The ever-expanding Canon EOS R family already has mirrorless equivalents of its primary full-frame DSLR counterparts, the 5D and 6D. It seems logical, then, that the popular 7D might soon become the Canon EOS R7 – and Canon's managing executive officer certainly didn't deny the idea.
"Of course, I'm thinking of expanding [the EOS R line] in the future as a strategy, but I can't say yet whether it will be EOS R7," teased Tsuyoshi Tokura, when asked whether the Canon EOS R7 might join the Canon EOS R5 (opens in new tab) and Canon EOS R6 (opens in new tab).
• Read more: Canon EOS R5 vs R6 (opens in new tab)
Of course, there's an added layer of complexity regarding Canon's 7-series cameras. Unlike the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (opens in new tab) and Canon EOS 6D Mark II (opens in new tab) lines, which both feature full-frame sensors, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II (opens in new tab) is an APS-C system.
It would seem natural to assume, then, that the manufacturer would position a potential R7 as the first ever APS-C body in its R-series family – something, that outwardly at least, it has expressed no interest in. However, there is certainly smoke to this fire.
Notably, there has been no 7D Mark III; instead, the company gave us the Canon EOS 90D (opens in new tab), which it said was effectively an amalgamation of the 7D and 80D product lines. Conveniently, this leaves a true successor to the 7D open for the R system.
There's also the resurgent rumor of an APS-C Canon EOS R coming in 2021 (opens in new tab), which could be the biggest clue yet that the EOS R7 could soon be joining its R-series siblings as a junior model.
For his part, Mr Tokura remained understandably coy about the prospect when asked about the camera by Digital Camera Magazine (a Japanese publication, no relation!), as shared by DC Watch (opens in new tab).
"We have released two models this time, but the R series lineup is not yet complete. Of course, I'm thinking of expanding it in the future as a strategy, but I can't say yet whether it will be EOS R7. However, there is no doubt that the lineup will be expanded, so please look forward to it…"
Read more:
Canon EOS 7D Mark II review (opens in new tab)
Canon EOS R5 review (opens in new tab)
Canon EOS R6 review (opens in new tab)
