Photography News 101 - Web

Big test

Big test

Canon EOS R10

PRICE: £899.99 

CANON.CO.UK

Canon has launched a new two-pronged attack on the very important APS-C format market, with models featuring its RF full-frame lens mount. We test the entry-level EOS R10

SPECS ›  Price Body and mount adapter EF-EOS R £899.99. Body and RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM £999.99 ›  Sensor 24.2 megapixels ›  Sensor format APS-C 22.3x14.9mm, 6000x4000pixels ›  Lens mount Canon EOS RF ›  ISO range 100-32,000. Expanded range 51,200 ›  Shutter range Mechanical shutter 30secs to 1/4000sec with bulb and flash sync at 1/200sec, or 1/250sec with electronic first shutter. Electronic shutter 30secs to 1/16,000sec, no flash sync ›  Drive modes Up to 15fps with mechanical shutter/electronic first shutter for 29 Raws. Up to 23fps with electronic shutter up to 21 Raws ›  Exposure system 384 zone multi-pattern, evaluative, partial, spot and centre-weighted ›  Exposure compensation +/-3EV in 1, 0.3 and 0.5EV steps ›  Monitor 7.5cm fully articulated ›  Viewfinder 2.36m dots ›  Focusing Dual Pixel CMOS AF II. 651 AF points in auto, 4503 points in manual selection. Whole area AF, flexible zone AF, AF point modes. AF tracking: humans (eye/face/ head/body), animals (birds, cats, dogs), vehicles (cars and bikes) ›  In-body image stabiliser No ›  Video 4K UHD Fine (16:9) 3840x2160 (29.97, 25, 23.98fps), 4K UHD Crop (16:9) 3840x2160 (59.94, 50fps) ›  Connectivity USB 2 Type C, Wi-Fi, micro HDMI, microphone socket ›  Other key features 18 custom functions, buttons and dial customisation ›  Storage media 1x SD UHS-II ›  Dimensions (wxhxd) 122.5x87.8x83.4mm ›  Weight 429g body with battery and SD card ›  Contact canon.co.uk

WORDS AND IMAGES BY WILL CHEUNG

DESPITE HAVING A presence in the mirrorless APS-C market, Canon’s EOS M series was never going to set the camera world alight. However, now that Canon has fully committed to its full-frame RF mirrorless system, it was only a matter of time before we saw broader-appeal APS-C cameras using the same mount. The EOS R10 tested here is the entry-level offering of two new units – the EOS R7 is the other. The latter is a more advanced, pricier model with 32.5 megapixels, while the EOS R10 provides potential DSLR switchers a more affordable way into the EOS R ecosystem. Both have a 1.6x crop, giving these models extra appeal to long-lens shooters. Canon’s EOS R10 is lightweight, with a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and string of eye-catching features for a unit of this price level. This includes a Dual Pixel AF system with advanced algorithms and subject

welcome clutter-free option. Many core functions can be adjusted by touch, via the info menu. If you prefer, use the Q/Set button or virtual Q button if it is on show, to bring up the quick-control menu. The default here has six virtual touchpads on both the left and right sides of the screen, with feature parameters running across the bottom. Make the quick-control menu easier to navigate by keeping only essential commands and removing the rest. Round the front, there is a physical MF/AF switch. Its centre button, by default, brings up AF options. This was good to use and I could switch focus mode with the camera up to my eye – which leads me to the viewfinder. The EVF is an average 2.36 million dots and the image itself is on the small side. On the underside of the eyepiece is a dioptre slider, which has no lock. I moved it without meaning to several times, which was frustrating. It’s remarkable how continuous shooting rates have leapt forward in recent years, across cameras in all markets: the EOS R10 is a great example. It can race along at a claimed 15fps with the mechanical shutter, and 23fps with the electronic. I did tests using a Sandisk 300MB/s SD card and those claimed shooting speeds were delivered.

detection, plus 23fps shooting on the electronic shutter. With the supplied EF-S 18-45mm standard zoom, it’s a combination that can be carried around all day happily, or left in the work bag just in case a chance photo opp arises. The lens retracts and extends by about 3cm to be readied to shoot. You get a warning if the lens is not extended. Its shorter body did mean my little finger had nowhere to rest. Also, while most controls are easily accessible, those on the rear towards the bottom of the body – which include the D-pad cluster, info and preview buttons – needed a minor grip readjustment first. As expected of a modern camera, there are ways around this. Key functions, such as ISO and drive, can be reassigned to other buttons. For example, the D-pad’s ISO up arrow may be set to 39 other features. I changed it to the easier-to-access default, depth-of-field control, which itself has 55 options. The on/off switch is on the right, which is always my preference. I like to carry the camera in my right hand ready to shoot, and switch it on as I raise the body up. You can do this with the EOS R10, but it needs practice to be fluent. Several control features have been cascaded down from higher-end models. Push the record button and

video recording starts immediately – no need to preselect video shooting. There’s also the M-Fn button (which can be assigned to 51 choices), with the default taking you into ISO, drive, AF, white-balance and compensation. The front input dial adjusts the actual setting and the rear quick- control dial selects the function. It’s just like the M-Fn button on the EOS R5. Another switch inherited from the R5 is a multi-function lock. This can be set to deactivate the main input dial, quick-control dial, multi- controller, touch control and lens control ring. Typical of Canon, the EOS R10 has plenty of options when it comes to adjusting settings. Push the info button and you can scroll through up to five different monitor views, including a very COMMAND CENTRE The limited acreage of the EOS R10 means its control layout is quite busy, but the buttons are a good size and usability rates highly

WIDE THROAT The APS-C sensor of the EOS R10 (and EOS R7) looks a bit lost when framed within the EOS RF mount, but it does mean the latest high-spec lenses can be used if desired

LOOKS FAMILIAR The menu structure is like every Canon digital camera: easy to navigate, with plenty of user options and touch control

Issue 101 | Photography News 47

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