Canon EOS R1 rumours hint at global shutter, flagship spec sheet to challenge Nikon's impressive Z9 mirrorless camera

While the Canon EOS R1 has long been leaked, as pro users get more and more anxious about Canon's true flagship entry into the mirrorless space, the rumour mill has been buzzing with leaks and wish fulfilment. Nothing seems to have been actually confirmed just yet, but, between a global shutter and a new autofocus system, the rumours certainly paint an exciting picture. According to Canon Rumors, there's a lot to be excited about.

One of the most significant rumours hint at a sensor with a megapixel count of around 45 MP, with the possibility of a global shutter to compete with Nikon's flagship Z9 and the high-end Z8, which both have virtually no rolling shutter. While Nikon upped its shutter read-out speed and processing power to basically eliminate rolling shutter, a global shutter — the whole sensor reading out all at once instead of sequentially — would be a very attractive prospect for everyone from sports and wildlife photographers to action videographers.

While Canon has recently launched the EOS R3 — a very competent camera in its own right — the R1 would be Canon's first flagship since the EOS-1D X Mark III, which was a DSLR unit that featured a 20.1-MP sensor. While it's possible that a new mirrorless flagship might come with a higher-resolution sensor, the low-light sensitivity of a sensor with less resolution makes it an attractive prospect for potential buyers.

Along with a potentially upgraded sensor, the body and EVF of the EOS R1 are rumoured to be larger than anything Canon has on offer currently.

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