Canon's new EOS RP is a cheaper, smaller, full-frame mirrorless camera

Just as the Canon 6D Mark II is seen as the entry-level companion to the Canon 5D Mark IV, Canon's new entry-level version of last year's EOS R has arrived. Enter the EOS RP.

The new full-frame mirrorless camera features a 26.2 Megapixel full frame CMOS sensor, DIGIC 8 processor, and a Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, wrapped-up in a body weighing just 485g.

The body

As Canon’s smallest and lightest full frame digital interchangeable lens camera to date, the EOS RP is built around a magnesium alloy chassis, and includes 'sealing materials' to provide dust and moisture resistance. There's also microphone and headphone jacks allowing the use of external recorders and monitors.

On the rear of the camera is a high resolution 7.5-cm Vari-Angle touch screen and 2.36 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder, and inside is a Dual Sensing IS system to reduce camera shake.

Unfortunately there's no change to one of the big criticisms of the EOS R: the single UHS-II card slot. 

Autofocus

The EOS RP offers a continuous shooting rate of up to 5 frames per second (fps), or 4 fps with Servo AF. Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF offers an AF speed as fast as 0.05 seconds with up to 4779 selectable AF positions over 88 per cent of the sensor.

Canon says focus can be acquired in dark environments as low as -5 EV, and there's also Eye AF technology and touch and drag AF.

Finally the focus bracketing mode promises to be useful for macro photography. It allows for automatic control of the depth of focus in-camera, with the help of a range of automatically adjusted focal positions.

Video

The EOS RP shoots 4K at 25 fps and Full HD at 60 fps. Other features include 4K time-lapse, an interval timer, Movie Servo AF and HDR movies, and AF modes can take advantage of the impressive Dual Pixel CMOS AF.

Movie Digital IS also provides 5-axis movie stabilisation to counteract shake when footage is captured handheld. 

The EOS RP is compatible with a range of EOS accessories including a new Extension Grip, the EG-E1 – which also launches today.

The EOS RP will be available in Australia from 27 February 2019 with pricing to be set at dealer discretion. You can find out more at canon.com.au.