Canon recently announced two new APS-C mirrorless cameras – the EOS R7 and EOS R10. Both cameras boast impressive specs and features, but also have key differences that may make one model a better fit than the other depending on your needs. This in-depth comparison examines the sensors, performance, video capabilities, design, and other specs to help you decide whether the pricier EOS R7 is worth it over the more affordable EOS R10.
Overview of Key Specs
Before diving into the details, here is a high-level overview comparing the key specs of the Canon EOS R7 and EOS R10:
Canon EOS R7
- 32.5MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC X Image Processor
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 1053 AF Points
- Mechanical shutter up to 15fps, Electronic shutter up to 30fps
- 4K 60p video (uncropped)
- 5-axis in-body image stabilization
- Dual UHS-II SD card slots
- 0.76x-magnification OLED EVF
- Fully articulating 3-inch touchscreen LCD
- LP-E6NH battery
- Weight: 612g
Canon EOS R10
- 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC X Image Processor
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 651 AF Points
- Mechanical shutter up to 15fps, Electronic shutter up to 23fps
- 4K 60p video (1.6x crop)
- No in-body image stabilization
- Single UHS-II SD card slot
- 0.59x-magnification OLED EVF
- Vari-angle 3-inch touchscreen LCD
- LP-E17 battery
- Weight: 429g
Sensor and Image Quality
The most noticeable difference between the EOS R7 and EOS R10 is in their sensors. The R7 sports a higher resolution 32.5MP sensor compared to 24.2MP on the R10. This gives the R7 the edge when it comes to capturing finer details and allows for more cropping flexibility in post-production.
Both sensors are APS-C sized with a 1.6x crop factor. They offer an ISO range from 100 to 32,000 (expandable to 51,200). While the R7‘s resolution is higher, the R10‘s 24MP sensor is still plenty capable of producing high-quality images and large prints. Unless you need to crop heavily or print extra large, for most purposes the R10‘s resolution will be sufficient.
When it comes to autofocus, both cameras use Canon‘s advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system. This uses on-sensor phase detection for fast and accurate focus acquisition and tracking. The R7 features 1053 selectable AF points for more precise control over focus placement compared to 651 AF points on the R10. Both cameras include face, eye, head and body detection plus advanced subject tracking for people, animals and vehicles.
For most users, the autofocus capabilities of the R10 will be more than enough to capture both still subjects and moving action. But the R7‘s denser AF point layout gives professional photographers and enthusiasts more control over exact focus placement for precision focus in challenging conditions.
Continuous Shooting Speed
The R7 and R10 are both speedy performers when it comes to continuous shooting speeds. With the mechanical shutter, both can shoot at up to 15fps with AF/AE tracking. This makes them well-suited for capturing fast action like sports, wildlife, and energetic kids and pets.
Where the R7 pulls further ahead is its electronic shutter capabilities. It can shoot at up to 30fps with the e-shutter engaged. The R10 tops out at 23fps with its electronic shutter. While both cameras offer impressive speeds, the R7 gives you an extra burst of frames per second that could make the difference in never missing a decisive moment.
Video Capabilities
Both the EOS R7 and EOS R10 offer robust video features, including oversampled 4K recording and support for Canon‘s Log gamma for advanced color grading. The key difference lies in how they handle 4K video at 60p.
The R7 can record full-width 4K at up to 60p without any cropping. This allows you to take full advantage of the wide field of view of your lenses. The R10 is limited to a 1.6x crop when shooting 4K/60p, which narrows the effective view significantly. At 4K/30p and below, no crop is applied on the R10.
The R7 also supports 10-bit internal recording for superior dynamic range and color. The R10 is limited to 8-bit internal recording, so you must output 10-bit video externally. For serious hybrid shooters who need full-frame 4K/60p and internal 10-bit recording, the EOS R7 is the clear winner. Casual shooters who only need 4K at 30p or lower will still get great quality on the R10.
Slow motion video is possible on both models at up to 120fps in Full HD quality. This allows smooth 4x slow motion for capturing fleeting moments or high-speed action.
In-Body Image Stabilization
The EOS R7 incorporates 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS), a first for an APS-C camera from Canon. This provides up to 8 stops of stabilization, helping offset camera shake for crisper handheld shots and smoother video footage. The R10 lacks IBIS, so you‘ll need to rely on lens-based optical stabilization. Having IBIS in the R7 is a major advantage for low-light, handheld, and video work.
Design and Handling
Physically, the R7 is noticeably larger and heavier than the compact R10. Here is a more detailed look at the handling and design characteristics of each model:
Canon EOS R7
- Large grip provides secure and comfortable hold
- Weather-sealed magnesium alloy body
- 0.76x-magnification OLED EVF with 3.69M dot resolution
- Fully articulating 3-inch LCD with 1.62M dots
- Top LCD panel
- Dual control dials
- Dedicated still/video switch on top
- AF joystick
- Mic and headphone jacks
Canon EOS R10
- Smaller, lighter polycarbonate construction
- No weather sealing
- 0.59x EVF with 2.36M dots
- Vari-angle 3-inch LCD with 1.04M dots
- Single control dial
- No top LCD
- Touchpad AF control
- No mic or headphone jacks
The EOS R7‘s design follows after Canon‘s high-end R-series models with its robust construction, pronounced grip, and abundance of physical controls. This makes it better suited to demanding use by professionals and enthusiasts. The smaller R10 uses a streamlined design more geared towards casual users and travel. Its lighter weight and smaller form factor make it easy to pack along anywhere.
Power and Connectivity
The LP-E6NH battery used by the R7 is the same found on Canon‘s full-frame mirrorless cameras like the EOS R6. It offers significantly better battery life per charge compared to the R10‘s smaller LP-E17 battery. The beefier battery and dual SD card slots make the R7 better equipped for extended shooting days or reliability in harsh conditions. The R10 uses a single SD card slot and smaller battery best suited for lighter recreational use rather than heavy professional loads.
Both cameras feature USB-C ports for charging and data transfer. However the R7 one-ups the R10 with the addition of a 3.5mm mic jack, 3.5mm headphone jack, and HDMI port. These give content creators more options for audio monitoring and external video output.
Price and Value
With an MSRP of $1,499 for the body only, the Canon EOS R7 commands a significant price premium over the more budget-friendly EOS R10, priced at $979 body only. The higher resolution sensor, faster e-shutter, uncropped 4K/60p, IBIS, larger battery, and pro handling of the R7 make it the superior camera overall for enthusiasts and professionals. The R10 offers strong performance and image quality at a more accessible price point for hobbyists and those stepping up from smartphone photography.
For photographers who don‘t require the bleeding-edge performance and features of the R7, the Canon EOS R10 delivers tremendous value and imaging abilities in a smaller and lighter package. But for those seeking no-compromise speed, video capabilities, and handling, the extra investment in the R7 is easily justified.
Conclusion
The Canon EOS R7 clearly sits above the EOS R10 in capabilities, features, and design. However, the R10 remains a remarkably well-rounded camera in its own right. It utilizes much of the same core technology as the R7, from its advanced autofocus to DIGIC X processor. If your budget can accommodate it, the R7 is certainly the more future-proof investment. But for many, the R10 has all the power and performance they need in a lighter and more affordable package.
Ultimately, choosing between the R7 and R10 comes down to examining your needs and budget. The R7 shines for professionals and enthusiasts who need top-notch performance for sports, action, portrait work, and 4K video. The R10 appeals to beginning photographers looking for pro-level image quality on a budget, as well as travelers and vloggers who prioritize compact size and weight. Either way, you can be assured of getting a highly capable camera that delivers beautiful imagery and speedy performance.
