The R3 Mark II: Actually Interesting?

Let us be clear: we remain skeptical of any Canon announcement that doesn’t involve at least three delayed timelines and a firmware update that “improves reliability” (translation: fixes something that shouldn’t have been broken). But the R3 Mark II rumors… they’re giving us pause.

The big news: A dual-native resolution sensor. 54 megapixels when you want to count pores on your subject’s face, or drop to 24 megapixels when you actually want to shoot something that moves. The 24MP mode apparently hits 90 frames per second. Ninety. That’s not a camera anymore — that’s a fire hose with a shutter button.

The kicker? The 24MP mode apparently boosts ISO performance by about 80% through “adjacent pixel merging.” This is genuinely clever. We’re almost impressed.

Price tag? $6,500–$7,000. Because nothing says “enthusiast-friendly” like a mortgage payment for a camera body.

The camera was reportedly tested at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics, which is either a vote of confidence or a sign that Canon needed professional feedback before shipping something this complicated. Probably the latter.

Meanwhile, For The Rest Of Us…

If the R3 II is too rich for your blood, good news: the EOS R10 Mark II is supposedly coming in 2026. Canon apparently wants to dominate the “emerging markets” segment — specifically China and India. Nothing says “exciting new market” like an entry-level APS-C camera priced competitively against a smartphone.

Will it have the same 32.5MP sensor as the R7 Mark II? Rumors are… unclear. Which means Canon is probably still deciding.

The AE-1 Tribute: 2026 Marks 50 Years

Remember when we talked about Canon’s retro plans? The AE-1 50th anniversary camera is still supposedly coming. 32.5 megapixels, classic styling, and a price tag that’ll make you nostalgic for the original’s $295. Adjusted for inflation, of course.

Will any of this actually ship in 2026? We’ll believe it when we see it. But for now, at least the R3 Mark II’s dual-resolution idea is… dare we say… innovative?

We’ll wait for the firmware update to be sure.

Sources: Canon Rumors, thenewcamera, various Chinese outlets