Quick take: The R3 impressed me with its image quality, high ISO performance, and ergonomics. After using it for weddings and other assignments, I decided its price, size, and features were not the best match for my workflow.
Why I sold the R3 despite liking the images
The larger grip made big lenses such as the RF 28–70mm easier to handle, but the body also took more room in my bag. I prefer using two matching cameras throughout a wedding season so the controls feel the same in a fast-moving moment. Size, price, and that preference ultimately mattered more to me than the R3’s extra features.
Autofocus and controls in my workflow
Subject tracking was quick and effective, but the focus indicator could feel jumpy. Eye Control AF—the feature that follows where I look in the viewfinder—did not work reliably for me despite repeated calibration. That is separate from the camera detecting a subject’s eyes. I also preferred the joystick to the touch-sensitive AF-ON control.
The electronic-shutter burst choices in my original setup felt awkward for wedding work: 3 fps was slower than I wanted, while 15 and 30 fps created more frames than I needed. These observations reflect the camera and settings during my review period. I remained impressed by the image quality and usable color at ISO 10,000.
Howdy Photographers,
Here are my thoughts on the Canon R3 after 50,000+ Clicks. I've been using it since June for a variety of photography needs, including weddings, elopements, families, portraits, headshots, engagements, and even a music video.
When it comes to the camera itself, the things I really like about the R3 are its focus and high ISO capabilities. However, I do find the autofocus to be a bit jumpy and unpredictable when compared to the R5 and R6. The ergonomics are great and the image quality is amazing. But, I have to say, I wasn't a fan of the new feature of eye focus point tracking. It didn't work for me and I found it to be distracting.
The camera is larger than others I've used, so keep that in mind when considering a camera bag. It's not a lot heavier than the R5 and R6 just larger. The size of the grip does allow you to work more efficiently with bigger lenses like the 28-70mm and the 70-200mm or the 100-500mm, making them more manageable when held by hand. With the R5 and R6, you will start to notice more wrist strain when using larger lenses on a long day. I personally use an L-bracket pinky grip to help with this issue with those two cameras.
Another thing to consider is the number of buttons on the camera. There are tons! Which I do love. I like the front buttons, but I don't generally use them because I don't want to disrupt my muscle memory for the buttons I usually use. Overall, the ergonomics are great, but the size is something to keep in mind.
When it comes to shooting a full wedding season, I generally prefer to have two of the same camera, if not three for my second shooter. This allows me to be more efficient and consistent with my shots. However, I do mix in the GFX 100s for certain shots, but that's a different story. Using two Canon R3 cameras would be a bit too much for me.
In terms of image quality, I've compared the R3 to the Fuji GFX 100s and the Canon R5 and R6 and I can confidently say that it's great. The colors may not be as true as the R5, but they're still fantastic. And while nothing beats the GFX colors and film simulations.
In conclusion, the Canon R3 is a great camera for wedding photography. Its focus and high ISO capabilities are impressive and the ergonomics are great. However, the autofocus can be jumpy and the eye focus tracking feature didn't work for me. Keep in mind that the camera is larger than others and may require a different camera bag. And if you're thinking about shooting a full wedding season, consider having two of the same camera for consistency.
I decided not to keep the camera due to price, size, and features that didn't really suit me.
I sold the camera through Gear Focus and had a positive experience with their community and customer service.
