Positioned in front of the CMOS imaging sensor, The EOS Ra's infrared-cutting filter is 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.
The EOS Ra camera is designed to integrate smoothly into existing EOS systems. Engineered to work seamlessly with RF lenses, it maintains complete compatibility with EF and EF-S lenses by using one of three optional Mount Adapters. When using EF-S lenses, the EOS Ra even crops automatically to reflect the APS-C sized sensor the lenses are designed for.
The RF mount on the EOS Ra camera has a large, 54mm internal diameter that enables impressive handling and provides increased flexibility for lens design. And thanks to the camera's mirrorless design, the lens's rear element can be much closer to the image plane. This reduced back focus distance, combined with the RF mount's 54mm diameter, helps facilitate lenses of stellar optical quality and stunning performance while enabling innovative compact camera and lens designs.
All RF lenses feature a 20mm flange focal distance, which is the distance from the lens mount to the surface of the image sensor. This flange focal distance balances the benefits of short back focus with the engineering requirements necessary for mount stability. Accordingly, the RF mount's flange focal distance ensures excellent optical performance while maintaining the mount rigidity and camera durability necessary for real-world operation.
With a robust 12 pin connection between the camera and the lens, the EOS Ra camera and RF lenses are able to communicate at a higher speed, transmitting a larger amount of data and information for incredibly fast AF, plus enhanced image stabilization and optimization.
Mount adapters, such as the Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, deliver seamless connections between the EOS Ra camera and EF and EF-S lenses with all functions intact. Offering L series level weather and dust sealing, the Mount Adapter EF-EOS R is even compatible with EF extenders like the Extender EF 1.4x III to extend your camera's optical reach. With an entire arsenal of EF and EF-S lenses at your disposal, the Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and other mount adapters ensure endless creative possibilities for the EOS Ra camera.
Beyond enabling use of EF and EF-S lenses on the EOS Ra camera, the Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and the Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R add functions that open up a number of new possibilities for creative image capture. The Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R adds a control ring like those found on RF lenses, providing the same level of control to your EF and EF-S lenses and supporting the same setting configuration regardless of lens. The Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R enables compatibility with EF and EF-S lenses and includes drop-in filter capability for use with circular polarizing filters or variable ND filters. This enhancement enables compatibility with numerous lenses regardless of their front diameter, and makes filter use possible with lenses like the ultra-wide EF 11-24mm f/4L USM lens or the tilt-shift TS-E 17mm f/4L lens which cannot accept a filter on the front.
The EOS Ra is Canon's first astro-dedicated mirrorless camera that features a Canon-developed and produced 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor with approx. 30.3 effective megapixels. It employs the DIGIC 8 Image Processor to enhance the speed of operations across the board. This means fast, efficient performance and phenomenal image quality for big prints, impressive 4K video and more.
The EOS Ra camera has an in-camera Digital Lens Optimizer that works with RF lenses (and EF/EF-S lenses with a Mount Adapter) to provide a substantial improvement in image quality. The Digital Lens Optimizer limits deterioration in image quality caused by low-pass filters or wide-aperture lens designs. It is particularly effective at correcting peripheral aberration, providing a high amount of detail for beautifully natural results. It's usable both during shooting and when developing RAW data, and does not affect continuous shooting speeds. Data from compatible EF and EF-S lenses is built into the camera, and data information from RF lenses is transferred near instantly through the EOS R's 12 pin communication system.
With a compact, lightweight and comfortable design, the EOS Ra camera reflects Canon's decades of experience designing and manufacturing cameras. With an intelligent layout of buttons, dials and screens, the EOS Ra is intuitive for new users and feels familiar to EOS users, offering the advanced features and nimble operation EOS users demand.
Although relatively compact in size, the EOS Ra camera features a large, ergonomic grip that makes the camera easy and comfortable to hold, even for long stretches of time. The EOS R's shutter button is even positioned atop the camera grip in a way that's easy to access and will feel familiar to any EOS user. With the EOS Ra's thoughtfully designed grip, shutter position and button layout, switching between the EOS Ra and other EOS cameras can be both comfortable and intuitive.
The EOS Ra camera is designed and engineered to create a balanced and reliable user experience. Whether shooting with the impressive RF 28-70mm F2 L USM's zoom, with the compact RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM or with an EF lens with adapter and extender attached, the EOS Ra's deep grip, even weight and shallow body reflect a thoughtful design that’s ideal for extended use.
The EOS Ra camera gives you the choice of standard, full-frame viewing in 5x or 30x magnification - this is the first Canon EOS camera with 30x capability. This feature provides you with a tool for extremely precise focusing upon small stars and other astrophotography subjects. The EOS Ra camera is also able to display the 30x magnification through the electronic viewfinder, along with its LCD screen for Live View operation.
Comfortable and solid in the hand, the EOS Ra camera features a rigid yet lightweight magnesium alloy chassis that enhances body durability while shielding the camera from electromagnetic radiation and heat. It also has a tempered front panel for internal rigidity.
The EOS Ra camera has a robust, electronically controlled focal-plane shutter that's rated to approx. 200,000 cycles for consistent and reliable use. It shoots as fast as 1/8000 sec. at up to 8 fps, and up to 5 fps with Servo AV.
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.
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.
The EOS Ra camera has a silent shutter feature that uses an inaudible electronic shutter instead of the camera's focal-plane shutter.
The EOS Ra camera is compatible with the USB Power Adapter PD-E1 for in-camera charging via USB. Featuring an industry standard USB-C connector, the USB Power Adapter PD-E1 makes for easy charging without the necessity to remove the battery from the camera.
For power and the convenience of compatibility among multiple cameras, the EOS Ra camera uses Battery Packs LP-E6N, the same batteries used on the EOS 5D Mark IV and others. Especially helpful for photographers with multiple EOS cameras, the Battery Pack LP-E6N is a robust, long-lasting battery that helps deliver power, shot after shot, recording after recording.
The EOS Ra camera's dedicated Battery Grip BG-E22 holds 2 Battery Packs LP-E6N, while enabling virtually seamless vertical operation and additional functions with all buttons similarly configured in a comfortable and dedicated grip. Designed to maintain an optimal balance between the weight of the camera body and lens, the Battery Grip BG-E22 also adds a flash sync terminal for use in the studio. It also has a useful battery charging function (with optional USB power delivery adapter attached) that's particularly helpful for power-hungry operations like video recording or shooting over an extended period of time with the EVF.