Canon has announced the EOS Ra, which has been specifically designed for astrophotography enthusiasts. This is Canon’s first full-frame mirrorless camera dedicated to deep sky and night sky photography.
Key features
- Optimized for Astrophotography
- IR-Cut Filter Passes H-Alpha Wavelength
- 30x Magnification for Focus in Live View
- 30.3MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
Infrared-cutting filter
Positioned in front of the CMOS imaging sensor is an infrared-cutting filter that has been modified to permit approximately 4x as much transmission of hydrogen alpha rays at the 656nm wavelength, vs. standard EOS R cameras. This allows for a higher transmission of deep red infrared rays emitted by nebulae, without requiring any other specialized optics or accessories.
Because the EOS Ra has an infrared-cutting filter it’s not going to be suitable as an everyday camera.
Video Capabilities
For filmmakers, you can create some interesting looks by shooting UHD or HD movies or even time-lapses with a camera that has an infrared-cutting filter.
The EOS Ra camera offers the ability to record 4K (UHD) at up to 29.97 fps, Full HD at up to 59.94 fps and 720p at up to 119.9 fps. Helpful functions include distortion correction during recording and Movie Digital IS. Additionally, video can be recorded during still photo shooting by simply pressing the Movie Shooting button. Time-lapse videos can also be created in 4K simply and easily with the dedicated Time-lapse Movie mode.
Canon Log is included in the EOS movie gamma selections. This feature reduces heavy shadows and blown-out highlights, delivering movie images with approximately 12 stops of dynamic range (at ISO 400) for excellent shadow and highlight detail.
For advanced video capture and for generating video that can be incorporated with footage shot on other cameras in post-production, the EOS Ra camera has an HDMI port that can output 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 video directly to an external recorder. The camera can also output 10-bit movie footage in ITU-R BT.2020 color when Canon Log setting is activated.
There is the usual 29 Minutes, 59 Seconds recording limit.
For advanced video capture and for generating video that can be incorporated with footage shot on other cameras in post-production, the EOS Ra camera has an HDMI port that can output 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 video directly to an external recorder. The camera can also output 10-bit movie footage in ITU-R BT.2020 color when Canon Log setting is activated.
The camera does feature a 3.5mm diameter stereo mini jack for use of compatible headphones when recording video. It has a maximum output level of -14dBV. There is also a 3.5mm diameter stereo mini jack for plugging in a microphone in addition to having its own built-in stereo microphone.
The EOS Ra can record 4K video using IPB or ALL-I compression and save them as MP4 files (4K IPB/ALL-I MP4 H.264).
0.5-inch OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) EVF
The EOS Ra camera features a high-precision 0.5-inch OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) EVF with approx. 3.69 million dots and a 23mm eyepoint. Displaying a bright image and extensive shooting information that rotates with the camera, the viewfinder excels in bright conditions where viewing the camera’s LCD may prove difficult.
The EOS Ra’s electronic viewfinder has been created to provide a bright, sharp and colorful 100% view of the subject at hand. Equipped with an aspherical lens, the EVF shows a crisp and vivid image with minimal aberration or distortion, even when the eye moves off the center of the visual field.
The EOS Ra’s EVF has a bright, 23mm-high eyepoint design that creates a generous 30mm space between your nose and the rear of the viewfinder. This makes it easy to compose and view images in the viewfinder with or without glasses. A dioptric adjustment of -4 – +2 means it’s simple to change as needed to suit various users.
Dust- & Water-resistant Sealing
The EOS Ra camera is designed for use in a variety of weather conditions. Sealing materials are used in critical areas like the buttons, terminal covers, the battery compartment and the card slot cover. Precise design and construction help to minimize accidental penetration of dust and moisture in the rest of the camera body. Combined with an RF lens, or any other weather-sealed EF/EF-S lens, the EOS Ra proves to be a reliable partner in virtually any climate.
Shutter Closes if Powered Off without Lens
The EOS Ra camera has a mechanism to close the shutter when the camera is powered down. A mechanical shutter sound is audible when the camera is turned on or off. To protect the shutter curtain, focus is moved to infinity for RF and EF lenses and the minimum aperture is set for RF lenses when the camera is turned off.
Price & Availability
The EOS Ra will be available soon for $2,499.00 USD.
