Canon developing 150MP camera? There IS smoke to this fire…

Canon developing 150MP camera? There IS smoke to this fire…
(Image credit: Canon)

Here's a crazy rumor for you: Canon is developing a 150MP version of the Canon EOS R. Want to hear something even crazier? There is good reason to believe that this is entirely true.

We've known for over a year that the manufacturer has been developing at least two Canon EOS R successors, one a professional-grade body and one a high-resolution body. The former was envisioned to replace the Canon EOS 5D, and materialized as the Canon EOS R5, and the latter to replace the Canon EOS 5DS/R – a camera that has just been removed from production.  

In January 2019 we heard stories that a 100MP EOS R was being developed, and now the word from Canon Watch is that we could be looking at 150MP instead. So, why believe either of these stories?

It's simple: in September 2015, Canon announced development of a 120MP DSLR. 

"Featuring a resolution of approximately 120 effective megapixels, the SLR camera now being developed will incorporate a Canon-developed high-pixel-density CMOS sensor within the current EOS-series platform, which will realize compatibility with the Company’s diverse interchangeable EF lens lineup," said the company.

"The high-resolution images that the camera will be capable of producing will recreate the three-dimensional texture, feel and presence of subjects, making them appear as if they are really before one’s eyes. The camera will facilitate a level of resolution that is more than sufficient for enlarged poster-sized printout while also enabling images to be cropped and trimmed without sacrificing image resolution and clarity."

So, we know for a fact that Canon was working on a 120MP CMOS sensor for the EF system 5 years ago. In fact, it was so confident in its development that the manufacturer publicly announced the technology. With five more years of research and resources, plus five years of technological advancement including a totally new camera system, it stands to reason that this project has significantly raised its sights. 

Will this supposed 150MP marvel – which could be the highest resolution camera ever, overshadowing even the Fujifilm GFX 100 and Phase One IQ4 – see the light of day? Obviously we don't know. But as the old saying goes, if anyone can…

Read more: 

The 10 highest-resolution cameras you can buy today: ultimate pro cameras
Canon goes 8K! New Canon EOS R5 has 8K video, IBIS, 20fps + dual card slots
Canon EOS R review

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James Artaius
Editor

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 MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital 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.