Canon hosted a virtual product launch event on July 9 to announce a slew of new products, including the 45-megapixel EOS R5 and the 20-megapixel EOS R6 full-frame mirrorless cameras that the company says reaffirms its commitment to equip users with the best in high-quality, cutting-edge gear. Drumroll please…

Canon Steps Up Their Full-Frame, Mirrorless Line-up

With impressive specs and accolades from the Canon Explorers of Light (including Vanessa Joy and Roberto Valenzuela) who spent time shooting with these two new models, the 45-megapixel EOS R5 and the 20-megapixel EOS R6 may give a much-needed boost to the photo industry during these tough times.

Both cameras have a lot in common including in body image stabilization (IBIS) that not only works with RF image stabilized lenses but also promises up to 8 stops of compensation. These cameras are also the first to use Canon’s advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF II for about 100 percent coverage of the AF area.

The R5 and R6 are equipped with 1,053 automatically selected AF zones. Additionally, you’ll get eye, face or head detection for humans and for animals. Reports are that they all work exceptionally well and the latter will be especially effective for wildlife and bird photographers.

Performance is said to be excellent as well, utilizing the same DIGIC X image processor as the 1D X Mark III. Both cameras are capable of shooting up to 12 frames per second with the mechanical shutter and 20fps in silent shutter mode.

A Deeper Dive: The Canon EOS R5

The higher end EOS R5 offers great video features including both 4K and 8K RAW video up to 29.97 fps, which can be recorded internally. In DCI modes, 4K and 8K can be recorded uncropped. And, Dual Pixel COOS AF II can be utilized in all 8K and 4K recording modes.

In the EOS R5, you’ll also find dual card slots: one CFexpress and one SD UHS-ii, a 0.5 inch OLED EVF and a 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD touch screen. Built-in Wi-Fi (5GHz/2.4GHz) and Bluetooth are available; an optional WFT-R10A wireless file transmitter can be purchased. Its ISO range of 100-51,200 is expandable to 102,400.

Weatherproofing is the same as the EOS 5D series and the EOS R5 offers the ability to voice tag photos and videos.

The EOS R5 will be available at the end of July for $3,899 (body only); $4,999 with the RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens kit.

More Specifics on The Canon EOS R6

The more affordable EOS R6’s 20-megapixel sensor is based on the EOS-1D X Mark ii’s sensor (the sensor is manufactured by Canon). The camera offers dual UHS-II SD card slots, a 0.5-inch OLED EVF, and a 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD. Built-in Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) and Bluetooth are available and the R6’s weatherproofing is equivalent to that of the EOS 6D series. The R6’s native ISO ranges from 100-102,400 but is expandable to 204,800.

Although there’s no 8K video recording, the R6 is capable of capturing 4K video up to 59.94fps internally. You’ll also be able to capture 1080p video up to 119.8 fps. HDR video capture is also available.

The EOS R6 is slated to ship at the end of August for $2899 (body only). Two kits will also be available: R6 with the RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM lens kit ($2899); R6 with the RF 24-105mm f/1 L IS USM lens kit.

New Canon Lenses, Launch Dates

In addition to the two, full-frame mirrorless EOS R5 and R6 cameras, Canon announced several other products and their launch dates:

-Canon’s RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM (above, $2,699, September)

-Canon’s RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM ($600, October)

-Canon’s RF 600mm and 800mm f/11 IS STM—both are extremely affordable ($700 and $900, respectively) and lightweight (2.05 and 2.78 pounds, respectively) and will be available at the end of July.

-RF Lens Extenders: 1.4x ($500); 2x ($600); available at the end of July

Canon’s imagePROGRAF PRO-300 Printer

This 13-inch printer utilizes 9 color LUCIA inks and a chrome optimizer. There’s a new matte black ink and Canon promises improved black density. In addition to standard print sizes, the new model can print images up to 39-inches long.

In addition to a larger 3-inch LCD, the new printer offers a couple of features that will make your life easier. One automatically straightens paper that might have been fed askew. The nozzle feature helps prevent clogging.

There’s new Professional Print and Layout software that looks full of features (including a B&W photo mode) and easy to use.

The printer should be available later in July for a price of $900.

For more information on all these products and more, please visit: usa.canon.com.