Canon EOS R3 has 45MP sensor, 8K 30p and "resolution trick" (report)

Canon EOS R3
(Image credit: Canon)

The Canon EOS R3 specs remain a closely guarded secret, but leaks have revealed that the camera could have a 45MP image sensor capable of 8K 30p video, along with a "resolution trick" that could achieve much higher megapixel output. 

The official announcement about the Canon EOS R3 has revealed precious little: it will have a newly designed, Canon-made stacked backside illuminated sensor with continuous shooting speeds of 30 frames per second (both matching the Sony A1), with "next generation Dual Pixel AF" possessing a new subject detection algorithm, along with the return of Eye Controlled Focus that enables you to move focus points by moving your eyeball.

• Read more: Canon EOS R3 – 5 things we don't know yet

However, thanks to new leaks, we can now fill in some of the blanks left by the official Canon spec sheet. According to Canon Watch, these are the key specifications for the Canon EOS R3: 

• 45MP image sensor
• Quad-Pixel Autofocus
• 60 fps with full Quad-Pixel Auto-focus
• 20 fps mechanical shutter
• 30 fps electronic shutter (confirmed)
• New white balance system
• 8K / 30p RAW shooting

In addition, both Canon Watch and Canon Rumors reported that the R3 will possess a "resolution trick", in the form of pixel shift shooting.  

"The EOS R3 will have a pixel-shift feature on board (it was already rumored, and there is also a patent)," wrote Canon Watch. "Pixel-shift would allow to have a higher resolution than the native sensor resolution."

So, how much of this needs taking with a grain of salt? The answer, of course, is 'all of it' – however, some things seem more likely than others. 

The 45MP sensor and 8K 30p are both a given, as far as we're concerned, given the specs of the Sony A1. However, Quad Pixel AF seems a little suspect – Canon has already announced that the R3 possesses Dual Pixel AF, and would almost certainly be crowing about Quad Pixel if that was indeed on the table. 

We'd be delighted to be proven wrong, however. C'mon, Canon – spill more beans!

Read more: 

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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.