Why am I looking at a camera launched three years ago? I did review the EOS RP for various sites when it first came out, but it’s in the nature of camera reviews that you only have you loan sample for a week or so, and you can’t (obviously) compare it to what’s to follow.
So nearly three years on from the original launch, here are my current thoughts on the Canon EOS RP, in the light of cameras that have come along since then, which all help to put Canon’s ‘starter’ full frame mirrorless camera into proper perspective today.
This isn’t a loan sample, by the way. I bought one to do some work for Canon magazine PhotoPlus.
• See also: Best used cameras to buy today
Canon EOS RP pros
- Price: It’s the second cheapest full frame mirrorless camera on the market. The only camera that’s cheaper is the Sony A7 II, which is an older design, not as nice to use, in my opinion, and hardly any more competent for video.
- Build and handling: The EOS RP is really nice to use! It uses Canon’s trademark soft materials and curved surfaces for a very different feel in the hand compared to rival cameras from Sony and Panasonic.
- The EVF: It’s not the highest-spec electronic viewfinder by today’s standards, but it’s bright and clear and punchy and a good deal better than I was expecting. It’s actually pretty good!
- The vari-angle rear screen: An articulating screen is so useful to have an even now some mirrorless cameras don’t have them. There’s not much more to say about the screen is that it’s contrasty, clear and also pretty good.
- The 24-105mm f/4-7.1 kit lens: It sounds dreadful, but it’s actually a decent performer, compact, light and nice to use. I originally tested the EOS RP with the RF 24-105mm f/4 L lens, which was overkill on this camera but all there was at the time. This cheaper lens isn’t as good in terms of its results, but much better for portability and balance on the camera.
- Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF: The version in the EOS RP is a couple of generations old and doesn’t have Canon’s latest AI subject recognition – of course not – but it’s quick and effective and for stills shooters it’s fine.
- The RF lens system: You won’t need to spend big on Canon’s pro RF lenses – thank goodness – because Canon makes some pretty affordable ‘consumer’ prime lenses too. I bought the RF 16mm f/2.8 with my RP and it’s adequate optically and ultra-easy to carry around.
Canon EOS RP cons
- No in-body stabilization: If you want IBIS, you need the EOS R6 or EOS R5, which are in a whole different price ballpark. But remember that IBIS is an advantage not a cure, and the IS in the 24-105mm kit lens is actually very good.
- Feeble burst shooting: Don’t by the EOS RP for sports. Its maximum burst speed is 5fps, which is really just a token burst mode and not fast enough for any kind of serious action.
- Pretty hopeless video specifications: The EOS RP can shoot 4K video, but only at 24fps and with so many limitations you might want to swap to 1080 full HD, which isn’t exactly stellar either.
- Nasty shadow noise: The EOS RP may have 26 million pixels – more than the brand new EOS R6 II even – but it’s a pretty old design that’s especially poor for shadow noise – so if you like to pull up shadow detail in your shots, get ready to grit your teeth.
Canon EOS RP verdict
The EOS RP is a very nice camera to handle and use, and it’s a very good camera for stills photography (though not action). It’s the cheapest full frame mirrorless camera you can buy, if you ignore the old Sony A7 II, and it does feel as if you are getting your money’s worth.
Just keep in mind that megapixels aren’t everything, and while 26MP might sound good it’s an old sensor that’s no better than it has to be. And don’t buy the EOS RP for what appear to be adequate video specifications because really they’re not.