You don’t always realise it, but sometimes holding a machine changes the way you think. You stop seeing it as a collection of parts and features, and it becomes something else — an extension of how you see the world. The Canon EOS R1 evokes that feeling, and from the moment you pick it up, there’s no denying what it’s built for. It’s Canon’s most advanced mirrorless camera yet, aimed squarely at professional sports and wildlife photographers who demand speed, reliability, and intelligence from their gear.

Let’s start with the obvious: the EOS R1 is big. At over 1.1kg with the battery and cards inside, it’s heavier than most modern mirrorless cameras and bears a silhouette closer to Canon’s 1D series DSLRs. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The size and weight give the camera a more substantial feel and add to its professional character. What stands out more is not the weight, but how balanced it feels. The vertical grip isn’t an afterthought here — it’s been integrated in a way that makes the camera symmetrical and stable, even with large lenses mounted. The built-in vertical grip is a significant advantage. It facilitates various shooting styles, and those who are into portrait or fashion photography, etc., will appreciate it even more.