Canon EOS R3 vs Canon EOS R1
Canon EOS R1 has the edge on paper, but the right choice depends on what you shoot. the EOS R1 is better for wildlife.
Choose the EOS R3 for
- a lighter body (1015g vs 1115g)
- a lower price (from £2,099)
Choose the EOS R1 for
- more resolution (24.2MP vs 24.1MP)
- faster bursts (40fps vs 30fps)
- a newer design (2024)
Specs side by side
| Spec | EOS R3 | EOS R1 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Full frame, 24.1MP | Full frame, 24.2MP |
| Mount | Canon RF (full frame) | Canon RF (full frame) |
| Released | 2021 | 2024 |
| Burst | 30 fps | 40 fps |
| Readout | ≈5 ms | ≈5 ms |
| Max ISO | 102,400 | 102,400 |
| Stabilisation | In-body | In-body |
| Video | 6K 60p RAW | 6K 60p RAW |
| Weather sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Weight | 1015 g | 1115 g |
| Battery | Canon LP-E19 | Canon LP-E19 |
| Card slots | 2× CFexpress B | 2× CFexpress B |
| New price | No longer sold new | £6,399 |
| Used at MPB | £2,099–3,109 | None listed |
| Native lenses in our database | 36 (14 third-party) | 36 (14 third-party) |
Which is better for…
| Use | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly | About equal |
| Everyday & travel | About equal |
| Portraits | About equal |
| Landscape | About equal |
| Wildlife & animals | EOS R1 |
| Sports & action | About equal |
| Astrophotography | About equal |
| Vlogging & video | About equal |
| Vintage / film look | About equal |
Based on the specs that matter most for each type of photography: burst and readout for action, resolution for landscapes, sensor size and low light for portraits and astro, video and weight for vlogging.
Lenses and running costs
Both cameras use the Canon RF / RF-S mount, so lenses move between them. They share the same battery (Canon LP-E19).
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canon EOS R3 better than the Canon EOS R1?
It depends on your priorities. The EOS R3 offers a lighter body (1015g vs 1115g), a lower price (from £2,099); the EOS R1 offers more resolution (24.2MP vs 24.1MP), faster bursts (40fps vs 30fps), a newer design (2024).
Which is better for video, the EOS R3 or the EOS R1?
They are closely matched for video (6K 60p RAW vs 6K 60p RAW); stabilisation and lens choice will decide it.
Which is cheaper, the EOS R3 or the EOS R1?
The EOS R3 costs No longer sold new new and from £2,099 used at MPB; the EOS R1 costs £6,399 new (checked 5 November 2026).
Can I use Canon EOS R3 lenses on the EOS R1?
Yes. Both use the Canon RF / RF-S mount.