Canon EOS R3 Mark II Rumored for February 2026 Debut with Global Shutter CMOS

According to a report from The New Camera, sources suggest that Canon is preparing to launch the EOS R3 Mark II full-frame mirrorless camera ahead of the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics, which will take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026. This timeline strategically targets the professional sports photography market, a key demographic for this high-performance line.

Canon EOS R3 Mark II

For context, the original Canon EOS R3 was released in September 2021 with a launch price of $5,999. It was a pioneer in introducing Eye Control AF to mirrorless cameras and was designed for professionals in wildlife, sports, and photojournalism. Canon, along with competitors like Nikon, has a history of releasing or updating flagship models in sync with the Olympic Games, making this rumored timeline highly plausible.

The most significant rumor is that Canon is currently testing a global shutter CMOS sensor for the R3 Mark II. Unlike traditional rolling shutters, a global shutter completely eliminates the 'jello effect,' which is critical for capturing fast-moving subjects without distortion. The market has already shown strong acceptance for this technology with the success of cameras like the Sony Alpha 9 III.

Canon EOS R3 Mark II

Internally, the R3 Mark II is very likely to feature a new DIGIC X Mark II image processor. The current DIGIC X processor, which first appeared in the flagship DSLR EOS-1D X Mark III, is approaching six years old and is due for a significant update to handle the demands of a next-generation sensor and advanced features.

Further upgrades are expected in the autofocus and viewing systems. The camera will reportedly feature an enhanced Eye Control AF 2.0 system with deeper AI-powered subject recognition capabilities, designed to excel in complex scenarios like sports and bird photography. Additionally, it is expected to inherit the 5.76 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder from the flagship R1, with optimizations tailored for the R3's integrated vertical grip body.

In terms of pricing, the Canon R3 Mark II body-only price is anticipated to see an increase, landing somewhere between $6,500 and $7,000. This positions the new model squarely between the upcoming R5 Mark II and the top-tier R1, offering a powerful option for professionals seeking cutting-edge speed and performance.

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