Canon EOS R7: due in Q3, with a pair of dedicated RF-S lenses?

EOS R7 speculation
(Mockup of the Canon EOS R7) (Image credit: Canon)

UPDATE (10 May 2022): We now have specifications! The upcoming Canon EOS R7 Specifications have been provided to (and confirmed) by Canon Rumors, who relay that the R7 will feature a 32.5-Megapixel APS-C sensor with Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus, capable of 15-30fps (mechanical/electronic), with 2x UHS-II supported card slots, 4K video recording at 60/50fps (NTSC/PAL), 1080p recording at 120/100fps, will have In-Body Image Stabilization and C-Log 3/HDR PQ. 

The Canon EOS R7 will be the first RF-Mount camera designed for APS-C sensors. An announcement from Canon is to be expected in late June or early July 2022 that will provide further details.  

PREVIOUS UPDATE (03 May 2022): The Canon EOS R7 may be accompanied by two new Canon RF-S lenses, according to trustworthy sources that have been in contact with rumor sites. 

The widely – and long – anticipated Canon EOS R7 is purported to be a 32MP APS-C addition to the EOS R system, and a mirrorless successor to the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. While earlier reports were that there would be no dedicated APS-C lenses, it now seems that a pair of RF-S (echoing the EF-S nomenclature of the APS-C versions of Canon EF lenses) lenses will launch alongside the Canon EOS R7.

That's the latest report from Canon Rumors, which notes that the lenses in question are unknown – but roadmap details point to a potential Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens (which would equate to a 28.8-72mm in full frame terms). 

This would be similar to the Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens for Canon's current APS-C format, the EOS M system – whose future we have been pondering recently (questioning whether Canon might rebrand it as the RF-M system).

PREVIOUS UPDATE (29 April 2022): Unconfirmed specifications have been revealed courtesy of Canon Rumors that suggest the Canon EOS R7 will feature a 32-megapixel APS-C BSI image sensor with a DIGIC X processor. 

Other revealed specifications include a dual card slot compatible with both CFExpress and SD cards, 4K video at 60fps, 1080p video at 240fps, the latest hot shoe, C-Log 3, and a combination of ergonomics from both the Canon EOS R6 and Canon EOS R5

While these specifications are rumored and unconfirmed, they do appear rather likely. There's no word on price just yet, but at a guess taking into account the build quality of an R5 paired with a BSI sensor if the specs are to be believed, then we'd be lucky to see it on pre-order for less than $3,000. 

PREVIOUS UPDATE (27 April 2022): The launch of a long-rumored Canon EOS R7 has been speculated for quite some time, but the latest information suggests that we may not have to wait much longer for an official announcement from Canon.

A mirrorless successor to the Canon EOS 7D Mark II (which was succeeded by the Canon EOS 90D in the DSLR lineup), the Canon EOS R7 is likewise expected to be an APS-C camera, giving sports and wildlife enthusiasts a way to achieve extra effective focal range on their lenses (thanks to the 1.6x crop factor). 

According to the most recent camera rumors, after many false starts (or perhaps, more accurately, false expectations) the Canon EOS R7 will materialize later this year. Canon Rumors reported in a recent post that the camera will launch towards the fourth quarter of 2022 – though obviously that date, as well as the ability to ship the product, is subject to be affected by the current component crisis. 

With the Canon EOS R7 expected to have an APS-C sensor, there is the obvious implication that there may be a future launch of a new, smaller Canon RF-S optics to support it (a la the Canon EF-S lenses for APS-C DSLRs). 

We previously reported that the Canon EOS R7 was set to have a similar build and specifications to the Canon EOS R6. This means that the key differences might simply boil down to the sensor size / crop factor and faster AF features. We loved the Canon EOS R6 for its in-body image stabilization and burst shooting, but we wondered if the 20.1MP sensor was enough – and Canon has a formidable 32.5MP APS-C sensor that's currently used in the Canon EOS M6 Mark II and 90D.

Previous speculation has also suggested that Canon may release three new EOS R bodies in 2022 (including the EOS R7), with further reports that Canon has patented at least one RF-S lens. 

Only time and rumors will tell what Canon has in store for us this year, and until an official announcement is scheduled, we will update this article accordingly with all the reliable leaks and plausible rumors that we can find. 

Read more: 

Best Canon camera
Best Canon RF lenses
Best camera for sports photography
Best camera for wildlife photography
Canon EOS R7 set to be mirrorless replacement for Canon EOS 7D

Beth Nicholls
Staff Writer

A staff writer for Digital Camera World, Beth has an extensive background in various elements of technology with five years of experience working as a tester and sales assistant for CeX. After completing a degree in Music Journalism, followed by obtaining a Master's degree in Photography awarded by the University of Brighton, she spends her time outside of DCW as a freelance photographer specialising in live music events and band press shots under the alias 'bethshootsbands'.