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Hands-on Fujifilm X-h3 review: all in the details

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Can the high-resolution Fujifilm X-h3 outdo its speedy sibling?

What is a hands on review?

(Image: © Future)

Early Verdict

The Fujifilm X-h3 is shaping up to be another excellent full-frame alternative for those who prize detail rather than outright speed. The X-h3 certainly isn’t a slouch when burst shooting either, while its strong video skills make it a real modern hybrid. It lacks the retro charm of Fuji’s other cameras and it’s a shame there’s no 4K/120p video mode, but otherwise the X-h3 has the makings of another classic for pros and keen amateurs.

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Pros

• +

  High-res sensor for detailed photos

• +

  Excellent viewfinder

• +

  Subject-tracking autofocus

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The Fujifilm X-h3 is a 40.2MP APS-C mirrorless flagship that looks strangely familiar. That’s because it’s physically identical to the recent Fujifilm X-h3S, a camera we recently called “one of the best all-rounders you can buy”. So what’s the difference between the two cameras? While the ‘S’ in the X-h3S stands for ‘speed’, the more affordable X-h3 is all about resolution and detail.

In an ideal world, both qualities would exist in the same flagship camera. But rather than make a single, unaffordable body like a Sony A1 or Nikon Z9, Fujifilm has made two cameras for very different types of people. The X-h3S is built for sports, wildlife and action shooters with deep pockets, while the X-h3 is Fujifilm’s best camera so far for shooting static subjects like landscapes, portraits or architecture. It can also shoot 8K/30p video, too.

Fujifilm X-h3 specs

Sensor: 40MP X-Trans 5 BSI Imaging Sensor
Processor: X-Processor 5
Burst shooting: 15fps (mechanical shutter), 20fps (electronic shutter, 1. 29x crop)
Video: 8K/30P 10-bit 4:2:2 Apple ProRes, ProResHQ, ProRes LT
Stabilization: In-body image stabilization (up to seven stops)
Viewfinder: 5.76-million dot EVF (0,8x magnification)
External recording: ProRes Raw or Blackmagic Raw through HDMI

• Fujifilm X-h3 (Black) at Amazon for $1,999

On paper, this makes the X-h3 one of the most exciting cameras around for anyone who wants to shoot high-resolution photos or 8K video, without investing in a bulkier full-frame setup. But as always, it isn’t quite that simple. 

In theory, higher-resolution sensors have to combat the issue of greater noise obscuring all that lovely detail. The X-h3 also doesn’t have a ‘stacked’ sensor like its sibling, which makes its read-out speeds and overall performance are slower in some areas (like burst shooting and video) than Fuji’s other X-H camera.

(Image credit: Future)

Still, Fujifilm reckons its image processing algorithms have solved any noise issues, and it’s fair to say that X-h3S levels of speed aren’t needed by most photographers.

The real question, then, is how useful that extra 40MP resolution is in reality, and do you only really see the benefits with Fujifilm’s newer lenses? Also, what you can actually do with an 8K video mode when most people are still happy with 4K? 

We’ve spent some time with the X-h3 in New York to tease out the answers to these questions and find out how good an alternative it is to APS-C cameras like the Canon EOS R7 and its pricier full-frame rivals.

Fujifilm X-h3 release date and price

The Fujifilm X-h3 will be available to buy in September for $1,999 / £1,899 / AU$3,399 for the body-only. You can also buy it in a kit with the XF16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR lens for $2,499 / £2,299 / AU$4,099.

That’s obviously pretty pricey for an APS-C camera, particularly in these financially trying times. The Fujifilm X-T4, which both the X-h3 and X-h3S sit above, cost $1,699 / £1,549  / AU$2,999 (body-only) when it launched and is now cheaper.

(Image credit: Future)

You can also buy a Canon EOS R7 ($1,499 / £1,349 / AU$2,349) or even the full-frame Nikon Z5 with a 24-50mm kit lens ($1,699 / £1,719 / AU$3,099) for considerably less than the X-h3.

But then again, the X-h3 also doesn’t really have a direct rival in terms of its feature set. No other APS-C mirrorless camera combines a 40MP sensor with 8K/30p or video recording and in-body image stabilization. The question is whether you really need all of those high-end features, or if it might be wiser to invest in a cheaper body and use the change to buy a couple of lenses.

• Uses a traditional ‘PASM’ control setup rather physical dials
• Stunning 5.76-million dot viewfinder and articulating screen
• Tough, weather-sealed body with a useful top-plate LCD

It may lack the retro charm of Fujifilm’s X-T series, but we’re big fans of the Fujifilm X-h3S’ design. Fortunately, that means we’re also pretty enamored with the X-h3, because it has exactly the same body as its sibling.

You can read our Fujifilm X-h3S review for an in-depth summary of the pros and cons of that camera’s physical design. But it has three really standout features, plus one really useful one. Firstly, the 5.76-million dot electronic viewfinder from both cameras is one of the best we’ve used. It’s crisp, large (with a 0.8x magnification) and has a smooth 120fps refresh rate that rarely drops the ball.

We also like the X-h3’s deep grip, particularly when paired with longer lenses or even fairly weighty ones like the XF16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR. This isn’t exactly a revolutionary feature, but it isn’t always present on APS-C cameras, which are often targeted at keen amateurs rather than pros. It’s the same with the top-plate LCD, which is really handy for glanceable reminders of your settings.

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(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)

And lastly, there’s more more functional but no less important inclusion of a CFexpress Type B card slot, alongside a standard SD one. This both future-proofs the X-h3 and helps unlock some powerful burst shooting (15fps with the mechanical shutter) and buffer depths, which mean the X-h31 is still pretty rapid even if it’s not quite on the same level as the X-h3S.

The X-h3’s design certainly isn’t perfect. As on the X-h3S, we’d like to have seen a drive mode dial underneath the main mode dial, rather than a dedicated button. It’s a shame the front and rear dials aren’t clickable either. And there’s also no ‘multi-function’ hotshoe for powering external accessories like microphones without needing additional cables.

But overall the X-h3 is a fun, weather-proofed companion that’s ideal for all kinds of photography, if you can get over the comparable lack of charm compared to other Fujifilm ranges.

Fujifilm X-h3: features and autofocus

• First Fujifilm X-series camera with a Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode
• Subject-detection autofocus for animals and birds
• No video recording limits, can shoot continuously for 160 minutes 

The Fujifilm X-h3 may look identical to the X-h3S, but underneath they’re two very different cameras (which is reflected in their price tags).

Rather than a ‘stacked’ 26.2MP sensor, the X-h3 has a new back-illuminated 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR chip. This doesn’t have the same read-out speeds as the X-h3S, so is more suited to shooting landscapes, product photography, portraits and commercial work.

The traditional downside of high-resolution sensors is that they can have high ISO noise issues, due to the number of pixels that have been crammed in. But Fujifilm says the X-h3 uses an improved image-processing algorithm to maintain the resolution without affecting the signal-to-noise ratio. That’s something we’re looking forward to inspecting when we’ve had a bit more time with the camera.

The X-h3 also brings a new feature that we haven’t yet seen on an X-series camera, called ‘Pixel Shift Multi-Shot’. We’ve seen this on other cameras like the Sony A7R IV before, and this this promises to deliver 160MP images with some pretty incredible detail. The downside? It only really works with completely static scenes and it doesn’t work in-camera – you’ll need to use Fujifilm’s software afterwards to combine the photos. Still, it definitely sounds like a fun tool to try out.

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(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)

So how does autofocus compare to the X-h3S and X-T4? We haven’t yet had enough time for in-depth testing, but on paper it’s better than the X-T4, if behind the X-h3S for fast-moving subjects. The X-h3 has the same readout speeds as the X-T4, but it’s more advanced AF algorithms (which include all of the same subject-detection for animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes and trains as the X-h3S) help it give it a boost, despite that 40MP resolution.

On the video front, the X-h3 certainly has impressive credentials (including that headline 8K/30p mode), but the X-h3S is actually the superior video camera overall. The X-h3 unfortunately lacks a 4K/120p for slo-mo footage, while the stacked sensor of the X-h3S helps it largely overcome any ‘rolling shutter’ issues (which come into effect when you quickly pan a camera). 

On paper, the X-h3 is actually worse than the X-T4 for rolling shutter in its most demanding modes (like 8K/30p, 6. 2K/30p and 4K/60p), so you’ll again likely need to stick to fairly static, tripod-based scenes rather than sports when shooting video. We’ll need a bit more time with X-h3 to fully interrogate its video skills, but it’s otherwise still a very capable camera for moving images, with the ability to shoot 4:2:2 10-bit footage internally (which will please color graders) and that new F-log2 ‘flat’ profile, which will produce up to 13 stops of dynamic range (compared to 14 on the X-h3S).

There are also apparently no overheating limitations with the X-h3, which is capable of shooting for up to 160 minutes when shooting 8K/30p. That will reduce dramatically, though, if you’re shooting in hot conditions.

Fujifilm X-h3: image and video quality

It’s too soon for us to make any definitive statements about the X-h3’s image quality, as we’ve only been using it for a matter of hours. But so far, we haven’t run into any major issues and it seems to largely live up to Fujifilm’s lofty claims about image detail – as long as you do use it with a recent X-series lens.

That’s a fairly big caveat, because those with a collection of older X-mount glass will need to factor in the cost of new prime lenses if they’re to truly exploit that 40MP resolution. 

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(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)

Still, it’s fair to say most Fuji lenses will see an improvement to image quality when paired to the X-h3, compared to the previous cameras like the X-T4. It’s just that the biggest leap will come with lenses like the XF18mm, XF23mm, XF33mm and the new XF56mm.

We’ll need to spend a little more time looking at the X-h3’s high ISO performance, but Fujifilm is again confident that its new image-processing algorithm means the sensor’s high resolution won’t impact the signal-to-noise ratio too much. 

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(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)

The sensor also apparently has an improved pixel structure, which helps reduce the base ISO to 125. All great in theory, but again we’re looking forward to test this more out in the real world very soon.

We’ll be uploading more sample images to this section as the X-Summit progresses.

Fujifilm X-h3: early verdict

(Image credit: Future)

The X-h3S really has set a new bar for APS-C mirrorless cameras, so it’s a tough act for the X-h3 to follow. But the X-h3 is actually shaping up to be a better option for most people, even if it doesn’t feel quite as next-gen as its sibling.

It’s a bit too early for us to tell exactly how big a leap in image quality and autofocus performance the X-h3 offers over cameras like the X-T4. But it definitely offers superior handling, a better electronic viewfinder, more advanced autofocus performance and higher-end video skills. 

If you’ve been tempted into buying a high-resolution full-frame camera like the Sony A7R IV, the X-h3 certainly offers lots of reasons to reconsider. It’s cheaper and a smaller overall system with the right lenses. Our only real question is how much of this performance could potentially trickle down to an even more affordable body like the rumored Fujifilm X-T5.

Given there’s no official sign of that camera yet, the X-h3 could well be one of the best mirrorless cameras for those who mostly shoot static subjects like landscapes and don’t mind losing the retro charm of Fujifilm’s X-T series.

Fujifilm X-h3: Price Comparison

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Mark is TechRadar’s Senior news editor. Having worked in tech journalism for a ludicrous 17 years, Mark is now attempting to break the world record for the number of camera bags hoarded by one person. He was previously Cameras Editor at Trusted Reviews, Acting editor on Stuff.tv, as well as Features editor and Reviews editor on Stuff magazine. As a freelancer, he’s contributed to titles including The Sunday Times, FourFourTwo and Arena. And in a former life, he also won The Daily Telegraph’s Young Sportswriter of the Year. But that was before he discovered the strange joys of getting up at 4am for a photo shoot in London’s Square Mile. 

What is a hands on review?

Hands on reviews’ are a journalist’s first impressions of a piece of kit based on spending some time with it. It may be just a few moments, or a few hours. The important thing is we have been able to play with it ourselves and can give you some sense of what it’s like to use, even if it’s only an embryonic view. For more information, see TechRadar’s Reviews Guarantee.

Canon EOS R3 review | Digital Camera World

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Canon EOS R3 is a top-tier tool of choice for working professionals. Whether you shoot sports, weddings, portraiture, pets or news, the blackout-free 30fps stills and 6K RAW video mean that you never miss a moment of action or detail – and the improved AF performance, coupled with ghostly good Eye Control AF, ensure that every shot is focused exactly where you want it. It sets a new dynamic range benchmark for pro-level cameras, and its lower pixel count enables it to generate significantly less noise than the higher resolution rivals from Sony and Nikon. This is the professional camera of the future – and it’s here now.

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After being rolled out to pros at the Tokyo 2020 (2021) Olympics, the Canon EOS R3 is now available to professionals at large – and Canon’s latest mirrorless camera threatens to be the most capable all-round tool for working pros. 

While it’s not technically a replacement for, or even an equivalent to, the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III (as this is ‘only’ a 3-series camera rather than a flagship 1-series), it nonetheless technologically leapfrogs the 1D X III in virtually every department – and stakes a bold claim as the best professional camera thanks to its 6K RAW video, blistering (and blackout-free) 30fps shooting, and its peerless AF system that now enables you to move focus points by moving your eyeball.  

Read more: PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine

Still, with the 50.1MP stills / 8K video Sony A1 already here (and the Nikon Z9 on the way with 8K video and a minimum of 39MP resolution), does the Canon EOS R3’s 24.1MP sensor provide sufficient pixel density for pro-level shooting in 2021? 

There’s no doubt that this is Canon’s fastest and most advanced camera ever, even outdoing the mighty Canon EOS R5 when it comes to technology – not to mention record times and overheating, when it comes to video. Has Canon dropped a clunker, or been incredibly clever, by opting for a 24.1MP sensor and 6K instead of 8K? Let’s find out. 

• Read more: Canon EOS R3 vs Nikon Z9 | Canon EOS R3 vs Sony A1

• Canon EOS R3 (Black) at Amazon for $5,499

Canon EOS R3: Specifications

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(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)(Image credit: James Artaius)

Sensor: 24. 1MP stacked CMOS
Image processor: Digic X
AF points: 4,779 stills / 3,969 movies
ISO range: 100-102,400 (expandable to 50-204,800)
Stabilization: In-body (up to 8 stops with compatible lenses)
Weather sealing: Yes (equivalent to Canon EOS-1D X Mark III)
Max image size: 6,000 x 4,000px
Video: 6K up to 60p, 4K up to 120p, 1080p up to 60p
Viewfinder: Electronic 0.5-inch, 5.76m dots, 120Hz, 100% coverage, 0.76x magnification
Memory card: 1x SD/SDHC/SDXC, 1x CFexpress Type B
LCD: 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 4.15 million dots
Max burst: 30fps electronic (540 JPEG / 150 RAW), 12fps mechanical (1,000+ JPEG / 1,000 RAW)
Connectivity: USB-C 3.2, HDMI mini, headphone jack, microphone / line in jack, N3 terminal, 5GHz & 2.4GHz WiFi, Bluetooth 5. 0, Ethernet, GPS / GNSS
Size: 150 x 142.6 x 87.2mm
Weight: 822g body only (1,015g with battery and memory card)

Canon EOS R3 + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L (1/250 sec, f/1.2, ISO100) – Shot with pre-production camera sample (Image credit: James Artaius)

Canon EOS R3: Key features

The Canon EOS R3’s headline features are jaw-droppers. Its stacked, back side illuminated 24.1MP sensor boasts super-fast readout speeds that can capture photographs at up to 30fps when shooting with the electronic shutter (buffering 540 JPEGs or 150 RAWs), or 12fps with the mechanical shutter (for over 1,000 JPEGs or 1,000 RAWs). And the speed of the sensor also virtually eliminates rolling shutter. 

In fact, the whole camera is so fast that you can actually slow down the shutter mechanism itself. The R3’s shutter lag is just 20ms, which is so quick that your muscle memory from using other camera might mean that you depress the shutter too soon – so you can adjust the shutter lag up to 45ms to compensate.  

Speaking of shutter speed, you can shoot all the way down to 1/64000 sec to literally freeze moments in time, and you can use flash with the electronic shutter – something that was unheard of not long ago.   

The 24.1MP resolution means that the sensor can capture 6K RAW video up to 60p, which also enables you to record oversampled 4K up to 60p. In addition, 10-bit 4K can be captured at up to 120p (with even cleaner results than the 4K 120p in the EOS R5) and the camera features the Canon Log 3 profile. 

Canon EOS R3 + Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 (1/2000 sec, f/1.8, ISO100) – Shot with pre-production camera sample (Image credit: Lena Selkin)

The back side illuminated sensor construction works in tandem with the impressive sensitivity of ISO100-102,400 (expandable to 50-204,800) for formidable low light performance, with the AF capable of focusing down to -7.5EV. 

In terms of focus, the R3’s signature feature is Eye Control AF – a phenomenal function that enables the camera to detect where your eye is looking, so you can place a focus point by simply looking at your subject.

On top of that is the same core Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system that powers the R5 and Canon EOS R6, but featuring a brand new Deep Learning AF algorithm – which means that not only is autofocus performance even more robust, it adds a new subject detection capability beyond human eye AF and animal eye AF: vehicle AF.

Again like the R5 and R6, the EOS R3 also features a powerful in-body image stabilization system that offers up to 8 stops of compensation with select Canon RF lenses (including pro and trinity lenses like the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L).

Canon EOS R3 + Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 (1/50 sec, f/1.8, ISO100) – Shot with pre-production camera sample (Image credit: James Artaius)

Canon EOS R3: Build & handling

In terms of handling, the Canon EOS R3 is a cross between the chassis and general configuration of the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III and the ‘grammar’ of the Canon EOS R5. That means we things like the mode dial and black LED top screen of of the R5 with the shape, size and layout of the 1D X III. And it feels familiar to users of both.

Like the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, this is a professional DSLR-style body with integrated vertical grip (using the same high-capacity battery), featuring mirrored controls in the same position when used in portrait or landscape orientation. In keeping with the rest of the EOS R family, the R3 possess a fully articulating touchscreen – but despite this, it still retains the same level of weather sealing as the flagship 1D X Mark III. 

The only caveat here is the new 21-pin Multi-Function Shoe, which (like a number of new Sony cameras) provides both power and communication to mounted devices. This means that new accessories, such as the Canon Stereo Microphone DM-E1D, can be used without the need for an internal battery or additional cables – and they can be controlled directly from the menu system of the camera itself.

However, while these new accessories will retail the weather sealing capabilities, using current generation accessories such as the Canon Speedlite EL-1 with the hotshoe will compromise the R3’s weatherproofing. To use retain weather sealing while using current accessories, you’ll need the new Hot-shoe Adapter AD-E1.

The R3 feels as solid and substantial as the 1D X III, though of course the articulating screen means that it won’t be quite as robust. It’s noticeably lighter, of course, yet somehow it doesn’t feel bulky or heavy when switching between the it and the R5 – and that vertical grip means that the bigger RF lenses, like the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L, are very well balanced. 

Canon EOS R3 + Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L (1/320 sec, f/4, ISO320) – Shot with pre-production camera sample (Image credit: James Artaius)

The R3 takes the memory card setup from the R5, rather than the flagship DSLR, featuring one SD card slot and one CFexpress Type B slot. Like the R5, in one sense this is incredibly helpful, as it means that you don’t need to invest in the expensive new card format – and you’ll never be stuck for a spare card. 

However, certain shooting modes (such as 4K 120p) aren’t available with an SD card, and buffering images at 30fps doesn’t always play nice. And as a professional grade camera built around supreme performance, a dual CFexpress setup would have made more sense.

One of the best handling features is the inclusion of the optical Smart Controller from the 1D X III. Where the standard joystick moves AF points one position at a time, the Smart Controller enables you to whizz it around the screen as fast as you can move your thumb – but not as fast as you can move your eye.

To power the Eye Control AF, the electronic viewfinder is much chunkier than on other EOS R cameras. Using technology pioneered by Canon’s medical division to map and scan the human eye, the EVF features eight low-powered infrared LEDs that scan the front of the eye and then project that information to place a point on the sensor. And it actually works! (More on that below.)

Crucially, for a camera designed for sports and news photography, the R3 boasts a super-fast startup time. Canon clocks the bootup at just 0.4 seconds – and while our thumbs weren’t fast enough to see how true that figure is, flick the switch and the camera turns on pretty instantaneously. Much like the 30fps shooting, the R3 really is about speed!

Canon EOS R3 + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L + Elinchrom One (1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO100) – Shot with pre-production camera sample (Image credit: James Artaius)

Canon EOS R3: Performance

There’s just one thing that can be said about the Canon EOS R3: it delivers. Moving over from the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, the increased resolution is immediately noticeable when shooting detail-rich photography such as portraiture, while retaining the speed and manageable file sizes required for professional shooting (taking 30fps 50.1MP images with the Sony A1 is all well and good, but not so useful when you’re uploading hundreds of photos to your picture desk or agency). 

The 30fps shooting is phenomenal, and powered by the rock-solid Dual Pixel AF II it doesn’t matter whether you’re tracking a human subject like a basketball player performing smooth movement, or an erratically moving subject like a dog fetching a ball (we haven’t yet had the chance to test it with cars or bikes), you get an almost flawless hit rate.

Crucially it fires out these 30 frames without any blackout whatsoever, meaning that you get a clean, continuous view of your subject in the scene – along with the AF selection indicators, so you can be doubly sure that the right part of your image is in focus (which, thanks to the spookily good AF, it invariably is). 

With a CFexpress card you can blast out frames for well over 15 seconds before the buffer fills, but the R3 could only manage 24fps when using an SD card – though that’s to be expected, given the transfer speeds of the aging format. The other thing to bear in mind is battery life; when our battery dropped to 50% the burst rate dropped to 20fps, so make sure you have spares if you’re planning to shoot action. 

Canon EOS R3 + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L (1/250 sec, f/1.2, ISO100) – Shot with pre-production camera sample (Image credit: James Artaius)

In terms of the Eye Control AF, all we can say is wow. We were skeptical, having seen Canon trot out similar tech before; Eye Control AF actually featured, albeit using different technology, with the R3’s forebear, the Canon EOS-3 SLR. There it was inconsistent, if it worked at all – and was especially problematic if you wore glasses.

Here, however, we were very impressed by the technology in the R3. It’s all about the calibration; like an eye test at the optician, you look into the viewfinder and the camera scans your eye as you look at dots positioned at the topmost, bottommost, leftmost and rightmost areas of the screen.

Canon recommends that you perform this procedure at least four times, and then again whenever you shoot in a new situation (since the detection will obviously change in a bright outdoor setting compared to a dark nighttime setting). And when you do this… again, wow. 

Canon EOS R3 + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L + Moment Cinebloom (1/250 sec, f/1.2, ISO100) – Shot with pre-production camera sample (Image credit: James Artaius)

This tech is not designed to be used with fast moving subjects, like birds. Instead, it acts as something of a shortcut for the AF system. Say, for example, you’re a photojournalist shooting a celebrity walking the red carpet. When the celeb stops with a group of fans to take a selfie, the eye detect AF might jump to any given subject, meaning that you’ll need to manually select the AF point using either the joystick or Smart Controller. 

Instead, however, Eye Control AF enables you to simply look at the celebrity, and it will place the focus point right there. Now just half-press your shutter and the AF system will kick in for pristine eye detection, now you’ve told it where to look. Mileage may vary, but in our experience this could be an absolute game changer. 

We need a little more time to put the video through its paces, but so far the 6K and 4K footage is crystal clear and once again benefits from all the clever AF detection seen in the stills side. And best of all, overheating is no longer the issue it was with the R5 and R6!

Thanks to the larger body and magnesium-alloy construction of the R3, heat is dissipated much more effectively. Canon claims that you can shoot up to 6 hours of “regular video” and up to 1. 5 hours of 120p footage. All we can say so far is that we shot 4K 60p for over 1 hour 15 minutes before the battery died and didn’t experience any overheating issues. 

Canon EOS R3: Lab results

For our lab data comparison, we compared the EOS R3 to two of its pro-level, full-frame mirrorless rivals: the Nikon Z 9 and Sony a1. We also thought it would be interesting to see how Canon’s first pro-spec mirrorless offering compares to Canon’s current flagship DSLR: the EOS-1D X Mark III.

We test resolution using Imatest charts and software, and dynamic range and signal to noise ratio with DxO Analyzer.

Resolution:

(Image credit: Future)

Resolution is measured using standardized text charts which give results in line widths / picture height, which is independent of sensor size.

With its slightly higher 24.1 megapixel resolution, the EOS R3 is able to resolve slightly more fine detail than the 20.1MP EOS-1D X III in our resolution test. However it’s no surprise that neither Canon camera can get close to the resolving power of the 45.7MP Nikon Z9 or 50.1MP Sony A1.

Dynamic range:

(Image credit: Future)

Dynamic range is a measure of a camera’s ability to record extreme brightness ranges and still retain detail in the brightest and darkest parts of the scene. It’s measured in EV (exposure values, or ‘stops’).

Though the older EOS-1D X III is still the camera to beat for low ISO dynamic range, the EOS R3 sets a new dynamic range benchmark for pro-level cameras at ISO1600 and above.

Signal to noise ratio:

(Image credit: Future)

This test compares the amount of random noise generated by the camera at different ISO settings as a proportion of the actual image information (the ‘signal’). Higher values are better and we expect to see the signal to ratio fall as the ISO is increased.

Proof that a higher megapixel count isn’t always better. The lower pixel count of the EOS R3 means it generates significantly less image noise than the Nikon and Sony competition, while the R3’s more advanced image processing also allows it to take cleaner images than even the 20. 1MP EOS-1D X III, especially at higher ISOs where noise levels are most important – quite a result.

Canon EOS R3: Early verdict

The Canon EOS R3 is without question a top tier tool for working professionals. Whether you shoot sports, weddings, portraiture, pets or news, the blackout-free 30fps stills and 6K RAW video mean that you never miss a moment of action or detail – and the improved AF performance, coupled with ghostly good Eye Control AF, ensure that every shot is focused exactly where you want it. 

The choice of split CFexpress / SD cards for memory is the only real foible, as the slower speed of SD inhibits things like 4K 120p and clashes the 30fps shooting down to 24fps – and obviously doesn’t play well with buffering. 

As for the elephant in the room, the 24.1MP resolution feels pitch-perfect for the sports and news photographers at whom this camera is squarely aimed. Yes, 50.1MP is great, but if you’ve ever had to transfer hundreds of files to an FTP then you know how impractical those file sizes are.  

More than that, Canon’s sensor sets a new dynamic range benchmark for pro-level cameras, and its lower pixel count enables it to generate significantly less noise than the higher resolution rivals from Sony and Nikon. 

The 30fps is true, the Eye Control AF just plain works, the Deep Learning algorithm is uncannily good at recognizing and detecting subjects, and the ability to shoot 4K 60p video without overheating means this succeeds where even the R5 fell short. 

The Canon EOS R3 is the professional camera of the future – and it’s here now.

• Pre-order the Canon EOS R3 from B&H: $5,999
• Pre-order the Canon EOS R3 from Adorama: $5,999
• Pre-order the Canon EOS R3 from Wex: £5,879
• Pre-order the Canon EOS R3 from Park Cameras: £5,879

Read more: 

PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine
Best Canon cameras
Best Canon lenses
Best Canon RF lenses
Canon EOS-1D X Mark III review
Canon EOS R5 review
Canon EOS R6 review
Sony A1 review

Canon EOS R3: Price Comparison

$5,999

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$5,999

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The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L’Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.

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