In an interview, Canon execs confirmed the company is working on the future flagship mirrorless camera, the EOS R1.

In an interview with French site Phototrend, taken at CP+, a bunch of Canon execs confirms the Canon EOS R1 is on the way. Asked about what is Canon’s current flagship camera, Mr. Go Tokura (General Manager of Imaging Division at Canon) said:

If you look at our portfolio, obviously our highest-end case is the EOS R3. I think we can say that it is our flagship product. But if you look at the EOS-1D, and compare it to the EOS R3, you know it’s worthy of the ‘flagship’ designation because it’s equivalent in terms of Canon’s advanced features.

So, of course, the EOS R3 could already claim the flagship title, but there’s a reason we named it ‘3’…

And you can expect there to be a ‘1’, which is currently being worked on and will be our most premium model. So that’s the kind of interpretation you can do (laughs). I had never mentioned it so clearly before, so that’s probably how you can interpret it!

There is a reason we named it ‘3’ and you can expect there to be a ‘1’ definitely suggest there will be a EOS R1. When, is another story. Rumored since the beginning with various “imminent release” rumors, it’s still not here and is now rumored for 2024 (by the same source previously saying the announcement is imminent).

There is much more in the interview posted at Phototrends. For instance about third parties using the RF mount (see here to learn more about the issue):

Question: Many photographers are eagerly awaiting the opening of the RF mount. At present, Canon is the only brand to maintain the exclusivity of its frame. Will we see RF optics from other manufacturers in the near future?

Tetsuji Kiyomi : It is true that we are approached by many third-party manufacturers. We hear their demands. However, we have no direction or policy as such on this subject.

Naturally, I cannot share more details with you, but what I can say is that if this aligns with our strategy, we will take the necessary action on a case-by-case basis. I can’t tell you more.

Go Tokura : An example of this is the launch of RF optics by Cosina [the Voigtlander 50mm f/1 is the first “third-party” lens to be able to communicate with the body via the RF mount]: we are in the process discussion with other lens manufacturers. This is the situation at present.

About the Canon EOS R50:

Question: The EOS R50 is one of your newer cameras. How was it inspired by the EOS M50? Does it sign the end of the EOS-M range?

Tetsuji Kiyomi : The particularity of the R50 was that we wanted to release a compact and light product. For its part, the EOS M range, thanks to the reduced diameter of the EF-M mount, could be even smaller and lighter.

Thus, compactness and lightness are therefore two common points between the APS-C models of the EOS R range and those of the EOS M series.

However, the size of the M-series enclosures is even smaller, and there is still a strong demand for this from our customers. This means that we will continue to offer the EOS M series as we need to meet this high demand.

Stay tuned.