Canon's EOS R mirrorless camera could come in a 150MP version

If Fujifilm can develop a superb camera with a 100+ megapixel sensor in the GFX 100, then why not Canon? As crazy as it may sound, Canon Watch is reporting that the Japanese camera maker is developing a full-frame mirrorless snapper housing a 150MP sensor, with the rumored camera being unofficially dubbed the EOS R3.

While it may sound like megapixel madness, it is quite plausible. Last year, Canon showed off a 120MP sensor at the Sensors Expo & Conference in San Jose, California. So it's not too much of a stretch to expect the company to produce an even higher resolution option. That said, the 120MP was not a 35mm full-frame sensor; it was APS-H in size – the sensors that were used in previous high-end EOS DSLRs, such as the EOS-1D Mark IV.

Moreover, rumors of a 75MP as well as an 83MP EOS R camera have been doing the rounds since last year, which could indicate that Canon is at least thinking about a super-high-resolution mirrorless camera, one that sits above the EOS R5 (which could have a 45MP sensor resolution, although Canon has not confirmed that as yet). 

Whether the rumors of a 150MP Canon camera are true or not, the question here is do we really need such a high resolution sensor? File sizes would be massive and it would take a lot of processing power on a computer to edit those in post.

However, both the Fujifilm GFX 100 and the 61MP Sony Alpha A7R IV have proved that ultra high-res sensors work marvellously well, capturing plenty of detail. And it wouldn't surprise us in the least if Sony, too, is looking to outdo itself and develop a 100+ MP sensor for the next A7R shooter.

While we'd suggest you take the news of a Canon EOS R3 and its 150MP sensor with a pinch of salt, it would definitely have the photography world abuzz if it turns out to be true.

Sharmishta Sarkar
Managing Editor (APAC)

While she's happiest with a camera in her hand, Sharmishta's main priority is being TechRadar's APAC Managing Editor, looking after the day-to-day functioning of the Australian, New Zealand and Singapore editions of the site, steering everything from news and reviews to ecommerce content like deals and coupon codes. While she loves reviewing cameras and lenses when she can, she's also an avid reader and has become quite the expert on ereaders and E Ink writing tablets, having appeared on Singaporean radio to talk about these underrated devices. Other than her duties at TechRadar, she's also the Managing Editor of the Australian edition of Digital Camera World, and writes for Tom's Guide and T3.