What To Know
- the Canon EOS 70D, a seasoned DSLR, and the Canon EOS RP, a mirrorless camera paired with the renowned Canon RF 85mm f/1.
- The EOS RP also boasts a compact and lightweight design, a vari-angle touchscreen, and compatibility with the innovative RF lens series.
- 2L USM setup offers significantly more impressive bokeh due to the lens’s superior performance and the full-frame sensor’s ability to achieve a shallower depth of field.
Choosing the right camera for portrait photography can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a myriad of options. Today, we’ll delve into a head-to-head comparison between two popular choices: the Canon EOS 70D, a seasoned DSLR, and the Canon EOS RP, a mirrorless camera paired with the renowned Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens. This comprehensive analysis will help you determine which setup best suits your needs and artistic vision.
Understanding the Contenders: A Brief Overview
Canon EOS 70D: The Reliable DSLR
The Canon EOS 70D, released in 2013, is a well-established DSLR known for its reliability, user-friendliness, and solid image quality. It boasts a 20.2MP APS-C sensor, a 7fps continuous shooting rate, and a 19-point autofocus system. The EOS 70D also features a built-in flash, a vari-angle LCD screen, and compatibility with Canon’s extensive EF lens lineup.
Canon EOS RP: The Mirrorless Marvel
The Canon EOS RP, introduced in 2019, represents the entry point to Canon’s full-frame mirrorless system. It features a 26.2MP full-frame sensor, a 5fps continuous shooting rate, and a 4779-point autofocus system with eye detection. The EOS RP also boasts a compact and lightweight design, a vari-angle touchscreen, and compatibility with the innovative RF lens series.
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: The Portrait Masterpiece
The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is a premium, full-frame lens designed specifically for portrait photography. Its exceptional image quality, fast aperture, and beautiful bokeh make it a favorite among professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Image Quality: Capturing the Essence
Canon EOS 70D: The EOS 70D’s 20.2MP APS-C sensor delivers excellent image quality, particularly in well-lit conditions. Its dynamic range is commendable, allowing for good detail recovery in both shadows and highlights. However, the APS-C sensor inherently produces a shallower depth of field compared to full-frame, which may limit creative options for portraiture.
Canon EOS RP + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: The EOS RP’s 26.2MP full-frame sensor and the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens deliver exceptional image quality. The full-frame sensor provides a wider dynamic range, resulting in more detail and richer colors. The lens’s exceptional sharpness and beautiful bokeh contribute to stunning portrait results, especially when utilizing its wide aperture for shallow depth of field effects.
Verdict: The Canon EOS RP, paired with the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens, offers superior image quality due to its full-frame sensor and the lens’s remarkable performance.
Autofocus: Finding the Sharp Focus
Canon EOS 70D: The EOS 70D’s 19-point autofocus system is reliable and accurate, especially for static subjects. However, its performance may be less impressive when tracking moving subjects, particularly in low light conditions.
Canon EOS RP + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: The EOS RP’s 4779-point autofocus system, coupled with the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM’s advanced autofocus technology, excels in both accuracy and speed. Its eye detection feature significantly enhances portrait photography, ensuring sharp focus on the subject’s eyes even in challenging lighting scenarios.
Verdict: The Canon EOS RP, with its advanced autofocus system and the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM’s excellent autofocus performance, outperforms the EOS 70D in terms of autofocus accuracy and speed, particularly for portrait photography.
Bokeh: Creating Dreamy Backgrounds
Canon EOS 70D: The EOS 70D’s APS-C sensor produces a shallower depth of field compared to full-frame cameras, resulting in less pronounced bokeh. While still capable of creating pleasing background blur, it may not be as dramatic as the full-frame setup.
Canon EOS RP + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens is renowned for its exceptional bokeh. Its wide aperture and sophisticated optical design create beautifully smooth, creamy backgrounds that effectively isolate the subject and add a touch of artistry to portraits.
Verdict: The Canon EOS RP + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM setup offers significantly more impressive bokeh due to the lens’s superior performance and the full-frame sensor’s ability to achieve a shallower depth of field.
Lens Options: Expanding Your Creative Possibilities
Canon EOS 70D: The EOS 70D benefits from Canon’s extensive EF lens lineup, offering a wide range of options for various genres of photography. However, the lens selection is limited when it comes to specialized portrait lenses compared to the RF system.
Canon EOS RP + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: The EOS RP’s compatibility with the RF lens series opens up a world of possibilities for portrait photography. The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is a top-tier portrait lens, and the RF system also boasts other specialized options like the RF 50mm f/1.2L USM and the RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM.
Verdict: While the EOS 70D has access to a vast EF lens library, the EOS RP‘s RF system offers a more specialized and innovative selection of lenses, particularly for portrait photography.
Ergonomics and Handling: Comfort and Control
Canon EOS 70D: The EOS 70D’s DSLR design is familiar and comfortable for many photographers. Its deep grip and well-placed controls provide a secure and intuitive handling experience.
Canon EOS RP: The EOS RP’s mirrorless design is compact and lightweight, making it more portable than the EOS 70D. Its touchscreen interface and intuitive menu system facilitate easy navigation and control. However, some photographers may find the smaller size and lack of a dedicated grip less comfortable for extended shooting sessions.
Verdict: The EOS 70D’s DSLR design offers a more traditional and comfortable grip, while the EOS RP‘s mirrorless design prioritizes portability and ease of use. The choice ultimately depends on individual preferences and shooting style.
Price and Value: Balancing Budget and Performance
Canon EOS 70D: The EOS 70D is a more affordable option compared to the EOS RP and the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens. However, its older technology and limited lens selection may not offer the same level of performance and versatility as the full-frame setup.
Canon EOS RP + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: The EOS RP and the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens represent a more significant investment. However, the combination delivers exceptional image quality, advanced autofocus, and a premium lens designed specifically for portrait photography.
Verdict: The EOS 70D offers a more budget-friendly option, but the EOS RP and the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens provide a significant upgrade in terms of image quality, performance, and lens options, justifying the higher price tag.
A Final Thought: Choosing the Right Path
The decision between the Canon EOS 70D and the Canon EOS RP + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM ultimately depends on your individual needs, budget, and photographic goals. If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable DSLR with a vast lens selection, the EOS 70D is a solid choice. However, if you prioritize exceptional image quality, advanced autofocus, and a premium portrait lens, the EOS RP and the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens offer a compelling and rewarding experience.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Q1: Is the Canon EOS RP worth the price difference compared to the Canon EOS 70D?
A1: The EOS RP, paired with the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens, offers a significant upgrade in terms of image quality, autofocus, and lens options. Whether it’s worth the price difference depends on your budget and your need for those advanced features. If you’re a serious portrait photographer seeking the best possible results, the EOS RP setup is a worthwhile investment.
Q2: Can I use Canon EF lenses on the Canon EOS RP?
A2: Yes, you can use Canon EF lenses on the Canon EOS RP using an EF-EOS R adapter. However, you will not have access to the full autofocus capabilities of the RF lens system.
Q3: What are the main differences between the Canon EOS 70D and the Canon EOS RP in terms of features?
A3: The EOS RP is a full-frame mirrorless camera, while the EOS 70D is an APS-C DSLR. This means the EOS RP offers a larger sensor size, superior image quality, and a wider dynamic range. The EOS RP also boasts a more advanced autofocus system, including eye detection, and is compatible with the innovative RF lens series.
Q4: Is the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens suitable for other genres of photography besides portraits?
A4: While the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens is primarily designed for portrait photography, its exceptional image quality and fast aperture make it suitable for other genres like fashion, lifestyle, and even low-light photography.
Q5: What are some alternative cameras to the Canon EOS 70D and Canon EOS RP for portrait photography?
A5: Some alternative cameras for portrait photography include the Canon EOS 6D Mark II, the Sony a7 III, and the Nikon Z6. These cameras offer different features and price points, so it’s important to research and compare them based on your specific needs and budget.
