that money on a new lens.

[Hugh]

"Oh no, there aren't any cheap lenses for it"...

Don't need them. 35/1.8RF on the camera. EF50/1.8stm and EF85/1.8 with Canon adapters. Work as if they were made for the camera.

[F. Hall]

I like using my RP with Leica M lenses. Smaller that my Olympus. Very easy to manually focus and the EVF shows exposure better than the meter.