The Canon Eos R3 For Wildlife Photography.

Sabine has been testing the Canon R3 for wildlife photography out on The Chobe river and she is ready to share her first impressions. The Canon Eos R3 is the latest pro-level Canon mirrorless camera to enter the market and Sabine will share her thoughts and plenty of images as examples.
The Chobe River is a fantastic year-round wildlife photography destination and therefore one of the best places to test new camera gear for wildlife photography like the Canon Eos R3. Although Sabine didn't have the camera for a long time to do a full in-depth review her first impressions will certainly help you if you are considering buying a Canon Eos R3.
Sabine was photographing this Canon R3 for wildlife review from one of the Pangolin Photo Boats and if you would like to know more about this amazing set-up for wildlife photography then please watch her other video here: • Is this the Best Gimba...
If you are interested in coming to The Chobe to do some wildlife photography with Sabine or any of the other Pangolin Photo Hosts then please check out our photo safari packages here: www.pangolinph...
Want to find out more about the Canon Eos R3? Read our blog post here: www.pangolinph...
Timestamps:
00:10 The Canon R3 for wildlife photography
02:00 Battery life of the Canon R3
03:20 Button customisation
04:20 The Viewfinder options
05:00 EF adapter for the Canon R3
06:40 Autofocus on the Canon Eos R3
08:15 Eye control on The Canon R3
11:10 Low light performance of the R3
12:25 Canon R3 Image quality
14:15 Megapixel count of the R3
14:45 ISO performance
15:40 Sabine's Verdict on the Canon R3
We are Pangolin Wildlife Photography based in Chobe, Northern Botswana. When we are not making videos for our channel we host our guests and clients from all over the world on our Wildlife Photography safaris throughout Botswana and the rest of Africa..and beyond sometimes too!
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#wildlifephotography #camerareview #CanonR3

[@PangolinWildlife]

So do you think the R3 is worth the hefty price tag or would you go for the less expensive (higher pixel count) R5...or maybe even the great all round performance of the R6...let us know your thoughts.

[@quazisanjeed6395]

R3 is a vastly superior camera to R5 for sports/wildlife photography, no question about it. It excels in every department. Even the resolution is perfectly suitable for the FF sensor, 45 mp is over kill and cause for some limitations.

[@AlpeshPatel-jh5ti]

Sabine what are your thoughts on R3 Vs R5. Want to buy one of them and just torn between the 2 because of the lower megapixels on the R3. I mainly do wildlife photography

[@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife]

If you don’t mind, my canon R6 has a delay for the viewfinder, when the camera is asleep, and I lift the camera and lens, I have to hit the shutter button to activate the viewfinder and there is a second delay. Is this normal with all the canon mirrorless? I miss shots sometimes if i lift the camera and forget to tap the button to “wake it up”. Lastly, I also notice the R6 will sometimes freeze and I can’t hit the Q button for a few seconds after taking some photos. The SD cards are the high quality ones and it shouldn’t be near buffer for just a burst of 8 photos. Is the R3 better with this? I’m updated to the latest firmware but these issues are very frustrating. Thanks

[@manojkumartuteja2270]

​@Alpesh Patel have you bought your camera.. I am in same boat... thoughts ?

[@M4TR1X]

@@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife Have you turned on EVF High FPS on?

[@matthewcullen7106]

In all my looking for R3 reviews this is the only one I've seen so far that is actually relevant to my shooting. So many are just tech reviewers or bloggers focused on shooting video. Thank you for this.

[@tomdoolin2415]

Absolutely brilliant R3 Canon review

[@darylcheshire1618]

what a marvellous chair and lens support system in the boat.

[@alechunter3913]

Excellent video. Many thanks

[@Makta972]

Excellent review. Superb camera.

[@michaeltreephotography]

One of the best reviews I've seen for the Canon R3 focusing system, thank you, Sabine.

[@chaipizza6756]

Beautiful review! You gained a subscriber

[@dilanjayawickrama2469]

Thank you for all the detailed info. i am looking fwd to my R3 soon. 😍

[@rmanuelb]

Great vídeo Sabine! Thank you.

[@PangolinWildlife]

You're so welcome!

[@colinfieldgate4719]

A much awaited video - having recently got my R3. Great that you see clear advantages over the R5 despite the lower MP count. Being a 1DX II shooter, the R3 is more my kind of camera.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Hope you check out the set up video too!

[@radugirbea915]

Thank you for review, very good one!

[@narutodayo]

Great review, thank you!

[@ArminArno]

Hi, very good video. I use the R3 for Landscape photography and i am happy with the Camera 😊. BTW, the moderator is looking very good . Two beauties (Woman & R3😉). Greetings from Austria, Armin

[@anthonyburnett9070]

Yessss I’ve been waiting for this video from you guys.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Glad we didnt dissapoint.

[@iscoguy]

Great review. Very much appreciated.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@johngunning2123]

Great review. I'm really keen on the R3 but might just sit back and continue with my 1DX Mk II for a while yet...I think....maybe...well not sure. Love the setup on your boat for mounting the camera. Fantastic.

[@dieterbutow]

Sabine,thanks for a great review - decisions,decisions....with a little luck we shall see you again around September/Oct

[@RogerZoul]

You all have such beautiful wildlife there! Thanks for the look at the R3.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Our pleasure!

[@martinpettinger]

Hi Sabine... a great review thank you I am just getting my head round my R3 having moved on from the DX1 mark iii which has been a great camera for me. All the new features on the R3 are really opening up lots of possibilities ... so I wish you all the best and I am sure the R3 will be a great camera for you .

[@gerardferry3958]

think i will wait for the R1

[@PangolinWildlife]

Perhaps you are right.

[@davidtuman]

Even though I don't do a lot of wildlife photography (mostly events and sports) this has been by far the most practically useful R3 review I've watched overall - I even finally understood how to get AF to follow the eye-control ... I definitely share each of the same complaints about the body, coming from 1-series bodies myself - the mini-HDMI and SD card slot seem like deliberate artificial downgrades to differentiate the R3 from a future R1 :( ... and I'm pretty sure I'm getting a callus on my thumb from that minor bump on the grip :D ... all in all I'm really happy with the significantly improved keeper rate tho !

[@FredVaughn55]

Thank you for this informative video. I should receive my R3 today and will then follow your setup tutorial. 👍

[@PangolinWildlife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ramaprasadmsrinivasamurthy9874]

Hello Sabine, many thanks for a clear review of R3. Wish to know which time of the year is best suited to visit chobe river. Also wish to know if you will be the guide for the photography workshop? Thanks in advance. Best wishes. Ram.

[@patrickhudgell]

Thanks for another interesting, well-prepared and informative video.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Its our pleasure Patrick.

[@moorching]

Brilliant review!!!

[@Zordoss]

Very good review on the R3. Going to check out your setup for wildlife photos.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Hope its helpful.

[@jameswilliamson7432]

Thanks Sabine for this video and also the one on setting up the R3. I have been using the R5 for over a year and the R3 since December. Most of what I do is birds in flight. Both cameras are super but simply put the R3 is more fun to use . So far the 24MP has really not been a problem. I feel lucky to have received this camera so soon after it was launched. Just my thoughts without going into detail. Thanks again for the videos.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Lucky you indeed! Great to have both options to hand!

[@ajitkh]

Sabine, as always, I love to watch your videos and learn from them. I recently bought the R6, and I have fallen in love with it. I shot a leopard in near-total darkness two weeks ago, with an ISO of 102,400! Is it possible to share that image? I would also like to include a screenshot of the metadata.

[@dpulte]

Sabine, great video as always - thanks!

[@PangolinWildlife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@steveblack4576]

Awesome work Sabine🥂👍

[@paulcooper8818]

A lot of beautiful photos in your informative review. Very much appreciate the Eye Control section.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Cheers Paul.

[@frankmay9000]

Thanks Sabine for a great review. It would be my camera of choice, but first I would have to win a lottery. Such is life. :)

[@PangolinWildlife]

Who knows eh?

[@AlpeshPatel-jh5ti]

Sabine I have been waiting for this review ever since I saw the snippet. Having learnt from Janine i a trip a few years ago you guys are my experts. I have been toying with whether to upgrade from the 5DIV to the R5 or R3. You are just about to cost me more! I was waiting to hear about how good this camera is with the Ef lenses and you just gave me the answer. Amazing review and now over to the set up video.

[@PangolinWildlife]

So glad it was useful and answered all the right questions for you. Happy spending!!

[@AlpeshPatel-jh5ti]

So still haven’t splurged. But about to push the button on one of the two. So if I am mostly wildlife photography, would you suggest the R3 or the R5?

[@christreedee]

@@PangolinWildlife how do you import hi rez video files? windows reports them as 0 size but R3 sees them in cameras 4k-D 60fps all-I, thanks

[@sunil3135]

Excellent review, probably the best at current times on youtube. Using the eye-autofocus the way you describe seems really smart and innovative.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Thanks Xave.

[@jakecook716]

I bought my R3 last week, but have been looking forward to your review to see how it performs on safari. Which I'm looking forward to doing once again after 2 years of no travel. Awesome camera, but I'd like know to how much memory is enough with 30fps on safari.

[@colinfieldgate4719]

I guess it depends on how you shoot, whether you shoot video, how long you are on Safari for, and if you plan to backup your images/movies to a laptop / external storage. I'd rank the ability to clear the buffer as a very important factor too. For this reason I chose a 325GB ProGrade Cobalt card. I am also taking a lightweight laptop and external drives. I will be on safari in May 2022 for 11 days , so I expect to fill the card more than once!

[@PangolinWildlife]

Agrred with Colin there. Better to take a laptop with hard drives as back up and repositary for all the images. Dont forget there is time to download between each of the activities normally.

[@stubones]

The SD card slot is for sports photographers who shoot jpg, so they can shoot raw but hand off the jpgs for quick publication. Many use the Wi-Fi function though to shoot to a laptop for eg though.

[@wilduntamedphotography1260]

Thanks for testing and sharing, can't wait to get my hands on one of these soon. I'm interested and excited to see how well that one can keep up with the A1 :-)

[@PangolinWildlife]

I bet you are...hope you are well mate. Toby

[@wilduntamedphotography1260]

@@PangolinWildlife Hey Toby, thanks for asking, I am fine - hope so are you? Can‘t wait for September and beeing back on the Chobe River 🤗👍🏻

[@Running-withscissors]

I am a PJ who specializes in shooting dogs sports, events and street work . I have an R3 in my hands right now and this was an incredibly helpful video addressing my concerns and expectations. I have done a test run today and will not expect much (if any ) time to get into any serious customization this weekend, but Sabine has definitely put me at ease that it will get the job done well and better than my usual 7d iis. BTW, I could listen to Sabine all day... haha

[@BerndWolter]

Danke Sabine! Mir wäre jedoch die R3 ein wenig zu groß. Arbeite lieber mit der R5. Technisch ist die R3 natürlich toll aber wie so oft Geschmackssache. In unseren Breiten ist die Fluchtdistanz der Tiere größer und da sind mehr Megapixel für einen Crop komfortabler. Frohe Weihnachten!

[@waynejohnson6903]

What a great review! I've come to depend on Pangolin for the best reviews for shooting in the wild and for providing quality reviews on new gear.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Thanks Wayne.

[@jeffryquiambao2683]

ive been waiting for this video... planning to upgrade from r6 to r3

[@PangolinWildlife]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@WalkForFreedomOz]

Great review. Thank you. I have a 7D mark 2 which I bought second hand which all so freezes occasionally. Had it in for repairs. They couldn't find anything wrong with it. Has done it again since having it back. Taking the battery out fixes it very time. Considered buying another 7Dii only because I can't afford to switch just yet. 📷

[@PangolinWildlife]

Thanks for sharing

[@africanhistory]

I think it is better to have two different cards. And here is why. You are in St Lucia (no not the wetlands the country) and something goes wrong. Where are you going to get those specialize cards from?

[@johnpeterka8355]

Thank you Sabine for your video! Would you recommend trading a R5 for a R3? We shoot weddings and other genres.

[@aurelbaldi4731]

Hello Sabine. When can we see a review of NIKON Z 9 and a comparison of both camera?

[@PangolinWildlife]

We are working on that!

[@garymeredith2441]

Sabine I love the way you did your review of the EOS R3 myself I use a 1dx I'm considering going the mirrorless route and I think if I did it would be with the R3 but I love your wildlife photos that you were doing of all the birds because I'm a bird photographer and if I ever come to Africa I will definitely take one of your tours no question about it but I just loved the way you were talking about the camera what it works and what it doesn't work keep up that great work there Sabine and I love the Kingfisher shots oh my God those were absolutely wonderful and those beautiful bee eaters as well thank you for doing this .

[@nancyross2897]

Thank you Sabine for the excellent review. I currently use an R6 with RF glass and I require a second body. I’m really leaning towards the R5 because I mainly photograph birds, waterfowl and birds of pray and thought the uptake of MP would help for cropping? Can I justify the price of an R3? All comments are welcome

[@theoschela]

Thank-you Sabine! So after a month do you find yourself grabbing the R3 or the R5 more often?

[@charlesbertram5138]

I like mine...headed to see your set up now

[@PangolinWildlife]

...and then on safari.....

[@charlesbertram5138]

@@PangolinWildlife my first trip to Africa was to Kalahari, Savuti, Kwahi, Okavango, and Zambia near Victoria Falls (2011/12)...I would love to come back.

[@PangolinWildlife]

@@charlesbertram5138 that's an awesome trip!!! Looks like Chobe is missing off that list though!

[@charlesbertram5138]

@@PangolinWildlife Actually, we did fish for a day on the Chobe - before we headed to Zambia - near where you are now..

[@howardrankin7119]

Excellent regal world review

[@PangolinWildlife]

Thank you Howard. Much appreciated

[@kilohotel6750]

I would much prefer that body and battery over my R5 with grip but those two things aren't enough for me to replace one of or both of my R5's. Once the R1 is out that's when I'll decide to get an R3, R1 or just keep my R5's. I also hate the two different card types Canon keeps putting in bodies.

[@jimwilliams4170]

Great presentation.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Cheers Jim.

[@joeriederersmiddleschoolsc3948]

Can you provide information about those awesome deck chairs?

[@MrMayabeach]

I own both the 1dx mkii and mkiii which are marvellous. Based on many reviews I have seen, I would would for second gen R3 where it would be more refined and specially that rediculus two types of memory cards right now.

[@dazsly]

Nice video. Thanks 😊

[@PangolinWildlife]

Welcome 😊

[@macwestcanon]

Can you address the menu option in R3 to reduce shutter release (shutter lag reduced to 0.02 seconds} in an new video . Thanks Mac

[@kirostar12]

Nice presentation. It is certainly lighter than the DX III, but 1 kg is not a light camera, as we add 3-4 kg of lens, tripod and the possibilities for flexibility are reduced. As a travel photographer, I chose the easy way and have already ordered the new Olympus OM-1. I said goodbye to the heavy equipment. My wallet also approved the change :). Good Luck!

[@PangolinWildlife]

Thanks for sharing

[@Running-withscissors]

Im still a little confused by the "three focus options by shifting or sliding my finger" . Does this requite a specific setup? I haven't watched the setup video yet,. So maybe thats addressed there. The "kit" setup I already found wioth the B&H rental is workable, but more fast options are always good right? :)

[@elmerdeloso594]

Thanks for this great field review. My question is @9:28 the AF is single on the deer's eye, then a second later it changes to group AF. Can you elaborate how that change happened?

[@thomastuorto9929]

Killer AF system & iso performance. Still druelling over those seat/gimbal set-ups on your boats.

[@alankefauver6187]

Hello Sabine. I am coming to see you for 17 days in June/July. I have an R5 and all RF lenses. I want a second body and was thinking of getting another R5. I am addicted to the high pixel count, but you may be talking me into an R3. I am bringing the RF 100-500, the 70-200 2.8 and the 24-70 2.8. I'll probably leave the 15-35 2.8 at home unless you think it would be good to have for those closeup boat shots. I also have the RF 1.4 and 2x extenders. So, the question is: another R5 or an R3? I have my R5 setup for triple BBF. Formerly shot a 7D2 and a 5D4 in Kenya/Tanzania. What do you think?

[@PangolinWildlife]

Hi Alan. Sabine is travelling at the moment but Im sure she will get back to you asap.

[@alankefauver6187]

@@PangolinWildlifeD I'd like to know what Janine thinks as well. Thanks. David and I can't wait to get there.

[@robertkeyghobad2981]

Hi Alan, I was in TZ this past Feb with both my R5 and R3. I had my RF 400mm f/2.8L + 1.4TC on my R3 and with my R5 + RF 100-500mm. As great as the R3 is the pixel density of the R5 is really hard to beat. I personally like using the R3 more, but unless you’re planning on doing a lot of lowlight/ high ISO or BIF shooting I would recommend going with another R5.

[@bornufree]

As I Much prefer to photograph various mammals. How good is the animal eye autofocus for these subjects? 50%?, 80%? Etc Thanks. Hope to join you soon on Safari

[@PangolinWildlife]

Its pretty good on Mammals but gets confused by some like hippos!

[@davidsherman3462]

Great video

[@PangolinWildlife]

Thanks David.

[@michael-4k4000]

How did she get one?

[@saravanankandasamy3846]

What camera mount with chair you Used ?

[@ahmedbebars6844]

Where is this place that's packed with wildlife at close range?

[@VR-Wolf]

Hi, is it true that the larger battery of the R3 and 1DX3 drives focus faster on big lenses like a 600mm F4 mk2 compared to the R5/R6 ?

[@PangolinWildlife]

Not sure...will have to check that out.

[@labmedia5444]

Can you guys review the Nikon Z9

[@PangolinWildlife]

We are trying to get hold of one!

[@Makta972]

Will you test the Olympus Om1 ?

[@PangolinWildlife]

We plan to.

[@angelisone]

Anyone knows if supported flash will provide AF assist beam on R3? All Sony cameras that are mirrorless don't.

[@9tbiker455]

Verleiht ihr lange Objektive auf euren Touren?

[@wilduntamedphotography1260]

Yepp, Sigma 150-600mm, für Canon Mounts

[@PangolinWildlife]

Cheers Marco.

[@tonyfabris367]

Have you given up on Nikon ? Long time no see…!

[@PangolinWildlife]

We are working on it!

[@SEAME7]

The wildlife photography 2.0 : on a boat, quietly sitting on a seat, in the shape of the sun (maybe with a Mojito ?)...😅😂

[@VALMIKBUCH1]

Please share the lenses used in this clip

[@PangolinWildlife]

RF 70-200mm f/4, EF 200-400mm f/4L IS with 1.4x extender, EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II, EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II, EF 600mm f/4L IS II

[@npvlogkr]

If something cost Lot it gotta be good 😊

[@PangolinWildlife]

You got that right!

[@quazisanjeed6395]

While I agree R3 is a great action camera however, my 1D Mark IV is still a capable machine with its ten FPS burst shots. Moreover, it gives me 30% more reach with telephotos which is a huge advantage for shooting wildlife. There's no end to more shots in burst! We already know about 60 FPS per second on some cameras and even 120 FPS. So, this will be another crazy race like the meaningless pixel race. MILC is great but not indispensable to replace pro DSLRs like 1DIV, 1DxIII, 5DII, 5DIII and 5DIV. Hobbyists like me can safely continue using them with the great Canon EF lenses for a very long time from now.

[@alansach8437]

The 1D Mark iv was a great camera. Perfect compromise between APS-C and full frame. 16 mpx., but I routinely made 20x30 inch prints with them. I still have two of them, though my go to camera today is the R6.

[@jeffbackcountry5651]

What is attached to the top of the camera at 5:57 in the video?

[@kennethwilliamsinc]

Atomos Ninja V Recorder

[@Rats1984ify]

At the outset it looks more like a 800 or a 1200 mm stuff!

[@Rats1984ify]

oops that was a 600

[@pingbookent]

There is a thing called 'Micro HDMI to HDMI cable' Problem solved.

[@Chareece24]

If you have a long lens do the mega pixels matter too much

[@AndrzejZalewskiYT]

almost half kilo lighter than DxIII, wow

[@PangolinWildlife]

Big difference for travellers I would say...